We just love our OCALI partners! Once again the SST has teamed up with OCALI (heavy-lifters) to provide a regional series on autism for our preschool classrooms. Approximately 15 classroom teams, along with their directors, from Gallipolis City and Gallia County LSDs have completed the OCALI Preschool Autism 3-Day Institute and will continue with another 2-Day Comprehensive Program Planning Institute.

The initial 3-day institute includes training on a variety of topics associated with understanding the diverse needs of young children with ASD.

• Day One: Part One: Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children; Part Two: Sensory Processing: Implications for Behavior and Learning
• Day Two: Understanding and Supporting Social Communication in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Day Three: Social-Emotional Competence, Play and Friendship Skills in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The Comprehensive Program Planning sessions involve a process-planning framework for designing comprehensive positive behavioral interventions. The framework provides participants with the tools to assess a student’s specific needs by examining the student’s underlying characteristics, strengths and special interests as well as environmental factors in order to design individualized interventions that are evidence-based and systematically implemented throughout the day. The process encourages parents and professionals to work collaboratively to develop positive behavioral supports to meet the needs of students across all settings. Once completed the participating teams will continue furthering the development of comprehensive positive behavioral interventions; meeting as teams to advance the development of the comprehensive plan for targeted student/s; and continue with coaching and technical assistance with SST/OCALI personnel.

Last year, we provided a Better Data in 5 video series covering several different components of the Report Card. These videos are still available to view on YouTube. Please search SST16 Better Data in 5 videos.

As we explained in the last issue, this year our focus will be Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Please check out the fourth video of the MTSS series by Katie Novak, called UDL and Equitable Access.

To view the video, please click on "Watch on YouTube" and it will take you straight to the correct place!

Link to Video: Watch on YouTube.

Do you feel like you are leading for all students? In the following episode of Leaders Coaching Leaders, Peter Dewitt interviews superintendent and author, Jennifer Spencer-liams, who has tackled this question and strived to lead her district to become more inclusive. Do any of the issues discussed resonate in your building or district? What changes discussed might help your district become more inclusive to all students?

Region 16 Principals met for their mid-year networking meeting on January 11, 2024, at The Lodge at Hocking College. Guest speakers presented several sessions during the day based on identified interests from previous Principal survey results.

• In the morning session, Ohio Regional Literacy Specialists, Keith McCarroll and Katie Kilgour, presented a session on "The Role of Leadership in the Shift to Evidence-Based Reading Instruction".
• Dr. Jenn Lackey, Hopewell's Liaison for SST 16, presented a session on "Tiering Mental Health Supports".
• A lunch buffet was sponsored by Hopewell for everyone. Many thanks to Hopewell for their sponsorship of this event!
• After lunch, Dr. Phil Latessa, Case Manager with the Ohio School and District Improvement Office with Ohio DEW, presented a session on "Composing a Master Schedule with Precision and Rhythm".
• The group concluded the day in discussion regarding Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism, sharing ideas for addressing this important issue in schools.
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We hope All Principals and Assistant Principals will mark their calendars for our Second Annual Principal Leadership Academy to be held in early June 2024. More details and the dates will be coming during the Spring! We hope to see You there!

Information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the requirements for districts and schools under state law related to the science of reading professional development are available.

Requirements under House Bill 33 of the 135th General Assembly, Ohio Revised Code 3313.6028, and information regarding science of reading professional development and requirements can be found on the webpage along with frequently asked questions.

Please send any questions to ReadOhio@education.ohio.gov.

This article from Tim Shanahan, a national leader in Literacy, discusses how phonics can effectively be part of the instruction beyond the typical K-3 grade band.

Whether you are working on a new 3-year One Plan, or simply planning for next steps in your current One Plan, everyone has an interest in finding ways to improve student attendance.

Did you know that for the Fall 2023 Report Card, the highest Chronic Absenteeism Rate considered acceptable by the State was 20.2%? The highest CA Rate considered acceptable for the current school year (2023-2024) will be 18.3%

Listed below are resources available as you begin research toward your next steps in this important area of concern. Your OIP Consultant will also be happy to support you in this work.

Attendance Playbook

Guide to Using the Attendance Playbook

DEW Recovery Dashboard for Districts

DEW Recover Dashboard for Schools

SST 16 Attendance Padlet

Attendance Works! Website

Districts completing their new 3-year One Plans this Spring will be working on them soon with their SST Consultants. It has been announced that the revised deadline for the One Plan and One Needs Assessment for each district will be April 30, 2024. Please contact your OIP consultant anytime for further information as well as support.

The State Support Teams in partnership with Ohio College Tech Prep will be hosting a virtual learning series between the months of January - May 2024.

• These sessions are FREE!
• You may attend 1 session or all 4!
• Registration information and Flyer are linked!
• Please share with others in your organization who may be interested!

Session Titles:

Dive into Industry Recognized credentials by Career Field

Middle School CTE as a Career Advising Strategy

Empowering Futures: Showcasing the Promising Practices of Ohio's Schools

Unlocking Success: The Nuts and Bolts of Industry-Recognized Credentials

Click HERE to register!