Aurora Public Schools provide Special Education Services to students, birth through 21 years of age, as required by the federal law known as IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and Nebraska Department of Education’s Rule 51 and Rule 52. Thirteen disability categories are defined by the State of Nebraska. They include: autism, deaf-blindness, developmental delay, emotionally disturbed, hearing impairments, intellectual disability, multiple impairments, orthopedic impairments, other health impairments, specific learning disabilities, speech-language impairments, traumatic brain injury, and visual impairments. Children with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment.
The Aurora School District contracts for a visual consultant and other services, if needed, from the Educational Service Unit No. 9 in Hastings. Occupational therapy and physical therapy services are contracted from Memorial Hospital here in Aurora. All other certified and non-certified staff members are employed by the Aurora School District. Special education services are provided for 200+ students at Aurora Public School.
Aurora Public Schools has the philosophy of using a team concept in providing services to students with disabilities. Parents, classroom teachers, special educators, administrators, outside agencies, and other appropriate personnel work together to individualize the program for each special education student. Depending on the severity of the disability, students are provided with opportunities for academic assistance, skill development, vocational programming assistance with community living, development of self-help skills, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and linkages to post-secondary programs.
We provide educational opportunities for ALL students in our district by…
* serving our children in our community.
* providing academic experiences for children with diverse learning abilities.
* providing students with the necessary assistive technology to promote independence and opportunities to use them in a variety of settings.
* promoting interactions with same age peers and partnerships between general education and special education students.
* providing opportunities to learn and improve self-help skills, daily living skills, and vocational skills.
* providing social opportunities with other students, teachers and community members.
* developing lasting partnerships with community members, organizations and businesses in the Aurora area.
Email: jsutter@4rhuskies.org
Phone #: 402-694-6966
Job Description: Oversees the Aurora Special Education/Preschool Program – (Birth-21)
My mission is to … live by my values, promote a positive attitude, and to serve others on a daily basis.
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To qualify for special education services in the category of Autism, the child must have a developmental disability which:
– significantly affects verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction;
– is generally evident before age three; and
– that adversely affects the child’s educational performance.
– Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and
stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routine, and
unusual responses to sensory experiences.
Nebraska Department of Education – Rule 51 (Effective Date: May 15, 2010)
To qualify for special education services in the category of Autism, the child must have a developmental disability which:
– significantly affects verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction;
– is generally evident before age three; and
– that adversely affects the child’s educational performance.
– Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and
stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routine, and
unusual responses to sensory experiences.
Nebraska Department of Education – Rule 51 (Effective Date: May 15, 2010)
Aurora School District Specialists:
Anne Wilbur, School Psychologist – awilbur@4rhuskies.org
Sheri Thompson, Speech Language Pathologist – sthompson@4rhuskies.org
Carol Schuster, Speech Language Pathologist – cschuster@4rhuskies.org
Roxie Obermier, Resource Teacher – obermier@4rhuskies.org
Resources:
Tuck-Advancing Better Sleep (Autism Article) www.tuck.com/autism-spectrum-disorder-and-sleep/
Central Region Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) (This is Aurora’s region) http://www.esu10.org/programs-services/special-education-services/Autism
Nebraska Autism Spectrum Disorders Network (ASD) http://www.unl.edu/asdnetwork/
Autism Speaks http://www.autismspeaks.org/
Autism Action Partnership http://www.autismaction.org/
Social Thinking http://socialthinking.com/
Autism Internet Modules (AIM) – Linking research to real life. GREAT Free On-Line Training Resources!! Intervention Modules for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders including Home Base, Structured Work Systems and Activity Organization, Transitioning Between Activities, Visual Supports http://www.autisminternetmodules.org/
Autism Center of Nebraska in Omaha, NE
http://autismcenterofnebraska.org/
Telephone Number: 402-316-1000
Theory of Mind http://www.asperger-advice.com/theory-of-mind.html
You Tube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDtjLSa50uk
Autism Speaks Video Glossary – http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/video-glossary
OCALI You Tube Videos – http://www.youtube.com/user/ocalivideos?feature=watch
National Professional Development Center – Evidenced Based Practices Briefs –http://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/content/evidence-based-practices
Autism Society of America Online Course – http://www.autism-society.org/living-with-autism/how-we-can-help/online-courses.html
Illinois Autism Training & Technical Assistance Project – http://autism.pbisillinois.org/
National Autism Center – http://www.nationalautismcenter.org/
TARGET: Texas Autism Resource Guide for Effective Teaching – http://www.txautism.net/manual.html
ADEPT – Autism Distance Education Parent Training – http://media.mindinstitute.org/education/ADEPT/Module1Menu.html
To qualify for special education services in the category of Deaf-Blindness, the child must have concomitant hearing and visual impairments, the combination of which causes:
– severe communication needs;
– other developmental and educational needs.
