As Director of ESE, Mrs. DeLuca leads comprehensive department operations and oversees specialized student services to ensure positive learning outcomes for students with disabilities. Much of her daily work involves collaboration with schools, departments, surrounding districts, discretionary partners, and the state, which she finds very rewarding.

Fun Fact: Outside of work, she is pursuing her doctorate and when that is not keeping her busy, she heads to the beach or goes to a place where she can listen to live music.

As the Supervisor for ESE Operations and Outreach, Ms. McHatton oversees the operational, compliance, and outreach functions that support Exceptional Student Education (ESE) programs and services. She coordinates professional learning opportunities, ensuring staff have the knowledge and resources needed to effectively support students with disabilities. Her responsibilities include overseeing key programs and initiatives such as the Family Empowerment Scholarship, Extended School Year (ESY), State Assessments for ESE students, the Preschool Education Evaluation Program (PEEP), Transition Services, and Project SEARCH. Additionally, she oversees the coordination of parent trainings and community outreach activities, fostering collaboration among schools, families, community partners, and stakeholders to increase awareness, engagement, and access to services while promoting positive outcomes for students.

Fun Fact: She was struck by lightning and lived to tell the story, a rare experience that definitely makes for an unforgettable conversation starter. For a period of time afterward, she noticed that whenever she turned on lights, the light bulbs would blow out.

As the Supervisor of Dispute Resolution Ms. Kaunda supports the district through some of its most complex and challenging meetings. In her role, she helps ensure teams have a clear understanding of and alignment with state and federal laws related to students with disabilities, while fostering collaboration and effective problem-solving.

Fun Fact: As a passionate traveler and adventurer, she is a member of the One Percent Club, a distinction held by only a small percentage of people worldwide who have traveled to all seven continents. One of her most memorable experiences was participating in an expedition to Antarctica Base Camp. She is always eager to explore new destinations and cultures and rarely misses an opportunity to travel somewhere new.

Her commitment to service and helping others was shaped by her experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa, where she lived in a mud hut and worked within local communities to teach HIV awareness and prevention. This life-changing experience fueled her passion for both travel and service, strengthening her dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of others.

As the Supervisor of Instructional Programs for students with disabilities from Pre-K through 12th grade, Dr. Larissa Silfa-Velez is dedicated to ensuring curriculum alignment, supporting educators with the tools and resources they need, and creating meaningful learning experiences that help every student thrive. Passionate about collaboration, she partners with teachers, administrators, and school teams to promote inclusive and impactful educational opportunities for all learners..

Fun Fact: She played volleyball in high school, college, and later competed in a semi-professional league in the New York City metropolitan area.

As the Supervisor of Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Behavior Supports, Ms. Ryan leads the district’s dedicated team of Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Behavior Specialists. In her role, she collaborates with district and school-based teams, families, and other stakeholders to ensure students have the support, access, and opportunities they need to thrive in the educational environment. She is passionate about fostering inclusive practices and developing systems that promote student success and meaningful participation across school settings.

Fun Fact: She is a huge Seinfeld fan! In fact, she challenged her wedding officiant to begin her wedding ceremony with, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today... yada, yada, yada.”

As the Supervisor of Compliance and Speech Language Services, Ms. Simo provides leadership and support for the district’s Compliance Specialists and Speech-Language Pathologists. In her role, she oversees professional learning related to compliance, supports the FAA Task Force, and manages critical Florida Department of Education (FDOE) state reporting initiatives. She is committed to ensuring high-quality services, regulatory compliance, and positive outcomes for students across the district.

Fun Fact: When Susan is not supporting district initiatives, she enjoys soaking up the Florida sunshine at the beach, experiencing the magic of Disney, exploring new destinations through travel, and making memories with her family.

Behavior Tip of the Week: Allow Alternative Modes of Responding

Explanation: Providing multiple ways for students to demonstrate knowledge or participate. 

Modes of Communicating Responses :

 Visual supports 

Gestures 

Peer/Group responses 

Written 

Verbal 

Provide sentence stems 

Provide word banks 

 

 

If the student receives Speech/Language services, consult with the Speech Language Pathologist.  

The collaboration of public and private instructional personnel (PIP) shall be designed to enhance but not supplant the school district’s responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The school, as the local education agency, shall provide therapy services to meet the expectations provided in federal law and regulations and state statutes and rules. Collaboration of public and private instructional personnel will work to promote educational progress and assist students in acquiring essential skills, including, but not limited to, readiness for pursuit of higher education goals or employment. Where applicable, public and private instructional personnel shall undertake collaborative programming. Coordination of services and plans between a public school and private instructional personnel is encouraged to avoid duplication or conflicting services or plans.

For the purpose of implementing this subsection, a school district may not impose any requirements beyond those requirements specified in this subsection or charge any fees:

The provision of private instructional personnel by a parent does not constitute a waiver of the student’s or parent’s right to a free and appropriate public education under IDEA.

Earlier this month, two of our Project SEARCH teams were recognized for their outstanding commitment to preparing young adults for successful employment and independent futures. We are proud to celebrate these well-deserved accomplishments and the dedicated professionals who make a lasting impact on the lives of our interns.

Congratulations to Our Project SEARCH On-Site Team

Congratulations to Mr. Johnny Suero (Magnify), Dr. Jaime Medina, and Ms. Carmen Hernandez on receiving recognition from Project SEARCH for their exceptional work and dedication.

This outstanding team continues to make a meaningful difference by helping interns build the skills, confidence, and experience needed for competitive employment. Mr. Suero's commitment to fostering strong community relationships creates valuable opportunities and partnerships that support intern success. Dr. Medina and Ms. Hernandez provide a strong instructional foundation, equipping interns with the knowledge and tools needed to grow, thrive, and achieve their goals.

Their recognition reflects the collaboration, passion, and unwavering belief they bring to their work each day. We congratulate Mr. Suero, Dr. Medina, and Ms. Hernandez on this well-earned honor and thank them for the positive impact they make on our students and community.

Congratulations to Ms. Jenifer Bassetti and the AdventHealth Project SEARCH Team

We are also proud to congratulate Ms. Jenifer Bassetti and the AdventHealth Project SEARCH Team for receiving the Excellent Employment Outcomes Award for the 2024-2025 cohort of interns.

This prestigious award is presented to programs in which 70% or more interns achieve competitive, integrated employment while successfully meeting all Project SEARCH program criteria. This remarkable achievement reflects the team's unwavering dedication to empowering interns with the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to secure meaningful employment and greater independence.

Through their leadership, commitment, and passion, Ms. Bassetti and the AdventHealth Project SEARCH Team continue to create pathways to success for interns and make a lasting impact on families and the community.

We congratulate them on this exceptional accomplishment and look forward to celebrating their continued success in the years ahead.

Help us highlight their impact!

Submit a staff shout-out recognizing someone who is:

⭐ Making a difference for students

⭐ Spreading positivity

⭐ Helping others shine

⭐ Going the extra mile

Your shout-out may be featured in an upcoming newsletter so we can continue celebrating the amazing people who are Lighting the Way across our department and district. Let’s keep the light shining bright! ✨🌟

Send shout outs to Sarah.McKenney@osceolaschools.net with the subject "Lighting the Way Shout Out"

The Bureau of Exceptional Student Education and Student Services (BEESS) Weekly Memo provides current action and informational items related to trainings, jobs, conferences, resources and other information relevant to students with disabilities. "The Buzz" can be accessed using this link: BEESS Weekly Memo and then simply click on the date for the corresponding week.

The contact information below has not yet been updated. Once a revised contact list is received, it will be shared.

Are you looking to strengthen your ability to meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities? The BEESS Portal to Professional Learning Alternatives (PLA) offers free, flexible, and high-quality online courses designed specifically for Florida teachers and paraprofessionals.

Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned educator, PLA courses provide:

Courses are developed by experts and supported by the Florida Department of Education’s Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS), ensuring content that is both relevant and impactful.

Explore offerings like:

Visit https://fl-pla.org to register and start learning today. Your growth supports student success!

FIN collaborates with all districts, schools, and IDEA- funded state projects to provide customized services and supports ensuring all students with disabilities have the same educational, social, and future opportunities as their peers.

The Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) is a statewide network of support for families, educators, and school districts, working together to help every child with a disability reach their full potential.

Through a network of Associate Centers across the state, FDLRS offers high-quality services, training, and resources to families and school personnel in every Florida school district. Whether you’re a parent seeking support, a teacher looking for professional learning, or a district leader supporting Exceptional Student Education (ESE) programs , FDLRS is here to help.

FDLRS provides:

Do you have amazing events and activities happening on your campuses? Let us help you share the wonderful things you are doing. Please send pictures and a brief description of the events and activities to Sarah McKenney at Sarah.McKenney@osceolaschools.net

While summer is often associated with vacations and relaxation, for many educators it is also a time to prepare for the exciting year ahead. Before students return to classrooms, dedicated teachers spend part of their summer engaging in professional learning opportunities that strengthen their practice and help them better support every learner.

The educators who attended the Building Strong Foundations: Effective Instruction & Inclusive Support Professional Learning at Osceola High School exemplify this commitment. By investing their time in learning, collaborating, and refining instructional strategies, they are ensuring they are ready to make a positive impact from the very first day of school.

Thank you to these outstanding educators for spending part of their summer building strong foundations for a successful school year!

🌟📚✨

Curriculum and Instruction Team members participated in a Modifications Training, deepening their knowledge and strengthening their ability to support students enrolled in Access Points courses.

This information will be updated weekly.

Full pdf of schedule in attachments