March, 2022
March, 2022
Embedded Files
March is Intellectual and Developmental - (I/DD) Disability Awareness Month
"Portland Public School’s Board of Education proclaims March 2020 as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and galvanize efforts that will lead our schools and policy makers to create real systems change so people with developmental dis/abilities will enjoy equitable, inclusive educational experiences."
Meet the Leadership in the High School and CTP - Community Transition Program Team
The purpose of the CTP program is to support young adults in their transition to life after high school. Our key focus is to help students achieve the greatest degree of independence and quality of life with an emphases on linking students to appropriate community and adult services. Our students learn valuable self advocacy skills and form meaningful relationships.
The purpose of the CTP program is to support young adults in their transition to life after high school. Our key focus is to help students achieve the greatest degree of independence and quality of life with an emphases on linking students to appropriate community and adult services. Our students learn valuable self advocacy skills and form meaningful relationships.
Tricia Curley, Assistant Director
Tricia Curley, Assistant Director
My name is Tricia Curley and I am serving in the role of Assistant Director for High School Special Education and our Community Transition Program. This is my fourth year working as an administrator in Portland Public Schools. I started my career in special education as a para educator for PPS, moved into a special education teaching position at Reynolds High School and later became a TOSA supporting a variety of programs and services in the Reynolds School District. Before coming to public education, I managed group homes for adults with disabilities. I'm married to a teacher and we have two daughters. One is a current PPS student and one who graduated from Franklin High School last year. When I am not working I enjoy time with friends, the outdoors, and lots of visits to New England to visit family.
Kendra Staley, Program Administrator
Kendra Staley, Program Administrator
I'm Kendra Staley, Program Administrator for the Community Transition Program (CTP). For the last 25+ years, I have worked in Special Education (first as a teacher then as an administrator) and I am grateful to be at CTP. The mission of CTP is to foster independence and vocational skills for students which is something that I feel passionate about. As a mother of young adults, one of whom is on the autism spectrum, I can appreciate the importance of teaching much needed "adulting" skills to our students. That's why I love working at CTP! When not at work, I enjoy reading, cooking, walking, and hanging out with my family.
Cynthia Velásquez, Program Administrator
Cynthia Velásquez, Program Administrator
My name is Cynthia Velásquez and I work as a special education program administrator with the Intensive Skills Classrooms in our high schools. I joined PPS in 2015 and have worked as a Special Education/ ESL TOSA (specialist) and as a Bilingual school psychologist for 20 years in Oregon and California. I have worked with houseless youth in San Francisco, tutored college students with learning disabilities and worked as an early childhood educator. My areas of specialization are in bilingual and social-emotional assessment, parent engagement and working with students and families who are culturally and linguistically diverse. My parents are immigrants from Ecuador and I am Bilingual in Spanish. My personal connection in special education is via my daughter who experiences Autism and is a student with an IEP.
Jeff Brown, Program Administrator
Jeff Brown, Program Administrator
My Name Jeff Brown my title is Program Administrator. I specifically support the Social Emotional Support (SES) classroom at the High Schools. In addition I support the special education teams at Jefferson and Lincoln High School. Lastly, I oversee and support High School Out of District Placements.
This is a Picture of myself and My Golden Retriever Bonnie. Bonnie is my 5th Golden Retriever and is a rescue from the Gold Bond Rescue.
Survey
Dear Portland Public Schools' Community,
We need your input, perspective, and voice. The Portland Public Schools has called on the Urban Special Education Collaborative to support the district in gathering your feedback and input on special education programming. Our goal is to learn from you what is working, what needs to be improved, and your ideas on how to improve. Thank you for taking the time to complete this important survey
The Urban Collaborative is a national network of more than 100 school district members. District leaders are committed to increasing effective and inclusive special education services. They are also focused on decreasing the disproportionality of culturally and linguistically diverse student populations in classification rates, separate educational environments and disciplinary actions.
All information collected for this review via survey and upcoming interviews, or focus groups is held in confidence. Your responses are anonymous. We do this to encourage as honest a response as you are comfortable providing. Please provide us with as much information as you can so that we can collaboratively work to provide the most effective, inclusive, and equitable support and services to all students with disabilities in the district.
Thank You!
Survey Link: https://asu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b30rCmYImnn0FqC
Summer 2022 SpEd Programs
The Special Education Department will be having two summer programs occurring this year.
Extended School Year (ESY)-Students who are invited to attend ESY are those who qualify through their IEP. This is done via data taken on goals before and after school breaks. During ESY, students receive direct instruction related to their IEP goals that supports the maintenance of that skill. If you have additional questions, please contact your child's case manager. (More information to come)
Special Education Recovery Services- Students who are invited to recovery services are those who qualify through their IEP. The department is reviewing multiple opportunities and modes for which recovery services could be accessed, in conjunction with the district Learning Acceleration Program. During recovery services students will receive direct instruction in areas related to their IEP. Students and families that qualify for recovery services will receive direct communication from district office. (More information to come)
Graduation Requirements Feedback Survey
In 2021, the Oregon state legislature passed Senate Bill 744. This Bill is to explore how to make graduation requirements more equitable for all students in Oregon. It directs the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to review state high school graduation requirements. As part of this review, ODE is partnering with Oregon’s Kitchen Table to get input from people across the state about this topic. Oregon’s Kitchen Table is a Program of Portland State University that creates ways for people in Oregon to share what they think about important public decisions.
Your voice counts! You can help make high school graduation requirements work better for future high school grads. What you have to share about your ideas and experiences will help ODE to create a report and recommendations about future high school graduation requirements. They will give this report and recommendations to the state legislature in September 2022. Fill the Survey in 7 Different Languages Here.
Vaccine/Testing Opportunities
Providence and Community Partners. Covid Vaccine Sites.
Students Health Care Centers. Flyer Covid Vaccine Sites.
List of Covid Testing Sites. Click here.
Questions, Information and Support
You can contact one of our Special Education Family and Community Engagement Specialist Noelle Sisk and Paulina Larenas (Bilingual Spanish). Our job is to support families in understanding the special education process, how to more effectively advocate, finding resources, and/or anything related to disability. Noelle and I are both parents of students with disabilities and understand how challenging can be for families to navigate the special education system. We are here to support you!
You can contact us at : spedfamilysupport@pps.net or directly at: nsisk@pps.net 971-533 - 6477 by email, call or text and plarenas@pps.net - 971-413-8802 by email, call or text (English-Español)
Resources
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