Welcome to Central High School

2011-2012

I hope that your summer has been restful as well as productive. A new school year is upon us and with it brings renewed efforts to ensure our students are receiving the best education possible. Central High School has a long standing tradition of academic and athletic excellence that is certain to continue during the 2011-2012 school year. We welcome you to our department and commend you for your dedication to our students. As your ESS team member I will do everything in my power to support you and continue this tradition of excellence. Our ESS department works in close collaboration with families, students, teachers, and other professionals to ensure quality education in an inclusive environment. The ultimate goal of this collaboration is to make certain that all students are well prepared to pursue post-graduation education and/or career opportunities. Currently, we are making a big effort to increase student achievement through continued improvement of instruction, curriculum, and standards using measurable data to support accountability and high expectations. We will achieve this together with the help of our dedicated and highly qualified professional staff working with students, parents, community and other educational resources. District 60 serves approximately 2,000 students with emotional, intellectual, academic, or physical needs and about 125 of those ESS students are enrolled at Central High School. These students are educated in the general education classroom with appropriate services and support, as determined by their IEP. As the intensity of the students needs increases, a continuum array of service delivery options is considered. Again, we thank you for your commitment and dedication to Central High School. Together, through professional development, we will continue learning and modifying our strategies to ensure the best educational practices are being used. Your ideas and experience are valuable in our quest of increased student achievement. My door is always open and I am eager to begin our new friendship while working in collaboration with you.
Sincerely, Kevin Buchanan

Para Professional Responsibilities & Job Description:

Colorados Department of Education states that an instructional paraprofessional is an individual who provides instruction and support for classroom teachers. Aides, assistants or tutors who engage in instructional support are considered to be instructional paraprofessionals as defined by NCLB. Individuals who work solely in non-instructional roles, such as food service, cafeteria or playground supervision, personal care services and non-instructional computer assistance are not considered to be paraprofessionals under Title I. Central High has aligned the job responsibilities of Para professionals to Colorado Department of Educations state standards. Section 1119 (g) of ESEA (Elementary/ Secondary Education Act) specifies that instructional paraprofessionals may engage in the following activities: Provide one-on-one tutoring for eligible students, if the tutoring is scheduled at a time when a student would not otherwise receive instruction from a teacher Assist with classroom management, such as organizing instructional and other materials Provide assistance in a computer laboratory Provide instructional support in a library or media center Provide instructional services to students under the direct supervision of a teacher Note: All instructional paraprofessionals must be supervised directly by highly qualified teachers; instructional paraprofessionals cannot be supervised by a peer.

Centrals Expected Performance Responsibilities:

Works with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of materials or skills initially introduced and outlined by certified staff.
Evaluation Criterion

Assists the certified staff in devising special strategies for reinforcing learning materials and skills based on a sympathetic understanding of individual students, their needs, interests, and abilities. Monitors work, corrects papers, and supervises curriculum-based testing and makeup work as assigned by the certified staff. Serves as the chief source of information and help to any guest teacher assigned in the absence of the regular certified staff. Effectively collects and maintains evidence of meetings. Performs clerical, classroom maintenance, and instructional duties as assigned by the certified staff. Alerts and documents the certified staff to any problem or special information about individual students Assists as directed by certified staff in the effort to successfully maintain students with special needs in an integrated setting, as determined by the IEP Performs assigned supervision of students during lunch periods, play periods, and on field trips. When requested, serves as a resource person to the Response to Intervention Team Demonstrates ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students in school environment and community. Participates in District led Professional Development opportunities Maintains safe working environment and encourages colleagues to be safety minded in the performance of all school-related duties. Performs other such duties / assignments as directed by the certified staff.

Para Professionals will be evaluated by: Principal, Special Education / Title 1 / ESL / General Education Teacher(s). Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of the District 60s Board policy on Evaluation of Classified Personnel.

New Team Members Need to Know Information about Central High

Communication is the Key
the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others. Anthony Robbins.

Central believes in establishing and maintaining open lines of communication and positive interactions. We follow six basic principles of effective communication (DeBoer & Fister, 1995). 1. Attend to verbal and nonverbal behavior, look for your teammates responses to your behavior- includes body language, eye contact, facial

expressions, gestures, response time, interrupting others, and volume/ tone of voice. 2. Listen first, then respond in ways that facilitate the exchange- encouraging (Mm-Hm), paraphrasing without judgment (what you are saying is), clarifying without judgment (Are you saying that?), reflecting on personal feelings (you are really frustrated with Earl), and perception confirmation (you sound like you have had it with Earl, have you?...). 3. Avoid interrupting others when they are speaking 4. Contribute in ways that dont waste the teams time together- make clear concise points, stay clear from lengthy anecdotes. 5. Speak clearly and use vocabulary that everyone can understand. 6. Use team member names and be polite.

Collaboration is a Must Individually, we are a single drop of water, but together we

are an ocean. Matt Lane

Central High is dedicated to maximizing student achievement through collaborative efforts. For inclusion to work effectively and efficiently in our classrooms every team member must play an integral part in the collaborative process. Collaborative teaming is based on and evaluated by six fundamental elements (Snell & Janney, p. 3):

Central High School

ESS Department

2011-2012

Educational Growth and Development is Mandatory

I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma. the learning curve in education ~Eartha Kitt

Central recognizes

and the

undeniable need to continue researching the best, most effective methods of instruction. The Wildcat family are lifelong learners and support educational growth through a variety of professional developments. Upon orientation, you will receive a calendar outlining district led professional development opportunities. Some examples of the training include:

Crisis Intervention Training Response to Intervention Classroom management IEP Training Psychological First Aide Certification CPR/ First Aide Teach Like a Champion Instructional Techniques Collaborative Teaming Co-Teaching in inclusive environments Intro to new Colorado Academic Standards Many more

As a full functioning collaborative team we are interested in hearing any ideas or suggestions you may have for future professional developments. Trainings are whole group or individualized based on your area. Any question or comments can be referred to: kevin.buchanan@pueblocityschools.us Additional Resources / Works
Buchanan, Kevin. WIKIspaces.com. Understanding Learning Disabilities. Last revised 6/10/11. www.ld-ed512.wikispaces.com Cockrill, Chris. Pueblo City Schools. Exceptional Student Services Department. Last revised 2011. Retrieved June 20th, 2011. http://hr.pueblocityschools.us Miller, Cheryl. Colorado Department of Education. Highly Qualified Para professionals. Retrieved June 20th, 2011. http://www.cde.state.co.us/FedPrograms/tii/a_hqp.asp National Resource Center for Para Professionals. Building Professional Partnership. (2011) http://www.nrcpara.org/ Snell, M.E., & Janney, R. (2005). Collaborative teaming: Teachers Guide to Inclusive Practices, 2nd edition. Baltimore: Brookes.

Additional Resources
USDE Title I Paraprofessional Non-regulatory Guidance The National Resources Center for Paraprofessionals