Sunday, June 28, 2009

Help start a MDUSD Music Foundation!

Mt Diablo music teachers want to partner with parents and the community to form a district wide Music Foundation to preserve the K-12 Vocal and Instrumental Music Program. The proposed foundation's first meeting will be on Tuesday, June 30th at 7pm at the Concord High Choir Room, please join them.
Their first step is to form a Board of Directors made up of parents and community members and an Advisory Board made up of music teachers/directors and legal council. Greg Brown, Northgate Director of Instrumental Music and Gary Coartney, Concord High Director of Instrumental Music have volunteered their time for the Advisory Board.
Current priorities for the foundation are:
(A) Maintain 5th grade instrumental music beginning in the 2010-2011 school year
(B) Reinstate 4th grade music in the 2010-2011 or as soon after as possible.
(C) Work directly (and closely) with the school board and superintendent to ensure that the district resumes funding of this program as soon as possible.
(D) Establish a continuing practice of communication/publicity/celebration of the achievements, upcoming events, etc. of all of our district music programs.
(E) Establish long-term plans to support music facilities, technology in the music classrooms, music text books (literature), instruments and equipment.
For more information, please contact:
Gary Coartney at(925) 216-1049 or email neophonic@astound.net or coartneyg@mdusd.k12.ca.us

Friday, June 26, 2009

My Gym Playdates

The MDUSD Autism Task Force has been encouraging parents of special needs children to work together to arrange summer activities that are appropriate for our children.
Joelle Higgins, a Velle Verde parent, has taken the lead and arranged weekly play dates at My Gym in Walnut Creek. The play dates will start on Monday, June 29th. Please contact Joelle if you are interested, as My Gym will discontinue the event if it does not generate sufficient participation.

WHERE: My Gym, 2256 Oak Grove Rd. Walnut Creek

WHEN: Mondays, 1:15pm-2:15pm.

COST: $10 per child (min 6 kids), if the group grows to 12, or bigger, the cost will drop to $5 per child.

RSVP: Joelle Higgins, (925) 584-0986 or jojop2@aol.com by Monday 10am,

Please leave the following info:
Your Name
How many kids you are signing up
Age(s)
Which Monday (one time or multiple weeks)
Telephone number where she can reach you on Monday if the class will be canceled.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Tourettes

Just in case you haven't seen this clip from the HBO's Brave New Voices, I wanted to share Devin Murphy's poetry piece titled Tourettes

http://www.hbo.com/bravenewvoices/poets/sanfrancisco_devinmurphy.html

Monday, June 22, 2009

Buddy Play

Do you need to work on your child's play skills? Buddy Play promotes natural interaction and learning between kids with special needs and their typical peers. Seeing the need for more social, inclusion opportunities for kids with special needs and their typically developing peers, Bernadette Fatehi started Buddy Play.
Bernadette says: "It is natural for children to learn from each other. Younger siblings have always aspired to do and be like their older brothers or sisters. Likewise, when any child is with a group of peers, he or she will have an opportunity to mimic or practice behaviors and skills that they will use throughout life. It is my opinion that any time children with special needs and “typical” children come together as one group, both sides can learn a great deal from each other!"

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Accessible Park: Robert's Regional Park and Pool

Robert's Regional Park and pool in the Oakland Hills has one of the largest fully accessible play structures in the area. The structure is accessible to wheelchairs on top and has braille and sensory play items integrated. The fencing, which for our sensory and danger seeking child is rarely adequate, allowed us to be unusually hands off with her. The pool also has an accessible lift,  though it is not terribly warm. Some of the picnic tables have paving around them and the bathrooms below are roomy.  The ball fields and trails are extensive; many trails are accessible. The redwoods are spectacular and worth a walk on hot days. This was a great park for our family with two typically developing kids and one part time wheelchair user. We stayed all day and did not run out of things to do. The entrance fee of $6 is cash only; separate fees for swimming.  Call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757 for more information!

