Special Education News
Welcome to the 23-24 School Year!
The 23-24 school year is well underway and our students have already had many opportunities to engage in our school communities. At each school, I see the excitement of staff who are meeting new students they will work with and welcoming returning students back for the new school year.
In August, special education teachers and providers were inspired by the keynote address from Dr. Robert Dillon, author and learning space design consultant. Dr. Dillon talked about a new school year as an opportunity. We are excited about all the opportunities that our students will have this year!
New Opportunities: Main Street School is offering a new opportunity for learning with their PrintStorm print shop. Students will be able to explore business, technology and creativity through this new venture. Unified Theater is a new addition to our unified options. We are excited to see this grow this year. Additionally, please check out Parent University for information on parent classes specific to Special Education. You can find this great resource for parents on our main website here.
Continued Opportunities: We have many opportunities for students to engage in our school communities. Clubs, Sports, Activities happen every day across the district in all of our schools.
Opportunities for Athletes: The Unified athletes have already begun with competitions in bowling. Look for the opportunity to cheer on at the next competition! Recently, Mead Middle was named a Special Olympics National Banner Unified Champion School - we are excited the Mead Bulldogs are now a part of our champion schools!
We are excited for another great school year to have the opportunity to serve students and provide opportunities for growth and learning.
Emily Scott
Director of Special Education
Main Street School Students Are Learning To Connect Through the Healing Power of Horses
Equine Facilitated Therapy is doing wonders for 10 Middle and High School students at Main Street School who are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend sessions at Medicine Horse in Longmont. Read More>>>
New Unified Theater Class Brings Students of All Abilities Together on Stage
St. Vrain Valley School District continues to expand opportunities for students in special education by offering Unified Theater classes at Niwot High School and Frederick High School.
New Assistant Director of Special Education Strives To Be a Positive Influence for Students
St. Vrain Valley School’s Special Education Department is pleased to welcome Eric Neessen as one of the new Assistant Director's of Special Education. Read More>>>
Experienced Educator Joins St. Vrain Valley's Special Education Department as the New Assistant Director of Special Education
St. Vrain Valley School’s Special Education Department welcomes Stephanie Zechmann. She has over 20 years experience as an affective needs teacher and plans to bring her decades of experience working with students to her new role as the assistant director of special education. Zechmann will support the following schools: Alpine Elementary, Eagle Crest Elementary, Legacy Elementary, Lyons Elementary, Lyons MS/HS and Soaring Heights PK-8. Read More>>>
Unified Bowling Season is Underway
Save the Date for St. Vrain Band Night
All Unified Percussion Ensembles will come together for a combined performance at this year's St. Vrain Band Night, which will take place on Wednesday, October 4 at Everly Montgomery Field starting at 6pm. The Unified Percussion Ensemble will perform at 6:10pm Hope to see you there!
Over the summer SWAP Students not only had opportunities to participate in classes and workshops, they also had the opportunity to become student workers for the district. Here’s a look at some of those exciting opportunities:
-Taking Care of Business: During this 12 week course, students met one time per week for two hours. They learned the skills necessary to apply for, acquire, and maintain success at meaningful employment. Some areas that were covered during the course were Communication and Self-Management, Getting a Job and Work Success.
- Neurodiversity Works Drone Workshop and Drone Camp: This two day camp took place in Arvada during the month of July. Neurodivergent students were able to immerse themselves into the wonderful world of drones.
- SWAP/DVR/CPWD Workshop: This Curriculum-Based Workplace Readiness Training program took place during the month of June. This summer program assisted students with disabilities to successfully maintain and progress in employment by understanding when and how to disclose a disability, feel more confident requesting accommodations, developing time management, and improving communication in the workplace.
- SketchUp Project Spectrum: This weeklong autism outreach initiative focused on teaching 3D modeling to students on the autism spectrum.
- SWAP Student Workers: This summer SWAP student workers had the opportunity to work with the following St. Vrain Valley School District departments: District Technology Services, Custodial Services, Community Schools, and the Innovation Center .
Additionally, the SWAP Team assisted the Special Education Department with completing the Indicator 14 phone calls. The purpose of the phone calls is to gather data on our students post-secondary outcomes one year after graduating or exiting SVVSD.
During the month of October, SWAP students will have the opportunity to tour Front Range Community College, IBMC and Costco. SWAP students should reach out to their SWAP representative for more information about upcoming tours.
