This edition's spotlight shines on Marines Martinez Perez, ESE Clerk Typist! Marines plays an essential role in supporting the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) department in the new ESE building at the Reedy Creek Annex. She helps keep daily operations running smoothly by managing calendars, coordinating meetings, and handling calls, emails, and internal requests with efficiency and professionalism. In addition, Marines maintains and updates students' physical and digital records, ensuring that all information remains organized, accurate, and confidential. Through her dedication and attention to detail, she helps support staff, students, and families while contributing to the success of the ESE team. 

 

Fun Fact: When she's not busy keeping things organized, Marines enjoys reading autobiographies and spending quality time with her family. She is especially proud of and devoted to her three grandchildren, who bring her endless joy and keep her smiling. Whether she's turning the pages of an inspiring life story or making cherished memories with her loved ones, family is at the heart of everything she does! 📚❤️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 

 

Thank you, Marines, for your dedication and hard work in supporting the students, families, and staff of the Osceola School District. Your organization, reliability, and commitment help keep everything running smoothly each day. We appreciate all you do and the positive difference you make. 🌟

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: Behavior Contracting

Explanation:  Identify a behavior to increase or decrease and create a clear written plan including the goal, the criteria, and the consequence of meeting the goal.

Tip on Avoiding FTE Errors:

Expired IEPs

Error example: 

• Student has a current ESE code in Focus, but the Annual IEP review date has passed. 

How to avoid it: 

• Run monthly reports of IEP expiration dates and complete annual reviews before survey week whenever possible. 

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.

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"

"Meet our wonderful ESE team! The collaboration, dedication, commitment, and perseverance of this team is absolutely incredible! We are immensely grateful to have them supporting our students and families."

-as shared on Facebook

Congratulations to the VE / ESE team for earning the SOAR Belt during the month of September!

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

The ESE Department is excited to share that Orlando Ballet Company and School Come Dance With Us! program is returning to Flora Ridge Elementary for another year. Due to the success of the program and strong student participation, an additional class has been added, allowing even more students to benefit from this unique opportunity.

Come Dance With Us! is an adaptive dance program designed for students with varying abilities. Through Orlando Ballet's school-based Dance Reimagined initiative, teaching artists provide weekly instruction in creative movement, ballet, and jazz in an inclusive and supportive environment. The program is led by instructors trained in the Movement Mentor® Adaptive Dance curriculum and is designed to help students build confidence, strengthen motor and social skills, and experience the joy of self-expression through dance.

The expansion of the program at Flora Ridge Elementary reflects a continued commitment to providing meaningful, enriching experiences that support the growth and success of every student. The ESE Department is grateful for community partnerships that make opportunities like this possible and looks forward to another inspiring year of movement, creativity, and achievement for the students at Flora Ridge!!!.

Full pdf of schedule in attachments