Friday, June 19, 2009

Day on the Beach

On Saturday, July 18th, Shared Adventures is hosting its annual "Day on the Beach" at Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz.
This event makes ocean sports accessible all. Volunteers create a unique 7,600 square foot platform on the beach that helps beach lovers with mobility issues to travel over the sand to the activities. Beach wheel chair races and children's activities are part of the fun! Register here.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Accessible Beach: Shadow Cliffs

Shadow Cliffs Regional Park is a local beach attraction in Pleasanton. The beach is close to the parking lot and there is a beach wheelchair available for loan. You might want to call ahead, but we simply showed up and asked at the kiosk when entering and the lifeguard met us in the parking lot with the chair. The wheelchair is adult-sized and of course does not have any lateral supports or padding, but it fit my eight year old fine with some towels and blankets to add support. 

The water was cool but not cold. The sandy beach slopes shallowly into a non-swimmers area that is roomy and cordoned off. The swim area guarded by professional fire department lifeguards.  We went during a weekday and it was not too crowded. Shade is available at some picnic sites up shore, but you may want to bring shade if you plan to stay on the beach for long. 

There are water slides at the park, which we did not scout out this trip, as well as boat rentals, hiking (some trails are accessible) and fishing.Call for more information: 925-846-3000; Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4557.

Do you know of a great local outting for families with special needs children? Submit your find to the committee and we will post it!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

As I attended the Bridge Program Commencement Ceremony I got teary eyed as they played a cheerful tropical version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" while showing a touching slide show of the graduates. It was a very heartfelt ceremony with encouraging words from the speakers and the student participants. Below you can read a statement about the Bridge Program and the Graduation from the Bridge Program Administrator, Gina Miller.

"The Bridge Program is a Transitional Program for Developmentally Delayed Adults 18-22 years old. The Program is designed to teach the students independent living skills. These skills include, but are not limited to, learning job skills, travel training, making and maintaining weekly budgets, banking, cooking, and going on community outings.

On Thursday, May 28, 2009, 10 Bridge students along with 4 County students received their Certificate of Completion. The night was a huge success and very gratifying for the students who have worked so hard these past 4 years. Gail Isserman, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel (MDUSD) was the key note speaker. Mildred Browne, Assistant Superintendent Special Education and Student Services (MDUSD) and Karen Sakata, Assistant Superintendent (County) recognized each of the students. The highlight of the night was our Valedictorian, Holland McRae, a graduating Bridge student. We want to wish all of the students good luck in their next endeavors!"

Gina Miller, M.Ed
Bridge Administrator

Sunday, June 14, 2009

MAPPS at Bancroft

This summer the MAPPS (Mental and Physical Social Skills) summer camp will be held at Bancroft Elementary School in Walnut Creek. MAPPS is a recreational camp for special needs students between 5 and 18 that facilitates social interaction, promotes physical activity and fun. The camper to counselor ratio is 5:1. The program will run for eight weeks, starting June 29. You can register for 2 week blocks or all 8 weeks. This is not a MDUSD program, but is newly vendorized by the Regional Center.

June 16 Board Meeting

Tuesday is an active day for our district, at 3pm the Board of Education meets with the Superintendent search firm (see Gina's post). This is a public meeting and we encourage all parents to participate. At 7:30 pm the board meeting starts, budget reductions will make up an important part of the meeting. The reduction list starts on p160 of the agenda. Items being voted on are:
14a-Using stimulus funds to fund Learning Centers
22-Using stimulus funds to fund 5 Program Specialist positions for 2 years
42-Using stimulus funds to fund certain preschool program expenses
43a-Eliminate paid transportation (this does not affect mandated special ed or NCLB busing,will most likely affect Crossings, Crystal Ranch and Clayton residents).
44-Eliminate one member of the Superintendent's Council (starting 2010-2011 school year.) The Council members are: Associate Superintendent, 4 Assistant Superintends (Special Education, Elementary Education, Personnel Services and Administrative Services) and District General Council.
45-Eliminate Administrative Assistant for one member of the Superintendent's Council (starting 2010-2011)
46-Transfer from State Deferred Maintenance Funding
47-Delay transfer of Meals for the Needy to Food and Nutrition Services
48-Eliminate one Senior Maintenance Worker
49-Eliminate Director of Purchasing50-Reduce District funding for Leadership Conference by 50%
51-Additional reductions to Tier 3 programs (target amount $12,600,000, including the restorations of 5 campus supervisors for student safety.) See information regarding the Tier Programs here. Disclaimer: This list is from the March Study Session, and may not be current.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Autism Speaks launches Safety Project

