Week of November 1, 2026

This week, our school community is focusing on the following priorities:

• PBIS: Lunchroom Expectations

• Behavior Focus: Reinforcing positive safe behavior around the school building

• SEL Theme of the Month: Friendship

• Trauma-Informed: Belonging: Creating a safe, welcoming environment where every student can succeed. 

• Support documents can be found here. Please also be sure to review the SEL Calendar.

Coverage Request 
Please put all coverage request on the IEP calendar.  This includes coverage for IEP's, testing WAM, etc. When placing the coverage request on the calendar please put your name on the subject line (Title: Deeter 3yr testing,  Zakerski-O. Smith IEP)

Grades 
Teachers be sure to have your GradeBook updated each week to reflect current grades for students.

Upcoming Events 
District Wide PD: Tuesday November 3rd 🏫 🏫 
Thanksgiving Feast: Monday November 23rd  🦃🦃

Parent Teacher Conferences: Tuesday November 24th 

Reminders
LPEA please be sure move your Standards for Success Goals from last year over to this year.  Please use this link for directions.  

Please enter your absence in Red Rover once you know you will be absent (the sooner the better 😊😊)

Monday November 2nd
Behavior Team Huddle 8:30am
Burks (Data Review) 10:00am-10:30am
Hiser (IEP) 1:00pm-2:00pm

Tuesday November 3rd
District Wide PD 8:00am-3:00pm

Wednesday November 4th
Deeter (Staffing) 11:30am-12:15pm
Wusthoff (Data Review) 1:15pm-1:45pm
Robinson (Data Review) 1:45pm-2:15pm

Deeter (WAM) 8:15am-9:15am

Thursday November 5th
Hamilton (IEP) 10:30am
Hill (IEP) 12:30pm
Bruckner (Data Review) 1:45pm

Social Workers Meeting 9:15am

Friday November 6th
Zakerski (IEP) 10:45am-11:45am

Week of October 25th

         .            .              

This week, our school community is focusing on the following priorities:

• PBIS: Lunchroom Expectations

• Behavior Focus: Reinforcing positive safe behavior around the school building

• SEL Theme of the Month: Bullying, Kindness, Responsibility

• Trauma-Informed: Belonging: Creating a safe, welcoming environment where every student can succeed. 

• Support documents can be found here. Please also be sure to review the SEL Calendar.

Coverage Request 

Please put all coverage request on the IEP calendar.  This includes coverage for IEP's, testing WAM, etc. When placing the coverage request on the calendar please put your name on the subject line (Title: Deeter 3yr testing,  Zakerski-O. Smith IEP)

Upcoming Events 

Spirit Week: October 26th-30th

🍎🍏Apple Charlies Apple Orchard:Wednesday October 28th 🍎🍏
Permission slips will be sent home on Monday October 26th

🦃🦃Thanksgiving Feast: Monday November 23rd  🦃🦃

Reminders

LPEA please be sure move your Standards for Success Goals from last year over to this year.  Please use this link for directions.  

Please enter your absence in Red Rover once you know you will be absent (the sooner the better 😊😊)

Monday October 26th

Burks (Home District Meeting) 11:00am

Tuesday October 27th

Wusthoff (WAM) 10:00:am

Deeter (FBA) 12:30pm

Hill (IEP) 12:30pm-1:30pm

Wednesday October 28th

Field Trip to Apple Charlies: 9am-12:30pm

Hiser (WAM) 10:30am-11:30am

Raul (WAM) 2:00pm-3:00pm

Thursday October 29th

Wusthoff (WAM) 2:00pm-3:00pm

Friday October 30th

Robinson (Pre-Transition) 9:00am-10:00am

Bruckner (IEP) 1:00pm-2:00pm

Week of October 18th

                                                        

This week, our school community is focusing on the following priorities:

• PBIS: Lunchroom Expectations

• Behavior Focus: Reinforcing positive safe behavior around the school building

• SEL Theme of the Month: Bullying, Kindness, Responsibility

• Trauma-Informed: Belonging: Creating a safe, welcoming environment where every student can succeed. 

• Support documents can be found here. Please also be sure to review the SEL Calendar.

