The Scoop
Special Services Update - January 7, 2022
Evaluation Roles and Responsibilities
As discussed in the Cross Talk meeting on 1/5, special education teachers will no longer be required to complete a classroom observation as a portion of the Full and Individual Evaluation (FIE) process.
Other portions of the FIE will remain the same, including the completion of the assistive technology screening, as well as signing the evaluation report.
Directions for teachers in signing the evaluation report can be found here. Signing the FIE. Thanks to Audra Arnold for creating this guidance document and accompanying video. Please feel free to share with your teachers.
Refer to the Evaluation Roles and Responsibilities guidance document for more information.
SSES Notifications to be provided to all eligible parents
SSES notification letters in English and Spanish are included in Frontline under "ARD Forms", under the screen "Forms". Please begin to attach these letters to all special education students at annual ARD meetings.
This information was also sent to parents of special education students via Messenger. Please continue to encourage parents to apply for these funds.
Progress Reports
Progress reports should be shared with parents at the same time that report cards are available to parents (January 10, 2022).
Next Year's Information
Please reference this spreadsheet to determine which students still need information entered into Frontline. Next Year’s Information for 2022-2023.
Highlighted names still need information entered into Frontline. Please remember to update the information in Frontline, and not the spreadsheet. To change the information in Frontline, go to "ARD Forms"; "Placement of Services (1)".
Update the fields for
Name of Next Year Enrollment Campus
Next Year Instructional Setting Code
Next Year Speech Therapy Services
Next Year ECSE Service Location
Next Year Instructional Program
Special Rodeo
Special Rodeo will be on January 26th from 8 AM – 12 PM at the Show Barn at Tomball High School. There will be more information coming with details on which campuses are attending when closer to the event. Please come out if you are able to that day! If you have pre-ordered a t-shirt from Kalli, you will be getting these before the event!
We will be setting up the night of January 25th. If you are wanting to come help set up, please contact Kalli Wakefield kalliwakefield@tomballisd.net
Tomball Education Foundation Grant
Frontline eSped Updates
Update HERE.
Finalizing the move to Tomball Innovation Center
There are some materials we will be moving to the storage facility located on the premises as well such as mats and larger items. If you have questions about anything regarding this please let me know.
FACT OR FICTION
Parents are entitled to prior written notice before their children move from middle school to high school... Is this FACT or FICTION?
A district must provide parents with prior written notice whenever it proposes or refuses to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or provision of FAPE of a student with a disability. 34 CFR 300.503 (a). To comply with this IDEA requirement, a district must provide parents PWN before a student with a disability graduates from middle school to high school. Is this fact or fiction?
Find out HERE
Absence and PD Request Procedures
Quick Tips on where to find procedures for requesting PD and Personal Leave.
Student Support Team Resources Webpage HERE.
- Interactive Notebook houses procedures
- Requests Right below Interactive notebook
Please find the link to our Absence procedures HERE.
Personal Leave must be requested at least 3 days in advance. The personal day request form must be completed for approval. This can be found on the Student Support Team Resources webpage. Prior to approval, the effect of the employee‘s absence on the educational program or department operations will be considered by the supervisor. Discretionary personal leave may not be taken for more than five consecutive days.
Student Support Shout Outs
Jessica Oaks - Thank you Jessica for being a team player. With staff shortages across the district including Special Services evaluation staff, she has volunteered to make adjustments in ARD and evaluation needs.
Wildwood Elementary: Thank you for the targeted focus on increasing support through CAT tools this year. Words read from just over 700,000 in August to now over 1,168,836 words read. CoWriter words written has grown from the ground to over 197, 951 words written. Love the focus on accessibility!
More Information
Be sure and check out and read the other Smore Newsletters being produced by Student Support Staff: