The Eastern Region of the International Dyslexia Association

Check out the Haan Foundation "Power4Kids" Website

2009-07-29T15:03:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Cynthis Haan and her husband, Ron, are the founders of the Haan Foundation for Children; they are currently helping to fund the largest clinical trial of reading intervention ever conducted in our public schools. This research project is called "Power4Kids". You will find partnerships with some of the nation's most prominent researchers in the areas of literacy and reading assessment as well as other noted collaborators--go to the Haan Foundation "Power4Kids" website and you will see many names connected with IDA that you recognize!

Take a gander around the website to find summaries of the foundation's beliefs, purpose, and some highly memorable quotes. "Power4Kids"is striving to provide evidence-based facts about what works best for which kids under which conditions. This is one of my favorite quotes about improving the effectiveness of American education by concluding that:

"Instruction for early readers in phonemic awareness and phonics, and guided oral reading with feedback (the average student in these interventions reads more proficiently than approximately 70% of students in the control group)." Sounds like someone else is playing our song--what do you think?

I think this is one research project we will all want to watch!! Let me know your thoughts on the website.

Making Better Use of Our Blog

2009-07-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

It seems as if our Eastern Region IDA blog is not being used as much as I hoped it would be! I would like to receive some feedback from you folks about how we can rejuvenate this modern opportunity to have meaningful dialogue between the branches in our region, parents, IDA members, and professionals . After all, the blog can take about any form we might like it to assume. We can discuss IDA news, upcoming events, branch happenings, or professional questions relative to dyslexia. I see blogs all the time on netflix and various news shows, and they work well-- so, with individuals as passionate as we are about dyslexia we ought to be experiencing some thoughtful exchanges.

Here is one area that I am interested in knowing more about. Are you increasing in the number of I & R calls that you receive each month and how are you handling them? The VA Branch is thinking of some updated ways of managing this that I am sure the new VBIDA president, Leslie Daise, or the Branch Manager/Webmaster and Designer, Jackie Jones, would love to share with you. So, let us hear what you are doing and if it is an efficient approach to providing info to the public.

So, please advertise our blog on your website (easternregionida.blogspot.com) and let's get some notes flying!!

What's in Your Collection of Professional Books??

2009-03-14T16:29:00.003-07:00

Have you looked among your bookshelves lately to see old favorites or new titles worth sharing? I find that IDA folks are always reading and improving their knowledge base. If you have a noteworthy article or book that you think someone else might find edifying, please send it along. Here is a short list from me to get this item going:

1. Voice of Evidence in Reading Instruction- edited by Peggy McCardle and V. Chhambra, published by Paul Brookes

2. Shelly, The Hyperactive Turtle- a book for kids by Debra Moss, published by Woodbine Pub.

3. Asperger's Syndrome, A Guide for Parents and Professionals- by Tony Atwood, published by Jessica Kingsley

4. "Why Teaching Phonics Must Change"- this article discusses teaching student to write words before they read them; Association for Supervision for Curriculum Development, Educational Leadership, September 2008 by Jeannine Herron

5. Using Both Sides of Your Brain by Tony Buzan, published by Penguin Group

6. Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin, published by Vintage Books

Anybody Looking for Games That Match OG Instruction??

2009-03-14T16:19:00.000-07:00

Many tutors, teachers, parents and language therapists that use OG as the basis for their instruction, which is based on the "Alphabetic Principle", have mentioned the need to find fun and interesting games that will support reading instruction. I would like to provide you with a brief list that you might find useful. Please feel free to add to this list as you share your picks for a way to reinforce lessons. My list includes:

1. Games by "Washington Reads"- an example, "Don't Be Greedy" card game

2. An interesting game called "Snatch" found on Amazon and published by US Games Systems

3. Moose Materials made by a former Jemicy School teacher Janet Jones

4. Whizizzle Phonics found on the Wiggity Bang website

5. Bee Smart Concepts- includes card and board games

6. JB Games- found on the website ogtutoring games.com

5. The Brainy Bear Learning Games

Accessing the IDA Live Learning Center

2009-03-14T15:19:00.000-07:00

If you attended the 2007 and 2008 National IDA Conferences, please take advantage of the Live Learning Center which will enable you to listen to recorded sessions of interest. The sessions that are available to view are indicated by a blue speaker icon located beside the session title. These sessions may be downloaded to your MP3 files, computer, or ipod. Your computer will have to have "a media player" feature in order to play the sessions.

