South Fayette School District - PowerPoint Presentation

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South Fayette School DistrictDepartment of Pupil Personnel“21st Century Pupil Services: Light the Path to Success”

Dr. Nanci A. SullivanDirector of Pupil PersonnelOctober 22, 2012Slide2

South Fayette School District’s Mission StatementThe mission of the South Fayette School District, in partnership with the community, is to cultivate academic, artistic, and athletic excellence by instilling a spirit of collaboration and communication to develop confident, ethical and responsible leaders.Slide3

Quality: Great to Greater!“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” -New York Times Ad, 1939Slide4

LeadershipA leader understands one constant…change…it just keeps happening, and rapidly!” -Charles Swan and William SpadyThe very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. -Theodore M. HesburgSlide5

Pupil Services Administrative BuildingSlide6

Demographics of South Fayette School DistrictResidential suburban district in the far southwestern part of Pennsylvania close to the West Virginia border. (15 years ago considered a rural school district.)District is centrally located on a 160 acre track of land.A campus environment with all buildings including central office administration and transportation located together.District is in Allegheny County of PADistrict’s township is 20.95 square milesSlide7

Student InformationStudent Population was 2,544 (April 1, 2012)Student Population is 2,713 (October 1, 2012)Elementary Center (grades K-4)-Blue RibbonMiddle School (grades 5-8)-Blue RibbonHigh School (grades 9-12)-

One of the outstanding high schools in the US according to Newsweek.Intermediate School (grades 3-4-5)-Currently being built around the S.T.E.A.M. theme and due to open September 2013.Slide8

Statistical BackgroundSouth Fayette School District was considered the past 4 years as the 4th fastest growing districts in the state. However, that status has changed recently and we are now considered by PSBO the fastest growing district in the state of Pennsylvania. (Increase in students by 46%--850 students between 2003-2011.)40-45% of our staff is relatively new in the last 5 years.Pittsburgh Business Times April 6, 2012 ranked South Fayette School District as 5

th out of 72 districts in the region 10th out of 501 public school districts in the Commonwealth according to our PSSA, PASA, etc. scores.Issues regarding growth, money, space, personnel, etc.Slide9

Strategic Plan StatusDistrict’s 6-year Strategic Plan was completed in 2007-2008-Department of Pupil Personnel completed both a Special Education Plan and a Chapter 12-Student Services Plan.Addendum to Student Services Plan was sent to PAPSA as to what has been accomplished from 2008 up to this year.Three year mid-point of the Strategic Plan was completed in 2010-2011. All outlined goals of the 3-year Special Education Plan were completed.New Special Education Plan as part of the Strategic Plan was written in 2010-2011.Slide10
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Special Education DataApproximately 196 identified special education students (PENN DATA count of December 1, 2011)Learning Disabilities 51Speech and Language 46Autism 26Other Health Impairment 31Emotional Disturbance 18Mental Retardation 10

Hearing Impairment/Deafness 5Visual Impairment/Blindness 2Multiple Disabilities 5Traumatic Brain Injury 2Total as of October 16, 2012: 201 Identified Special Education StudentsSlide13

Chapter 15: 504 Student Services PlansAs of October 1, 2012:33 Academic 504 Student Services Plans10 elementary school10 middle school13 high school18 Medical 504 Student Services PlansTotal 504 Student Services Plans: 49Slide14

Enrichment and Gifted Education ServicesOctober 1, 2012 Data:3 Levels of ServicesLevel I: Enrichment Services-Curriculum differentiationLevel II: Enrichment Services for High Ability Students-participation in enrichment groups, enrichment co-teaching model, participation in competitions, continued curriculum differentiationLevel III:

Gifted EducationCurrent Enrichment Data:Grades 1-4 LA 74 studentsGrades 1-4 Math 60 students (*Three 2nd graders are accelerated to 3rd grade math)Grades 5-6 LA 64 students Grade 5 Math-26 studentsGifted/GIEPs: 17 Identified in grades K-12Online Learning College Courses: 52 High School StudentsCyber School Students: 25 K-12 (one special education student)Slide15

