FASP East Central Region

East Central Region

This is your region if you are in one of the following Counties:
Brevard, Orange, Sumter, Osceola, Lake, or Seminole

Your FASP East Central Regional Representative is:

Elvira Medina-Pekofsky

Email: emepekofsky@aol.com

The Florida Problem Solving/Response to Intervention Project and the Department of Education co-hosted the Summer Math Institute at Altamonte Springs on July 7th and 8th. East Central Region School psychologists attended the event along with districts teachers and administrators to learn how to enhance student engagement in mathematics as part of a Multi-Tiered System of Student Supports. The audience learned how the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and the Core Standards will be addressed with rigor and depth through Backwards Planning, Higher Order Thinking Skills, and Formative Assessment Tasks. The intensification of instruction with relevant real-world applications that promote active student engagement is essential to ensure positive outcomes. Data Based Decision Making used to intensify instruction based on student needs is also crucial to the fidelity and sustainability of a Multi-Tiered System of Student Supports in math instruction. Additional information and links to resources here.

“Maximizing Student Outcomes through the Integration of Academic and Behavior Instruction/Intervention in a Multi-Tier System of Student Supports (RtI/PBS)”
Elvira Medina-Pekofsky, NCSP and Freda Reid, NCSP

The 2011 Inaugural Florida RtI Leadership Institute was held on June 22-24, 2011 at the Innisbrook Resort. The institute provided district and school-based leaders with workshops, implementer forums and district exemplars to enhance the implementation of RtI. The theme was “Maximizing Student Outcomes through the Integration of Academic and Behavior Instruction/Intervention in a Multi-Tier System of Student Supports (RtI)”. It emphasized efficient and effective methods of improving student performance in an era of diminishing resources. Topical Strands, Implementer Forums and Leadership Networking allowed participants to become familiar with highly effective practices and skills, with exemplars from implementation leaders. Read more...

Executive Board Meeting Highlights – April 30-May 1

Budgets cuts impacting school psychologists are a major concern. Duval County School Psychologists have been placed on 10 month contracts resulting in significant financial loss. Palm Beach is anticipating a 10% cut while Polk County School Psychologists are also bracing for cuts.

Advocacy information has been placed on the FASP webpage to assist psychologists in addressing these issues. Also, FASP Executive Board members are available for consultation.

LEGISLATIVE

Bob Cerra, FASP Lobbyist, stated that the upcoming budget is one of the worst for education in recent memory. There is an expected 3.42% reduction in funding.

Retirement – COLAS are being suspended for new employees

Retirement will be based on your highest eight years of your salary rather than the previous highest five years.

With the exception D.R.O.P. enrollees, all employees will be required to pay 3%of their salary into their retirement.

Vacation days and overtime will no longer be used to calculate your final retirement compensation.

NASP

Sarah Valley, NASP Delegate, reported that the prohibition of serving students in your school district has been removed by the NASP Ethics Committee. However, the rule continues to apply to students within the schools served by you.

Sarah also talked about a project “Back the Pack”, a drive to provide food for students who may have little or no food on weekends. Please follow this link to learn more about this most worthy project: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/
vp/42587983#42587983

DOE UPDATE

David Wheeler stated that if parents make a request for an evaluation, the district must proceed or send a notice of refusal. Saying that they must wait for RtI is unacceptable. The evaluation has to be done concurrently with interventions.

IMPORTANT DATES

FASP Elections – May 13 – June 12 PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL

FASP Awards nominations due June 30, 2011

FASP Executive Board meeting – July 18, St. Petersburg, FL – All members are welcome to attend

Summer Institute – July 19-24 – St. Petersburg, FL

FASP Executive Board meeting – October 29, St. Petersburg, FL – All members are welcome to attend

Fall Conference – October 30 – November 1st

This year, FASP is acknowledging School Psychologists from around the state with a “Monthly Recognition of Excellence.” April’s winners came from the East Central Region:

Barbara Ptaszynski was recently elected School Psychologist of the Year by the Orange County Association of School Psychologists. She is involved with RTI teams and is a member of the Crisis Intervention and Recovery Plan Committee.
Natacha Noel is a Haitian-Creole speaking school psychologist in Orange County Public Schools. Natacha is involved with Limited English-proficient students, provides crisis counseling, and assists with selective mutism interventions.
Lisa Coffey held various positions on the FASP Executive Board and in the Orange County Association of School Psychologists. She supports Positive Behavioral Support initiatives and presents at district and state conferences on ADHD, cyber bullying, and autism.

Read more about these recipients...