Special Education Advisory Committee
The Steamboat Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is an advisory committee that meets periodically to bring together parents, staff, students, and members of the community in order to make a positive impact on students with special needs and learning differences. We would love to have you join! The group is working on establishing a mission, vision and bylaws, but if you are interested in joining, contact Pete Wood and follow us on Facebook!
2023-2024 Meeting Schedule
SEAC monthly meetings will be held the third Wednesday of the month during the school year at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm at Steamboat Springs High School.
- September 20, 2023
- October 18, 2023
- November 15, 2023
- December 20, 2023
- January 17, 2024
- February TBD (Blues Break)
- March 20, 2024
- April 17, 2024
- May 15, 2024
SpEd Spotlights
![SpEd Spotlight: Creating a foundation for learning and acceptance — Norfranc’s story (English and Español)]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1688595415/steamboatschoolsnet/hkacd78dhvstkzhkwdjh/norfranc.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1688595415/steamboatschoolsnet/hkacd78dhvstkzhkwdjh/norfranc.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1688595415/steamboatschoolsnet/hkacd78dhvstkzhkwdjh/norfranc.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1688595415/steamboatschoolsnet/hkacd78dhvstkzhkwdjh/norfranc.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1688595415/steamboatschoolsnet/hkacd78dhvstkzhkwdjh/norfranc.jpg","width":1392}])
Special Education Advisory Committee
Norfranc Duarte Montenegro has come a long way, and not just in terms of his journey to Steamboat Springs. Norfranc moved to the area from Nicaragua just shortly before the start of the 2021-22 school year. Prior to his arrival in Steamboat, he had never been to school before.
![SpEd Spotlight: Strawberry Park Elementary has a ‘Dream Team’ of paraprofessionals]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1688595274/steamboatschoolsnet/j9avoidkrk5iatorg3du/paras2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1688595274/steamboatschoolsnet/j9avoidkrk5iatorg3du/paras2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1688595274/steamboatschoolsnet/j9avoidkrk5iatorg3du/paras2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1688595274/steamboatschoolsnet/j9avoidkrk5iatorg3du/paras2.jpg","width":1152}])
Special Education Advisory Committee
Within the halls of Strawberry Park Elementary School are three full-time paraprofessionals with individual passion for their jobs and collective compassion to do their best each day for all their students.
![SpEd Spotlight: Sharing a common language to open a new world]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1688595123/steamboatschoolsnet/u9nulqj27r8xu3i57o3p/alexandkatie.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1688595123/steamboatschoolsnet/u9nulqj27r8xu3i57o3p/alexandkatie.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1688595123/steamboatschoolsnet/u9nulqj27r8xu3i57o3p/alexandkatie.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1688595123/steamboatschoolsnet/u9nulqj27r8xu3i57o3p/alexandkatie.jpg","width":960}])
Special Education Advisory Committee
Alejandro (Alex) Jaquez Hernandez, a deaf fifth grader at Soda Creek Elementary, and his family moved to Steamboat Springs from Mexico. With English spoken at school and Spanish spoken at home and few resources to help him learn either, Alex had limited language and means of communication for most of his life. He had difficulty relating to others how he felt or what he needed. Understandably, this caused Alex to sometimes act out due to his frustration with his limited means of communication.
![SpEd Spotlight: Local student finds expression through creativity, art]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1688594906/steamboatschoolsnet/zgeplhbayswlcpgljeal/beninsnow.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1688594906/steamboatschoolsnet/zgeplhbayswlcpgljeal/beninsnow.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1688594906/steamboatschoolsnet/zgeplhbayswlcpgljeal/beninsnow.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1688594906/steamboatschoolsnet/zgeplhbayswlcpgljeal/beninsnow.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1688594906/steamboatschoolsnet/zgeplhbayswlcpgljeal/beninsnow.jpg","width":1536}])
Special Education Advisory Committee
Ben Wood is not a typical junior at Steamboat Springs High School. He is an artist and aspiring designer who has begun to make his mark on the Steamboat Springs School District and the local art community. Ben is also unique because he has autism and bipolar disorder.
Special Education and Exceptional Abilities Resources
- Steamboat Springs School District (SSSD) - The school district website with links to school websites, calendars, policies, and staff contact information.
- Colorado Department of Education (CDE), Special Education Rules and Regulations - Be familiar with federal and state laws that protect the rights of students with special needs. These include Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), and Exceptional Children's Educational Act (ECEA).
- Northwest Board of Cooperative Educational Services (NW BOCES) - NW BOCES is a cooperative service agency providing special education, professional learning, grant coordination, alternative teacher licensure, induction program and other services to its member school districts.
- Yampa Valley Autism Program (YVAP) - Ensuring autistic and developmentally disabled children and their families have access to the therapy and supports necessary to live their best lives.
- True North Support Services - True North provides services to individuals with disabilities within the Steamboat Springs area to enhance their quality of life both socially and within work and educational settings.
- Horizons - Horizons works in partnership with families and communities to expand opportunities for individuals with, or at risk of, developmental disabilities.
- Colorado ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) - Colorado’s savings program for people living with disabilities. A not-for-profit agency within the Colorado Department of High Education that receives no taxpayer funding, Colorado ABLE provides a diverse menu of tax-advantaged savings plans to help persons with disabilities save for their futures and promote independence, while protecting their eligibility for public assistance programs.
- Northwest Colorado Center for Independence (NWCCI) - The Northwest Colorado Center for Independence supports people with disabilities and seniors by connecting them with providers of housing, transportation, employment, assistive technology, access to benefits and independent living services.
- Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports (STARS) - Empowering and enriching lives through adaptive recreational activities. STARS offers year-round life-changing adaptive programs that promote independence, self-esteem, and a healthy lifestyle for youth and adults with disabilities.
- Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association - The mission of Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association is to assure inclusion and enhance independence of people with Down syndrome. We will achieve this by providing education, resources and support in partnership with individuals, families, professionals, and the community. Please, contact Siobhan Pritchard at siobhan.p.pritchard@gmail.com for more information.
- The Arc of Colorado - The Arc of Colorado promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. This mission is met by both legislative work and working with families and individuals to help navigate systems and agencies throughout the lifespan and provides free advocacy and systems navigation services to families and individuals who live with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Contact The Arc of Colorado through https://thearcofco.org/about/
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