DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT OF STUDENT SERVICES INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMUNICATION

TO: Principals of Schools with ED Center Programs

FROM: Nancy Garcia, Specialist to ED Centers Valerie Pollitt, Director of Student Services

DATE: May 25, 2006

SUBJECT: ED Center Program Training

The attached flyer contains information regarding the upcoming training for staff in the ED centers. This training will address NCLB in the ED Center Programs, as well as meeting student needs in accordance with IDEIA.

The training includes research-based, Aggression Replacement Training (ART). The Department of Student Services has adopted this ART as the district’s affective education curriculum for ED Center Programs. It is an expectation that all ED staff be proficient in implementing this curriculum. All staff hired for ED Centers are expected to attend this training.

Each ED teacher, para-educator, social worker, and psychologist will receive a flyer. Attendees receive a certificate of contact hours for CDE re-certification and will have the opportunity to receive college credit. ED staff attending these trainings will receive stipend pay.

This training is open to your building’s administrative staff. Those building administrators who attended ART classes in the past found that this program has proven to increase academic achievement while reducing inappropriate, aggressive behavior in all students.

We would appreciate it if you would encourage your ED staff members to attend this very important workshop, and we welcome your attendance.

Thank you for your cooperation and support. If you have any questions, please call Nancy Garcia at 303-378-6408.

c: Instructional Superintendents Student Services Coordinators Next fall is right around the corner! Training for ED Center Teachers, Para-Educators, and Mental Health Specialists ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** No Child Left Behind (NCLB)  Meeting the needs of all children  Special education is an intervention, a support system, NOT a place  Addressing Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)  Meeting requirements of the reauthorization, Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA, 2004) PEACE4Kids/Aggression Replacement Training, (ART)  The district’s affective education curriculum  Social skills  Applying empathy  Character education  Anger management  Classroom discipline  Level system ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Please confirm your attendance.

When August 8–10 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Location Cherry Creek Conference Center, 4500 Cherry Creek Drive South Fifth Floor, Longs Peak/East-West Room * Please park in the tenant lot in back of the building. Presenters Sara Salmon, CEO of the Center for Safe Schools and Communities Nancy Garcia, Educational Specialist to ED Centers/BEST Consultant Kristi McCollum, Psychologist, Specialist to ED Centers Registration Call Sam Craver, 720.423.3614 Information Nancy Garcia, 303.378.6408 Kristi McCollum, 303.995.0518

* Stipend pay for ED staff * Receive a certificate of contact hours for CDE re-certification. * College credits available for a reasonable fee.