Pseudopodia

Welcome to another, edge-of-your-seat, edition of live-blogging from the faculty meeting.  Today's meeting is a follow-up from last week.  Again, we are graced by the presence of "Turtle Neck Jacket Guy" (TNJG), who will take us through another riveting hour of state-mandated training.  Hang on to your seats, folks.  It's going to be another excursion into awesomeness:

We are called to action by the administrative staff.  Request to sign out on our way out.

TNJG is greeted by a smattering of sarcastic applause.  Some initial mic issues. 

A brief recap of last week.  On with the terms.  Back to FAPE in the LRE.  Now we're going to look at the specific laws.

Thirteen categories of SWD:  LD is #1 and Speech-Language Impairment is #2.

I can tell by the heated Living Environment curriculum taking place across my seat that the faculty is possibly less interested today than they were last week.

TNJG continues his lecture style from last week.  Driving through the material with a well-practiced cadence.  He is not distracted by loud noises or an inattentive staff.  Into disciplining SWD's and SPD's.

If a district doesn't write down their concerns about students, those concerns apparently do not exist.  I don't think I really understand the point TNJG is making here. 

A faculty member presentation expert is brought in to diagnose problems with the Powerpoint projection.  A brief interruption before a crucial determination that there is, in fact, no problem.  The show continues.

TNJG uses a brief informal poll about parental rights to refuse services.  I am correct in voting 'yes.'  Most faculty opt not to vote.

Lot's of discussions about "mom's" rights.  What about dad? 

There is a "soft wall."  I don't know what that is.

The faculty has entered a period of senescence.  Looking forward silently, waiting out the clock, polite and faux-attentive.

I have again noticed that there are no administrators in the auditorium.

TNJG is pouring on the jargon and situations.  He will not be stopped.

The word "Bifurcated" is in quotes and bold on the background slide.  This is a subtle cue as to its importance.

We are promised that the slides will be made available at the end of the meeting. 

IAES is determined by CSE. 

Informal quizzing of the teacher sitting next to me demonstrates that she can both grade papers and pay attention to the spiel at the same time.  Multitasking is always a plus in these situations.

TNJG wants to know if we have seen "Minority Report."  He is now recapitulating the plot, deems it a "very interesting concept."  This relates to a situation where a placement change for a SWD is accomplished by an IHO.

FAPE must be provided!  even when the FBA has been conducted and the BIP implemented, which happensad when the SWD is suspended for ten days or the conduct results in a disciplinary change of placement and conduct IS a manifestation.  I don't think the practice of capitalizing words on the same slide with acronyms is a great idea for a slideware presentation.

We are discussing the various "prongs" available to a district.

There is excitement in the hallway.  TNJG is non-plussed.

Congress has "blown open" the eligibility for 504 due to the Iraq war.

"pendency" a word that I suppose means the time period when something is pending.

TNJG is really getting into it as he goes in to what I assume to be his closing push. 

How would we feel if it happened to us?  Inform yourself.

An informal look around the room suggests that a not unsubstantial portion of the faculty is asleep or soon to be.

We are wrapping it up.  "If it ain't working, change it."

Summary slide:

• Got FAPE?  An evolving standard
• COLLABORATION & STAFF DEVELOPMENT:  General & Special Education
• Behavior Management (RTI Approach to Behavior SW-PBIS)

Is "Celeration" a word?  If not, then a slide needs to be changed.

Ten minutes ago, we were told TNJG had five minutes left.

Parent and Community Reach Out = "a hot & sexy topic."

And now it is over.  Questions?

So, there it is.  Part 2 of 2.  Sadly, most meetings are not quite so jam-packed. 

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