January 2023 Update from Special Education

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Dear North Andover Families: 

It is hard to believe that we are already into the first month of the new year.  It has been a busy year filled with continued opportunities for staff growth through professional learning opportunities. Some new opportunities that have been attended by our teachers include:

• “Facilitating the Classroom Learning of Students with Asperger's Syndrome”

• On December 8, elementary teachers and teaching assistants attended professional development with Karen Janowski from Ed Tech Solutions on Using Technology to Facilitate Learning, specifically Google Read & Write with Orbitnote. Middle School and High School will be scheduled for this training as well as for future professional development.

• In December, many of our educators took advantage of an opportunity to enroll in a free course through Coursera and Yale University titled Overcoming Dyslexia.

• On January 13, 2023, teachers from both NAMS and NAHS will participate in professional development with Lisa Dieker.  Lisa was our 2022-2023 keynote speaker. She will be continuing her message and teachings around inclusive practices to use for all learners.

• Continued work with Pam Ely and her colleagues from the Ely Center centered around best practices to serve our students with speech and language needs. 

• Our work with the district ELA and Math coaches continues. 

• Our work with  Emily Platt to further embed UDL into classrooms throughout the district will continue throughout the year. 

On January 1, 2023, the Boston Globe printed an article about the new Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) that are now in effect as of January 1, 2023. This is a new resource that was put into place at the state level to assist with the mental health needs that continue to impact all aspects of education.  Our local center is located at Beth Israel Lahey Behavioral Health Services, 12 Methuen St., Lawrence, MA 01840.  This Center services Andover, North Andover, Methuen, and Lawrence. You can find additional information from the state located here.

Our SEPAC had a successful celebration of SEPAC Awareness on November 18.  Keep an eye out for future events on the SEPAC Facebook Page for more information about any upcoming events and meetings.

In early December,  I was able to join Mrs. McGinnis’s reading class from NAMS while they read to students in Mrs. Duvall’s classroom at the ABECC.  It was so incredibly impressive to see how our Middle School students presented themselves to younger students and how grateful and excited the kindergarten classroom students were to have them in their class.

With the assistance of Rick Galante and Community Programs, we recently developed a new partnership with InclYOUsion Sports.  InclYOUsion Sports offers inclusive and fun opportunities for students with diverse needs to participate in sports enrichment programs.  A new session has just started.  You find more information on the Community Programs page of the North Andover Public Schools website. There are class sign-ups available for  3-6-year-olds and 7-10-year-olds.

As I have stated previously, I encourage you all to reach out to me, your building principal, or the building-based evaluation team leaders/administrator if you have any questions or concerns about your student’s special education services.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Marci Boccuzzi
Executive Director of Special Education
North Andover Public Schools