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2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories 'We tried to de-escalate it' App Finder: Top tax apps Emergency Services West Medford neighbors welcome program to feed homeless, but want bathrooms added Eight vie for Medford School Board positions Crime, Courts and Emergency Services 'We tried to de-escalate it' Emergency Services Boyfriend gets 20 years for abuse of toddler Pursuit of stolen car in Medford ends with crash, power outage Emergency services, March 19 Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Education Eight vie for Medford School Board positions Proposed Medford textbook raises constitutional concern North Medford High School principal to retire in June Southern Oregon University's building boom adds up to $130 million South Medford, Ashland, St. Mary's students building video game Environment Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Odd visitors found off Oregon Coast Forum explores data gathered in Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Herptilian haven Proposed new rules for Oregon critter catchers would require the killing of nuisance animals State News Bend company's aim: Connect investors to Africa Brown proposes $1 billion in California drought spending Are they decorations or desecration? The Dalles Standoff: Suicide by smoke inhalation Officials urge meningitis shots at University of Oregon Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices David Braden Frohnmayer Ray Houck Death Notices Geneva Rosel Canty Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Sports Latest Stories Grants Pass duo tops Crater tourney Thomas pitches North Medford past Henley Harden erupts for 50 in Rockets victory Djokovic reaches semifinals via walkover Grandma dies, then Hoffman takes lead Varsity 541 College Sports Despite critics aplenty, UCLA surprises SMU on rare 3-pointer Beavers ready for NCAA home date Familiar feeling greets Ducks, Cowboys Early exit for Colorado State at NIT BSU loses heartbreaker Pro Sports Harden erupts for 50 in Rockets victory Djokovic reaches semifinals via walkover Grandma dies, then Hoffman takes lead Cavs pick up 14th straight at home Federer, Nadal, Murray reach quarters Community Sports Business Latest Stories Blog: Three Cheers for Today! Test Drive: 2015 Subaru Outback Limited Silvio Calabi: 2015 Cherokee is a modern Jeep Oregon winemaking emerges as mighty agricultural force Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Real Estate News East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Our View: Textbook authors' reasoning hard to fathom Letters to the Editor, March 20 Michael Gerson: Hillary Clinton's Nixonian path to office Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Antionette Kerr: Some items shouldn’t fly with TSA Editorials Our View: Textbook authors' reasoning hard to fathom Our View: White House public records move is less than sunny Our View: Where the wild things shouldn't be Our View: Keeping the light trained on government Other Views: State must rein in medical marijuana Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 20 Letters to the Editor, March 19 Letters to the Editor, March 18 Letters to the Editor, March 17 Letters to the Editor, March 16 Columns Michael Gerson: Hillary Clinton's Nixonian path to office Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Dana Milbank: GOP budget is one big gimmick George Will: Kasich waits in the wings Kathleen Parker: Hillary and the Media: Act 2016 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Guest Opinion: Return to clearcutting is wrong approach for counties Guest Opinion: Plan a Hawthorne playground for all children Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Lifestyle Latest stories Looking Up: Looking for the zodiacal light Ocean salmon look plentiful off the Southern Oregon coast this year, but next year's a different story (No heading) Wood bison to roam Alaska again Health Watch: 5 tips for seasonal allergy relief Food Eat this, not that Peanut allergy breakthrough Eat your sprouts More fast food perils Pork perfection: Consider pork steaks instead of ham for the Easter dinner table Home and Garden Hello, honey: Invite bees for a lush garden Understand home inspection Dear Monty: Tips for checking out an existing septic system Garden Cameos: Now is the perfect time to spot wildflowers Paul Rogers: It’s time to assess the damage to yards Health Health Watch: 5 tips for seasonal allergy relief A better bedtime Studying stress Eat this, not that Peanut allergy breakthrough Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs Religion News: Presbyterian Church gives approval on same-sex marriage Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Here's five top entertainment picks for the coming week Alt-rock band Key of Three is a contender this weekend at Rising Stars Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Theater Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Review: Thanks for the Memories pulls off challenging 'Anastasia' Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' Music Alt-rock band Key of Three is a contender this weekend at Rising Stars Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville Rogue Valley Chorale presents 'A Festival of Choirs' at the Craterian Theatre SOU's Chamber and Concert choirs present 'Songs of Passion' Community Events Rogue Valley artist Linda Evans' pastel paintings capture landscapes of Southern Oregon Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Dining Jasmine Thai Cuisine Restaurant Inspections Agave offers gourmet tacos, tamales, ensaladas and more Serra storms Seattle Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW 'We tried to de-escalate it' ... Our View: Textbook authors' reasoning hard to fathom ... Emergency Services ... 