… the latest updates and announcements for special education and more in Scottsdale, Arizona

The Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP) is presenting a one-day Assistive Technology conference this summer and ADE/ESS is a major sponsor of this exciting professional development event!  The 12^th Assistive Technology Summer Institute will be held at the Glendale Civic Center on Thursday, July 22, 2010. A special, discounted rate is being offered to teachers, therapists and staff who work in the schools.  School personnel can attend a full day of Assistive Technology sessions, including breakfast, lunch, and snacks for only $49.00! The Conference reaches capacity at 200 participants, be sure to sign up while there are still openings available!  Conference and registration may be downloaded at www.aztap.org.

SARRC has been selected to participate in the Central Phoenix Regional Child Care Scholarship Program, administered by First Things First through Valley of the Sun United Way. This program needs typically developing students AND they can serve low income families in need of high quality preschool education.

SARRC has been awarded 10 full-time scholarships for their Community School, an inclusive preschool program for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and their typically developing peers (50% students with ASDs, 50% typically developing students). The scholarships may only be used by typically developing students, and SAARC is reaching out to let us know they have both funding and space available for the school year beginning on August 9, 2010.

Eligible families include:

· Students without a diagnosis of ASDs.

· Parent(s) gross annual income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (see attached).

· Parent(s) who are attending training or education, unemployed and actively seeking employment, and/or employed.

· Maximum of 2 scholarship slots may be awarded to one family.

Benefits of the SARRC Community School Preschool:

· Three classrooms: toddler (18 months to 3 years), preschool (3-4 years), and pre-k (4-5 years).

· 3:1 student-to-teacher ratio.

· Small class size.

· Highly educated and trained staff (most have bachelor’s degrees and are pursuing master’s degrees).

· Flexible scheduling.

· Individualized instruction primarily focused on improving language and play.

· Classrooms designed to maximize child engagement and meaningful learning opportunities.

Interested families should contact Rachel McIntosh, Community School Director, at rmcintosh@autismcenter.org <mailto:rmcintosh@autismcenter.org> or 602-340-8717.

Please see the following from Holly Reycraft in Gilbert.

Dear Parents,

I am very excited to tell you I will be running SOS (Social Opportunity for Success) Groups this summer for Kids with High functioning Autism, Asperger Syndrome, ADHD and Anxiety Disorders.  The groups will be offered for kids age 7-16 and will be grouped accordingly.  I will start the second week of June and will run till July 20 for a total of 6 weeks ( one week off during June 22, while I will be out of town).

I run the social groups in my home in Gilbert (Lindsay & Williamsfield).  For those who may not know me, I worked in the school system for 9 years as a special education teacher, department chair, and guidance counselor.  I facilitated groups at a local junior high and loved it.  I also have a 12 year old son who has very high functioning autism and participates in group.  He is one of the reasons I decided to facilitate social groups, based on the day to day struggles he has been experiencing with his peers.

The curriculum I use is based on the work of Michelle Garcia-Winner and is designed for kids who are high functioning and have language skills, but struggle with socialization.  I have found her social thinking theory to be very effective with my son, Hunter.  You can check out her website to get a feel for her.

www.socialthinking.com

The cost of the group is $25./session and parents may pay weekly.  You do not need to pay if you miss, but try to let me know if you will be absent.  The groups will run about 1 hour, ending 5 minutes early in order to transition.  Parents may drop their child off at my home. 

Attached you will find a registration form.  If you have already completed one, you do not need to send me another one.  Just shoot me an email responding to the following:

Please respond:

1)      Do you prefer Tues class, Thurs class, or both?

2)      Time preference (10:00am-2:00pm)

3)      Fill out registration form (if you have not already) and email, fax, or mail to me.

As I begin to form the groups based on appropriate peers, I cannot guarantee your time request, but I will certainly do my best.  Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions.  I look forward to working with your child.

Holly Reycraft

(602) 703-6500

Get Ready for Summer 2010!
SUSD Special Needs Summer Camp
Please note:*
new times of 8am – 1pm *
new location at Desert Canyon Elementary School

To register contact
SUSD Community Schools
9313 N. 95th Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Tel# 480-484-8614

Arizona’s Tenth Annual Transition Conference

September 20-22, 2010

Talking Stick Resort

SECONDARY TRANSITION SERVICES AWARDS

They will be recognizing the best of the best this fall at Arizona’s Tenth Annual Transition Conference with the presentation of Arizona Secondary Transition Services Awards! Nominations for Secondary Transition Services awards are now being accepted in the following categories:  Community-Based (i.e., agency, business, business-owner, parent), Youth & Young Adult, and School-Based (i.e., certified staff, related service provider, classified staff, support staff, or administrator).  Nominations must be received by August 6, 2010.  Go to the website below for details. 

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

A limited number of scholarships are now available on a first-come, first-served basis for youth, young adults, and family members needing assistance with lodging or registration costs.  Only youth/young adults aged 22 or younger and/or family members of eligible youth are eligible for scholarship funding.  For more details see the link below. 

Registration is now open, be sure to take advantage of the Early Registration discounted rate!  All Transition Conference information can be found at the ESS Secondary Transition website:  https://www.azed.gov/ess/SpecialProjects/transition/

SUSD is announcing a new Summer Reading Program for students with special needs.  It is for students entering grades 1-8 who are currently enrolled in Fundations/Wilson Reading Program.

It will be held at Redfield and ANLC for two sessions – June 1, 2010 to June 24, 2010 and July 5, 2010 to July 22, 2010 Monday through Thursday from 8-10am or 10:15-12:15.  The cost is $80/week.  Assigned sessions will be determined by registration and grouping numbers.

For more information go to susd.org/community schools

Ms. Mary Lou Muccino, presently the principal of Chaparral HS, is being recommended by Dr. Catalani to the governing board as the new Special Education Director of the Scottsdale Unified School District. Ms. Muccino started her teaching career in special education. She has been at Chaparral HS for the past 15 years and is dedicated to the inclusion of special education students into the general school community. SEPAC of Scottsdale welcomes her.

The Arizona Technology Access Program (www.aztap.org) is presenting a 1-day Assistive Technology (AT) conference this summer. ADE/ESS is a sponsor. It will be held at the Glendale Civic Center on Thursday, July 22, 2010.

They are offering a special rate to parents and consumers. For only $35.00 you can attend a full day of Assistive Technology (AT) sessions, and breakfast, lunch, and snacks are included! This is a really great deal, limited to 200 participants.

The keynote for this year is Dr. Christina Whalen, Ph.D., BCBA-D. Her keynote presentation will be about AT and Autism. She is the editor of the book, Real Life, Real Progress for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Strategies for Successful Generalization in Natural Environments.