To all our special educators who keep adjusting, reshuffling, and stretching already busy days to support the alt-MCAs and MTAS—thank you. Your flexibility often happens behind the scenes, but it makes a real difference. Shifting lesson plans, sharing spaces, and managing constant changes takes patience, creativity, and heart. Even with the disruptions, you continue showing up for students with care and focus.

A quick reminder: the DPF update will now go out monthly for the rest of the school year—so just one more coming your way in May (how is that already happening?). Please reach out anytime if questions come up. Supporting you is always our goal.

With appreciation,
💌 Your Special Education DPF Team

DPF Job Opportunities: Program 1 & Program 3

Want to join our team? We’re excited to share two opportunities within the Special Education Department to join the team as a District Program Facilitation (DPF) and we strongly encourage internal candidates to consider applying.

🔹 Program 3 (Director Meierding)

• Supports 22 school sites, aligned to Associate Superintendent Dr. Lametria Eaddy’s network of schools

• Includes Non-Public Special Education Services, aligned under Dr. Elizabeth Keenan

• Each DPF provides direct support to approximately 11 sites

🔹 Program 1 (Director Hicks)

• Supports 22 school sites, including 4 dual immersion sites, aligned to Associate Superintendent Yusuf Abdullah’s network of schools

• Each DPF provides direct support to approximately 11 sites

These roles are a great opportunity for those interested in expanding their impact beyond a single site, supporting system-wide implementation, and deepening leadership in special education.

We value the expertise within our system and are especially excited to grow and elevate talent from within MPS.

➡️ Application Process

Once the second round of Interview & Selection (I&S) opens, these positions will be posted to the I&S Candidate site, where eligible staff can log in and apply.

If you’re interested in learning more about these roles, please reach out Director Hicks or Director Meierding with any questions you might have.

RethinkEd, Everyday Speech, & Flocabulary Pilot Timeline Update & Final Feedback Opportunity

As we move into the final phase of our curriculum pilots (RethinkEd, Everyday Speech, and Flocabulary), we want to share important updates regarding timelines and next steps.

⏱️ Pilot Timeline

• RethinkEd and Flocabulary will run through the end of May

• Everyday Speech is currently scheduled to run through May 18

This continued access provides time to implement, explore, and reflect on how these programs are supporting your students across settings.

📝 Final Survey Coming Soon
During the first week of May, you will receive a final survey via email. This survey will play a critical role in determining:

• Whether we move forward with adopting each program

• The scope and scale of adopting (e.g., targeted vs. broader use across programs and settings)

📊 What Happens Next
Your feedback will directly drive decision-making. Based on survey results, I anticipate that:

• Programs we move forward with will be fully extended through the end of the school year to ensure continuity and access

• We will use your input to guide thoughtful, strategic purchasing decisions aligned to student needs

💬 Your Voice Matters
Your experience, perspective, and honest feedback are essential. You are closest to the work with students, and your input ensures that any resources we adopt:

• Meaningfully support student learning and engagement

• Align with the diverse needs across disability areas and settings

• Reflect our commitment to inclusive and culturally responsive practices

Thank you again for your time, professionalism, and commitment to this work. Your voice is what ensures we make informed, impactful decisions for our students and staff.

🗓️ May 26 Site-Based PD Opportunities

🌟 Dream Catcher 101 – Site-Based PD Opportunity

As part of upcoming site-based PD, staff are invited to attend Dream Catcher 101: Is it a Disability, a Difference, or a Disadvantage?

🗓 Session Options (open to all staff):

• 8:30–10:00 AM – Sanford Middle School (Anishinabe Academy joining)

• 10:45 AM–12:15 PM – South High School

• 1:30–3:30 PM – Edison High School (Northeast Middle joining)

📘 About the Training:
This session fulfills 1.5 hours of cultural competency relicensure and engages staff in reflection on identity, bias, and systems impacting students and families, including race, culture, language, disability, and mental health.

Register Here

Dream Catcher PD: 8:30-10:00am @ Sanford Middle School

Dream Catcher PD: 10:45am-12:15pm @ South High School

Dream Catcher PD: 1:30-3:30pm @ Edison High School

📘 MPS Foundations – Site-Based PD Opportunity

As part of upcoming site-based PD, staff are invited to attend MPS Foundations sessions focused on strengthening core practices and shared understanding across our system.

🗓 Session Details (open to all staff):

• 9:00 AM–4:00 PM – MFE (Large Middle Meeting Room)

• 9:00 AM–4:00 PM – Davis Center (Room N5-083)

All sessions are open to staff from any school—please attend the location that works best for you.

Register Using the Links Below: 

MFE Foundations Registration Link

Davis Center Foundations Registration Link

Reminder: SEPP & Evaluation Timeline Memo (Spring 2026)

The Special Education Department is sharing an important memorandum outlining timelines for Student Referral for a Change in Special Education Program Placement (SEPP) and evaluations.

🔗 Review the SEPP & Evaluation Timeline Memo (Spring 2026) [Google Doc]

⏰ Key Dates to Know:

• SEPP referrals: Submit on or before May 1, 2026

• Evaluations: Begin on or before April 24, 2026 to ensure completion prior to the last student contact day

These timelines are critical to ensuring students receive services in the least restrictive environment (LRE) and that teams have adequate time to plan and implement appropriate supports for the upcoming school year.

Thank you for your attention to these important deadlines and for supporting strong planning for student success.

📢 Due Process Day Workshops! 📢

Need answers to your Due Process questions? Use your due process day to come to PIC for in-person support!

📅 2nd Weds of the Month – 8am-4pm; 

• 🌟Next session is Wednesday May 13th!

💻 Join us here: PIC (2410 Girard Ave N. Minneapolis, MN 55411 | Door 6)
❓ Questions? Contact Anne Silverman

🌞 Extended School Year (ESY) Updates

We are excited to share that we are now hiring for Extended School Year (ESY) positions. If you’re interested in joining our ESY team this summer, we encourage you to apply by clicking here. 

The resources below are designed to support your planning and implementation throughout the ESY season.

📚 Helpful ESY Resources

• ​​ESY Webpage​​

• How to ESY Plan

• How to ESY Implementation Plan

• Summer Scholars

If you have any questions or need any support please reach out to Taherah Shamsulbahri-Cobb or James Menke.

Save the Date: Special Education Resource Fair (May 21) ❗

You’re invited to the Special Education Resource Fair on Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 5:00–7:30 p.m. at the Davis Center.

Join the Minneapolis Public Schools Special Education Department and the Special Education Advisory Council for an evening of connection, learning, and access to resources that support students receiving special education services from birth through age 22.

Caregivers, students, staff, and community members are all welcome to explore available supports, ask questions, and find tools to help every learner thrive.

🔗 Learn more about the Special Education Resource Fair and event details

Frequently Used Sped Tools & Resources in One Place

💻 EdPlan Video Tutorials

📊 WJ-V One-Stop Shop Link

🔧 A Helpful Tool: The MPS Evaluation Planning Guide Link

📘 Curriculum Guidance Links

🧾 Sped Consumables Request Form (PIC)

🛠️ EdPlan Request Help Form

📁Due Process Notebook

FAQ: Extracurricular Activities and Nonactivities for Students with IEPs

📅 Elementary and ECSE 30-Day Calendar Link (Updated March 25)

📅 Secondary 30-Day Calendar (1/9 Version)