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Montgomery ISD Dyslexia Newsletter

SPRING 2026

Montgomery ISDDyslexia NewsletterSPRING 2026
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Welcome to the Spring 2026 Semester in MISD!

The MISD Dyslexia Interventionist Team is excited to kick off the spring semester! We hope everyone enjoyed a joyful, relaxing, and rejuvenating winter break surrounded by family and friends. Our students have been making incredible progress, and we are eager to continue supporting them as they grow and thrive.


This semester is full of opportunities for learning and achievement. Our team is here to teach and encourage every step of the way. We believe in our students’ potential and know that with hard work and dedication, they will accomplish amazing things.


Together, let’s make this Spring semester a time of discovery, confidence, and success!

COMING SOON! COMING SOON!

Flyer for the MISD Specialized Learning Parent Night on February 26th from 6:00pm-8:00pm.
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MISD Dyslexia Information MISD Dyslexia Information

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Parent Support Parent Support

We encourage you to take some time to review the Section 504/Dyslexia Services portion of the MISD website. There, you'll find direct links to important documents that can guide you in supporting your child(ren).

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FREE ONLINE COLLEGE TRANSITION SUMMIT FOR STUDENTS WITH LD & ADHD

JANUARY 23, 2026

10AM-3:30PM CST

Helping students with Learning Disabilities and ADHD and their families better understand the college transition process.


Just like their peers, students with disabilities can and are going to college.

Knowing this, families and professionals may have questions about the application process, and what students can expect from the college environment once they get there.

College transition for learning disabilities expert, Elizabeth C. Hamblet has gathered experienced professionals in admissions, disability services, assistive technology, and educational therapy to ensure that everyone involved in students' college transition has the information they need to make planning effective.

⭐️ Elizabeth C. Hamblet will present "Preparing Students with Disabilities for Successful College Transition".

⭐️ Two admissions deans will take your questions about the admissions process for students with disabilities.

⭐️ College disability services directors will take your questions about accommodations and supports.

⭐️ A college assistive technology professional will present on helpful tools for students


Students with disabilities, their parents, and the professionals who work with them will gain valuable insights into the college environment.

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE A SPOT

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FREE DYSLEXIA SIMULATION

Dyslexia Simulation- sponsored by Dyslexia on Demand


If your child has recently been diagnosed with dyslexia—or is already receiving intervention—but you still feel unsure about what they’re experiencing, you’re not alone. Dyslexia can be confusing, overwhelming, and hard to fully understand from the outside.


That’s why we’re inviting parents, caregivers, and educators to join us for a FREE Dyslexia Simulation. In this one-hour experience, we’ll walk you through what dyslexia can feel like in real time, helping you better understand the daily challenges your child navigates—and why the right support matters.


✨ Knowledge brings clarity. Understanding brings confidence.


📅 February 10, 2026

⏰ 6:30 PM CST

💻 Free virtual event


Register on our website: https://dyslexiaondemand.com/webinars/
What causes dyslexia? Can you outgrow it? | Experts answer the internet’s biggest questions
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SONGS FOR SPEECH DEVELOPMENT

Sing & Speak: Songs for Speech Development


These classic kids' songs are more than just fun, they help build speech and language skills.


✨Here are some great songs for kids:

The Alphabet Song

The Farmer in the Dell

Skip to My Lou

Rock-a-Bye Baby

The Hokey Pokey


✨ How these songs help:

Repeat words to make learning easier

Use rhythm and melody to keep it fun

Encourage kids to copy sounds and actions

Build vocabulary and sentence skills

Teach turn-taking and social interaction

Boost memory and storytelling skills



By mixing music, fun, and language, these songs create a playful way for kids to grow their speech and communication skills naturally.

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LESSONS IN DYSLEXIC THINKING (PODCAST)

PRESENTED BY MADE BY DYSLEXIA


Lessons in Dyslexic Thinking are conversations with the world's most inspiring dyslexics where we find out what Dyslexic Thinking is and how each of us can employ it to change the world.

Educator Supports Educator Supports

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image from dyslexiacenterofutah

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THE 10 MOST SIGNIFICANT EDUCATION STUDIES OF 2025 (Click on the title to read the article.)

This visual essay highlights ten groundbreaking studies from 2025 that offer evidence-based insights into high-stakes issues like the impact of cell phone bans and the "cognitive debt" associated with generative AI. It provides practical, research-backed strategies for boosting student focus through micro-breaks and protecting time for recess to reduce stress. Reading this will equip you with the data needed to advocate for classroom changes that balance modern technology with essential human developmental needs.

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Handwriting is a complex task categorized into four primary areas: motor skills, visual perception, sensory processing, and executive functioning. Effective writing requires physical components like hand strength, pencil grasp, and proper posture, as well as visual-motor skills to ensure legibility and spatial awareness. Additionally, sensory factors like body awareness and executive functions such as working memory and planning are essential for a child to organize and produce written work. By addressing these underlying building blocks, caregivers and therapists can better support children struggling with handwriting development.(Click here for the link)

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WHEN EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS IMPAIR HANDWRITING (Click on the title to read the information.)


Handwriting is a complex, higher-order cognitive task that requires the seamless coordination of executive function skills like planning, organization, and working memory. When a child struggles with these mental processes, it often manifests as poor letter formation, trouble initiating a writing prompt, or disorganized work that doesn't match their verbal abilities. Occupational therapists emphasize that supporting these students involves breaking tasks into smaller steps, using visual checklists, and focusing on the underlying "critical thinking" components of writing. By addressing executive function and motor output together, caregivers can help prevent the common "homework breakdowns" associated with written assignments.

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Powerful Levers of Learning .pdf
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The text above highlights research-backed strategies that act as “powerful levers” for enhancing student learning by making small, intentional instructional changes. These include techniques like retrieval practice, spacing, interleaving, scaffolding, and explicit instruction, all aimed at improving retention, reducing cognitive load, and fostering flexible thinking. Each strategy is paired with its purpose and practical classroom applications to maximize impact.

FREE Professional Development Opportunities FREE Professional Development Opportunities

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E-Learning Modules – UC/CSU California Collaborative for Neurodiversity and Learning - University of California, Los Angeles

Looking to deepen your understanding of literacy and dyslexia through flexible, high-quality professional development? UCLA’s California Dyslexia Initiative offers free, self-paced e-learning modules designed specifically for educators. These modules cover essential topics like structured literacy, screening, and evidence-based instruction—perfect for enhancing your classroom practice and supporting all learners. Whether you're new to dyslexia or refining your expertise, this opportunity is both accessible and impactful. Don’t miss the chance to grow your skills and make a lasting difference! (Click here for the link.)

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TEALearn Canvas Courses

TEALearn offers a variety of Canvas Courses that are designed to help the Texas Educator learn and grow their knowledge of Dyslexia. Check out the Canvas Courses below at each link.

* Literacy for All 24-25

* TEA Dyslexia

* Texas Dyslexia Academy 1: Dyslexia Foundations 25-26

* Texas Dyslexia Academy 2: The Dyslexia Handbook 25-26

* Texas Dyslexia Academy 3: Considerations for Emergent Bilingual Students 25-26

* Texas Dyslexia Academy 4: From Child Find through the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Process 25-26

* Texas Dyslexia Academy 5: Screening for Dyslexia 25-26

* Texas Dyslexia Academy 6: Dysgraphia 25-26

*For additional FREE Dyslexia/Dysgraphia Professional Development opportunities, please click on this link.


MISD Educators, this information can also be found on the MISD Teaching & Learning Hub at the very bottom of the page. Click on the DX Professional Development bar.

Student Supports Student Supports

Great Reading Games with Learning Ally

Learning Ally’s Great Reading Games is a well-established reading competition that inspires your students to read and improve their literacy skills. Your school earns points for every page read, with top-performing schools and students winning exciting prizes.


The Games are active from January 5th- February 27th


🎉What do schools and students win?

  • $500 digital gift card for the top school in each bracket

  • $100 digital gift card for 2nd and 3rd place schools in each bracket.

  • $25 gift card for the top 75 students in each grade level (25 in Elementary, 25 in Middle, and 25 in High School)

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Learning Ally

Please check out this FACT SHEET to learn more about Learning Ally. Your student has FREE access!
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Talking Books

Please check out this website for information about the Talking Book Program. This is FREE for your student!
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TEA Dyslexia Handbook Information

Please check out these links for information about the UPDATED TEA Dyslexia Handbook (2024)

English (2024)

Spanish (2024)

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Email: Alayna.Siemonsma@misd.org
Website:https://www.misd.org/departments/special_education_services/section_504_dyslexia
Location: 20774 Eva Street, Montgomery, TX, USA
Phone: 936-276-2000

Alayna Siemonsma
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