- The School District of Osceola County, Florida
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Exceptional Student Education
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- ESE Policies & Procedures (through 2025-2026)
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ESE Enhancement Video Messages from Superintendent Dr. Mark Shanoff
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Our Mission
The Department for Exceptional Student Education will provide a spectrum of innovative support that helps to inspire students with disabilities to reach their highest potential as responsible, productive citizens.
Customer Service Policy
The Department for Exceptional Student Education encourages collaboration among all stakeholders through being courteous, friendly, and approaching each interaction with the goal of removing barriers to learning for students with disabilities.
We encourage our families to use the Let’s Talk link when you have questions or concerns. You will find this link at the bottom corner of the website. Our team will research how best to support and provide needed follow-up. Utilizing this system will help our team analyze trends and drive professional learning for our schools as well as help us determine technical assistance needs.
Exceptional Student Education Announcements
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2024-2025 FLDOE Exceptional Student Education ESE Parent Survey
Each year the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) asks the parents of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) to participate in a survey--seeking parent and guardian input to enhance services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The ESE Parent Survey is open to all parents of children with an individual educational plan (IEP) receiving ESE services from preschool through grade 12. It is not intended for parents of students receiving only gifted services through an educational plan (EP). Students with disabilities aged 18 or older may complete this survey. The survey is available for completion until June 30, 2025. If you have more than one child with an IEP, please complete one survey for each child. The survey can be accessed at https://fldoepaads.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_881xTFo6E6C6ZJI or by using the QR code below!
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ESE Happenings in April
Check out what's happening in the ESE Department in April...
https://secure.smore.com/n/9kq5n -
Safety Resources for Students with Disabilities
Student safety is a number one priority--on every campus and with every staff member throughout the district as well as in our communities and in our own homes. Sometimes, ensuring that all individuals are safe is challenging, especially if the individual is non-verbal, has a cognitive disability, or another health condition. As a result, Ms. Kacie Rosario from Neptune Middle School created a list of safety resources currently in place within Osceola County. This list was used to create the document below as well as the new links we have available on the Parent Toolkit page of our department webpage, which can be found at THIS LINK!
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In the Osceola School District, the sky is the limit!
Congratulations to all the winners and the nominees from all the schools who were recognized in this year's Osceola County School District's Education Awards! We would like to give a special congratulations to Ms. Justin Bruscato-Douglas, our very own District Program Specialist Lead for Secondary Curriculum and Instruction as well as Yodaliz Aviles Reyes, IEP assistant for Horizon Middle School. Both were Top Ten Finalists for School-Related Employee of the Year!
A special shout-out to Goalbook for sponsoring our table at this year's event!!
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Project Decode
Are you a teacher, or do you know a teacher who may be interested in getting their MEd or EDS degrees in Special Education? Check out this LINK for information on Project Decode!
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An Evening with the Agencies a HUGE Success!!!
We are beyond excited to share that 130 families attended our annual "An Evening with the Agencies" event held at Gateway High School last night!! These families had the opportunity to interact with over 35 agencies from in and around Central Florida. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those involved. We can't wait for next year's event!!
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ESE Happenings in March
Check out what's happening in the ESE Department in March...
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Events, Activities, and More Happening in and Around Our Community
Check out these amazing events and activities happening in and around our community! Make sure to click on each link to view the flyer for each event or activity!
There is something for everyone...
Mini Hoopers- Toddler Basketball
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Save the Date... Inclusive Knights 2025 Interactive Concert
When: April 8, 2025, at 11:00 AM
Where: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Steinmetz Hall
What: Inclusive Knights 2025 interactive concert for students on the spectrum, all ESE students, and the general public!
Why: Inclusive Knights is a concert that welcomes everyone. They engage the audience, teach about music, and allow for individual behaviors in a certified autism center.
The cost to attend is FREE!! -
2024-2025 Parent Training/Workshop Schedule
We are excited about what the 2024-2025 school year has in store! Starting with these amazing Parent Training/Workshop opportunities being offered throughout the school year. Below is the schedule of tentative trainings/workshops being provided. If you don't see something you would like offered simply message Sarah.McKenney@osceolaschools.net and we will try to add your request.
