Welcome to the 2016-2017 School Year. On May 24, 2016, the School Board approved the Superintendent’s recommendation to appoint me as the new General Director of Exceptional Student Education. It is indeed a great honor for me and I embrace this opportunity. I am proud to lead committed and dedicated professionals who truly care about students with disabilities and their families. Every decision we as educators make is with our students’ futures in mind. The beginning of the school year brings a special kind of energy, full of excitement and hope. This year the ESE Department’s theme is “One Team, One Goal, The Power of One.” Collaboration between school staff members, families and students is the key to success for our students with disabilities. When families and educators work together as partners, our students can accomplish so much and realize our vision of preparing students for life. A message from Kimberly Workman, General Director, Exceptional Student Education October 2016 Volume 16, Issue 1 Important Dates October 7, 2016 End of 1st Grading Period Superintendent’s Advisory Council Meeting October 10, 2016 No School October 22, 2016 Parent University October 29, 2016 Post Secondary Planning Workshop November 4, 2016 Superintendent’s Advisory Council Meeting November 11, 2016 No School—Veteran’s Day November 21 st - 25 th , 2016 No School—Fall Break December 16, 2016 End of 2nd Grading Period December 19 , 2016 - January 2, 2017 No School—Winter Break Inside this issue: FDLRS Parent Services Information 2 Parent University Creating a Plan for the Future 3 Florida Inclusion Network 4 Special Ed Connection Superintendent’s Advisory Council 5 Project LEO 6 Graduation 7 Parent Press Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System (FDLRS) A Newsletter for Parents of Students in Exceptional Student Education
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Welcome to the 2016-2017 School Year.
On May 24, 2016, the School Board approved the Superintendent’s
recommendation to appoint me as the new General Director of
Exceptional Student Education. It is indeed a great honor for me and I
embrace this opportunity. I am proud to lead committed and dedicated
professionals who truly care about students with disabilities and their
families. Every decision we as educators make is with our students’
futures in mind.
The beginning of the school year brings a special kind of energy, full of
excitement and hope. This year the ESE Department’s theme is “One
Team, One Goal, The Power of One.” Collaboration between school staff
members, families and students is the key to success for our students with
disabilities. When families and educators work together as partners, our
students can accomplish so much and realize our vision of preparing
students for life.
A message from Kimberly Workman,
General Director, Exceptional Student Education
October 2016 Volume 16, Issue 1
Important Dates
October 7, 2016
End of 1st Grading Period
Superintendent’s Advisory
Council Meeting
October 10, 2016
No School
October 22, 2016
Parent University
October 29, 2016
Post Secondary Planning
Workshop
November 4, 2016
Superintendent’s Advisory
Council Meeting
November 11, 2016
No School—Veteran’s Day
November 21st - 25th, 2016
No School—Fall Break
December 16, 2016
End of 2nd Grading Period
December 19, 2016 -
January 2, 2017
No School—Winter Break
Inside this issue:
FDLRS Parent Services Information
2
Parent University
Creating a Plan for the Future
3
Florida Inclusion Network 4
Special Ed Connection
Superintendent’s Advisory Council
5
Project LEO 6
Graduation 7
Parent Press
Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System (FDLRS)
A Newsletter for Parents of Students in Exceptional Student Education
Inclusive Education Is a Team Effort – 8 Steps to Get Involved
1. Create a list of things that describe your child. Include your child’s strengths, challenges, interests, learning needs, health/medical information and future
dreams.
2. Do your homework about inclusive education. (visit our website for more
information)
3. Ask for a meeting with your child’s teacher to discuss your child’s strengths and challenges. This is also a good time to ask questions. (see our Family F.A.C.T
Folio, Volume One, listed under Resources for guiding questions on our website)
4. Be ready to share your vision for your child’s educational future.
5. State your willingness to be a partner on your child’s team throughout the year, not just at the Individual Educational Plan (IEP) meeting. After all, you are an
expert when it comes to your child!
6. Ask for an IEP team meeting to discuss inclusive opportunities available at your
child’s school.