                                          

• All IEPs must be timely and submitted within 3 days of completing the IEP.  Please validate IEPs for accuracy and finalize before submitting them. 

• The case manager is responsible for the timely submission of the paperwork for the students on their caseload.

• IEPs should be held at least 3 weeks in advance of the due date to ensure no late IEPs.
  
  

• Parents should be given adequate notice to participate in IEPs. MiStar IEP invitations are required and should be updated and re-sent if the date/time/location/participants of the meeting changes. A google invite cannot replace a formal meeting invitation.
   

• MiSTAR Meeting Invitations must be finalized prior to creating a new meeting invitation.

Important Links

 IEP PAPERWORK CHECKLIST

IEPT Instructions from RESA

Upcoming Events
Spirit Week: October 26-October 30th 
Thanksgiving Feast: Monday November 23, 2026  Thanksgiving Feast Sign Up Link

                              

                                          

Monday October 19, 2026
Behavior Team Huddle (8:30am-9:00am)
Doctor at Prevent to Protect Conference 

Tuesday October 20, 2026
Early Release 
Doctor at Prevent to Protect Conference 
IEP 9:00am (Zakerski)
No Staff Meeting

Wednesday October 21, 2026
WAM 10:00am (Bruckner)
Planning Meeting with LPHS (Lucidi)
PBIS Plan Review 12:30pm-1:15pm (Zakerski)
PBIS Plan Review  1:15pm-2:00pm (Orozco)

Thursday October 22, 2026
PIRM 12:30pm-1:15pm (Walton)
PIRM 1:15pm-2:00pm (Hamilton)

Friday October 23, 2026
Doctor at BOE (8:00am-12:00pm)
WAM 8:15am-9:15am (Deeter)
IEP 1:00pm-2:00pm (Hamilton)
WAM 2:00pm-3:00pm (Orozco)

Week of October 11th

This week, our school community is focusing on the following priorities:

• PBIS: Lunchroom Expectations

• Behavior Focus: Reinforcing positive safe behavior around the school building

• SEL Theme of the Month: Goal setting, self-control and being safe at school

• Trauma-Informed: Belonging: Creating a safe, welcoming environment where every student can succeed. 

• Support documents can be found here. Please also be sure to review the SEL Calendar.

Draft IEP's

• Draft IEPs should be provided to the parent ahead of time, especially if the parent will be participating via phone. 

• Use “draft” watermark when providing parent with a draft IEP 

• “Draft” watermark should be removed from final copy of the IEP and FAPE page

• FAPE CANNOT be signed/offered on a copy of the form that says “DRAFT”
  
  

• Share your screen during virtual IEPs so the IEP is projected during the meeting.  

• Project IEPs during face to face meetings whenever possible. 

• Have paper copies of draft IEPs available for parent/team members.

• Be sure to collect and shred all draft copies at the conclusion of the IEP.

Important Links

 IEP PAPERWORK CHECKLIST

IEPT Instructions from RESA

Monday, October 12th: 

• Behavior Team Huddle @ 8:30
• Castle to BOE in AM
• IEP @ 9:00 (Walton)
• IEP @ 9:00 (Deeter)
• PBiS Plan Review @ 1:00 (Orozco)

Tuesday, October 13th:

• IEP/PBiS Plan @ 9:30 (Hiser)
• WAM @ 11:00 (Zakerski)
• PIRM @ 12:30 (Hiser)
• PIRM @ 1:00 (Lucidi)
• Staff Meeting

Wednesday, October 14th: 

• Castle to BOE
• PBiS Mtg @ 9:00 (Hiser and Deeter)
• IEP @ 10:00 (Robinson)
• WAM @ 11:00 (Deeter)
• Data Review @ 11:00 (Orozco)
• Meeting @ 12:20 (Walton)

Thursday, October 15th: 

• Castle to RESA
• Doctor to BOE in AM
• IEP @ 9:00 (Burks)
• WAM @ 2:00 (Deeter)
• Lockdown Drill @ 2:00

Friday, October 16th: 

• Castle and Doctor LPHS @ 8:30

Week of October 4th

 

This week, our school community is focusing on the following priorities:

• PBIS: Classroom expectations

• Behavior Focus: Reinforcing positive safe behavior around the school building

• SEL Theme of the Month: Goal setting, self-control and being safe at school

• Trauma-Informed: Belonging: Creating a safe, welcoming environment where every student can succeed. 

