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Educational Site Visits
Register for a visit to one of the area's interesting and innovative educational programs. An informed host will accompany each tour.
Educational site visits will depart from the Colorado Convention Center. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Tours are fully accessible. If you require special assistance, please contact Jane Uffelman at janeu@cec.sped.org.
Ticket price for each tour: $39
You may register for Educational Site Visits for an additional fee when you register for the CEC 2012 Convention & Expo. If you have already registered for the convention, please call CEC’s Constituent Services at 1-888-232-7733 to register for the site visits. Get your ticket today!
Wednesday, April 11
Thursday, April 12
Friday, April 13
Site Visit 1: Anchor Center for Blind Children
2550 Roslyn Street
Denver, CO 80238
Date:Wednesday, April 11
Departs: 8:45 a.m.
Returns: 11:30 a.m.
Actual Program: 9:15 – 11:00 a.m.
Tour Capacity: 20
Focus: Visual Impairments; Early Childhood (Infants)
Description: The mission of Anchor Center for Blind Children is to teach infants and young children with visual impairments and their families. The program provides hope and a nurturing environment in which children reach their highest potential. Not only are the programs outstanding for young children with visual impairments, but the building is an award-winning facility that is a teaching tool itself. Designed to address the unique learning styles of young children who are blind or have visual impairments, the building has surpassed our highest hopes and uses a wide variety of tactile cues and appropriate lighting to help the children and their families find their way in a welcoming environment.
Site Visit 2A & 2B: The Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome
1806 Iris Street
Boulder, CO 80302
2A
Date:Wednesday, April 11
Departs: 8:45 a.m.
Returns: 12:45 p.m.
Actual Program: 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Tour Capacity: 15
Focus: Technology and Media; Developmental Disabilities
2B
Date:Wednesday, April 11
Departs: 11:30 a.m.
Returns: 3:00 p.m.
Actual Program: 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Tour Capacity: 15
Focus: Technology and Media; Developmental Disabilities
Description: The Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome, the first such home in the nation for individuals with developmental disabilities, uses technology to provide improved opportunities for independence and communication for our clients, while also maximizing staff time and minimizing energy costs and environmental impacts. The SmartHome truly serves as a working model for the future of residential care and as a research site for technologies for both staffed group homes and family home care across the nation.
The tour will show how technology is used by people with developmental disabilities to increase self sufficiency and engagement with the community. The visit will also demonstrate how technology enables staff members to provide the most efficient and effective care for the residents.
Each participant will receive a folder of information about the SmartHome.
Site Visit 3: Kearney Middle School
6160 Kearney Street
Commerce City, CO 80022
Date:Wednesday, April 11
Departs: 7:30 a.m.
Returns: 10:10 a.m.
Actual Program: 8:00-9:40 a.m.
Tour Capacity: 14
Focus: Instructional Design and Strategies (Mathematics Instruction in a Significant Support Needs Program)
Please Note: Visitors to Kearney Middle School will be divided into two groups and will have an opportunity to observe both classrooms.
Description: Ms. Bernacki, a third-year teacher in Adams County School District 14, spreads her enthusiasm and passion for learning to her students and other teachers at Kearney Middle School. Students on her caseload not only receive explicit instruction at their skill level, but meaningful opportunities for inclusion. She thoughtfully scaffolds each lesson to meet the diverse and individual needs of her students. With post school outcomes driving instruction, independence is emphasized throughout each day. Her positive attitude, high energy, and technology skills make her a dynamic, 21st century instructor. Ms. Bernacki is truly a model educator.
The District 14 Special Education Department has adopted the use of Language!, a comprehensive literacy curriculum, for students with identified reading needs, as an alternate to core literacy instruction grades 4-12. The 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Learning Specialists at Kearney Middle School utilize explicit, sequential, and cumulative lessons to engage students in instruction involving all components of literacy. Classes are typically multi-grade and consist of 8-12 students. Teachers incorporate Smart Board Technology, student engagement strategies, and Gradual Release of Responsibility during instruction.
Site Visit 4: Access Gallery
909 Santa Fe Drive
Denver, CO 80204
Date: Thursday, April 12
Departs: 12:30 p.m.
Returns: 3:00 p.m.
Actual Program: 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Tour Capacity: 15
Focus: Arts in Special Education; Career Development/Transition
Description: The Access Gallery offers a variety of options for students and adults with disabilities, ranging from mild to severe, to learn a variety of artistic modalities. In addition, students receive entrepreneurial training, job readiness skills, and support for the development of social skills. Student’s art is displayed in the gallery located in the Santa Fe Arts District, one of the largest concentration of galleries in the US. Local artists serve as mentors to the students who participate in this program.
