February at a Glance

February has been such a busy month in Student Services that my bloggin' has fallen a bit by the wayside.  Here's a view of some things that have been happening since my last post.  Enjoy!

We said goodbye to long time Administrative Assistant Miss Valerie.  She is off to a new job she is very excited about, but their gain is our loss most certainly.   Life is about change.  Thanks for all Valerie! Best of luck in your next steps.

Troy giving info on autism!

We had another meaningful special education advisory meeting earlier in the month as well.  Held at Drew Charter High School (thanks Don and cool space!), Vickie Cleveland presented the January board presentation on the 2009 SPED audit updates and Troy Keller, a special education coordinator, presented on all things autism programming in APS. He is our resident autism spectrum expert and the info was valuable.  Good questions.  Additionally, Carolyn Harris, another special education coordinator, presented on all things transitions for our students and the advisory was very interested in these post-high school opportunities for kids.  Plus gave input on how we can increase those opportunities for our students.  Good work all.

Look at these great pictures Counselor Coordinator Kenya Gilliard sent to me a couple of weeks ago.  She attended a No Place for Hate activity and came away jazzed about bringing this framework for inclusive practices to all schools.  Love it!  This is part of our PBS foundational support plan and it truly sets a tone for what we believe in APS.  Very foundational, very student and school driven, based on data, need, and focus desired.  A win-win.  Thanks to NAHS counselor Dionne Williams, Brandon Primary Counselor Tamila Whitaker, and NAHS 10th Grade Academy Leaders Deidre King. Here's an overview of the day from Kenya I just have to share...

"I just completed an observation with school counselors and the 10th Grade Academy Leader from NAHS and Morris Brandon.  The two schools collaborated to schedule a Read4Respect activity via the Anti-Defamation League.  The school counselor at NAHS  has arranged for a group of 10th graders to come over to read books to elementary students at Brandon.  The Brandon media specialist was also helpful and ordered  books focused on anti-bullying activities from the Anti-Def reading list.  High school students will receive community service hours for their efforts; and both groups gained an opportunity to practice character traits form the IB Learner profile.   The Brandon teachers were excited and request that the high school students come again.  This was an awesome activity!  Counselors are ready to move No Place For Hate district wide next year as part of our Character Ed. curriculum."

Great Kids and Counselors doing Great Work!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, let's remember to give special thanks to our Social Workers next week as we celebrate their presence and support of our schools.  Social Work Awareness week is upon us, our truly fabulous coordinator Denise Revels brings much to the job at hand, and we couldn't provide the level of service we do without her and her team.  Of course, there never seem to be enough people on the ground, but these folks receive calls at all hours of the night for crisis intervention.  And they are at the school house door next morning, with our counselors too, giving assistance and a bit of love to our kids and families who need it.  Appreciate you all!