High School - SpEd Newsletter
October 2022
The 2022-2023 school year is off to a great start!
As the Program Specialist for the high school grade band, I am here to support families and teachers. I would appreciate the opportunity to hear about your Blue Ridge experience.
Upcoming Dates
Veteran's Day - 11/11
Thanksgiving Break - 11/18 - 25
Winter Break - 12/15/2022-01/02/2023
Teacher Pro Tips
reading
by Dr. Stanley Schmidt
No other textbooks are like these. Each text is written in the style of a novel with a humorous story line. Each section tells part of the life of Fred Gauss and how, in the course of his life, he encounters the need for the math and then learns the methods. Tons of solved examples. Each hardcover textbook contains ALL of the material – more than most instructors cover in traditional classroom settings. Includes tons of proofs.
Written by Dr. Stanley Schmidt with the intent to make math come alive with lots of humour, clear explanations, and silly illustrations that stick in the mind. The student will learn to think mathematically.
Completion of this series prepares student for third year college math.
writing
This interactive graphic organizer helps students develop an outline for one of three types of comparison essays: whole-to-whole, similarities-to-differences, or point-to-point. A link in the introduction to the Comparison and Contrast Guide give students the chance to get definitions and look at examples before they begin working. The tool offers multiple ways to navigate information including a graphic on the right that allows students to move around the map without having to work in a linear fashion. The finished map can be saved, e-mailed, or printed.
math
by Dr. Stanley Schmidt
No other textbooks are like these. Each text is written in the style of a novel with a humorous story line. Each section tells part of the life of Fred Gauss and how, in the course of his life, he encounters the need for the math and then learns the methods. Tons of solved examples. Each hardcover textbook contains ALL of the material – more than most instructors cover in traditional classroom settings. Includes tons of proofs.
Written by Dr. Stanley Schmidt with the intent to make math come alive with lots of humour, clear explanations, and silly illustrations that stick in the mind. The student will learn to think mathematically.
Completion of this series prepares student for third year college math.
Reading Corner
Trying to find high-interest articles for low readers? https://www.readworks.org/ is a great resource for finding fiction and non-fiction articles at your student's reading level. Readworks.org allows you to filter articles by grade, lexile level, text type, topic (ie, science, social studies, art), content type (reading passages, ebooks, paired text, etc.) and activity type (multiple-choice questions activity, open-ended questions, inferring questions, etc.), to name a few. Some tips to consider when reading with your student:
Pause after each paragraph and ask comprehension or critical thinking questions to help your student with understanding the text and recalling details.
Feel free to highlight important information or jot down summary notes next to each paragraph read. This will help your student with understanding the main idea or author's purpose for the text.
Ask your student about new or unfamiliar vocabulary in the text. Help them use context clues, if possible, to figure out meaning or review definitions before or during read-aloud.
Find articles with topics that interest them! They will be more willing to want to understand the article if it's a topic that they find interesting.
Other reading resources to consider: www.newsela.com ; www.commonlit.org ; www.readinga-z.com ; and www.getepic.com. Happy reading!
Special Education Services
All Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI) and Related Services have been assigned.
If your student is not receiving services indicated in the IEP please reach out to your Case manager immediately.
All virtual services are mandatory.
Teacher Zoom Link
Online Resource Room
Lana Quijas - Lead
Leticia Bin - Transition Specialist
Sean McTiernan
Beatrice Essah
Kristina Fournier
Marquise Goodwin
Jennifer Garza
David Sievers
Your Case Manager has sent the scheduled date and time for your child's virtual SAI.
Tech Corner
Important documents are sent to you via the digital signature platform HelloSign. As a reminder, the documents will always be password protected with your student’s first name in all lower case. We love HelloSign and being able to go paperless in most cases!
Blue Ridge Academy tech support is available for families at helpdesk@theblueridgeacademy.com
Content Specialists' Office Hours
Office hours are for students taking high school courses, their HSTs and parents or learning coach only. It is not the duty of the Content Specialist to grade assignments and instead, they are available for light tutoring and offering guidance on how to complete an assignment.
Math Office Hours with Mary Camacho - Link: https://zoom.us/j/6393334950
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday @ 10:00 AM - noon
Wednesday & Friday @ 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Spanish Office Hours with Angelica Fonseca - Link: https://zoom.us/j/5310500507
Monday & Tuesday @ 9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Wednesday & Thursday @ noon-2:00 PM
Fridays @1:00 PM-3 PM
Science Office Hours with Stephanie Miranda - Link https://zoom.us/j/6182068993
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday @ 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Wednesday @ 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
English Office Hours with Christine Stanley - Link https://zoom.us/j/4869911186
Monday @ 9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday @ 2:00-4:00 PM
Friday @ 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
VAPA Office Hours with Shelby Meeker - Link: https://zoom.us/j/7352916776
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday @ 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Tuesday & Thursday @ 10 AM-noon
Social Studies Office Hours with Emily Morey - Link: https://zoom.us/j/6669088084
Mondays @ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Tuesdays @ 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Wednesdays @ 10 AM-noon
Thursdays @1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Fridays @ 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Transition
Leticia looks forward to seeing your child for transition services. Look for the transition emails with links and times in your inbox. If you have any questions related to Transitions and any events/classes this month, please contact your Transition Specialist, Leticia Bin, at leticia.bin@theblueridgeacademy.com (661) 493-2811
Ninth Grade Transition lessons are taught on Mondays at 11 AM. Tenth Grade Transition lessons are taught on Tuesdays at 11 AM. Eleventh Grade Transition lessons are taught on Wednesdays at 11 AM. Twelveth or 12+ Graders Transition lessons are taught on Thursdays at 11 AM. Transition office hours are offered every Monday - Thursday from 1-2 on school calendar days. Your case manager is able to provide links for these services.
9th Grade-Mondays
10/3/2022: Career Interest Assessment
10/10/2022: Career Interest Assessment
10/17/2022: What is a SMART Goal
10/24/2022: What is a SMART Goal
10/31/2022: Career Interest or What is a SMART Goal
10th Grade-Tuesdays
10/4/2022: Career Interest Assessment
10/11/2022: What is a SMART Goal
10/18/2022: Career Interest Assessment
10/25/2022: What is a SMART Goal
11th Grade-Wednesdays
10/5/2022: Learning Styles & Preferences
10/12/2022: Self Advocacy - Making difficult decisions
10/19/2022: Learning Styles & Preferences
10/26/2022: Self Advocacy - Making difficult decisions
12th+ Grade-Thursdays
10/6/2022: You're Not Done Yet
10/13/2022: No Transition Services
10/20/2022: Goals
10/27/2022: You're Not Done Yet/Career Interest Assessment/Goals
Teacher Spotlight
Beatrice Essah is a Reading & Writing Specialist for this academic year. This is her third year of teaching with Blue Ridge Academy. Prior to joining Blue Ridge, Beatrice worked in a brick-and-mortar classroom for 20 years. She loves teaching in virtual settings, so she hopes to be here helping our families for years to come.
Beatrice Essah
Reading & Writing SAI Teacher
Jennifer is a returning high school education specialist. She lives in beautiful Northern California with her adorable twins! She met her husband as young teenagers and after years of growing up separately, they reunited through a mutual friend and married in August 2015. The family enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, mountain biking, playing in the snow, and most of all camping. They are big campers! She could live in their trailer if the wifi was strong enough!
Dave joined Blue Ridge Academy in January 2019. In addition to a Special Education Mild to Moderate teaching credential, he also holds an MFA degree in writing.
Dave's area of expertise is working with students on the spectrum, and he enjoys working with students who are non-readers, frustrated readers, non-verbal students, and students with emotional or behavioral issues.
Reading SAI Teacher
Lana Quijas has 16 years of teaching experience. She began her career in education as a second grade teacher, eventually switching to a high school education specialist 7 years ago. She is currently teaching SAI Reading and Writing and enjoys searching for what motivates her mild moderate students. Each school year is a new adventure, and she is passionate about helping students reach their potential and recognize their unique gifts and abilities. Lana enjoys cycling (both road and gravel), running and crocheting. She lives in San Diego with her husband and three beautiful children where they enjoy spending their weekends at the beach together.
Leticia has a passion for working with students with disabilities. She has been teaching for 20 years and began teaching at a pre-school. Leticia then went on to middle school and has been working with High school-age children for the last 17 years. She enjoys getting to know her students and particularly enjoys helping students achieve their post-high school plans. She has been married for 25 years and has two grown sons. She enjoys spending time with her family and going on daily walks with my three dogs, Rocky, Emma, and Iris.
Transition Specialist
Kenya was born and raised in Pasadena, CA. which gave her unlimited access to the Rose Parade every New Year.
A little bit about her home life: She have 5 kids (2 in college, 1 in High School, 1 in Middle School, and 1 in Elementary School). She has a "grand dog" named Rari. Her children and she have a family game night once a week, and the best cook in the house is her 13 year old daughter.
Her educational experience: She has a Masters degree in both Psychology and Education.
Some fun facts:
1. She's lived in 5 different states
2. She joined the military at 17
3. She just learned to whistle
4. She was in a music video (I will never tell which one)
5. Her goal this year is to start a Youtube channel
6. She thinks college is great but loving what you do is better so don't be afraid to explore life
Building strong relationships with students and their families is what Tina strives to accomplish each and every day. This is Tina's second year at Blue Ridge Academy, and brings seven years of high school teaching experience to our team. She will be teaching math and writing this school year, and is excited to see her students' academic growth.
Tina attended CSULB and has lived in Southern California her entire life. She has been married for six years and has a two year old son. During her free time, she enjoys being around family and friends, traveling, and soaking up the beautiful SoCal weather. She is excited to be working with the Blue Ridge Academy team!
Mr. Goodwin is in his 3rd year with Blue Ridge and 7th year as a teacher in Special Education. He is very excited to work with High School students this year as he brings a wealth of experience to his teaching. He is a UC Santa Barbara graduate and has been fortunate over the years to have lived and worked around the world. In addition to teaching, he has a massive passion for rugby. On the occasional Saturday, you may find him on the television refereeing collegiate or Major League Rugby.
A native New Yorker, Sean McTiernan joined the Blue Ridge team 3 years ago. He is thrilled to be working with the High School team as an Education Specialist this year. Previously, he taught in the 3-5 and 5-6 grade bands. Sean has worked in Special Education for the past 7 years, and holds a Master of Arts degree in Education, with a concentration in Special Education. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Sean relishes connecting with students and families. He is interested in all things related to language, travel, and adventure, preferably outside. He resides in Indio, CA, the city of festivals, with his turtle, Freddy.
Linda is new to Blue Ridge Academy and the virtual teaching environment. She has been a teacher for 23 years in public, private, and homeschool settings. She has an MA in SPED M/M and a multiple subject credential. She enjoys teaching students of all ages and coaching other homeschool parents.
Linda lives in the Long Beach area with her husband, their 16-year-old son, and their 4-year-old dog, named Sherlock. She and her family enjoy traveling across our great country to see its beauty, experience its diverse cultures, and reconnect with distant family and friends. When not at work (or taxiing her high schooler to his extra-curricular activities), Linda and her family are very involved in the life of their church.
Linda feels so blessed to work with such a supportive group of people at Blue Ridge Academy.
SAI Co-Teacher
High School Counselors
Daniela Martinez
Diaz-Khan
For family/student appointments:
https://calendly.com/counselor_martinez/15min
