Dr Bs Blog (Visitors: 16855) 

All,

There are several DoDEA Task Force groups meeting in Virginia this week to provide input in multiple areas - AP, counseling, assessment, literacy, math, professional/technical studies, professional development, and adminstrator evaluation.  DDESS is well represented in this important work. 

On another note, Joel Hansen, the DDESS Education Chief, will be accepting a position at DoDEA HDQS in late November.  I will miss having Joel on the DDESS Team -- but, I know he will be a wonderful additional to Team DoDEA.  Joel has served DDESS extremely well over the past few years and provided a "true compass" as we charted our course toward improved instruction, school improvement, and serving all of our students.  Be sure to send Joel an e-mail if you get the chance. 

Until later,

Dr. B

All,

Dr. Miles and I had a great visit to the Camp Lejeune Schools.  She was extremely impressed with the special education program there.  It was especially rewarding to see the progress the students were making in a full inclusion setting.  Inclusive education is about children with disabilities — whether the disability is mild or severe, hidden or obvious — participating in a full range of activities, just like they would if their disability were not present.  It's about building friendships, membership and having meaningful opportunities just like everyone else.  Specially designed materials or technology can often help.  In one classroom, we observed a student with no verbal communication skills using a communication board to interact with his peers and the teacher – what a delightful, bright kid!  This student is wheelchair bound and is steadily gaining independence.  Sometimes, help from friends works best, (this student is getting off of the bus and to the classroom aided by a friend.)  We observed the regular education teachers, special education teachers, support staff, and related services teachers working in classrooms together to provide services.   What a great visit!

Dr. B

All,

We had the 80+ DDESS elementary and middle school counselors here in Peachtree City this week for a 3-day conference.  It has been wonderful!  I know you all agree that your school counselor makes a huge difference every day in the lives of the students we serve. 

The counselors learned so much this week and really found the networking and collegiality to broaden their horizons.  Some of the week's themes included: fostering meaning relationships, competency bases counseling, bullying, critical mental health issues, psychological first aid, threat assessment/managemnt, supporting the military family, legal responsibilities, confidentiality, and special education resources. 

Be sure to talk with your counselor and have them share some of the great experiences from the week!

 

 

 

 

As we approach another anniversary of September 11th, please keep in your thoughts all those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on America and remember those who gave their lives trying to save those victims.  I am sure each of you remembers where you were on that fateful day and how your life was touched by the unfolding events.  I was at Quantico visiting elementary classrooms --every minute of that day is etched in my memory.

We also remember our many Armed Forces members who have given their lives since 9/11 throughout the world.  We need to continue to support those service members who remain deployed and their families who are left behind.

            All of our lives have changed since that tragic day.  However, in our schools our mission remains the same – to provide a world-class education for all of our students.  I thank each of you for your part in making this a reality! 

We have renewed our spirit of patriotism and tolerance stimulated by the events of 9/11.  It is with a great deal of hope, pride, patriotism and resolve that we celebrate our freedom each and every day.