Last week the national organization, Autism Speaks, launched Autism Safety Project. The program aims to provide information to first responders on how to communicate with individuals with autism and help families collaborate with first responders. My family has had a couple of close calls with our "eloper," and have had a positive experience with the Concord PD, including "flagging" our child in the 911 system. Do you have any stories or tips to share?

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Help select the new Superintendent!

The Board of Education is searching for a new superintendent. The next meeting is scheduled for 

Tuesday, June 16 at 3:00PM.  

This meeting is going to take a few hours and then the regularly scheduled board meeting is at 7:30PM. These meetings are open to the public. Go and represent our community; take an active role in selecting the leadership for the district!

Kids Sing for Their Schools

People have been trying all kinds of strategies to get through to our government in Sacramento. Unfortunately it has taken a true crisis to get all of us actively involved; fortunately people are participating in government again. You can see the kids' video message here. Our government should work for us, and when it does not, we have a right to redress a grievance. If these kids can, so can we! Contact your legislators and governor today and every day until schools are funded (links are on the right). You can vote only once in each election, but you have an unlimited number of phone calls, letters and emails!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Speak Up on Health Care Reform!

President Obama has begun drafting health care reform proposals. Few things impact families who care for children with special needs as dramatically as education, but one of them must be healthcare. Many of us have run into situations where health insurance providers write blanket exclusions for whole categories of disability-- hopefully a thing of the past. You can find out more about the developing proposal and voice your concerns, questions and needs here

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Speak Up for Early Start

This follows up on Caroline's post regrading the Governor and the Lanterman Act.
The Lanterman Act is the law that guides Regional Center services in California. The following changes to the Lanterman are being proposed:

-Change the current eligibility requirement for Early Start from 0 - 36 months to 0 - 24 months.
-Mandate that private insurance covers Early Start Services.


Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 10, the Department of Developmental Services is hosting a public hearing via teleconference from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to get your input regarding Early Start changes only.
To participate in the teleconference, please call the toll free number listed below, and enter the participant code at the prompt.
Toll free teleconference: (866) 222-0917
Participant code: 507301

The Governor and Laterman Act cuts

Thank you to Barbara Maizie at Contra Costa ARC for this:

Recently, the Sacramento Bee editorial board broadcast a live interview on the internet with Governor Schwarzenegger. A question was asked of the Governor regarding the Lanterman Act. You can view the broadcast using this link

Note that the sound from this link does not begin until a couple of minutes into this interview. If you want to view only the Governor's response to the Lanterman Act question, advance the video using the scroll bar to 33 minutes and 30 seconds into the program. Here's the text of this exchange:

Interviewer: "Joyce Hearn, one of our readers, wants to know if you intend to keep intact the Lanterman Act which is the California law that guarantees services for the developmentally disabled."

Governor: "Um, you know it's all on the chopping block. It's all part of the budget And I think that we try to...I'm very sensitive about that because as you know my mother in law one time called me about that when I made cuts a few years ago there. So, but, like I said, I cannot pick and choose, to pick and choose would be the wrong thing here. It has to be somewhat across the board. And so that is also one of the things we are looking at."