• Focus on Routine:

1. Morning & Entry Routines
Greeting at the Door: Welcome students individually as they enter to gauge their mood and set a positive tone. 

Do-Now / Bellringer: Have a clear, predictable task posted on the board (e.g., a short reflection, daily math problem, or quiet reading) so students immediately know what to work on without prompting and to avoid unstructured time.

Group: Have designated space for group and structured routine so students know what to expect. Having a rotation of group leaders helps students be involved. 

2. Classroom Logistics & Transitions
Clear Signals for Attention: Use a consistent non-verbal or verbal cue (e.g., chime, rhythmic clap, countdown) to gather focus within seconds.

Structured Transitions: Give timed instructions before students move (e.g., "You have 30 seconds to clean up your desk and bring your notebook to the carpet—go").  Timers on board are helpful.

Visible Daily Agenda: Display a daily schedule with times or order of activities on the board to reduce anxiety about what comes next.

3. Academic & Instructional Routines
Standardized Station/Group Rules: Create a clear system for group work, including assigned roles (timekeeper, reader, recorder) and noise-level expectations.

Fast-Finisher Options: Provide a dedicated space or menu of meaningful tasks (reading, extension activities) for students who complete work early.

4. End-of-Day & Pack-Up Structure
Dedicated Reflection Time: Reserve the last 5 minutes for point sheet reflection, lesson recap, or gratitude sharing (highs and lows of day)

End of day Checklist: Assign rotating classroom jobs (board eraser, chair stacker, paper collector) to make end-of-day routines collective and efficient.

• Support documents can be found here. Please also be sure to review the SEL Calendar.

Spirit Week Schedule for This Week

Important Reminders

IEP Reminders: 

• All IEPs must be timely and submitted within 3 days of completing the IEP.  Please validate IEPs for accuracy and finalize before submitting them. 

• submit to Ariel Willliamson in the office

• The case manager is responsible for the timely submission of the paperwork for the students on their caseload.

• IEPs should be held at least 3 weeks in advance of the due date to ensure no late IEPs.
  
  

• Parents should be given adequate notice to participate in IEPs. MiStar IEP invitations are required and should be updated and re-sent if the date/time/location/participants of the meeting changes. A google invite cannot replace a formal meeting invitation.
   

• MiSTAR Meeting Invitations must be finalized prior to creating a new meeting invitation. 

• Only LP invitees should be included in the meeting invitation. Individuals invited by the parent should not be included in the meeting invitation (for example; advocate, BCBA, parent’s attorney, etc.). 
  
  

• Only people in attendance at the actual IEP meeting should sign the attendance page.

• Case managers must coordinate with team members so all members of the IEP team are in attendance. It is the expectation that all team members attend IEPs. Do not send calendar invites without reaching out to the team about a date. (It is helpful to create a shared calendar so teams can easily coordinate meeting dates).  Be considerate of team members who are in multiple locations. 

• If you are unable to attend the IEP, it is the responsibility of the service provider to contact the parent prior to the IEP to share PLAAFP information, baseline data, and draft goals and objectives. The service provider must ensure all of their information is up to date and entered in the IEP prior to the meeting.

• Excusals for required team members of the IEP team must be done prior to the IEP.  It is the responsibility of the caseload manager to make sure the parent has agreed to the excusal prior to the IEP meeting.

• All old information from the previous IEP should be removed prior to the start of the meeting.  Update IEP with new data and PLAAFP information prior to the meeting.  

• Parent input into the IEP is required even if it is obtained by phone or in writing.  Do NOT leave this section blank.  If a parent does not participate in the IEP and you are unable to reach them for input please document something like “Multiple attempts were made to obtain parent input on (list dates).  The district was unable to obtain input but will continue to make attempts and reopen the IEP at any time to include parent input.”

• The duration boxes in the programs and services section of the IEP are only used when a program/service does not last the duration of the IEP.

