Rickards Middle School ESE Parents Night

ESE Department The purpose of the ESE Department at Rickards Middle is to provide services to the students, parents and teachers to ensure that our students have the necessary tools to improve their educational needs.

Programs and Services ESE Support Facilitators Speech Department SVE Classes Gifted Program/Honor Academy

ESE Support Facilitators at Rickards Middle We have 3 Support Facilitators at Rickards Middle- one per grade level 6 grade - Ms. Torres 7 grade - Mr. Santiago 8 th grade – Ms. Mc. Dowell

ESE Support Facilitators Roles - The ESE Support Facilitator’s role is to assist students by keeping an open line of communication with students, parents and teachers. - This is done through collaboration with the teachers in person, through classroom visits, via s, etc. - Support is provided by making sure teachers are aware of students individual needs and understand their individual accommodations.

ESE Support Facilitator Roles… Support facilitators: Collaborate and work with content area teachers through the “push-in/pull-out” model in order to assist, facilitate and provide specific instructional services to the students. Make sure that the accommodations implemented.

ESE Support Facilitator Roles… Meet with students regularly in small groups or on- on-one Work with teachers to ensure that assignments and classwork are completed Focus on ways to maximize the level of independence for students with special educational needs Provide opportunities for students to grow and develop within a natural school environment

ESE Support Facilitator Roles… Assist teachers in accommodating classroom assignments and/or tests for individual students Assist students and teachers in testing Write and monitor students with Temporary accommodations Provide support with the RtI (Response to Intervention) process.

Speech Department Speech and language impairments significantly affect language use or understanding, speech sound production, voice loudness, quality, or pitch, or the ability to initiate or maintain the rate and rhythm of speech. Speech and language therapy services may be recommended for a student who demonstrates a significant difference in performance based on tests and other assessments and who also demonstrates that this performance interferes with his/her academic, social, emotional, or post-school choices. Speech and language therapy services may be provided individually, in small groups, or in a student’s classroom by the speech-language pathologist. The speech-language pathologist may also provide information and support to the classroom teacher.

SVE Class At Rickards we have 2 SVE classrooms Mr. O’Connor Ms. Collins Teachers Assistant are assigned to each of the classes

SVE Classes Purpose Proved instruction in fundamental concepts and skills to enable students with significant cognitive disabilities to function at their highest levels and prepare them to participate effectively in post-school adult living and the world of work. To enhance the students’ development to function at independent and supported levels by teaching the necessary skills and concepts.

SVE Classes Specialized Varying Exceptionalities classes provides instruction in fundamental academic classes following the Sunshine State Standards and Access Points as mandated by the Florida Department of Education Students follows an Adapted Curriculum -which is aligned to the regular classes curriculum in order to meet the student individual needs Teachers and students work with Individual goals

SVE Classes We focus in teaching: Academic Skills Daily Living Skills Survival Skills Social Skills Leisure and Recreational Skills Life Skills

SVE Activities We take the students to the following Field Trips: Special Olympics Butterfly World I-Max Dade County Courthouse Parker Playhouse Magic Kingdom Kennedy Space Center

SVE Activities Play House Parker Playhouse African-American Museum Museum of Science and Discovery Dillard School and Concerts

SVE Activities F.A.U.

SVE - In School Activities Talent Shows Assemblies Black History Month Dr. Seuss Day After School Programs Gardening Program

Honors Academy ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAM ONGOING STUDENT PROGRESS MONITORING HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT COURSES HIGH SCHOOL MAGNET PROGRAM EXPLORATION

Parents Ms. Carroll & Ms. Jovanovic Been an ESE Parent How the school help my child Accomplishments

Parents How I work with my girls at home Facilitate- to make the process smoother and easier Every child learns differently Start with work that comes easiest to the student Work up to the more challenging work

Parents… When issues or problems arise for the student at school. Remain calm In communicating start with a positive statement Follow through to ensure changes are implemented Provide the school with positive feedback

Parents… Ensuring the school understands the unique needs of your child Connect with the ESE person working with your child Teacher/parent conference at the beginning of the year Keep in touch with teachers on a consistent basis Provide the teachers with positive feedback

Guidance Department AVAILABLE RESOURCES IN THE DISTRICT FAMILY COUNSELING HOMEWORK HELP COURSE RECOVERY PROGRAM HARMONY

ESE Program Highlights at Rickards Middle Participate in grade level school wide activities One ESE Support Facilitator per grade level Highly Qualified ESE Teachers and Staff Individualized Curriculum Follow the State Standards and Access Points Behavioral and Intervention Plans

ESE Program Highlights at Rickards Middle Field Trips Peer Counseling Buddies Monitor Grades and Progress online via Pinnacle Special Olympics Celebration of Monthly Birthdays

ESE Program Highlights at Rickards Middle Quarterly Lunch Bunch Certificates for good grades Celebrate Success Staff training in appropriate strategies to meet specific needs. Support Groups for parents and students

Questions?

WE ARE HERE TO HELP AND SUPPORT YOUR CHILD TO SUCCEED!

Thank you!