Site Visit 5: Valdez Elementary School
2525 W. 29th Avenue
Denver, CO 80211
Date: Thursday, April 12
Departs: 9:00 a.m.
Returns: 11:30 a.m.
Actual Program: 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Tour Capacity: 20 - Attendees will be divided between 2 preschool classrooms and 2 intensive day school classrooms.
Focus: English Language Learners; Emotional and Behavioral Disorders; Early Childhood
Description: Valdez School is a dual language school that serves families from diverse socioeconomic and linguistic backgrounds. Enrollment is balanced with about 50% native Spanish speakers and about 50% native English speakers. Valdez students will graduate with the linguistic, academic, and social skills necessary to be successful and contributing bilingual members of our diverse society and economy. In ECE/K, 1st, and most of 2nd grade, students spend about 60% of each day in their native language environment, and about 40% of each day in their second language environment. By third grade and through fifth grade, students will receive half of their day in each language.
The Valdez Montessori model serves our ECE/Kindergarten students. These classrooms are multi-age; serving students ages three through six in ECE and kindergarten. The program for three and four year olds is half-day in the morning for three hours. Four year olds may extend their day and attend in the afternoon if teachers and parents agree they are developmentally ready according to our articulated criteria.
The Intensive Day School Center Program serves approximately 18 students identified as having significant emotional needs. The Intensive Day School Program is a highly structured setting that integrates rigorous academics with cognitive behavioral intervention. The program provides a consistent and safe environment for students in grades 2-5 who are struggling with mental health issues and are unable to benefit from a traditional Denver Public Schools classroom. The program has a strong parent component (Parent Empowerment) where students and parents explore and address barriers to learning including emotional and behavioral challenges in the context of family, community and school.
Site Visit 6: Stein Elementary School
80 South Teller Street
Lakewood, CO 80226
Date: Thursday, April 12
Departs: 8:30 a.m.
Returns: 11:30 a.m.
Actual Program: 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Tour Capacity: 20
Focus: Instructional Design and Strategies (Tiered approach for literacy instruction)
Description: All teachers at Stein Elementary School have had training and professional development in scientifically-based literacy instruction and intervention. This school implements clearly delineated tiers of instruction for all students. Data analysis is discussed at weekly meetings and instruction is aligned accordingly. Detailed decision-making protocols are in place. Stein received the Title 1 Distinguished School of the Year Award for the State of Colorado, and is also designated as a Center of Excellence. Student enrollment is comprised of approximately 75% English Language Learners, and approximately 90% Free/Reduced Lunch Rates. This school exhibits exemplary growth scores, including students with disabilities.
Site Visit 7A & 7B: Mortenson Elementary School
8006 South Iris Way
Littleton, CO 80128
7A
Date: Thursday, April 12
Departs: 8:00 a.m.
Returns: 11:30 a.m.
Actual Program: 8:45-10:45 a.m.
Tour Capacity: 20
Focus: Autism Spectrum Disorder
7B
Date: Thursday, April 12
Departs: Noon
Returns: 3:30 p.m.
Actual Program: 12:45-2:45 p.m.
Tour Capacity: 20
Focus: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Description: The ASD program at Mortenson Elementary School has recently been designated as a “Model Site for the State of Colorado.” It is considered to be one of the 4 “Intensive Needs” sites within Jefferson County Public Schools. Students are integrated into the general education classrooms to the greatest extent possible. The 2 teachers, 7 paraeducators, 1 full-time speech/language therapist, and 1 school psychologist are highly trained in meeting the individual physical, academic, behavior and emotional needs of the 20 students in the program, utilizing evidence-based practices for students with Autism. These students represent a wide range of abilities on the Autism Spectrum.
Visitors must sign a confidentiality oath and complete a “Look For” form.
Site Visit 8: DPS Bus Terminal
2810 W. 7th Avenue
Denver, CO 80204
Date: Friday, April 13
Departs: 8:30 a.m.
Returns: 10:15 a.m.
Actual Program: 9:00-9:45 a.m.
Tour Capacity: 15
Focus: Career Development/Transition
Description: DPS Student Services has partnered with the DPS Hilltop Bus Terminal to offer paid internships to high school students with disabilities who are interested in pursuing a career in auto mechanics. Students are paired with a mechanic and work side by side with them to learn basic tasks such as oil changes, transmission changes and brake replacement.
Site Visit 9: Carson Elementary School
5420 East 1st Ave.
Denver, CO 80220
Date: Friday, April 13
Departs: 9:00 a.m.
Returns: 11:00 a.m.
Actual Program: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Tour Capacity: 20
Focus: Communicative Disabilities and Deafness
Description: Carson Elementary Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) program offers a commitment to individualizing educational programming for DHH students. The primary focus is on an auditory oral approach supported by well trained staff.
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