This edition's spotlight shines on Kyosha Greene, Occupational Therapist! Kyosha plays a vital role in helping students develop the skills they need to access their education and thrive in the school environment. As a school-based occupational therapist, she assesses students' physical, sensory, and cognitive needs and collaborates with teachers and families to adapt learning environments, strengthen fine motor and visual motor skills, and modify school-related tasks. Through her dedication and expertise, Kyosha helps ensure that students with disabilities can fully participate in academic and social activities alongside their peers.

Fun Fact: When she's not supporting students, Kyosha is a self-proclaimed professional couch contestant! She watches Jeopardy! almost daily and firmly believes it should be considered a competitive sport. Whether she's testing her knowledge from the comfort of her couch or competing against contestants in her mind, she's always ready for the next clue! 🧠📺✨

Thank you, Kyosha, for your dedication, compassion, and commitment to helping students succeed. Your work empowers students to build independence, confidence, and the skills they need to reach their full potential. Your passion for serving students truly lights the way and makes a lasting impact in our schools and community! 🌟

If you have or anticipate vacancies or long-term leaves for ESE service providers (this is different than a short-term absence under the requirements of HB 1279 for Related Services), the expectation would be to provide parent notification of the vacancy or leave initially and every 4 (four) weeks until filled or the service provider returns. The ESE Department can assist in planning coverage for these circumstances, if needed. If the services are not provided to ESE students during this time frame, you would still be required to make up the service as a compensatory service. Guidance, template letters you can place on letterhead, and a compensatory service calculator are available in Teams, here:  ​

Vacancy Letter and Procedures​

HB 1279 amends s. 1003.5716, F.S., to require that if a related service identified in a student’s individual educational plan (IEP) is not provided as scheduled, local educational agencies (LEAs) must notify the parent or guardian in writing or by electronic means within 10 school days, explain the reason the service was not provided, and discuss a plan for make-up services.

Additionally, a parent or guardian has the right to access, upon request, all service provider logs or progress notes within 15 school days after such service is provided. The LEA must inform parents of this right at each IEP team meeting.

Our district has created a Parent Notification Letter that meets these requirements for the Related Service Therapists to complete when this occurs. FDOE/BEESS has provided guidance on informing the parents of their rights to service provider logs at each IEP meeting. All Resource Compliance Specialists and Related Service Therapists were trained on these procedures during pre-planning.  

The ESE Support Request Form and the Power BI are now available. Please see a step-by-step guide for accessing the Support Request either in the Handbooks and Manuals Channel, or here: ​DESE Support Requests and PowerBI-Step By Step Guide.pdf​  

Each school's tiered level of support is listed below for each division within our department. We have also included a copy of the rubric utilized to determine each level of support. We look forward to supporting each of our schools.

Last year, DOE began moving to a new single-sign-on platform; however, it is our understanding that not all programs have moved. In ClassLink, there are 2 icons/apps for the Florida Department of Education. If you need to log in to PEER or report a restraint or seclusion incident, use the FDOE Portal icon. Below shows a picture of the two icons and identifies which icon/app to look for in Classlink when you log in.

Behavior Tip of the Week: Token Economy/Point System

Explanation: Structured reinforcement system where students earn tokens or points for targeted behaviors that can be exchanged for preferred items or activities. 

1. Identify specific behaviors to reinforce

2. Select an appropriate token/point system

3. Establish clear earning criteria

4. Create a reinforcement menu with values

5. Establish when the token/points can be exchanged

6. Teach the system explicitly to the student

7. Start with high success rate (frequent, easy earning)

8. Implement consistently across settings

9. Gradually increase behavior requirements 

Elementary: Use concrete tokens, immediate feedback, simpler exchange systems Secondary: Implement points, delayed reinforcement, age-appropriate rewards, student input 

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.

A special shoutout to Ms. McCann and Ms. Nicolson at SCMS for their outstanding teamwork and dedication! 🎉 They were the first team in the district to complete all ACCESS benchmark testing, demonstrating their commitment to supporting student success and ensuring timely assessment completion.

Thank you, Ms. McCann and Ms. Nicolson, for going above and beyond for your students and for setting a shining example of excellence for our district! 🌟👏

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.

Registration is located on the FDLRS Action Website - register now

 Below you will find the PDF of the flyer as well as electronic access to the flyer is also available.

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:

SeaWorld Orlando offers Florida certified K-12 classroom teachers a SeaWorld Florida Teacher Card FREE.

Research and education are key pillars to the foundation of what SeaWorld does every day. In recognition of the importance SeaWorld places on education and the critical role educators play in shaping the knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the next generation of global citizens, SeaWorld will offer free admission for Florida certified K-12 classroom teachers to amplify their educational efforts both in and out of the classroom. The SeaWorld Florida Teacher Card is valid for unlimited admission to SeaWorld® Orlando through September 2, 2027.

Just pre-register online using the ID.Me process to receive your SeaWorld Florida Teacher Card eVoucher. To take advantage of this offer, select the Teacher ID button in the top-right, select "Sign up" and then enter an e-mail address (personal e-mail address recommended) and a password.

If you are already "pre-registered" simply go to

SeaWorld Orlando Free Tickets for Teachers to complete the process.

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

Full pdf of schedule in attachments