'We tried to de-escalate it' ... Our View: Textbook authors' reasoning hard to fathom ... Emergency Services ... STEPS Plus serves kids with special needs The ESD program will be housed in the former South Medford High School building Eleven-year-old Marina Dillard's autism gives her an excess of nervous energy she has to release through physical activity before she can calm down enough to sit and study her school lessons. Comment By Paris Achen MailTribune.com By Paris Achen Posted Jul. 6, 2010 at 12:01 AM By Paris Achen Posted Jul. 6, 2010 at 12:01 AM » Social News Eleven-year-old Marina Dillard's autism gives her an excess of nervous energy she has to release through physical activity before she can calm down enough to sit and study her school lessons. For the past six years, she's been unable to find a school setting that could accommodate her need to expend her distracting supply of energy, says her mother, Tracy. "My daughter has to move; she has to bounce," Tracy says. "It's almost as if she has to feed her sensory needs in order to learn." Marina and others like her could find relief next year when the Southern Oregon Education Service District debuts a program called STEPS Plus at the old South Medford High School for about 20 K-12 students with severe special needs. The program is based on the STEPS program, which serves students, ages 5-21, with severe or multiple disabilities, including severe retardation, autism, orthopedic, traumatic brain injury and other medical needs. "Plus" signifies that the new program provides more intense assistance. "These students require a lot of staffing and one-on-one support and environmental changes," says Sandra Crews, ESD special education director. "They might need to be alone for a while, or they don't handle sensory stimulation very well. These kids will be much happier and ready to learn if they're in an environment that is set up for their needs." Special education directors in the ESD's three-county service area, including Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties, have been envisioning the program for at least three years, Crews says. The ESD serves some students with special needs on behalf of school districts in its service area because it offers special services that might not be available in the district. The recently vacated space at the old South Medford building provides an opportunity to make their vision a reality, says Tania Tong, Medford School District student services supervisor. In partnership with the Medford district, the ESD is renovating nearly 6,500 square feet on the east wing of the former South Medford High School and customizing the space to meet the needs of students with high sensory needs, such as Marina, and other severe behavioral and cognitive challenges. The space will include an office and three classrooms furnished with special equipment for the students' needs and plenty of windows and mirrors so the staff can always observe students. One room, called the sensory-motor room, is reserved for addressing students' sensory needs. For example, there will be a trampoline on which Marina can bounce. Other students with autism crave being wrapped up tightly, so the program will have special sleeping bags available to them to satisfy that sensory need, Crews says. The Medford district is paying $194,000 for the renovations, but that expense will be passed on to the ESD in the lease price, set at $3,500 per month. The 20 students in the program will be divided into two groups of 10. Each group will attend the program for three hours, either during a morning or afternoon session. They will have access to a special education teacher and five teacher's aides each day, as well as a speech pathologist, occupational and physical therapist, an autism specialist and a psychologist one day a week. The annual cost of the program is $32,448 per student, which represents a savings for some students who have been dispersed throughout the ESD. The new program allows the ESD and district to consolidate resources and avoid costly home and private placements for the most challenged students, which can cost $60,000 per year, Crews says. The program includes monthly parent meetings, complete with child care, so parents can connect with each other and communicate with teachers. "These are parents who have been struggling with their children and maybe never found services that gave them enough support," Crews says. "Connecting with other parents who have the same concerns is very valuable." Tracy calls the program "a dream." "I could not ever turn this down," she says. "There is not a chance." In addition to the new STEPS Plus program, two other special education programs will move to the old South building in the fall. One of the ESD's regular STEPS classes of about 10 secondary students will be located in the building. A program called Transition, for students who graduate with a modified diploma and need help learning skills to live on their own or find a job, also will move from North Medford High School to the old South building. A "modified" or "extended" diploma is for students who cannot complete a regular diploma because of special needs. About 28 students are projected to participate in the program next year, Tong says. They will share some community activities with students at Medford's alternative high school, which also is moving to the old South building, but will have their own space in the building, she says. Reach reporter Paris Achen at 541-776-4459 or e-mail [email protected]. By Paris Achen MailTribune.com By Paris Achen Posted Jul. 6, 2010 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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