Recent Accomplishments of the Student Services Department
- Attendance articulation for the district, including the implementation of the DA's "School is Where it's At" program
- MSAN district Profile
- Plan to expand the Benefit Package to the elementary schools and the Middle School
- Training for district counselors on how to work with DCF
- Student Support Process articulation across the district
- Completion of first half of the Social Justice Course for year 3 teachers
- Database for MCAS Student Success Plans and Educational Proficiency Plans
- Articulation and completion of SSP's for the district
- Completion of category 2 SEI training for teachers
- Completion of category 3 SEI training for all ELE teachers in the district
- Approval of DESE proposal to offer category 4 SEI trainings in our district
- Follow up to residency cases brought to us by the postal office in Amherst
- Planning and beginning implementation of STRIVE, peer mentoring program for rising 9th graders
- Plan for the delivery of Supplemental Educational Services for Crocker Farm students
- Bomb threat protocol training with APD and district-wide staff
- Safety Walks at all schools
- Proposal for a federal grant in partnership with UMASS-Amherst and Amherst Regional Public Schools Transition
- Implementation of Outdoor Adventure at South Amherst Campus
- Participation in Regional safety exercise at UMASS
- Utilization of Smartboards and Laptops at both alternative sites
- Deescalation Training for van and Bus drivers
- Working With New Principals and APD on local school safety plans
- Alternative sites having updated communications
- Update of Student Services Manual for Administrators
- Update of Special Education Parent Reference Guide at each school
- Executive Function conference with Dr. Karen Miller
- Story Grammar Marker one day training with MaryEllen Morreau
- Revision of Special Education goal banks for related service providers
- Completion of the Circuit Breaker audit for Pelham and Amherst
- Revised Special Education Paraprofessional Handbook
- Revised Special Education manual
- Provided Special Education summer services for over 100 students
- Development of a Community Partnership Group consisting of DMH, DCF, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Family Outreach of Amherst, and the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools. The goal of the group is to plan and implement a comprehensive continuum of support and services to promote academic achievement, to build social competency, and to respond to the varied needs of our students and their families.
- Professional development for staff to become trainers of Steps to Respect, Second Step, and the Teenage Health Modules to work on building the social competency of our students. Having staff on site as trainers builds internal capacity, our ability to continue to train our teachers and offer on site mentoring.
- Supported the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee in developing a mailing for all parents of students receiving special education services and accommodations on a 504 plan.
Last updated February 10, 2009