Personnel in the DepartmentDirector of Pupil Personnel1 Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel/School Psychologist1 School Psychologist/504 Plan Coordinator/Transition Coordinator8 learning support teachers2 learning support with a functional skills component teachers

2 speech and language therapists5 guidance counselors3 school nurses1 In-school Mental Health Clinician (School-based Mental Health/Chartiers MH/MR)1 School-based Mental Health Liaison from Allegheny County Mental and Behavioral HealthDrug and Alcohol Representative from Turtle Creek 1 Middle School Instructional Support TeacherMiddle School Student Assistance Program (principals, guidance counselors, school nurse, teachers, etc.)High School Student Assistance Program (principals, guidance counselors, school nurse, teachers, etc.)Elementary Child Study Team (principals, guidance counselors, school nurse, teachers, etc.)In the process of creating an elementary Student Assistance Team2 English-as-a-Second Language Teachers

3 enrichment

/gifted

teachers

2 Crisis Prevention Intervention Trainers for the district

Autism Consultant from The Watson Institute ( 2x a month)

Positive Behavior Support Consultant from the Allegheny Intermediate Unit

Autism

Consultant from the Allegheny Intermediate

Unit

Positive Behavior Support Consultant from the Allegheny County Intermediate Unit

Community-based Instruction/Job Coaching from The Watson InstituteSlide16

Continuation of Personnel in the DepartmentParaprofessionals (K-12):All highly qualified previous years as well as the current school year2005-2006: Required candidates for have 2 or 4-year degreesIf the candidate has a degree in an area other than education, they are required to complete modules for the the PA Paraeducator Competency

Credential.22 Special Education Paraeducators (classroom paraeducators and personal care paraeducators)5 personal care paraeducators17 classroom paraeducators3 Title 1 Reading ParaeducatorsSlide17

Continuation of Personnel in the DepartmentAdministrative Clerical Support:1 Department of Pupil Personnel Administrative Assistant1 Department of Pupil Personnel ACCESS Coordinator/Administrative Assistant1 Middle School Guidance Administrative Assistant/Attendance 1 High School Guidance Administrative Assistant

1 PIMS/Child Accounting Administrative AssistantSlide18

Pupil Personnel Staff Development TrainingsSpecial Education Team Leaders2 “PERFECT” Special Education Cyclical MonitoringsA commendation was awarded from PDE to the Department of Pupil Personnel for Professional Development/Trainings48 months: 158 documented trainings/in-services

2010-2011: 39 trainings/in-services2011-2012: 43 trainings/in-services2012-2013: 15 trainings/in-services (October 2012)Slide19

Summer Co-teaching AcademyCo-teaching began with one team of co-teachers in 2009Three co-teaching teams, middle school, principal, and Director of Pupil Personnel participated in an AIU co-teaching training throughout 2010“Summer Co-teaching Academy” was created in the summer of 2009Director of Pupil Personnel and 3 Teacher Trainers (2 regular education teachers and one special education teacher) conduct the academy.3 Teacher Coaches visit throughout the year the co-teaching classrooms to provide support and answer questions.

3rd Summer Co-teaching Academy 2012: 9 teachers will be trained18 Teachers have been trained through the academy the last 3 years-total number of teachers trained after August 2012= 27 teachers.Dr. Marilyn Friend, presented to our entire faculty on “Co-teaching and Differentiation” in August 2011.Dr. Marilyn Friend and the district conducted its first skype session in March 2012 with all co-teachers.Co-teaching is not for every student and it should not be considered as “remediation”. We continue to have the full spectrum of services.Co-teachers and Special Education Teachers have received ENO/SMART BoardsStudent test scores have been tracked and our PSSA scores have increased with co-teaching.Assistive Technology for Special Education:***2010-2011: ENO/Smart Boards, Projectors and training for all special ed. classrooms and co-teaching classrooms.***2011-2012: Technology Pilot: iPADS/Apps, Video-conferencing, iMovie –***2012-2013: 71

iPADS

for teachers and students with disabilitiesSlide20

Pupil Services: Historical Perspective of the Last Eleven YearsPrior to 2001, there was one school psychologist.2001-2002: Director of Pupil Services was hired.2002-2003: Administrative Assistant was hired for the department.2004-2005: Turtle Creek D/A Representative2005-2006: Added Team Leaders2008-2009: Allegheny County Department of Behavioral Health provided us with a “School-based Liaison” out of the Bureau of Children & Adolescent Mental Health Services

