SPED Passport

S P E D P A S S P O R T J o u r n e y o f L e a r n i n g T o g e t h e r C e n t r a l V a l l e y C h a r t e r S c h o o l s Y o s e m i t e V a l l e y C h a r t e r S c h o o l & M o n a r c h R i v e r A c a d e m y

O u r S c h o o l M i s s i o n The mission of Yosemite Valley Charter School & Monarch River Academy is to develop the individual gifts of students in Tulare, Fresno, and adjacent counties to become proficient in Common Core State Standards, become critical thinkers, responsible citizens, and innovative leaders prepared for academic and real-life achievement in the 21st Century. The mission will be accomplished in a personalized environment that fosters successful achievement through quality, personalized, standards-based education, which could include online coursework, offline textbook work, and unique hands-on and experiential learning experiences facilitated in partnership with students, parents, staff, and community. l a r t n e C y e l l a V r e t r a h C s l o o h c S Page 1

Yosemite Valley Charter School and Monarch River Academy are committed to providing students who qualify under the IDEA (2004) with free and appropriate quality special education services. f o L e y a e r Our schools take great pride in its n n r i n u o g dedication to the development and success J of all students. T r o e g h We strive to provide the most appropriate e t supports and services to our students identified as eligible for Special Education as we collaborate with our families. We are committed to forming meaningful partnerships with our parents as we work together to meet each child's unique needs and realize their full potential. Page 2

Your Journey Starts Now! Under Federal Legislation known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004), Special Education is a program that is designed to meet the unique educational needs of children with disabilities who meet the legal eligibility criteria. I T I N E R A R Y 1. Contact Information 2. Director Welcome 3. Program Information & Videos Page 3

Contact Information Dr. Steven James Director of Special Education Phone (559) 370-0403 [email protected] Main Office Phone (559) 258-0800 | (559) 258-0811 Fax (559) 532-0203 [email protected] Special Education Office Phone (626) 317-0112, Press 5 Page 4

Welcome I want to welcome everyone to the Yosemite Valley Special Education Department website. We believe that this is going to be a great year as I have a team of educators passionate about working with students with special needs. We do not quite have the Pandemic behind us, but it is currently business as usual for in-person services. I am confident that my team will continue to offer the best education and supports that will meet the needs of all of our special needs students. My team believes that every student can succeed at a high level, and we will push them to places that you and your child might not have believed they could reach. Learning is hard and as educators it is our job to ensure the supports are in place. These supports must not be a crutch, but a tool or resource that will bridge and narrow the gaps between our students and their general education peers. We must always remember that a special education student is a general education student first. I am entering my 26th year in education and my eighth working with special education and related departments. I have had the wonderful opportunity to be a classroom teacher in social science and intervention mathematics. I began my career as a special education teacher working on an emergency credential and my assignment had me assigned to a Residential Treatment Center (RTC) in San Diego. Page 5

In addition to my teaching duties, I coached baseball and football for many years, before moving into administration. I had the opportunity to be a site level Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, Principal, and district level Coordinator and Director. I am entering my fourth year with the organization and my second as the Senior Special Education Director for Yosemite Valley and Monarch River Academy Charter Schools. If I can be of assistance at all, please email me at [email protected] or call me at (559) 370-0403. In closing, I want to leave you with the following: “Build a bridge for all students and they will exceed your expectations. Give them a crutch and you’ll never know what they are truly capable of.” Thank You, Dr. Steven James Director of Special Education Yosemite Valley & Monarch River Academy Charter Schools "Fight On" Click HERE for an important message from Dr. Steven James Page 6

Program Information & Videos You have many questions, and it is our pleasure to answer them. Here are a few short videos and information on some of the services we provide: Learn more about our Special Education Services that are unique to our setting. Learn more about our widely praised Transition Program. Learn more about our Adult Transition Program. Learn about the Adapted SEL Class for students with significant needs. A small team of dedicated educators also provide the following services to ALL students. SEL Tier 3 Overview SEL Tier 3 Description Alumni Services Transition Podcast (remember to like & share!) Transition YouTube Channel & Videos Page 7

2022-2023 School Calendar Fall Semester Spring Semester Aug. 1: Teachers' First Day Dec. 19-Jan. 3: Winter Break - No School Aug. 15: Students' First Day of School Jan. 16: MLK Jr. Day - No School Sept. 2: Staff PD - No School Feb. 6: Staff PD - No School Sept. 5: Labor Day - No School Feb. 13: Lincoln's Birthday - No School Nov. 1: Staff PD - No School Feb. 20: Washington's Birthday - Nov. 11: Veteran's Day - No School No School April 3: Staff PD - No School Nov. 18-25: Thanksgiving Break - No School April 10-17: Spring Break December 16: End of Semester 1 May 29: Memorial Day - No School June 1: End of Semester 2 & Students' Last Day of School LEARNING PERIODS (LP) LP 1: 8/15-9/13 LP 6: 2/2-3/1 LP 2: 9/14-10/11 LP 7: 3/2-3/24 LP 3: 10/12-11/8 LP 8: 3/27-4/28 LP 4: 11/9-12/16 LP 9: 5/1-6/1 LP 5: 1/4-2/1 Page 8

E V E R Y S t u d e n t C a n R A N E , L J u s t n o t o n t h e SAME DAY Or the Same W A Y L V A A R L T L N E E Y C YVC MRA C HA R TE R SC H 0 0L S