I have downloaded only one, and it was fabulous. This is a wonderful added feature to our membership benefits!

If you have any questions or problems accessing this service you can email Gina Caliboso; her email address is: ginac@cmcgc.com. The link for this service is: http://www.softconference .com/ida or you may call Content Management Corporation. Their toll free number is 888-711-1138, Ext. 241 (9am- 5 pm EST). I found these folks really helpful. You will need to create a user name and password. The company's records must be checked via a list furnished from IDA that you were a conference attendee before the process of downloading the sessions can begin.

Good luck and let others know what you think of this added benefit!!

Eastern Region IDA Branches Continue a Steady Pace of Activities

2009-03-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

One aspect of my job as a Region Rep. is to hear of the myriad of activities and programs in which the branches in this region are engaged. This blog will provide the means of sharing those accomplishments with each other! It is a great way to celebrate and document those achievements-- so, let's take a look at some of the "goings on" that have happened or will happen. Readers might wish to comment as to whether these programs are of sufficient interest and quality to be used in other areas.

I.DC Branch-

Presentation with Rich Weinfeld called "Demystifying the Sp. Ed. Process"-11/08/08

Program with Dr. Robert Mapou, Ph d. on "Research and Informed
Assessment of Learning Disabilities in Older Adolescents and Adults" - 2/28/09

Linda Farrell will present a "Dibels Training" -5/2/09

Wilson Training this summer- 6/22-6/24/09

II. Ohio Valley-

March Conference featured Linda Farrell

Outreach Program at a local Mall

College Night to be held at a local High School

OV Branch Members involved in instructing Intervention Specialists
of the 15 lowest performing schools in Cincinnati Public Schools using OG instruction

Summer O/G Practicum is mid June to July and a graduate credit course
through Miami Univ.

Parent Support Group cotinues

Continued work at the state capital on the Dyslexia Legislation to enact a Dyslexia Law

III. PA-

"Dyslexia Awareness" month activities include 2009 keynote speaker, Dr. Maryanne Wolfe, speaking in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh for their annual Fall conference

IV. VA-

Annual Winter Conf. with Louisa Moats as the Keynote Speaker on professional development of reading teachers on 3/6-3/7/09

Continued work all over the state holding their Educational
Series"Feast and Forums" with such topics as medical and non-
medical treatments for ADD/ADHD with Dr. Steve Butnick- Capital Region 3/30/09

Multi-Sensory Math with Blair Chewning Capital Region 4/27/09

Strategies for Teaching LD students with Patti Watson- Central Region 3/30/09

Graphic Organizers & Visual Tools for Writing, including storyboarding with Lisa Holland, Southwest Region 4/23/09

IDA's New Executive Director: A Man with Many Ideas

2009-03-14T08:17:00.001-07:00

If you haven't had the occasion to meet our new Executive Director, Steve Peregoy, then you need to take the opportunity to talk with him at our Spring Meeting in April! Since Steve was hired last Fall to assume his leadership position in IDA, he has been quite busy working with his staff and IDA leaders to develop new ideas to move IDA along professionally and financially. Steve is an inspiring and energetic man with a "can do" attitude about the positive changes he believes are possible through the teamwork and passionate committment of us all. Here are some of the recent endeavors which Steve has been developing:

I. New Office Staff- Steve found an office badly in need of additional staff to assist with the ever-growing needs of IDA Headquarters to serve 47 branches and 9 global partners. These postitions include: Anna Reuter, Dir. of Field Services; Carol Phillips, Dir. of Special Projects; Linda Marston, Dir. of Operations; and Kristen Penczek, Dir. of Conferences. Additionally, there has been a name change of "Field Services" from "Branch Services" as a better title to describe the greater extension of services to branches here in the US and our Glorbal Partners around the world as well! I will look forward to introducing you to these folks who are eager to join our hard-working veteran staff and the IDA Association.