2010 July: Moved into newly renovated “Pupil Services Center”2010-2011: 2nd School Psychologist was hired to provide group counseling, individual counseling, and to be a transition coordinator.2010-2011: ACCESS Coordinator/Administrative Assistant was hired.2011-2012: School-based Mental Health was added through Chartiers MH/MR-In-school Clinician2011-2012: Collapsed Chartiers MH/MR School-based Clinician/SAP Representative from the same agency.Slide21

Team Leaders in Every DepartmentSpecial EducationEnrichment/GiftedGuidance CounselorsSchool NursesSlide22

School PsychologistHired 2nd school psychologist 2009-2010 to fulfill the role of a social worker K-12. ACCESS monies1:1 psychological counseling (29 students K-12)Groups: facilitates at all grade levels (12 groups this school year based on needs.)Elementary: interaction, social skill development, friendship Middle School: 6

th & 7th grade girls pre-adolescent regarding promotion of positive relationships, self-image, stress and emotions, promoting dignity and respect of self and others.Transition/504 Student Services Plan CoordinatorSlide23

Chartiers MH/MR: In-school ClinicianTherapist who provides therapy not counselingSouth Fayette School District provides office space that had to be pre-approved by PDEParent insurance covers costsTherapy continues over the summerCurrently, provides therapy to 28 students/familiesOver last summer continued to provide therapy on our campus for 24 students/familiesIn-school Clinician from Chartiers MH/MR attends all of my guidance and school psychologist meetingsSlide24

Scheduled Department Meetings as Needed During the School YearPupil Services Team Meetings: school psychologists, guidance counselors, lead school nurse, Chartiers MH/MR In-school Clinician, Allegheny County Mental Health and Behavior School-based Liaison, and Director of Pupil Personnel. Principals attend these meetings as needed.

Special Education Team Leader Meetings: Three lead special education teachers from each building, two school psychologists, and the Director of Pupil Personnel.Department of Pupil Personnel Building Team Meetings: Two school psychologists, administrative assistant of the Department of Pupil Personnel, and ACCESS coordinator/administrative assistant of the Department of Pupil Personnel, and the Director of Pupil Personnel.Department of Enrichment/Gifted Education Department Meetings: 3 enrichment/gifted education teachers, two school psychologists, and the Director of Pupil Personnel.

Principal Meetings:

Discuss co-teaching, staffing, curriculum, PSSAs/PSSA-M/PASAs, curriculum, etc.Slide25

Child Find Notice PostingsSouth Fayette School District’s Pupil Services sitewww.southfayette.orgPupil ServicesBooklets can be located in all main offices and guidance offices on our district’s campusAnnually published in “In-South Fayette Community Magazine” that is placed in every resident’s mailbox in the district.Student/Parent HandbooksSAP Pamphlets in the middle and high school’s guidance departments

Special education parent meetings, ESL parent meetings, elementary PTA meetings, and middle school PAC meetings.Slide26

Consultants for Pupil Support ServicesAutism Consultant from the Watson InstituteAutism Consultant from the Allegheny Intermediate UnitPositive Behavior Support Consultant from the Allegheny Intermediate UnitCommunity-based/Cooperative Work consultant, job coach, etc. from the Watson InstituteSlide27

Pupil Support ServicesElementary student groups: School Psychologist/Chartiers MH/MR In-school ClinicianElementary guidance counselor, school psychologist, In-school clinician individual counselingElementary: Child Study Team (Currently, we have a group pending training for elementary SAP.)AcademicBehavioralMedicalEmotional