Nebraska Department of Education – Rule 51 (Effective Date: May 15, 2010)
To qualify for special education services in the category of Developmental Delay, the child shall have a significant delay as measured by appropriate diagnostic instruments and procedures in one or more of the following areas and, by reason thereof needs special education and related services:
– cognitive development,
– physical development,
– communication development,
– social or emotional development,
– adaptive behavior or skills development, or
– a diagnosed physical or medical condition that has a high probability of resulting in substantial delay in function in one or more of such areas.
Nebraska Department of Education – Rule 51 (Effective Date: May 15, 2010)
To qualify for special education services in the category of emotionally disturbed, the child must have a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects the child’s educational performance or, in the case of children below age five, development:
– an inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors;
– an inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers;
– inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances;
– a general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; or
– a tendency to develop physical symtoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.
Nebraska Department of Education – Rule 51 (Effective Date: May 15, 2010)
To qualify for special education services in the category of Hearing Impairment, the child must have an impairment in hearing which:
– is so severe that the child is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing with or without amplification, or
– is permanent or fluctuating, and
– adversely affects the child’s development or educational performance.
Nebraska Department of Education – Rule 51 (Effective Date: May 15, 2010)
To qualify for special education services in the category of Intellectual Disability, the child must demonstrate:
– significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period,
that adversely affects a child’s educational, or in the case of a child below age five, a child’s developmental performance.
– this term parallels the federal definition of mental retardation in the regulations implementing IDEA 2004.
Nebraska Department of Education – Rule 51 (Effective Date: May 15, 2010)
To qualify for special education services in the category of Multiple Impairments, the child must have concomitant impairments (such as mental handicap-visual impairment, mental handicap-orthopedic impairment), the combination of which causes such severe educational, or in the case of a child below age five, a child’s developmental needs that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for one of the impairments.
Nebraska Department of Education – Rule 51 (Effective Date: May 15, 2010)
To qualify for special education services in the category of Other Health Impairments, the child must have:
* Limited strength, vitality or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational
environment that is due to chronic or acute health problems which adversely affects the child’s educational, or in the case of a child below age five, a child’s
developmental performance such as:
– asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophelia, lead poisoning, leukemia,
nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and Tourette syndrome.
Nebraska Department of Education – Rule 51 (Effective Date: May 15, 2010)
To qualify for special education services in the category of Specific Learning Disability, the child must have a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell or to do mathematical calculations. The category includes conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. The category does not include children who have learning problems that are primarily the result of visuals, hearing, or motor disabilities; of mental handicaps; of behavioral disorders; or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage.
Nebraska Department of Education – Rule 51 (Effective Date: May 15, 2010)
To qualify for special education services in the category of Speech-Language Impairment, the child must have:
* a communication disorder such as:
– stuttering;
– impaired articulation;
– language impairment; or
– a voice impairment.
Nebraska Department of Education – Rule 51 (Effective Date: May 15, 2010)
To qualify for special education services in the category of Traumatic Brain Injury, the child must have:
– an acquired injury to the brain caused by external physical force resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that
adversely affects the child’s educational performance, or in the case of a child below age five, a child’s developmental performance.
– the category includes open or closed head injuries resulting in impairments in one or more areas such as:
* cognition; language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem solving;
sensory, perceptual and motor abilities; psychosocial behavior; physical functions; information processing;
and speech.
Nebraska Department of Education – Rule 51 (Effective Date: May 15, 2010)
To qualify for special education services in the category of Visual Impairment, including blindness, the child must have:
– an impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects the child’s educational, or in the case of a child below age five, a child’s developmental
performance;
This category includes children who have partial sight or blindness.
Nebraska Department of Education – Rule 51 (Effective Date: May 15, 2010)
To qualify for services in the category Orthopedic Impairment, the child must have a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects the child’s educational, or in the case of a child below age five, a child’s developmental performance.
The category includes children with impairments caused by:
– congenital anomaly,
– impairments caused by disease (e.g., poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis), and
– impairments from other causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations and fractures or burns that cause contractures).
Nebraska Department of Education – Rule 51 (Effective Date: May 15, 2010)
Email: kdyer@4rhuskies.org
I am an Early Childhood teacher who supports, encourages, and loves children in a natural, risk-free environment.
My mission is to … encourage children to be themselves, engage in positive interactions with children and staff, and to facilitate change for kids and families.
Email: gweiss@4rhuskies.org
I provide deaf education to students attending Aurora Public Schools.
My mission is to … faithfully give my best, with humor, and good cheer.
Email: cchristenson@mchiaurora.org
I provide Occupational Therapy services to students attending Aurora Public Schools.
My mission is to … have positive interactions with students, staff, and parents; to enhance each child’s ability to participate in his/her school day, and to try to be a positive and kind person to all I encounter.