2024-2025 Parent Training/Workshops/Events Date Event Name Location Time Wednesday, 9/4Lunch and Learn ESE Department Info and FND OverviewVirtual11:30Wednesday, 9/18Afternoon Insights: It's All About the AppsVirtual4:30Thursday, 9/26FDLRS - Developing an IEPPOSTPONEDWednesday, 10/2Lunch and Learn An IEP That WorksVirtual11:30Wednesday, 10/16Afternoon Insights: Positive Beginning to PBISTBD4:30Friday, 10/18FDLRS Developing an IEPVirtual11:30Wednesday, 11/6Lunch and Learn Where's Your Oxygen Mask (GS)Virtual11:30Wednesday, 11/13FDLRS - The Road Trip to Behavior Strategies: Tips & Tools for Families and CaregiversPoinciana HS4:30Wednesday, 11/20Afternoon Insights: Caregiver Stress and BurnoutDenn John MS4:30Wednesday, 12/4Lunch and Learn IDEA Module 1Virtual11:30Wednesday, 12/18Afternoon Insights: IDEA Module 2Virtual4:30Wednesday, 1/8Lunch and Learn Idea Module 3POSTPONED11:30Wednesday, 1/22Afternoon Insights: IDEA Module 4POSTPONED4:30Wednesday, 2/5Lunch and Learn Transitioning to KindergartenVirtual11:30Thursday, 2/13Lunch and Learn IDEA Module 3 RESCHEDULEVirtual12:00Wednesday, 2/19Afternoon Insights: Early Coalition (GS)Denn John MS4:30Thursday, 2/27EveningWith the AgenciesGatewayHS5:00Wednesday, 3/5Lunch and Learn Nuts and Bolts of Self-AdvocacyVirtual11:30Thursday, 3/6Afternoon Insights: IDEA Module 4 RESCHEDULEVirtual2:00Wednesday, 3/12Afternoon Insights: Nuts and Bolts of Self-DeterminationVirtual4:30Wednesday, 4/2 Lunch and Learn Autism Awareness FDLRS - Lesson Pix Virtual 11:30 Wednesday, 4/2 FDLRS- Lesson Pix St. Cloud ES 4:00 Wednesday, 4/16 Afternoon Insights: Transition IEP and Moving Forward Virtual 4:30 Wednesday, 5/7 Lunch and Learn Strategies That Work- Managining Mental Health Virtual 11:30 Wednesday, 5/14 FDLRS - Topic TBD TBD Open Wednesday, 5/21 Afternoon Insights: Understanding Trauma Informed Care TBD 4:30 TBD- To Be Determined -
Family Inclusion Network (FIN) Statewide Family Series 2024-2025
Join the Florida Inclusion Network (FIN) for a series of statewide family sessions related to the best practices for supporting students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment (LRE).
For a complete list of sessions and corresponding links CLICK HERE
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Studio Movie Grill Special Needs ScreeningsStudio Movie Grill Sunset Walk will be hosting additional special needs screenings!
December 7: WickedDecember 14: Moana 2January 4: Sonic 3January 11: Mufasa: The Lion KingFebruary 8: Dog ManFebruary 22: Paddington in PeruMarch 1: The Unbreakable BoyMarch 1: Captain America: Brave New WorldMarch 28: Snow White (Live Action)April 12: MinecraftMay10: ThunderboltsAll shows are at 11:00 AM--the box office opens at 10:00 AM the day of the show for tickets.Special Needs Screenings are FREE for all family members of guests with special needs! Tickets are available at the Box Office as early as the Wednesday prior to showtime. -
FREE Books and Reading Activities
Help your child develop their reading skills with FREE books and reading activities from Florida's New Worlds Reading Initiative! -
New Worlds Scholarship Accounts Program
Effective July 1, 2023, the New Worlds Scholarship Accounts Program expanded eligibility to include public school students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 5 who:
have a substantial deficiency in either reading or mathematics;
exhibit characteristics of dyslexia or dyscalculia; or scored below a Level 3 on the statewide, standardized English Language Arts (ELA) or Mathematics assessment in the prior school year.
The eligible expenditures for reimbursement are: Instructional materials; curriculum; tuition and fees for part-time tutoring services; fees for specialized summer education programs designed to improve reading, literacy, or mathematics skills; and fees for after-school education programs designed to improve reading, literacy, or mathematics skills.
For more information on the scholarship please visit this
LINK
A partir del 1 de julio de 2023, el Programa de Cuentas de Becas Nuevos Mundos amplió la elegibilidad para incluir a estudiantes de escuelas públicas matriculados desde jardín de infantes hasta quinto grado que:
tener una deficiencia sustancial en lectura o matemáticas;
exhibir características de dislexia o discalculia; o obtuvo una puntuación inferior al Nivel 3 en la evaluación estandarizada estatal de Artes del Lenguaje Inglés (ELA) o Matemáticas en el año escolar anterior.
Los gastos elegibles para reembolso son: Materiales educativos; plan de estudios; matrícula y tarifas por servicios de tutoría a tiempo parcial; tarifas para programas educativos de verano especializados diseñados para mejorar las habilidades de lectura, alfabetización o matemáticas; y tarifas para programas de educación extraescolar diseñados para mejorar las habilidades de lectura, alfabetización o matemáticas.
Para obtener más información sobre la beca, visite esta ENLACE -
Do you belong to the ESE Remind group?If not... here is how you can join! This is just one more way you can access information on upcoming trainings, workshops, and important things happening in the department!!
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Do You Follow Us on Facebook?
If not, here is a link to do so! If you are wanting the most update to date information about parent trainings, resources, and other items that could benefit you and your child you should consider "LIKING" us on Facebook.
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Director for
Exceptional Student EducationHilary.Deluca@osceolaschools.net
Per Osceola County School Board Rule 9.60(VI), all non-Osceola School District Employees and Osceola School District Employees without badges must check in with the front desk staff of Administrative Building 1 at:
817 Bill Beck Boulevard
Kissimmee, FL 34744Once checked in, you may proceed to the department's physical location at:
805 Bill Beck Boulevard
Kissimmee, FL 34744Phone: 407-343-8700
Fax: 407-343-8626