SocialElementary: RAC Reading Rooms: Highly Trained Reading Specialists/3 highly trained Title 1 ParaeducatorsK-AM/K-PM: One RAC Room1st Grade: Two RAC Rooms2nd Grade: Two RAC Rooms3rd Grade: One RAC Room4th Grade: One RAC RoomSlide28

Continued Pupil Support ServicesMiddle School: Instructional Support TeacherMiddle School: Reading Specialist-”Language!”Middle School: PAWS ProgramMiddle School: “Girls Night Out”Middle School: “Rachel’s Challenge”Middle School: After School Math ProgramMiddle School: Homework ClubMiddle School: 7

th Grade “In Search of Character” video helps teens develop into caring, respectful, responsible peopleMiddle School: 8th Grade “Premier ‘Go’ Program-DVD/Workbook training program on making positive choices under pressure.2 Middle School Guidance Counselors, school psychologist, In-school ClinicianMiddle School SAP: Academic, Behavioral, Medical, Emotional, SocialTurtle Creek D/A RepresentativeSlide29

Middle School PAWS Program: Positive Actions Wanted School-Wide’ PAWS is a program implemented at the middle school several times a month during activity period in conjunction with our district-wide UPMC Dignity and Respect Campaign. Every student and every teacher in the middle school engages in this program through meaningful lessons which teach and foster compassion and respect. The 5th grade utilizes a series of videos on character building which sparks conversation related to that week’s topic. The 6th-8th grades are involved in “Rachel’s Challenge.”Slide30

Middle School: Rachel’s Challenge and the Friends of Rachel ClubRachel’s Challenge is a series of student empowering programs and strategies that equip students and adults to combat bullying and any feelings of isolation and despair by creating a culture of kindness and compassion. The programs are based on the writings of the life of 17 year-old Rachel Scott who was the first student killed in the Columbine High School in 1999. Rachel left a legacy of reaching out to those who were different, who were picked on by others, or who were new at her school.As a component of Rachel’s Challenge, our middle school has also implemented the “Friends of Rachel (FOR) Club” where students meet with FOR sponsors to discuss ways to spread Rachel’s message school-wide.Slide31

Continued Pupil Support ServicesHigh School: After school tutoring on WednesdaysHigh School: “Teen Institute”High School: “Circle of Friends” and “Annual Mardi Gras Dance”Transition Services/Annual Transition FairHigh School: Community-based Vocational Experiences/ Instruction/Shadowing/Coaching/PlacementTwo high school guidance counselors, school psychologist, In-school clinicianTwo high school guidance counselors, school psychologist, In-school clinician

High School: SAP Academic, Behavioral, Medical, Emotional, SocialTurtle Creek D/A RepresentativeSlide32

Continued Pupil Support ServicesMental Health/Emotional FrameworkLevels of Support: Level I-Level VIIRefer to Handout for DiscussionSlide33

District Student Risk-AssessmentCompleted Student Risk-Assessment 2010-2011 (9 months to complete)District Student Risk-Assessment was copyrighted on September 29, 2011Handout for DiscussionSlide34

Guidance and School Psychologists: Summer ReadingSummer Reading 2011:Book: “Understanding Girl Bullying and What to Do About It”Dr. Laura Crothers, D.Ed. Associate Professor of School Psychology in the Department of Counseling, Psychology, and Special Education at Duquesne UniversityFocus: Relational Aggression in Adolescent Girls Presentation of Dr. Crothers on January 16, 2012Slide35

Guidance and Psychological ServicesSummer Reading 2012:Book: “Making Data Work” by Anita Young, Ph.D. and Carol Kaffenberger (2009)-An ASCA national model publication.Collecting and analyzing data through school counselors and school psychologists to identify achievement gaps, understand educational issues and assess programs to ensure they are making a difference for all students. Slide36

