Special Education Syllabus

Classroom Instructors:                                  Educational Assistants

Nick Massman                                                      Micki Leesch

Kelly Eichelberg                                                   Stacy Fiegen                                        

Amy Frantzen                                                      Amanda Nielson   

Katie Jurgensen                                                    Ryan Thompson              

Maggie Youngberg                                                Karin Reisch

PLEASE READ THROUGH THIS WITH YOUR CHILD! THANK YOU J

1. Get Family Access!

With family access, you can check your child’s grades and missing assignments on the computer.  Contact the high school office to get a login address and password.  The school has given your child student access account.  They can check their grades as well.

2. Go to brandonvalley.k12.sd.us

With this website, you can look at teacher’s lesson plans and email them with any questions you have.  Plus, you can find out what is going on at the high school and upcoming tests.

3. If your child is missing assignments or you question the grade your child has:

a.       Please visit with your child first---if you’re still concerned

b.      Contact that classroom teacher by phone or through email (use the Brandon Valley website)

c.       The concern is not going away, please contact your child’s case manager by phone (before/after school or during plan time) or by email.

Case Managers:

Nick Massmann: nick.massmann@K12.sd.us

Kelly Eichelberg:  kelly.eichleberg@k12.sd.us

Amy Frantzen:  amy.frantzen@k12.sd.us

Katie Haas:  katie.haas@k12.sd.us

Maggie Youngerg maggie.youngberg@k12.sd.us

4. Testing that will take place at the high school level.

5. While in high school, your child will be working on five TRANSITION areas specified in their IEP.

a.      POST-SECONDARY:  If this is an option for your child, they must:

Take the ACT, visit schools, meet with service coordinators at each school, visit with representatives that come to the high school, do homework and tests with NO modifications or start to be weaned from modifications, file for financial aid, attend Catch the Wave to learn about post-secondary expectations. Please visit with your child’s case manager for more details. 

 It is HIGHLY recommended that sophomores and juniors attend Catch the Wave if they are planning on going to a post-secondary setting.  Parents should also attend this.  This conference informs parents and students about post secondary expectations.  This will be discussed in more detail at your child’s IEP meeting.

IF YOUR CHILD IS PLANNING TO ATTEND A VOCATIONAL SCHOOL, COMMUNITY COLLEGE, OR A 2-4 YEAR PROGRAM, THEY WILL NOT RECEIVE MODIFICATIONS WHILE IN COLLEGE.  THEY WILL ONLY RECEIVE ACCOMMODATIONS.

Here are some examples:

b.  EMPLOYMENT:  Your child will have opportunities to take employment  courses at the high school, but your child should also be doing work in the community and at home.  Examples:  Career Education (sophomore year), career internship (senior year), career exploration (offered through special education), and other employment opportunities; chores around the house, babysitting, volunteering.

Career Exploration: Project Skills is an opportunity for students to gain work experience.  Your child has to be 16 years old and will need to complete paperwork that will be processed to determine qualification.  This will be discussed at your child’s IEP meeting.

c.        INDEPENDENT LIVING: Your child will have opportunities to take courses at the high school, but your child should also be working on skills in the community and at home.  Examples:  family consumer science classes, cleaning, budgeting, checking accounts, laundry, dishes and etc.

d.      COMMUNITY:  Does your child participate in school functions?

 Does your child know how to get around in the  

 community?

 Does your child volunteer in the community?

e.       ADULT SERVICES: 

6. At the high school level, we STRONGLY recommend that your child attend their IEP meetings.  They need to be involved!  It’s their life!

7. Please let us know if there are any events going on in your child’s life that will help prepare us for any smiles or concerns that might take place at school.

8. During parent/teacher conferences, we are located upstairs in rooms 204-207.

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Please have your child return the signed copy to their case manager.  Please keep the remaining information for you to refer back to.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s case manager.  While in high school, it is our goal to help your child transition into the adult world. 

________________________                  ___________________________

Student’s Signature                         Parent’s Signature and Date

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Parent Email Address