Resources / Outreach

Workshops & Seminars

Monday August 10 through August 14, 2009, Schools Attuned Program:  Generalist Path.  Two-follow up days will be scheduled during the 2009-2010 school year. Click on: http://www.vfes.net/news_and_events.htm to register this course

What is Schools Attuned?

The Schools Attuned™ Program is a comprehensive professional development and service program for K-12 educators from All Kinds of Minds that offers K-12 educators new methods for recognizing, understanding and managing students with differences in learning.  When implemented within school, this program enriches the way in which all students are educated and gives teachers and their students a new way of viewing and talking about learning.

Schools Attuned™ embraces the philosophy and principles of All Kinds of Minds, a non-profit Institute dedicated to the understanding of differences in learning and committed to helping students who struggle with learning achieve success in the classroom and in life.  The Schools Attuned™ Program was designed using principles that reflect standards of professional development from the National Staff Development Council and current research on adult learning.  The program was guided by the need to develop content and instructional techniques that build upon educators’ wisdom of professional practice, ensure that educators are actively engaged in learning new content, develop capacity for reflection, and provide for classroom-centered follow-up.

Features

·         Focused study of eight neurodevelopmental learning constructs

·         35 instructional hours

·         10 follow-up experience hours

·         Ongoing online learning support

·         A yearlong commitment between the Schools Attuned™ Program participant and Valley Forge Educational Services

The Schools Attuned Program reflects the most current, research-based principles of professional development that changes teaching practice and has a positive impact on student outcomes.

Participants will be able to:

·         Use the All Kinds of Minds approach to support students’ unique minds, creating a constructive student learning environment

·         Gain confidence and increased efficacy in selecting and applying a variety of instructional strategies while meeting the learning needs of student groups and individuals

·         Develop comprehensive management plans for student learning strengths and weaknesses

·         Use a common language about learners and learning with colleagues, students, and families, which allows conversations about student learning challenges to move beyond labeling.

For further information, please contact Maria Kreiter, M. Ed., VFES Director of Conferences & Training, at 610-296-6725 x168 or makreiter@vfes.net.   Also, please note the program flyer.

Upcoming Offerings for 2009-2010 School Year

Dates and Times for 2009-2010 School Year TBD
Free Young Reader Readiness Screenings
As a service to the community, free young reader screenings for children 5 -7 years of age, will be conducted by Eileen Delaney, Reading Coordinator, at The Crossroads School.  Research shows that at an early age children can be reliably screened for the skills that must be present before reading and spelling can successfully develop.  The 30 minute free research-based screening will consist of a quick but thorough look at language skills necessary for reading acquisition and beginning reading skills.  A parental feedback session will follow.  Evaluations will take place at The Crossroads School.  Call Gloria Strock at 610-296-6765 to schedule an appointment.

Dates and Times for 2009-2010 School Year TBD
Free Kindergarten Reading Readiness Screenings
As a service to the community, free reading readiness evaluations for children who are eligible for kindergarten entry by September 1, 2009, will be conducted by Eileen Delaney, Reading Coordinator, at The Crossroads School.  The 30 minute free research-based screening will consist of a quick but thorough look at language skills necessary for reading acquisition and beginning reading skills.  Evaluations will take place at The Crossroads School.  Call Gloria Strock at 610-296-6765 to schedule an appointment.

To view programs and events offered by Valley Forge Educational Services, please visit:  http://www.vfes.net/news_and_events.htm.

Date TBD
Kindergarten Readiness Workshop - Identifying the at-risk learner during the pre-school years.  This is a free workshop for preschool directors and educators.  The workshop will examine the issues of identifying children who are at risk for learning differences.  Crossroads Assistant Head of School and Speech and Language Therapist, Dottie Mazullo, will show you how to look for "red flags" in multiple areas of development and make appropriate recommendations for intervention. In the event of inclement weather, please listen to KYW Radio for our school number: 836.  Snow date:  TBD  Act 48 Credit provided.