Caroline Stimson

Monday, June 8, 2009

Concise explanation of Special Ed Law

We have a great pod cast on Special Ed Law. It is only 15 minutes long and gives the foundation of the special education laws and the main points of what you need to know.

It is on this web site
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PODCAST WITH DR. GASTON WEISZ
And there are other interesting topics covered there also.

Caroline & Darrell Stimson

Regional Centers Denying Services, too

Is your child a client of RCEB? This is for you. Seems like everything I think, write and say lately begins with "in the current economic crisis..." but the truth is schools and Regional Centers have been under tremendous economic pressure for years, and the experience of having services protected by law denied is not new for many of us. This publication from Protection and Advocacy answered many questions about what Regional Center's responsibilities are. As with school IEPs, services in RCEB are driven by goals in the IPP. Now more than every it is important to make sure those documents are accurate and complete, with all the I's dotted and T's crossed. 

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Summer Dates for Pump it Up Jump Nights

SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILY JUMP NIGHT AT PUMP IT UP!
1301 Franquette Avenue ~ Concord, Ca 94520 (925) 681-1060

Pump It Up in Concord has recognized the growing population of special needs children in Contra Costa County and is hosting a jump night each month for your special kids and their families. We have scheduled the jump night for the next 3 months so you can mark your calendars!

Wednesday July 8th 6:30-8:00pm

Wednesday July 29th 6:30-8:00pm

Wednesday August 19th 6:30-8:00pm

Wednesday September 16th 6:30-8:00pm

Please visit our website for additional information
So come on out, have a BLAST, catch up with old friends and meet new ones!
Cost is $8.00 per child. Parents are always free!
*Socks are required

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Siblings and the Least Restrictive Environment

The least restrictive environment requirements of IDEA  provide for students to attend their home school, or school of residence, whenever possible. When not possible, districts are guided to place students as close to home as possible in order to maintain social networks within the community for the family and the student. 

Recently, I came across an issue related to least restrictive environment that is not covered in the Ed Codes. My child with special needs is placed in a school across town. We love the placement and don't mind the extra travel time; it is so worth it! We asked for our child's two younger sisters to be transferred into the same school so they could, like typical siblings, all attend together. 

The results for our kids have been great! They play together at lunch and recess, share friends, and my typically developing child has friends who, while they do not have siblings with special needs themselves, know us, my younger child's sibling and are better able to understand my children when they share the joys, frustrations and even fears of living with a sibling with a progressive disease. 

Unfortunately, the district can move our other two children back to their home school, where they have no friends and have no history or experience. I think the district should treat the school of placement as the home school, and allow siblings of students with special needs to stay together if the family chooses. 

What do you think? Let us know and we will share your ideas with the board!

Gina Hale

Parents: You must read this

Community Services for people with disabilities are on the cutting board in Sacramento this Friday, June 5th. More than half a billion dollars could be cut from community programs. Your control over your child's Regional Center's plan and right to appeal are at risk. You can find more information and contact information for legislators here.

Summer reading help

Looking for help with reading for the summer? Active Reading might be the place for you!! Active reading uses the Reading Revolutions method to teach both reading and comprehension in a fun way!! Find more information here.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

DeSaulnier calls for Constitutional Convention

Senator De Saulnier, representing the 7th District and the MDUSD community, has called for a Constitutional Convention. Whether you have been watching the growing budget crisis in Sacramento for the last few years or have become more aware of it now because of the dangers posed to our own children and schools, you know that several structural problems in our state legislature make budgeting nearly impossible in California. Visit the senator's site, then let him know what you think.

Board Meeting Update

Tonight's School Board meeting promises to be very lively. MDUSD parent Teresa Torbett is promoting a "Drive for Contributions" and is encouraging you to wear your school wear and rally cap (inside out baseball cap) to the meeting. You are also encouraged to bring a contribution to the meeting to help Mt Diablo with its funding. You can find more information here.The Magnet Program Presentation has been postponed.

