R10 MTSS Newsletter: April 2020

Prevention, Enrichment, and Intervention for All Students

"And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about." ~ Haruki Murakami

Kimmie's MTSS Reflection

April has arrived. The MTSS Team is out meeting the needs of our LEAs. Therefore, this is a short, but sweet newsletter.

As you know, Covid-19 has really derailed our daily life as well as dreams and hopes in its attempt to bring chaos to everyone in every land. Everybody (ages 0 to 100+) is being affected. High School Seniors may be close to breaking down especially if their 2020/2021 college freshman year was the "beginning of their lives." I know because this comment has been on repeat at my house since we went on lock-down.

Emotional well-being interlocking hands with academic growth and behavioral supports. Parents, Students, Community Members and Educators needing to come together to ensure fidelity of supports for physical and mental health/wellness, safety, security, education, behavior needs, shelter, and food. This sounds a lot like....wait for it...you know where I'm going...A Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Framework being called to action.

Think about the Texas Education Agency Instructional Continuity Guidelines. The four phases are calling for a problem solving team to analyze the situation, develop a plan, implement the plan and progress monitor the plan. We are relying on community and parent support to launch distance learning and help ensure that it is done with fidelity. Call it what you want, but at the end of the day, you are building a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Framework. Please make sure that you have the players at the table so that the needs of ALL CHILDREN, WHOLE CHILD are being met while providing supports to meet the needs of educators and parents.

Did I mention that today is my birthday? The Texas Education Agency delivered a very special birthday present to me that I have been wishing for since we went to Distance Learning: MTSS Intervention Guidance.

Please read the Texas Education Agency's Guidance Document on MTSS Intervention, a component of the MTSS Framework, along with Guidance for Homeless Students and English Learners.

TEA's MTSS Intervention: COVID-19

MTSS Intervention, a component of a MTSS Framework, during COVID-19 is addressed in this document.

TEA's Students Experiencing Homelessness: COVID-19 FAQ

This FAQ addresses LEAs concerns in ensuring the needs of students experiencing homelessness are being met.

TEA's English Learners Guidance: COVID-19 FAQ

This FAQ addresses many questions LEAs have in regards to providing services during COVID-19.

ALL MEANS ALL

Ensuring the implementation of Distance Learning with Fidelity requires the right supports and services and those are a moving target. The image below is a reminder of who the umbrella covers.

Now take it one step further....each graphic under the umbrella represents the different types of educators, students and parents that need the protection of a unified multi-tiered systems of support framework.

Creating the MTSS Umbrella

More than ever the MTSS Umbrella requires Communication, Collaboration and Collective Responsibility. The pandemic will not last forever.

We need, more than ever, to work together to help our students see there is a way through this.

We do this by providing supports and services to their parents, all staff members, and them.

We provide opportunities for mindfulness, positive feedback on the work they are doing, flexibility, grace, and space.

We also keep them focused on their goals, dreams, hopes and wishes for their future.

We work together through Communication, Collaboration and Collective Responsibility.

The image below includes just a few graphics on what is required to implement and hold the MTSS Umbrella in place during a pandemic (and the a regular year).

We need to bring clarity to the systems of support needed and potential roadblocks that stop us so we can truly see the Systems needed for a sustainable MTSS Model.

MTSS is made up of different Systems of Support working together, such as, MTSS Intervention, MTSS School Safety and Security, MTSS Mental Health, etc.. Together these pieces create the layers needed to ensure students are ready for life beyond school. Below are all the parts, pieces and layers that need to work together.

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Texas Education Agency's CCMR Goal for ALL Students

Have we prepared students with the academic, behavior, social emotional, and resiliency skills to be successful in life?

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ALL Means ALL

Every student regardless of labels or instructional setting should receive enrichment, prevention and intervention opportunities.

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It's Systems Based

Are all of your District Systems Aligned? For example,

Does the district communication system take into consideration the system of enrollment ?

Does the system of enrollment include surveys, placement assessments, and communication to the appropriate support services so that students receive immediate preventative support?

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Strong Leadership is Required

Without the belief and support from your district, campus and teacher leaders, it is hard to create stakeholder engagement from staff, students, parents and the community. It is also harder to create the intrinsic need for personal growth in staff members.

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Nothing Works Without the Hidden Four

Culture and Climate are everything. Who are your influencers? Yes, they don't just exist on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Do they have stakeholder engagement?

Evidence Based Decisions should be the norm, but include hidden evidence that is often overlooked. Think attendance, tardies, referrals, etc.

Assessments are vital to the MTSS framework. What are they? How are you using them? Are you looking for other areas of need beside intervention? How about enrichment?

Effective Teaching Practices are vital. How are you coaching your staff?

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Holistic Approach

SEL, Academic, and Behavior bleed into one another. One area can positively or negatively affect another area. If you are only looking at one, you miss the others.

Together...It's All Better

It takes all the pieces coming together, working as one to be effective. Take this time to combine your systems and forces to support our students, staff and parents now so that you can use this same process to bring them back to school safely.

DID YOU KNOW....

Region 10 is still available to assist LEAs.

While we are working remotely, we are ALL still available via phone, email or zoom to assist our LEAS. Below are some buttons that will take you to the T&L Remote Learning Site and the Special Pops Remote Learning Site. MTSS Resources can be found on both sites.

The trick to remember is to take what you learn from one site and mix it with you learn in the other site.

R10 T&L: At Home Instructional Support

R10 Special Populations: At Home Learning

R10 MTSS Coordinator/Director's Meeting - Rescheduled

We will need to reschedule our April 16, 2020 meeting. I will send out an invite for a new date and time.

R10 MTSS Consortium

We are holding the R10 MTSS Consortium on Thursdays. We want you to be able to attend; therefore, we are offering two meeting participation opportunities: 10AM to 11AM and 12PM to 1PM.

Zoom links can be found on the T&L At Home Instructional Support Site under the Webinar section. Please email me if you need assistance.