Exceptional Student Services
ESS Teacher:
Crystal Proffitt
Contact Information: cproffitt@dc2j.org
Quote of the Week
Monthly Goal: Effort
What does effort mean? Effort is putting forth your best work to the best of your ability. If you are putting forth your best effort, it will be challenging. It will be hard work, but it will be rewarding. A teacher's job is to challenge each student to put forth their best effort. This does not mean that each student's final product will look the same, but that each student utilizes their tools, accommodations, and knowledge to complete their work to the highest level possible. My challenge this week for parents is to contact one of your child's teachers and ask them about your child's effort in the classroom. Open communication is the best way to ensure that if a student is not putting forth their best effort, that the parents, student, and teachers communicate and work together to find out how to help the child put forth their best effort in everything they do!
Spotlight: ADHD
ADHD falls under the ESS category of Other Health Impairment (OHI). Students that have ADHD may display inattentiveness, struggle with organization, remembering to do things, and impulsiveness, They may have trouble starting a task/assignment or following through with completing a task/assignment. At home, a child with ADHD may struggle with tasks such as cleaning up their room, remembering to do or complete everyday tasks. As teachers and parents, there are many tools and accommodations that may help a child that has ADHD.
The following are some strategies that can be used at home and at school:
● Minimize distractions
● Provide uncluttered work space/bedroom
● Provide structure and routine
● Provide organizational tools and strategies (Checklist for assignments or chores)
● Provide visual and graphic organizers
● Break tasks into smaller segments
● Color coding
● Use of timers and providing reminders of remaining time to complete an assignment/chore
● Set behavioral expectations
● Provide structured breaks between assignments/chores
● Allow for movement opportunities
● Active learning
● Use of fidget objects and wiggle cushions
If you would like any more information on ADHD or strategies to use with a child with ADHD, the following local resources are available:
- Pinon Project, Cortez, CO, (970)564-1195
- Crystal Proffitt, ESS Teacher, Dove Creek, CO (970)677-2237
- Understood.org website (click on the Understood.org button)