Summer School for Parents

John Muir Health is offering two Summer Programs for Parents to teach steps that allows parents to take immediate action towards preventing and intervening in children and adolescents' negative choices.


Loving Solutions is a 7 - week series to guide parents to gain skills and confidence to communicate with your strong-willed or out-of-control child. Occurring Tuesdays at the Women's Health Center in Walnut Creek from 4:00 - 6:00 pm starting July 7th, 2009. Please note the cost of the 7 week series is $90.

Session 1: Parenting the Strong- willed child
Session 2: Ideals Rules and Tools
Session 3: Responding to Our Children's Choices
Session 4: Structuring for Success
Session 5: Concrete Solutions for Tough Kids
Session 6: Recognizing Supporting Success
Session 7: Children with ADHD/ADD


Parent Project is a 10- week series designed for parents of teens to teach specific prevention and intervention strategies for destructive behaviors, address some of the most serious questions parents have, while empowering you as a parent and transforming your teen. Occurring on Tuesdays at the Women's Health Center Walnut Creek from 6:30 - 9:00 pm starting on July 7th, 2009. Please note the cost is $90 for the 10- week series.

Session 1: Understanding our Children
Session 2: Addressing Problematic Behavior
Session 3: A Parent's Formula for Success
Session 4: Adolescent Drug Use
Session 5: The Out-Of-Control Child
Session 6: Developing Personal Action Plans
Session 7: Finding Help and Support
Session 8: The Dynamics of Change, Conflict, and Active Listening
Session 9: Communication and Consistency
Session 10: Promoting a Family Unit/Putting It Together and Making It Work


Please check out the website for more information and to confirm details or call 925.941.7900.


Parent speaks out at Sacramento hearing

CAC Vice Chair, Gina Hale, spoke loud and clear on behalf of our students at Monday's Sacramento budget meeting. Watch her here. Keep an eye out for Gina's post on the Budget Hearing!

New ASD Magnet Program?

MDUSD is considering a new model to deliver services to ASD students. This Magnet Program is modeled after the Social Skills Program piloted during the 2008 Extended School Year Program.
The Magnet Program will maximise collaboration among professionals at specific school sites to emphasise support for social and pragmatic language development and reading comprehension. The pilot program will target ASD 1st and 2nd grade students, as well as middle schoolers from full inclusion or mild/moderate SDC settings. The intention is to expand the program for all students with social skills and executive functioning deficits.
Behaviorist Program Manager, Kara Oettinger says: "The Autism Task Force and I have been investigating more comprehensive ways to serve students with Asperger's Syndrome or high functioning autism. Research shows that to successfully teach social skills, it needs to be done in the context of the student's life. As Behaviorist Program Manager, I have observed how students easily become isolated and victims of bullying. By restructuring our programs, we can better serve our students, provide consistent, school-wide support and closely monitor progress in the area of social skills development and executive functioning and prepare students for life and work after graduation."
This new program is to be presented to the BOE tonight.

Monday, June 1, 2009

School Board Meeting, Tuesday, June 2nd

At the School Board meeting tomorrow, members of our Board of Education will be discussing additional reductions to district programs, due to the California budget crisis. The news isn't good. Possible savings to be discussed, include closure of two elementary schools and significant cuts to libraries and music programs. All cuts to education affect our special education students and I encourage you to read the list carefully. Potential reductions specific to special education are:

-14 Reduce all Special Education services that are not mandated
-14a Close resource centers
-22 Eliminate 5 program specialists
-27 Use federal stimulus money to fund Special Education
-36 Eliminate one senior secretary in Special Education
-37 Transfer some funding for administrative secretary in Special Education to MediCal
The list of potential reductions starts on p72 of the Board of Education's Agenda.
The meeting is on Tuesday, June 2nd, 7:30pm at Monte Gardens Elem, 3841 Larkspur Dr, Concord.
You can also view the meeting online.