• District Rep - if an administrator is attending the meeting they should sign in as district rep and sign FAPE. If a special ed supervisor is attending the meeting, they would be district rep before gen ed administrator.  Director of Special Ed will always be district rep if they are present at the meeting. 

• The same person who signs in as district rep on the IEP, should sign the Notice of FAPE.

• Resident District Director - must be invited to IEP for students in center programs. If in attendance, they would sign in as a participant, not district rep. Please ensure you are reaching out to district reps well in advance and in multiple ways.

Monday, October 5th:

• Patterson and Ohlrich to RESA in AM
• Testing @ 9:00-11:00 (Burks)
• Castle to BOE @ 12:30
• Intake IEP @ 1:15 (Robinson)
• Student Planning Meeting @ 1:30 (Alderman and Deeter)

Tuesday, October 6th:

• Castle to BOE
• Doctor to RESA
• Early Release and Staff Meeting (Team Time and Domain 1 Training)

Wednesday, October 7th:

• COUNT DAY - NO IEP's
• Castle to BOE
• PIRM @ 12:30 (Bruckner)

Thursday, October 8th:

• Intake Committee Mtg @ 8:00
• WAM @ 9:00 (Bruckner)
• IEP @ 9:15 (Wusthoff)
• WAM @ 10:30 (Burks)

Friday, October 9th:

• Parent Meeting @ 9:50 (Lucidi)
• Beacon Tour for LP Staff @ 1:00
• 
  

Week of September 27th

 

This week, our school community is focusing on the following priorities:

• PBIS: Classroom expectations

• Behavior Focus: Reinforcing positive safe behavior around the school building

• SEL Theme of the Month: Goal setting, self-control and being safe at school

• Trauma-Informed: Belonging: Creating a safe, welcoming environment where every student can succeed. 

• Focus on Routine:

1. Morning & Entry Routines
Greeting at the Door: Welcome students individually as they enter to gauge their mood and set a positive tone. 

Do-Now / Bellringer: Have a clear, predictable task posted on the board (e.g., a short reflection, daily math problem, or quiet reading) so students immediately know what to work on without prompting and to avoid unstructured time.

Group: Have designated space for group and structured routine so students know what to expect. Having a rotation of group leaders helps students be involved. 

2. Classroom Logistics & Transitions
Clear Signals for Attention: Use a consistent non-verbal or verbal cue (e.g., chime, rhythmic clap, countdown) to gather focus within seconds.

Structured Transitions: Give timed instructions before students move (e.g., "You have 30 seconds to clean up your desk and bring your notebook to the carpet—go").  Timers on board are helpful.

Visible Daily Agenda: Display a daily schedule with times or order of activities on the board to reduce anxiety about what comes next.

3. Academic & Instructional Routines
Standardized Station/Group Rules: Create a clear system for group work, including assigned roles (timekeeper, reader, recorder) and noise-level expectations.

Fast-Finisher Options: Provide a dedicated space or menu of meaningful tasks (reading, extension activities) for students who complete work early.

4. End-of-Day & Pack-Up Structure
Dedicated Reflection Time: Reserve the last 5 minutes for point sheet reflection, lesson recap, or gratitude sharing (highs and lows of day)

End of day Checklist: Assign rotating classroom jobs (board eraser, chair stacker, paper collector) to make end-of-day routines collective and efficient.

• Support documents can be found here. Please also be sure to review the SEL Calendar.

Important Reminders

• FAPE is your friend

• Should NOT be completed prior to the IEP meeting

• Take your time; IEP doesn’t need to be provided the same day of the meeting

• Should contain anything discussed in the IEP but not chosen - it's good to have a notetaker jotting these things down throughout the IEP.

• Medicaid- Bill monthly, mark services complete

• Direct Service Staff

• https://secure.smore.com/n/2su7qx

• Case Managers

• https://secure.smore.com/n/k4rvbd

• Nurse's Edition

• https://secure.smore.com/n/v2fhs

• Personal Care

• Personal Care Aides/Paraprofessionals

• Since the change to the MiStar system for special education documents, all special education forms and documents must be finalized and archived in MiStar once they are completed.