Elementary and Middle School: Kids on the BlockChildren’s Institute: Kids on the BlockElementary School: All first grade classrooms rotation on one day. Used Puppets and engagement with our students regarding differences, disabilities, and tolerance.Middle School: 5th and 6th Grades Children’s Institute Facilitators of “Kids on the Block "in the classrooms with videos of students

Two speakers were on site and spoke to the entire 6th grade student body on a rotational basis within the 6th grade classrooms.  They spoke to the students about specific disabilities and how important it is for everyone to demonstrate acceptance and tolerance. The 6th grade teachers thought it was a valuable learning experience and wish to continue this as part of a transition to the MS.Tolerance and Diversity, two words that make the world a better place. And you can help children understand how — with The Kids on the Block show.Each show is designed to be a fun way to increase awareness and understanding of children with disabilities. A typical show lasts approximately 50 minutes and features a choice of any three skits: • Cerebral Palsy • Deafness • Down Syndrome• Asthma • Autism • Learning Disabilities• Blindness

• Spina Bifida

• Bullying

After each skit, students are invited to ask the puppets questions about their disabilities. Teachers are also provided with supplemental activities for use with students throughout the year.

The Kids on the Block is an affiliate and limited licensee of

The Kids on the Block Incorporated

, Columbia, Maryland, USA.*Slide37

Kids on the BlockSlide38

UPMC Dignity and Respect: 30 TIPShttp://www.dignityandrespect.org/home.php30 TIPShttp://www.upmc.com/aboutupmc/CommunityCitizenship/inclusion/Documents/dignity_respect_poster.pdfK-4 October 25, 2011 “Took the Pledge”First day of school at the elementary, Dr. Diggy, is the mascot for Dignity and Campaign and he greeted the students as they got off their buses and there was a short assembly with Dr. Diggy.

Elementary teachers have come up with different ways in their individual classrooms to express “Dignity and Respect” such as bulletin boards, mosaics, poems, stories, etc. Mostly, important they do “Pride Cards” for the students-”catch a student doing the right thing.”Pittsburgh Steeler Charlie Batch was part of a video feed to districts that took the Dignity and Respect pledge and answered questions that students posed to him.Board Policy: Embedded the 30 TIPS for Dignity and RespectSlide39

Pittsburgh Steeler-Chris Batch: Dignity and Respect PledgeSlide40

PAPSA Rubrics: Professional StandardsPAPSA Rubrics have been utilized for the following positions at South Fayette School District:-2009-2010: Began to utilize the PAPSA rubrics School Nurses:

Aligned the components of the rubric to our district’s evaluation formRubric Components 1a-1d aligned under “Planning and Preparation”Rubric Components 2a-2e aligned under “Environment”Rubric Components 3a-3e aligned under “Delivery of Services”Rubric Components 4a-4f aligned under “Professional Responsibilities”Guidance Counselors

South Fayette School District’s Evaluation Form:

Planning and Preparation

Environment

Delivery of Services

Professional ResponsibilitiesSlide41

Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI)/Positive Behavior SupportDistrict Trainers: Assistant High School Principal and School PsychologistDistrict trainers for three years provided CPI training to small groups in our district as part of positive behavior support process.All paraeducators were trained in “positive behavior support” through multiple sessions with the AIU Behavior Specialist Consultant.Slide42

Itinerant Emotional SupportMeetings held in each building with guidance, principals, and school psychologists to collect dataMeeting to discuss:What do have in place that is working?What is not working?What does the data reflect as the greatest needs?What type of emotion program would meet the needs of our students?Two Presentations were given from two outside agencies (Wesley Spectrum Services and Holy Family Institute) of possible emotional support programs

End of April 2012: Scheduled visitations to emotional programs in the Mt. Lebanon School District and the Upper St. Clair School District. (Principals, guidance, psychologists, In-school Clinician, School-based Liaison, Director of Pupil Personnel.)Slide43

The End……P.S. There really is no ending! Vision and Goals: “If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else.” ~Lawrence J. Peter

Excellence: Pursue it, set goals, and commit yourself to excellence!