Email: keberly@mchiaurora.org
I provide Occupational Therapy services to students attending Aurora Public Schools.
My mission is to … engage each student to do their best, to build relationships based on trust, and to grow in knowledge and skill to be better able to serve.
Email: cknust@mchiaurora.org
I provide Physical Therapy services to students attending Aurora Public Schools.
My mission is to … provide each child with a positive learning experience, while promoting enhancement of gross motor skills, by creating a desire to remain physically active at school, home, and in the community.
Email: smerrihew@4rhuskies.org
I give Diagnosis and Therapy for students who qualify for services in the area of articulation, voice, fluency, language, and social skills.
My mission is to ... develop relationships, laugh, find success every day, and encourage kids to meet their potential.
Email: gayleen.moeller@esu9.us
I provide vision services for students enrolled in the Aurora Preschool through ESU #9.
My mission is to …conduct myself with a positive attitude, to recognize the whole child in each of one my students, to motivate them to explore the world around them, to believe every child is unique and is a blessing and deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.
Email: dmanka@4rhuskies.org
My mission is to …help and inspire the positivity, creativity & uniqueness of those I work with, help foster kindness, compassion, and connection, and make everyday a learning success!
Email: rduerksen@4rhuskies.org
My mission is to …be supportive and productive to staff while fostering independence
in children and families.
Email: dboehr@4rhuskies.org
I am a Resource teacher who helps supplement students in the general education curriculum.
My mission is to … provide a positive learning experience, recognize individual strengths, and collaborate with other team members.
Email: rgrosshans@4rhuskies.org
I am a Resource teacher who helps supplement students in the general education curriculum.
Email: zhigh@4rhuskies.org
I am a Resource teacher who helps supplement students in the general education curriculum.
My mission is to … impact, challenge, and make a difference EVERYDAY.
Email: lkrejdl@4rhuskies.org
I am a resource teacher who helps supplement students in the general education curriculum.
My mission is to … be an advocate for each individual and their abilities, to always teach with purpose, and to work to make a positive change.
Email: cschuster@4rhuskies.org
I give Diagnosis and Therapy for students who qualify for services in the area of articulation, voice, fluency, language, and social skills.
My mission is to … help my students become effective communicators.
Email: gweiss@4rhuskies.org
I provide deaf education to students attending Aurora Public Schools.
My mission is to … faithfully give my best, with humor, and good cheer.
Email: cchristenson@mchiaurora.org
I provide Occupational Therapy services to students attending Aurora Public Schools.
My mission is to … have positive interactions with students, staff, and parents; to enhance each child’s ability to participate in his/her school day, and to try to be a positive and kind person to all I encounter.
Email: keberly@mchiaurora.org
I provide Occupational Therapy services to students attending Aurora Public Schools.
My mission is to … engage each student to do their best, to build relationships based on trust, and to grow in knowledge and skill to be better able to serve.
Email: cknust@mchiaurora.org
I provide Physical Therapy services to students attending Aurora Public Schools.
My mission is to … provide each child with a positive learning experience, while promoting enhancement of gross motor skills, by creating a desire to remain physically active at school, home, and in the community.
Email: tbrophy@4rhuskies.org
My mission is to … help students develop active and creative minds, a sense of understanding and compassion for others, and the courage to act on their beliefs. By following my mission I will always set others up for success.
Email: mwilkins@4rhuskies.org
Email: jearnest@4rhuskies.org
Email: cepp-nelson@4rhuskies.org
My mission is to …Build positive relationships, make an impact, and make people smile.
Email: mkliewer@4rhuskies.org
My mission is to ... have faith in students and myself each day, have a positive attitude with students and all staff, help students reach their fullest potential, and be a positive role model for others by following the “Golden Rule”.
Email: tsmith@4rhuskies.org
My mission is to … help students utilize and improve skills they have, and to help them discover and develop new skills so they may achieve their full potential now and in the future.
Email: lwerner@4rhuskies.org
My mission is to … treat each child with patience and respect, encourage students to believe in themselves, and uplift all those around me with love and kindness.
Email: shoos@4rhuskies.org
I am a resource teacher who helps supplement students in the general education curriculum.
My mission is to … be caring, communicate, and collaborate with others.
Email: obermier@4rhuskies.org
I am a resource teacher who teaches students to achieve their own personal level of independence in everyday living.
My mission is to … advocate, be enthusiastic, and believe all students are capable of learning.
Email: asullivan@4rhuskies.org
I am a resource teacher who helps supplement students in the general education curriculum.
My mission is to …be positive, assist others, and promote life long learners.
Email: mjohansen@4rhuskies.org
My mission is to … do my best to help everyone around me feel valued.
Email: ktrumble@4rhuskies.org
Email: pshively@4rhuskies.org
I give Diagnosis and Therapy for students who qualify for services in the area of articulation, voice, fluency, language, and social skills.