  This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Invitations

  • REEDs

  • IEPs

  • METs

  • Other completed special education forms and documents

  Once a document has been reviewed and all required information is complete, please make sure it is finalized and archived rather than left in draft status. This ensures that the student's MiStar record accurately reflects all completed special education documentation and that documents are properly stored in the student's record.

  MDRs: At this time, RESA is directing users to close the form rather than finalize it. Please continue to follow the current MiStar direction for MDRs until further guidance is provided.

Beacon Calendar

Please remember to place ALL meetings on the Beacon calendar, and send the corresponding calendar invites.

Absences

If you are trying to enter a last minute absence, please include Robyn and Stacey on your email to Ariel so we can plan accordingly. 

Monday, September 28th: 

• Behavior Team Huddle @ 8:30 in Large Group Mtg Room
• PIRM @ 10:00 (Lucidi & Williams)
• IEP @ 2:00 (Hiser)
• Castle to BOE
• IEP @ 9:15 (Raul)

Tuesday, September 29th: 

• WAM @ 9:00 (Wusthoff)
• WAM @ 10:00 (Burks)
• Early Release/Staff Meeting
• Castle to BOE (AM)

Wednesday, September 30th:

• Parent Meeting @ 9:00 (Walton)
• Meeting @ 12:00 (Wusthoff)
• PIRM @ 1:15 (Raul)
• WAM @ 2:00 (Wusthoff)
• Castle Virtual Meeting (AM)

Thursday, October 1st:

• District PBiS Mtg @ 8:30 (Castle, Doctor, other various staff)
• Castle @ BOE (8:00-12:00)
• Hiser/Walton Mentor Time @ 10:00
• SSW Meeting @ 12:30

Friday, October 2nd: 

• Castle and some SSW to BOE (AM)
• Castle to Project SEARCH (PM)

Week of September 20th

 

This week, our school community is focusing on the following priorities:

• PBIS: Reviewing the school matrix and reviewing classroom expectations

• Behavior Focus: Reinforcing positive safe behavior around the school building

• SEL Theme of the Month: Goal setting, self-control and being safe at school

• Trauma-Informed: Belonging: Creating a safe, welcoming environment where every student can succeed. 

• Support documents can be found here. Please also be sure to review the SEL Calendar.

When Unproductive Behaviors Occur...

• First try Tier 1 strategies so students can remain in the classroom
• Offer a walk, a choice (not too many choices), or a fidget, offer the calming corner
• If support is needed, discreetly say on the walkie, "Behavior Support to room ***, Staff's last name." 
• Inform the social worker of what's going on
• If behavior is escalating call Alaina or Amanda
• Alaina and Amanda or a social worker will be the only people who should be contacting administration regarding student behavior when a student may need to go home, or requires further disciplinary action. 

Beacon Calendar

Please remember to place ALL meetings on the Beacon calendar, and send the corresponding calendar invites.

Instructional Time

Instructional time should be structured, and schedules for the day should be clearly outlined for the students upon arrival. Our students perform best when activities are planned from bell to bell. Detailed lesson plans should include all activities planned for the day...hands on activities are highly encouraged, as our students learn well with this structure. Lesson Plans MUST be entered into Planbook for the week, by the start of Monday for that week. Remember to make learning fun for students. Videos should only be shown to enhance the curriculum, and should be short in nature as part of instruction. If you are showing a movie as an occasional award, this is fine as long as it's clearly outlined in your weekly lesson plans, but should not be a regular occurrence.  Please let us know if you have any questions. 

Purchase Requests

When requesting to purchase items for your classroom, please send the request to Ariel, and copy Robyn on it for approval. Please include links for what you would like to purchase. 

Monday, September 21st:

• Behavior Team Huddle @ 8:30 in Large Meeting Room
• IEP @ 9:00 (Hill)
• Castle to BOE @ 12:30

Tuesday, September 22nd: 

• Castle to LP Meetings all day
• IEP @ 9:15 (Williams)

Wednesday, September 23rd:

• Castle to BOE (8:00-12:30)
• Intake Committee Mtg @ 9:00

Thursday, September 24th: 

• Mentor Time (Hiser/Walton)
• Castle to BOE (12:00-3:00)

Friday, September 25th:

• Castle to BOE (AM)