Tuesday, December 27, 2011

WMELS updated

Tuesday, December 27, 2011, Paella, Laura A. DPI wrote:
> Since 2003, Wisconsin early childhood programs have been guided by the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS). These standards have established common language and developmental expectations for all children from birth to first grade. The WMELS reflect attention to all the domains of a child’s learning and development including: health/physical, social/emotional, language/communication, approaches to learning, and cognition/general knowledge.
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> This fall, the WMELS Early Literacy section was reviewed to assure that it was in line with current best practices. We worked with Alan Coulter, Ph.D., Office for the Jamie S. Settlement Agreement LSU Health Sciences Center, to identify a national reading expert, Stephanie Al Otaiba, who assisted in this review and update. Concurrently the adoption of the Common Core State Standards has provided an opportunity to further align early childhood and academic standards.
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> The PDF for the updated WMELS document can be found at http://www.collaboratingpartners.com/wmels-documents.php. For those who already have copies of the WMELS Third Edition, a separate document of only the updated Early Literacy section can also be downloaded from this page

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Just one of the many students happy to see Santa and Mrs Claus visiting Medford from the North Pole!


Christmas Letter

I received this Christmas letter and wanted to share it with you. This truly shows how everyone coming together over the years from early childhood, elementary special education teachers and aides, elementary general education teachers, related services like speech language and OT, middle school special education teachers and aides, middle school general education teachers, and band teachers can have a positive impact on a student and their family.

Thank you for all you provide for our students with disabilities.  All of your love, interventions, patience, belief in a child's abilities, consistency, further education, and skills do make a difference.  Our students with disabilities have some of the best people in any school district working on their behalf. 


Dear Mr. Pat Sullivan, Mr. Joseph Greget, and the Board of Education for Medford Area Public Schools,


It's Christmas Time. The halls are literally full of Christmas Joy and Cheer. Most children, even the less fortunate find something to smile about at Christmas. For my family it's bittersweet.. My dad is dying slowly from PML and so we are guarded in our sense of celebration. But last week Miss Sam Henrichs and Mrs. Becky Risch did an awesome job getting our son and the other "boys" with special needs in the 6th grade class to participate in the Christmas Choir/Band concert. With the help of some very special people, I smiled and cried - When you have a child like Jack, you realize how very hard it was for him to stand up in front of 500 people and play an instrument. But Miss Sam helped Mrs. Risch accomplish what we would put as one of the wonders of "our world".... Seeing Jack being with his peers and being HAPPY while doing it. There are some very special teachers and aides as well as principals at our MAMS; rising above and beyond to be sure our children are safe, and learning in the best available environment. What may come as "no big deal" to most parents, is something we never throught Jack would do. We are so thankful for this Christmas Gift. 

We would sincerely like to thank all of the MAMS individuals who work with Jack daily. Autism is not an easy road by any means. All of us who love Jack know how much it takes and are committed to helping him as much as we can at home, but having a network at school is the key to success. 

Please remember to recognize those members of our school that are the people that go the extra mile and not just for the "easy kids" but the few that require attention. Ask the teachers from MAES what it's like to see Jack from then until now...they will tell you. His progress is phenomenal - We'll take any and all improvements next year, but right now it's about celebrating what he has just accomplished in the last year! 

Merry Christmas! SINCERELY, from the Mayrers

Cathy Mayrer and men

The Grinch who stole Mr. Joe at Christmas!


May the Grinch who stole me at Christmas not come to your house this year. I wish all of you and your families a Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year.

Santa and Mrs Claus visiting our morning friends at the Alternative HS!


Santa and Mrs Claus spending time with Mrs Eloranta the MAES and SES Guidance Counselor!


SES finest students visiting with Santa and Mrs Claus!


Santa and Mrs Claus found time to stop by and visit with residents from area nursing homes!




‎8th Grade Special Education Christmas Party!


Santa and Mrs Claus stopped by Ms Amanda's Pre-K Class at SES!


Santa and Mrs Claus visiting with Ms Sheryl and Ms Amber's friends in Early Childhood!



Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting and Training

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting and Training
Wisconsin Act 81, effective December 9, 2011, requires all employees of Wisconsin public school districts to report suspected child abuse and neglect. School boards must require all employees to receive training provided by the Department of Public Instruction within six months of initial hiring and at least every five years thereafter. Initial training of all public school employees must occur no later than June 9, 2012.
 
Note: While contracted individuals are typically not considered to be school employees, we advise school districts to review their contract language and, if necessary, consult with their legal counsel to determine the status of contracted school staff.
 
DPI will take the following steps to support implementation of Act 81 by January 31, 2012.
  1. Two alternatives will be available to meet the new training requirement: 
  • A webcast, following which educators will be able to download a certificate to document their viewing. 
  • A PowerPoint presentation with speaker notes that may be delivered by a local educator or county official. Again, a certificate may be downloaded.
  1. A second, optional webcast, recommended for school administrators and pupil services professionals, will provide more in-depth information about the school’s role in preventing child maltreatment. 
  2. DPI will update The School’s Role in Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect.
  3. A new home page on Child Abuse and Neglect will be established with links to the training noted above and other related resources at http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sspw/can.html.
 
Questions may be directed to Nic Dibble, Education Consultant, School Social Work Services, at (608) 266-0963 or nic.dibble@dpi.wi.gov.





Guell, Kirsten R.
Kirsten.Guell@dpi.wi.gov
Thu, Dec 22, 2011 at 1:58 PM

Weekly email from Stephanie Petska (1 item): Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting and Training

dpi.wi.gov

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


"A New Way of Thinking" Curriculum for Students with Disabilities

"A New Way of Thinking" is a free curriculum that helps students with disabilities develop self-accepting attitudes, combat negative thinking, and rediscover themselves.

http://www.cesa2.k12.wi.us/programs/transition/tanresources.cfm

Table of Contents include:
Chapter 1: Guess What, You Have a Disability
Chapter 2: Automatic Negative Thoughts
Chapter 3: Assessment
Chapter 4: Self Advocacy
Chapter 5: Self-Empowerment
Transition Resources

MAES Fall Family Reading Night Photos!

  • Thanks to all the staff who could help organize, promote, or help during our MAES Fall Family Reading Night!


  • Special visitor - Reading Raccoon at MAES Family Reading Night!


  • Mrs Robida taking time to read to a student during MAES Family Reading Night!

  • Dads reading to their sons!

  • Lots of books to swap for another one!

  • Dads and daughters reading together!

  • Occupational Therapist Caroline Radlinger and her daughters having fun while reading together!

  • Dads and daughters reading together!

  • Little guy looking to swap his book as part of the Book Swap!

  • Ms Marsha and her grand daughter pausing from reading for a picture!

  • Pre-K Teacher Ms Amanda reading to prekindergarten students and their parents!

  • Mrs Schumacher reading to her daughter as part of Family Time at MAES Family Reading Night.

  • School Psychologist Mrs Krenz reading to 1st and 2nd Graders and their parents at MAES Family Reading Night!