Special EDge
November 13th, 2025
February 19, 2026
A Short Note
Welcome to the 85 of you who are getting the Special EDge directly from me for the first time! We are so happy we found this and you all are officially on our email list!
I hope you all had a very wonderful three-day weekend last weekend!
Review of Assigned OT Equipment List (Due Feb. 20 - TOMORROW!)
CASE MANAGERS! Please review the current list of student-assigned OT equipment to ensure our records are accurate and up to date.
Take a few minutes between now and February 20 to access the Smartsheet linked [HERE] and review the students on your caseload.
As you review, we are specifically asking you to check the box whether the assigned equipment is:
✅ Currently utilized, keep
🔧 Broken or in need of repair
❌ Lost or missing
📦 No longer in use
If any updates are needed, please document them directly in the Smartsheet so we can follow up appropriately. Having accurate information will help us ensure students have what they need, support compliance, and maintain clear inventory records.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to review and update this information. Please connect with your site occupational therapist if you have any questions as you work through it.
IEP Input
Did you know that the AMAZING Records Clerks send out a link to gather input for EVERY meeting they schedule? It provides general education teachers, team members, and families to provide their input prior to the IEP meeting - which case managers can then include while drafting the IEP.
To find the responses, search your Google Drive for "IEP Input Responses - [your school name]" If you have trouble finding it or need a quick tutorial on how to view the information, please reach out to your coach for support.
This link can also be passed along to Inclusion EAs who often also have very important information to consider.
Case Managers:
- Want information about how to set up alerts when something gets added to your sheet? HERE are the directions.
- If you can't see anything yet, it's because no one that you has filled out a form for anyone you case manage.
Transition Co-Op Open House!
Quick Reminder: Include OTs in Scheduling
A small systems reminder with a big impact: Please include Occupational Therapists in meeting scheduling from the start and then send invites ahead of time.
OTs serve multiple schools and manage complex caseloads. It’s incredibly challenging when several meetings are scheduled at the same time, and an OT is expected to be in four places at once. (recent example). Early coordination and communication help prevent conflicts and last-minute rescheduling.
Helpful tip: Use a Doodle poll (or similar tool) to gather availability before finalizing a time. It reduces email back-and-forth and increases the likelihood that required team members can attend.
Thank you for being intentional about collaborative planning so we can best support students!
*ELD teachers are often left off of teams as well! Please take a moment to add OTs and ELD teachers to teams.
It's time to start planning for ESY! NEW WORKFLOW!
✨ ESY case managers, we have an exciting new workflow for ESY, which will require LESS work from you! Yay!
📝 If a student qualifies for ESY, per their IEP, their parent or guardian will receive a Smartsheet link to complete, that allows them to indicate whether they will be attending ESY or not and whether they would like transportation to the site.
✅ If email will be a barrier for a family, you can help them, by entering what they tell you verbally - you will also be emailed the link. 🙂
⭐ Based on what is listed in the IEP, it will automatically be marked if they will be offered the short or long session of ESY or GRO/EXCEL and that will be communicated to the family when they receive their link.
❗You will NO LONGER have to print forms, collect signatures from families, and send them back to me! Hurray!
👍 If ESY times are not currently listed on the student's IEP, you will be getting an email from me (Sara), asking you to fix this, so we can ensure that families receive the correct information.
📆 DATES for ESY: July 13-30 (Monday-Thursday ONLY)
🏫 FYI - We do not have solidified locations for ESY, yet. Locations will be finalized when we find out who will be attending ESY. The location will be chosen based on student equipment need.
Pilot Butte Middle School Family Night - March 10th
Case managers of 5th graders going to Pilot Butte Middle School:
Pilot Butte middle school is hosting a family night on March 10th from 5:00-7:00 PM. This will be a good opportunity for incoming families to meet staff, case managers, get a tour, etc.
From Jennifer Hauth: Join us for a free transformative SEL Summit!
- Multiple sessions to choose from!
- National recognized tSEL expert Keynote Speaker Dr. Bloodine Barthelus!
- Use the QR code below for more information!
- Please share with colleagues and friends!
- Stipends and travel vouchers available for Oregon educators!
Sponsored by Oregon Community Foundation
HDESD Learning Labs!
Did you know that HDESD offers this Learning Lab website? It has many, many printable resources and even a video library!
Take a look at these organizational skill support resources!
Welcome back to Campus Kudos, where we will be celebrating ways that a school’s Student Services team has been working to promote inclusion, belonging for students, and working as a team to support each other. Stay tuned each week to see which school is highlighted and what kinds of amazing work they are doing to support students.
This week we are celebrating High Lakes and North Star Elementary!
NORTH STAR ELEMENTARY
Teamwork is the name of the game at North Star! The Student Services team is HUGE, and there are as many SPED staff at North Star as General Ed teachers!! And that is not even counting all of the HDESD providers that support the students. With a team that big, so much care needs to go into working together to support each other. This team works together tirelessly to ensure that everyone is on the same page with student support, but they also have fun while doing so! There are always celebrations to be shared, and this team really focuses on the small growth that students experience.
Walking the halls at North Star, you will see student artwork and classroom displays that include ALL students with their general education class. Plus you will also see some really cute artwork created within the special education classroom! Students definitely feel a sense of belonging at North Star, and the team also makes sure that students’ individualized plans are truly tailored to their needs.
Go team North Star! This is a group of people that truly believe that “Together We Shine!”
HIGH LAKES ELEMENTARY
At High Lakes, students whose SDI focuses on math and reading participate in targeted groups designed to build skills, promote growth, and foster a sense of success. These experiences help strengthen their confidence and support greater independence and engagement within the general classroom setting. Additionally, ALL students at High Lakes participate in plays, field trips, recess, and classroom circles so that they feel a sense of belonging.
The Student Services team at High Lakes work continuously to fine tune students’ schedules and programs based upon their ever changing needs, and the team also supports each other so they can continue to show up to do the work. Kimberly Sundberg (Principal) shares that “the work with students coming from trauma requires patience and understanding. Our team is deeply committed to supporting one another so we can be our best for students.”
Student Services Launchpad
Have you ever wanted all of the most important Student Services links all in one place?? You’re in luck! Look at our new Student Services Launchpad for tons of helpful links. We recommend that you bookmark this page or add a shortcut to your Drive for easy access!
Important Dates and Upcoming Events
- February 25: Building Directed SIW
- February 27: CPI Initial Training
- March 4: Educator Network Day
- March 10: CPI Refresher Training
- March 11: Teacher Directed SIW
- March 18: High School Building Directed SIW/Elementary+Middle Teacher Directed SIW
- March 19+20: Conferences - No Students Elementary + Middle School
- March 23-27: Spring Break
- May 12: CPI Refresher Training
*CPI Registration: Click HERE
Action Items
- DUE February 20th: Review assigned OT equipment at your site and complete the Smartsheet
- Check out IEP Input information!
- Remember about OTs and ELD specialists when scheduling
- Plan for ESY! - Make sure to look at the NEW Workflow!
- Look at the information about the Transition Co-Op Open house and consider sharing with families.
- Remind families with 5th graders going to Pilot Butte about their upcoming family night
- Look at the TSEL Summit from Jennifer Hauth
- Check out the Learning Labs
- Check out the incredible work of teams in Campus Kudos!
- Utilize the Student Services Launchpad
- Save the Date for upcoming events
Contributions to the Blog
Do you have something you'd like added to the blog? Please reach out to Sara Young at sara.young@bend.k12.or.us if you'd like to share something!
Previous Blogs
Previous Special EDge Student Services Blogs: