SPECIAL EDUCATION

Events and Comprehensive System Personnel Development (CSPD) Events

January 25–26
Gates to Adventure
Created through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Gates to Adventure is an online transition curriculum consisting of four highly interactive “Gates” (units) that can stand alone or work together.

January 29–30
Special Education Directors’ Retreat
The Special Education Directors are meeting to develop the Total Special Education System (TSES) manual each unique to their district.

February 3
Splish Splash!
Under the Region 9 Low Incidence Project, students with vision impairments and students on the Autism Spectrum and their families are invited to a swimming day at the Lake Crystal Recreation Center.

February 28
SkillsTutor
Training day at Northport in North Mankato from 1:00–3:00. There is no fee but please call 507-389-1425 to register.

March 6
Mermaid Trouble: Autism and Adolescence
Alyson Beytien, popular speaker, parent/teacher trainer, and mother of three sons who have Autism will be presenting at the Country Inn & Suites, Mankato. Presentation focuses on practical ideas for teaching sexuality, hygiene, and the other complicated issues of teenage relationships.

March 6
Autism and Adolescence
FOCUS meeting for parents, teachers, grandparents, and anyone who is interested at the Country Inn & Suites, Mankato from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. There is no charge but registration is necessary by calling Loree Brown at 507-389-1425. Child care is available upon request.

March 9–10
Family Getaway
For families of children with hearing loss who receive special education services in Region 9. Learn, relax, and have fun with other families with children with hearing loss. Make new and lasting friendships.

March 20
Let’s Make Breakfast!
Students who are visually impaired and their teachers will get together to put their cooking skills to use at the North Mankato Police Annex for a morning of good food and fun. Mmmm good!!!

March 20–21
IEP Manager’s Training: Managing Relationships and Meetings
Minnesota Department of Education, Division of Compliance and Assistance will build District capacity to resolve special education conflict at the District level so that formal intervention will not be necessary. Midwest Wireless Civic Center.

April 13
Low Incidence Planning Day
The Low Incidence committee will meet to plan the upcoming year.

April 24
Current Learning Theories in ASD: What do they tell us about how to teach?
Presenter/Author Kari Dunn Buron will talk on Systematizing, Theory of Mind, Central Coherence, Enactive Mind and Information Processing at Country Inn & Suites, Mankato.

May11
Universal Design for Learning: Technology to Engage All Students
Joan Breslin-Larson, Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning Specialist, MDE will present information about the ‘why’ of UDL and what MDE is doing to support UDL and what schools can do to implement this approach for their students. Country Inn & Suites, Mankato.