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February 2022
Greetings -
This February, it’s exciting to anticipate moving into a new season. Soon, we will see daffodils emerging from hibernation, the trees starting to bud and our days getting longer. This signals a time of growth and our program continues to meet that calling.
We look forward to strengthening our relationships with families and community partners this year. Part of our work in early learning is acting as that bridge that reliably supports children and their families toward a successful educational experience. In recent years, we have refocused our efforts on not only providing quality services to children with disabilities, but also making sure children who are experiencing disabilities are having a full childhood experience. We believe that for many children, that means learning alongside their typically developing peers.
When children with and without disabilities learn together in inclusive settings, every child benefits. This month we are pleased to feature the work of the Tigard-Tualatin School District. Staff there created an inclusive prekindergarten classroom at Metzger Elementary that celebrates every child and gives students the opportunity to experience their similarities and differences. As the lead teacher Peggy Reilly shares, this gives students the opportunity “to learn that being different from one another is a normal part of life.”
We celebrate their success and are pleased to call them a partner.
In this month’s newsletter, we have also included resources for Black History Month and Valentine’s Week and links to upcoming events.
As always, I’m available if you have any questions. Please email Sabine Eaton at seaton@nwresd.k12.or.us to get in touch.
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In solidarity-
Johnna Timmes
Executive Director of Early Learning
P.S. Northwest Regional ESD is hiring! We have dozens of job openings across the region. If you are looking for a flexible schedule, we are also hiring substitute teachers and support staff. We offer a generous benefits package for full-time positions, including full medical benefits, generous leave, access to a pension and access to various tax-sheltered accounts. We are also proud of our continuous commitment to becoming an antiracist, multicultural organization. Visit our careers page.
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Extend the Love Through the Rest of This Week
This week kicked off with Valentine's Day celebrations. Here are some ideas for keeping that momentum going so you can read and learn about love, caring and friendship alongside your children.
Many books now have read-aloud videos available on YouTube.
Check out these Valentine-themed read-alouds:
Other resources for Valentine’s Week:
Make a Valentine’s keepsake using your child’s handprint.
You just need paper, pens and some paint (plus soap for the clean up!). Apply paint to your child’s hand and then press it against the paper. Once it dries, you can ask them for five reasons why they love grandma, grandpa, a sibling, mom, dad, a friend, etc. Write those reasons next to each finger and then share it with that person through text, email, mail or in person!
If you are an educational provider and have seen something that really works, please email communications@nwresd.k12.or.us to have your tip featured.
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The movement toward inclusive preschools—a preschool that includes students with and without disabilities—has been gaining momentum in recent years. These types of inclusive settings include general and special education teachers.
“I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for all students to be learning and growing together,” says Johnna Timmes, the executive director of early learning at Northwest Regional ESD. “All children should have the same access to learning opportunities and resources.”
That’s why Northwest Regional ESD recently shifted many services that were traditionally provided at early childhood special education classrooms to more inclusive settings. At the same time, we are expanding our efforts to find children placements in community preschools and child care centers. That means more young children are learning alongside their typically developing peers while simultaneously receiving special education support and services.
The Tigard-Tualatin School District has been particularly successful in its efforts to expand inclusive preschool for students in the Tigard-Tualatin boundary area. In 2018, Tigard-Tualatin opened its inclusive preschool in Beaverton and operated it at a Northwest Regional ESD site. A year later, the program moved to Metzger Elementary School in Tigard.
Are you a preschool or child care provider who wants to be featured? Email communications@nwresd.k12.or.us to share more about what it’s like to work with NWRESD’s EI/ECSE program.
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Tips to Help Preschoolers with Special Needs during the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially hard for families of children with special needs. The article below includes ideas for creating opportunities for socialization with other children and taking a play-based approach to learning.
Check out these five tips for helping preschoolers with special needs.
Research Study Seeks Parents, Caregivers to Test New Web-Based Resource
Do you have a child with an intellectual or developmental disability who is between the age of 2-6? You could be eligible to participate in a research study that will test a new web-based training program specifically built for parents and caregivers of young children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants will be paid for their time.
Learn more about this research study.
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You’re Invited to Attend the NWRESD Foundation’s Virtual Gala
After a one-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Northwest Regional ESD Foundation is hosting a virtual gala from 5-6 p.m. on Thursday, March 3. Join us for an evening of celebration and storytelling about the work the foundation does in partnership with Northwest Regional ESD.
Keynote speakers will be:
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Maria Caballero Rubio, executive director of Centro Cultural
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Ari Shapiro, host of National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered”
Join a Community Conversation on High School Graduation Requirements
What do you think students should know and do to graduate from high school? Your input will help the Oregon Department of Education make recommendations to the state legislature about how to make high school graduation requirements work better for all kids. This conversation is for students and families in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties.
Join us for a virtual conversation on Zoom from 6-8 p.m. on March 9. Send questions, interpretation or accommodation requests to info@oregonskitchentable.org.
Register for a community conversation about graduation requirements.
Kindergarten Transition
If your child will be starting kindergarten this fall, please join us for a virtual session about how to make a successful transition to kindergarten. We will provide useful tips for preparing for an IEP meeting, registering your child for school and understanding the difference between early childhood and school-age services.
In partnership with Paulina Larenas and Noelle Sisk, we are hosting a kindergarten information session via Zoom from 6-7:30 p.m. on March 9 to help families prepare for kindergarten. This event will be held in English and Spanish.
Learn more and register.
Zones of Regulation & Other Supports for in the Home
This free training is for parents and child care providers in Washington, Columbia, Tillamook and Clatsop counties. Presented by Julia Mace, occupational therapist, in collaboration with NWRESD, participants will learn tips for co-regulation with your child and strategies for using the Zones of Regulation at home. Join us from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on March 15. This event will be held in English and Spanish.
Learn more and register.
Reinforcements in the Classroom for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
This free training is open to child care providers in Washington County. It will be held from 6-8 p.m. on March 16. Participants will learn and explore strategies to help reinforce positive behaviors in children on the autism spectrum.
Learn more and register.
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Our Early Learning programs support children, families and child care providers. Our Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education programs focus on children ages birth to 5 who are experiencing disabilities. These programs work with children and families who live in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties.
We also operate three programs that support child care providers and families in Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties. Our Child Care Resource and Referral program works to strengthen the skills of child care providers and builds child care capacity in the region. The Northwest Parenting Hub offers classes and support to parents and families. Our Early Learning Hub works to ensure children are ready for kindergarten.
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For families in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties
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For families in Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties
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