“What’s New?” you ask.  Here are some things you might want to know!

• Opening Week Activities –
  • All professional special education staff are expected to attend the large group meeting at Arlington High School Tuesday morning.  Registration begins at 7:30.  The meeting begins at 8:30 sharp!  Be sure to carpool!  There are 900 of you!!!  We will end at noon.  You must register on http://pdexpress.spps.org  for this and each opening week training event listed below.
  • Disability-specific groups will meet Wednesday.  You should have received a letter from the Lead Resource person for your area containing details.  If you need information please call St. Andrews, 651-293-8923 or Special Education Administration, 651-767-8321.
  • Co-teaching teams (general education and special education) who did not attend the collaboration conference in July are expected to attend a training session Wednesday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at 360.   There is a limit of 100 participants.  Contact Gail Ghere if you cannot get in.  651-293-8923 #153.
  • Read 180 Teachers are expected to sign up for one of the afternoon sessions being offered on Tuesday at 1001 Johnson Parkway Tuesday. 
• New Special Education Staff – There are approximately 50 new special education teachers and related service providers!  Welcome your new colleagues!  Please take time to mentor and support them.
• On-line referral system – reminder – you must use the on-line referral system for all initial and re-evaluations.  No more yellow forms.  The on-line referral system is our tool to gather data that will be used to improve education for children and youth in Saint Paul Public Schools.  The data is extremely useful if the system is used consistently, and will have a positive impact on your work.

I’m excited to see all of you Tuesday at Arlington and throughout the year!

-Cecelia Dodge, Director of Special Education