7. Ask your child’s team to contact their area office Exceptional Student Education
(ESE) personnel for assistance in planning for inclusion, if necessary.
8. Be open-minded! Effective inclusion takes time, effort, resources, creativity and
collaboration.
Adapted from Florida Inclusion Network, Family F.A.C.T Folio, Volume One, dated June 2005
Visit the CARD-USF website safety page for information about prevention strategies for wandering and more information on Project Leo http://card-usf.fmhi.usf.edu/resources/materials/safety.html
Who is Eligible? Resides in Hillsborough County
Has wandered away or is at risk of
wandering
Has a diagnosis of autism spectrum
disorder or related disability
Does not drive a motor vehicle
Does not take public transportation
without supervision
Is under constant supervision and
monitoring of a responsible adult,
who can prevent wandering and
can contact 911 in the event the
individual is missing
Protecting Your Loved Ones
The Hillsborough County Sherriff’s Office
and Safety Net™ Tracking Systems have
been working together for several years to
build a quality program that helps locate
missing children and adults with various
disabilities who run away or wander.
This year, the Florida Legislature passed
Section 937.041, Florida Statutes, to provide
funding to the Center for Autism and
Related Disabilities at the University of South
Florida to purchase special personal devices,
worn on the wrist, that can aid in search-and
-rescue efforts and will be distributed by the
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
If you know of someone who meets these
criteria, please have their legal guardian
contact CARD-USF at
813-974-2532 to get registered
CARD-USF will request a release of information to
obtain proof of diagnosis and allow us to contact the
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office to provide the
family’s name, address and phone number so they may
set up an appointment to deliver the SafetyNet™
equipment and review how to use it. It will also allow
CARD-USF to communicate with the School District of
Hillsborough County (if applicable) and SafetyNet™
about the individual’s participation in the program to
The School District of Hillsborough County does not discriminate nor tolerate harassment on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, genetic information or pregnancy in its educational programs, services or activities,
or in its hiring or employment practices; and it will take immediate action to eliminate such harassment, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects. The
district also provides equal access to its facilities to the Boy Scouts and other patriotic youth groups, as required by the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access
Act.
The district accords preference in selection, retention, and promotion procedures to certain veterans and spouses of veterans who are Florida residents.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Dr. Pansy Houghton, Executive Officer, Compliance. 813-272-4000; [email protected]; Office of the Chief of Staff, 901 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, Florida 33602. An alternate point of contact for
complaints of discrimination or harassment may be directed to the Office of Professional Standards at 813-840-7128.
As required by Section 668.6076, Florida Statutes, you are hereby notified that: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want
your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. History.--s. 1, ch. 2006-232.
Mission
To provide an education and the supports that enable each
student to excel as a successful and responsible citizen
The Parent Press is designed to be an informational source for parents of students who receive Exceptional Student Education (ESE) services. In addition to Hillsborough County Public School (HCPS) supports and services, the Parent Press strives to offer as much information as possible from community agencies
and groups that provide services to persons with disabilities.
A Note about Graduation
A new State Board of Education Rule (6A-1.09963) became effective in December of 2014 to align with revisions
to the state statutes regarding graduation requirements and diploma options for students with disabilities. These
new provisions afford students being served through Access Points the opportunity to earn a Standard Diploma.
For students with a disability entering the ninth grade during the 2014-2015 school year or after, their courses and
current Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) will reflect the intention to graduate with a Standard Diploma
through Florida Standards or through Access Points. Graduating with a Standard Diploma can often times afford
young adults with disabilities additional opportunities in their post-secondary endeavors.
Students with a significant cognitive disability served through Access Points who entered grade 9 prior to the 2014
-2015 school year and whose IEP indicated the decision to work toward a Special Diploma as of June 20, 2014,
may continue on that path should the IEP Team continue to determine it is appropriate. Students working on a
Special Diploma do have the opportunity to switch to a Standard Diploma through Access Points, as a decision of
their IEP Team.
It is important to support all students academically and help keep them on track to graduate with their cohort (the
year a student enters ninth grade). Current information about working toward a Standard Diploma, as well as,
other graduation requirements based on cohorts, can be found on the district website: