If you are a parent new to Komensky School, I trust you will find many ways to be involved in your child's learning both at Komensky and at home. The PTA, conferences, evening events , newsletters and written information you will receive are just some of the ways available for you to join in on family involvement. If your child is receiving Special Education services, you will be meeting with his/her team at least once a year and will receive regular reports on progress. Komensky School is committed to having you be part of the team with your child and his/her success at school being the center of the team.
What should you do if you have a concern, worry or question about a part of your child's school experience? The best place to start is with open talks with the homeroom teacher. The homeroom teacher can answer questions you have or can help point you to the path you may need to take.
The RTI process is in place at Komensky. Response to Intervention is a process where schools and parents address problems a student is having in a particular area early on without waiting for the student to fall even further behind. RTI is for all children and a student does not have to be evaluated for a disability to receive RTI supports. Indeed, the idea behind RTI is to identify difficulties early; to put in place additional, sound instruction; to carefully watch or monitor how the student responds to the instruction and to modify it as needed so that students can progress to grade level standards.
Students who do not make progress at the rate which most of their peers do may be referred for an evaluation to see exactly where their strengths and areas of need are. This process can be started by a teacher or by you, the parent. Evaluations cannot take place without your agreement/ consent and this again shows that you are an important part of your childs team. Some students who go through the evaluation process may be found eligible for Special Education and an IEP or Individual Education Program would be developed. An IEP does not mean that your child would be in a "special place" but rather that special services would be put in place to meet their needs. Special Education services most often will take place in your child's homeroom unless the team feels your child would do better if services were delivered somewhere else such as in a special room for reading or a therapy area for speech.
Komensky is also a PBIS school. PBIS or Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports is an approach to develop skills and behaviors by teaching and reinforcing desireable behaviors. You may have seen "purple tickets" your child has received or even attended the end of the year Fiesta which celebrates meeting so many important goals. These supports and many others are used to help your children learn and develop as fully as they can into productive memebrs of the community as they grow. Parents are encouraged to learn more about PBIS as many of the supports and "tips" used at school can be adapted for use at home.
DRC, RTI, IEP, PBIS....... all of these letters and abbreviations can be summed up as.......
Komensky school and all Komensky staff are committed to working with you and your child so that they can receive instruction and services which best meet their unique needs and learning styles so that they can be the best they can be !!!
Mrs. Manaher looks forward to working with many of you and your children. Please feel free to e-mail me, drop me a note , give me a call or set an appointment so we can talk. I promise to do my best to answer any questions and work with you !