II. Strategic Planning Process- Steve believes that a Strategic Plan must be implemented to advance the mission and the results of IDA's goals. He has designed a detailed timeline with 5 phases, appropriate goals and steps for reaching those goals. Steve feels that this process should take us between Jan. '09 to an approved action plan by Dec. 1st, 2009. The idea is to include all stakeholders to determine how to strategically manage our organizational resources to get the desired outcomes. Each of you has received an email encouraging you to participate in this process. A first step began with our Branch Council Survey calls that Regional Reps. completed in January. The next step involves some stakeholders receiving CDs with audio about how the planning process will occur. Steve is interested in having everyone provide input and to participate actively in this process; this will occur through conference calls, webinars etc. When approached, please set some time aside to become part of the inclusive stakeholders who will guide the decision-making to manage our association for the years to come!

III. Vehicle Donation Program-Steve is initiating the Vehicle Donation Program as a potential new revenue for IDA and its branches. You should have received an explanation about how this program will work and what it will mean for our organization and its branches. Just think...for donations from your branch, 10% of all money raised will be returned to your branch!! After the program generates $100,000 in donations, branches will get 20% of revenues raised by their group. All transactions will be handled throug the Insurance Auto Auctions. Steve's experience with the MD lung association was that substantial dollars can be earned through this means. With an economy in recession, this seems like an profitable, "no-brainer" as a way to keep our finances moving in an upward direction. Please consider donating your car to keep IDA and its mission financially sound!!

Spring Meeting Fast Approaching- April 24th-26th 2009

2009-03-14T07:19:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year when all IDA staff and leaders meet for their annual Spring Meeting in Towson, Maryland! Plans have been in the works for months to make this an informative time for learning new information, networking with old friends and new, and meeting some of our new HQ office staff. It is vital that you make your travel arrangements by March 21st to get the best deals. Otherwise, it adds extensive costs to our meeting that could be dollars saved for much worthier endeavors. Please schedule your return travel arrangements after 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 26th.

Shuttles are expensive, so please let Christy know of your travel schedule as soon as possble. Due to escalating costs for this meeting in all areas, we are looking for ways to minimize our expenses. Sharing shuttle rides is economical and fun too!! So, with your help, Christy can better plan combining trips and folks to get us on our way.

Throughout the weekend, there are optional workshops, a New Presidents' Orientation, and a reception and dinner buffet with HQ staff, the National Board, and the Branch Council members. Yes, there will be an SOE Help Desk available with the introduction of the new and improved SOE system! You will get an opportunity to do a "walk-around" to meet Board presidents with practical ideas; there will be presentations of leadership topics to assist you as a branch president --financial and fundraising issues will also be discussed; there will awards given and branches recognized. This will be a chance for you to meet some new presidents from within our region. They are: Charlotte Andrist from Central Ohio; Larry Orrach from Northern Ohio; Jeanne Anderson from Ohio Valley.

You will also learn about the new policy that has been developed by the BCEC to elect Regional Representatives. Please be thinking about who you would like to serve you in this position as the end of my second term ends in December. If you have any other questions or concerns about this meeting, don't hesitate to let me know.

2009-03-13T18:14:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the New Eastern Region, IDA Blog!

2009-03-13T17:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the new collaborative place or "blog" to communicate our ideas and achievements for the Eastern Region IDA. As a result of the recent surveys done with each branch within our region to provide ideas for the New Stragegic Planning Initiative, a new means is being created for us to openly share our thoughts. Dr. Anthony Henley, President of the DC Branch had suggested that IDA develop a ListServe as a means of managing our "group emails" and discussions. As a possible first step in that direction, it is hoped that you will join this blog to connect us in an ongoing basis to read what's new or interesting, comment, and provide the type of "techno" dialogue that will effectively use each of us as a resource for information and expertise.

Happy blogging...