May 2008

From Barb Ross at the Arizona Department of Education / Exceptional Student Services,
PIN Specialist Serving East Maricopa County
barbra.ross@azed.gov
www.azed.gov/ess/pinspals

 The Arizona Department of Education, Exceptional Student Services, is seeking:

1) one Parent Information Network Specialist for each the following regions:

• Pinal and Gila Counties
• Pima and Santa Cruz Counties

2) one Enhancing Arizona’s Parent Networks Coordinator

Descriptions for both positions are posted on the www.azstatejobs.gov website and are included in this email.

To apply for either position you must utilize the azstatejobs.gov website. Enter ”EDU” the search for jobs link and scroll down the list to locate the PIN Specialist and EAPN positions. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2008. Human Resources has been designated to handle inquiries (602) 542-3186.

Parent Information Network Specialist

Job Description: The Arizona Department of Education Exceptional Student Services section is seeking two temporary hourly wage Parent Information Network Specialists (Pinal/Gila Counties and Pima/Santa Cruz Counties) to provide parents with federal and state special education information and resources; assist school districts and families to build and sustain positive working relationships; present special education and disability related workshops; develop and market PIN services and resources; maintain records of regional outreach. Travel is required for this position. This position requires that you possess a valid Arizona Driver’s License. This position will be paid $20.20 per hour not to exceed 40 hours per week.

Knowledge needed:
*Parenting an individual with a disability
*Navigating educational and social service systems
*Special education rights and advocacy
*Disability and special education related agencies and organizations
*Adult learning strategies
*Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

Skills needed:
*Presentation and workshop
*Verbal and written communication, including proofreading
*Organization
*Time management
*Internet navigation
*Development and implementation of marketing strategies
*Development of resource materials

Abilities needed:
*Appropriate use of grammar and punctuation
*Prioritize and complete multiple job related tasks
*Document daily activities
*Compile reports
*Work well with other team members and staff
*Responsive to a high volume of customer requests

Enhancing Arizona’s Parent Networks Coordinator

Job Description: The Arizona Department of Education Exceptional Student Services section is seeking a part-time Enhancing Arizona’s Parent Networks (EAPN) Coordinator to communicate with EAPN members (i.e., solicit organization updates and events, recruit new members and coordinate activities with the planning group); manage the EAPN website (i.e., add calendar events and update information and resource links); and administer a state-wide marketing plan with members to inform the public about EAPN. Travel is required for this position. This position requires that you possess a valid Arizona Driver’s License. This position pays at a rate of $20.20 per hour, not to exceed 10 hours per week.

Knowledge needed:
*Parenting an individual with a disability
*Navigating educational and social service systems
*Disability and special education related agencies and organizations
*Effective marketing strategies
*Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

Skills needed:
*Verbal and written communication, including proofreading
*Internet
*Organization
*Record keeping

Abilities needed:
*Appropriate use of grammar and punctuation
*Prioritize and complete multiple job related tasks
*Document daily activities

To apply for either position you must utilize the azstatejobs.gov website. Enter ”EDU” the search for jobs link and scroll down the list to locate the PIN Specialist and EAPN positions.

The deadline to apply is June 1, 2008.

Human Resources has been designated to handle inquiries (602) 542-3186.

From the Scottsdale Unified School District, an update on school consolidation plans.  Please note that the the third option has a direct impact on some Special Education program locations.

Further Discussion on Facilities Options

5/8/08

At the May 6, 2008 Governing Board Meeting, the Board directed the Administration to place an item on the May 20, 2008 Agenda to further discuss the following ideas that emerged from the Community Forums held in the five District Complexes:

Idea #340 which emerged from the Public Forums:  Make Aztec K-8.  Combine Zuni with DCES/DCMS. Close Zuni site. Idea #8 which emerged from the Public Forums: Convert some elementary schools to K-8. Make Aztec, Zuni, and DCES K-8. Dissolve DCMS. Move Cheyenne to DCMS site. Close Cheyenne site. BRAC Option #1 – Cheyenne to Aztec. Consolidate Aztec with Zuni at Zuni site. Panda remains at Aztec, which is the “new” Cheyenne Zuni Panda stays at Zuni site Zuni and DCMS self-contained and twice-exceptional programs go to Cherokee & Cocopah Aztec Success program to Desert Canyon Aztec Academic Learning Center moves to Laguna

Special Governing Board Meeting
Tuesday, May 20, 5:30 p.m.
Chaparral High School, in the Library
Additional seating and live video streaming will be available in nearby classrooms and online at www.susd.org.

Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families Accepting ApplicationsThe Governor’s Youth Commission (GYC), a diverse and representative body of Arizona high school students who advise Governor Napolitano on important youth issues, is now accepting applications for the 2008-2009 year. Applications and instructions are available online at www.gocyf.az.gov/CYD/BRD_AGYC.asp.

All applications must be received no later than Friday, May 16 at 3 p.m.

MEETING ANNOUNCMENT:

Our last 2E meeting for the year will be this Saturday May 17th from 10-12pm at the Mustang Library in the Book Discussion Room and the topic will be:

Discipline, resolving behavioral issues, and creating a predictable environment to help children flourish.

Barb Ross (parent information network specialist) will be there to help me facilitate this meeting. We will watch the video “When the Chips are Down” by Rick Lavoie

Hopefully this will help you prepare for a summer with your child at home.

Hope to see you all there!

Twice Exceptional (2e) Parent Group twoeparents@yahoo.com

Laura Holgate, Chair
Affiliated with Scottsdale Supporters of the Gifted (SSG)
http://azgifted.org and SEPACS http://sepacs.org

Alex Plank is a pretty amazing young man.  He’s created a social networking web site for others, like himself, with Asperger’s Syndrome.   There’s also room for parents, too.

Alex’s web site: www.alexplank.com

If you have a child that will be attending college soon, you may want to review the About Section, and then click on Video.  Alex’s talk at Ivymount is about making the transition to college.  Interesting.

Social Networking site:  www.wrongplanet.net

The Dept of Education is conducting a compliance review of some of the district’s programs, including Gifted and Talented programs, Honors classes, Advanced Placement classes, and the International Baccalaureate program. No complaint triggered this review; it is a routine matter. The purpose of the review is to determine if all district students have an equal opportunity to participate in such programs, regardless of race, disability, ethnicity, or status as an English language learner. The DOE is also reviewing how the district communicates with parents about its programs, including those who speak a language other than English.

You are invited to meet and share your experiences on Thursday May 15, 2008 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Coronado High School, OR on Saturday May 17, 2008, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Mustang Public Library Auditorium, 10101 N 90th St in Scottsdale.

If you are unable to attend but have thoughts to share, feel free to contact a representative:

Ms. Patty Perez
303-844-4540
Patty.L.Perez@ed.gov

Mr. Andres Ramirez
303-844-4488
Andres.Ramirez@ed.gov

Office for Civil Rights, Region VIII
U.S. Department of Education
1244 Speer Blvd, Suite 310
Denver, CO 80204 http://www.ed.gov/ocr

On Wednesday, May 14th, SEPACs will be hosting a meeting where the leaders of Special Education Parents groups from all over the Phoenix Metropolitan area will meet together for the first time, to introduce themselves, exchange ideas, and plan for ways to collaborate in the future.  If you are a leader of a parent group that would like to attend, please contact Lisa Meyerson Marshall at chas999_99@yahoo.com, for more information.

From the May 1st Scottsdale Supporters of the Gifted e-newsletter:

Gifted students with disabling conditions such as Asperger’s, ADHD, deafness, learning disabilities, etc. remain a major group of under-served and under-stimulated youth. Focus on their disabilities often precludes recognition of their giftedness. Too often, gifted students with learning challenges are not challenged cognitively, they are bored in school.

There is a 2E program in Scottsdale that meets the needs of these students. The 2E classroom setting provides these students with strength based instruction with adaptation, accommodations, and special instruction that empowers them to access rigorous curriculum. The program allows these students to work at their pace, appropriate for their ability level in a smaller setting than the typical classroom.

If you have any questions regarding this program, contact Dr. Denise Cooke (School Psychologist specializing in the 2E population) at dcooke@susd.org  or either of the teachers (Heidi Oshin, elementary teacher at hoshin@susd.org; Jan Gilbertsen, middle school teacher at jgilbertsen@susd.org).