My mission is to … carefully listen, take positive mindful action, and to assist students at their level of need.
Email: gweiss@4rhuskies.org
I provide deaf education to students attending Aurora Public Schools.
My mission is to … faithfully give my best, with humor, and good cheer.
Email: rbredthauer@4rhuskies.org
My mission is to … share my positive attitude with smiles and encouragement, use each opportunity to help others use their potential to learn and grow, and to make a difference in someone’s life by showing I care.
Email: ahudiburgh@4rhuskies.org
Email: eohlin@4rhuskies.org
My mission is to … ``Live to Love``, ``Every Day - Every Person``, and take ``One Interaction at a Time``.
Email: lspence@4rhuskies.org
Email: jcollingham@4rhuskies.org
My mission is to … be flexible, be firm, be compassionate, be caring, and deal with each situation as its own along with adapting to each students' needs.
Email: lwilliamson@4rhuskies.org
My mission is to …dedicate myself to the students of Aurora Public Schools to enrich their life through education of social skills and knowledge, and to prepare them for adult life.
Email: ktrumble@4rhuskies.org
Email: telge@4rhuskies.org
Resource teacher who helps supplement students in the general education curriculum.
Email: debmcdonald@4rhuskies.org
Resource teacher who helps supplement students in the general education curriculum.
My mission is to … inspire ALL children to learn, be true to my morals and values, and make a personal connection with students.
Email: obermier@4rhuskies.org
Resource teacher who teaches students to achieve their own personal level of independence in everyday living.
My mission is to … advocate, be enthusiastic, and believe all students are capable of learning.
Email: sthompson@4rhuskies.org
Diagnosis and Therapy for students who qualify for services in the area of articulation, voice, fluency, language, and social skills.
My mission is to … live each day with integrity, have a growth mindset, and empower others to achieve success.
Email: gweiss@4rhuskies.org
Providing deaf education to students attending Aurora Public Schools.
My mission is to … faithfully give my best, with humor, and good cheer.
Email: bbetts@4rhuskies.org
Email: dcooper@4rhuskies.org
My mission is to … “Encourage”, “Listen”, and help “Fill Students’ Buckets”.
Email: lheiser@4rhuskies.org
My mission is to … encourage students to do their very best job possible, to be a good listener, and to share my positive and caring attitude.
Email: mjohansen@4rhuskies.org
My mission is to … do my best to help everyone around me feel valued.
Email: dziegler@4rhuskies.org
My mission and privilege is to … utilize the tools necessary to ensure our students have the opportunity to succeed with their academics.
Email: awilbur@4rhuskies.org
Provides assessment services which are required to identify, diagnose, and verify students in addition to qualifying students for special education according to Nebraska Rule 51 for state regulations and standards; Teaching strategies for special education personel as well as classroom teachers; Behavior Consultant; Autism Specialist, RtI Team Member
My mission is to … look for and build upon people’s strengths, and appreciate and be enriched from each individual’s uniqueness.
Email: cchristenson@4rhuskies.org
Providing Occupational Therapy services to students attending Aurora Public Schools.
My mission is to … have positive interactions with students, staff, and parents to enhance each child’s ability to participate in his/her school day, and to try to be a positive and kind person to all I encounter.
Email: keberly@mchiaurora.org
Providing Occupational Therapy services to students attending Aurora Public Schools.
My mission is to … engage each student to do their best, to build relationships based on trust, and to grow in knowledge and skill to be better able to serve.
Email: cknust@mchiaurora.org
Providing Physical Therapy services to students attending Aurora Public Schools.
My mission is to … provide each child with a positive learning experience while promoting enhancement of gross motor skills, by creating a desire to remain physically active at school, home, and in the community.
Email: smerrihew@4rhuskies.org
Diagnosis and Therapy for students who qualify for services in the area of articulation, voice, fluency, language, and social skills.
My mission is to ... develop relationships, laugh, find success every day, and encourage kids to meet their potential.
Email: cschuster@4rhuskies.org
Diagnosis and Therapy for students who qualify for services in the area of articulation, voice, fluency, language, and social skills.
My mission is to ... help my students become effective communicators.
Email: pshively@4rhuskies.org
Diagnosis and Therapy for students who qualify for services in the area of articulation, voice, fluency, language, and social skills.
My mission is to … carefully listen, take positive mindful action, and to assist students at their level of need.
Email: sthompson@4rhuskies.org
Diagnosis and Therapy for students who qualify for services in the area of articulation, voice, fluency, language, and social skills.
My mission is to … live each day with integrity, have a growth mindset, and empower others to achieve success.
Email: gweiss@4rhuskies.org
I provide deaf education to students attending Aurora Public Schools.
My mission is to … faithfully give my best, with humor, and good cheer.
Email: gayleen.moeller@esu9.us
Providing vision services to students attending Aurora Public Schools.
