The next few weeks you will see changes to SIRAS which are intended to transition to the new CALPADS requirements.  Some of the updates must be released prior to full development.  When the development is completed, we will provide detailed directions of those changes. The development process may take some time to complete. They are working to ensure a smooth transition to meet the new CALPADS requirements. Thank you for your understanding  and patience during this transition.

Siras Systems Newsletter -     July 2023

IMPORTANT Information for all users in SIRAS

• The following form changes went into effect on July 1:  
  • A new form called Supplementary Supports / ESY Services / Transportation has been deployed. This form contains data that we have traditionally described on the LRE and SIS forms. Supplementary supports are additional support/consultation/training that are not directly linked to IEP goals.
     
  • As a result of an expanded transportation area on the new form, the Student Info and Services form is revised. The Least Restrictive Environment form is revised and no longer include consultations, additional supports and ESY.
     
  • The Transportation Worksheet has been uploaded to Tools/Document Library/Non-meeting forms to assist the IEP team in determining the need for special transportation.  
     
  • These changes are summarized on form changes ppt and training video are linked here.
     
• All active SIRAS records (IEP, 504 and SST) will be grade advanced on the weekend of July 15th-16th and Next Year's Data will be applied.
   
• The SIRAS Training server will be copied over from production on the weekend of July 29th-30th.  This means that any documents that you may have created in the training server will be deleted.  Download and save items from the training server in advance.
   
• SIRAS Office Hours with SELPA for Training of Trainers (ToTs)/Advanced Users/District Administrators have been scheduled for the 2023-2024 school year, beginning August 14. Check the SIRAS 4 Ventura Padlet for the flyer and zoom link.

IMPORTANT Information for SPED Data Administrators in SIRAS

•    The grade rollover and advancement of Next Year’s Data will occur on the weekend of July 15th- 16th.  See the instructions posted on the SIRAS 4 Admins Padlet for procedures prior to and following the rollover.

•    Prior to the rollover, finalize all meetings with dates on/before the rollover date.

•    Students with Pending IEP status and open Initial IEP meetings that will be transferring to another district, where parent consent is in one district and the Initial IEP will happen in another, close the meeting as abandoned and have the new district open a new Initial IEP with the same referral dates. Request assistance from [email protected] to open the new initial in the new district.

•    After the rollover, search for students who you anticipated would have been transferred upon the rollover.  For example, review the Statistical Reports for students with Active/Pending status by grade to see if you have students in 9th grade (and you are a K-8 district). If a student will not be continuing with you, inactivate the record and contact the next LEA to have them request the record.  

•    After the rollover, search for open IEP meetings with dates prior to July 15th.  It is best practice that they are finalized by Census Day. Remind staff they will need to be continued when school begins and that the team MUST contact the SIRAS Data Administrator when the meeting is finalized.  After the meeting is finalized, manually advance the grade level, and update the school and providers if needed. See the instructions posted on the SIRAS 4 Admins Padlet.

•    After the rollover, search for students without a Case Manager and assign one.  At that time, update your caseloads with new providers and school changes.

•    After the rollover, continue to follow up on IEP meetings finalized last year that did not have parent consent.  Print a list from Reporting/Meeting Reports/Predefined/Parent Contacted, No Response.  Narrow the meeting date criteria, e.g., 8/1/2022-current date, to limit meetings in the list from last year only.  Remember that meetings finalized this way last year, do not have the new year’s goals approved yet.  If parent consent is received because of your follow up, upload the signed document and update the parent consent.  Do NOT reactivate the meeting to complete these tasks.  Review your associated archive(s) and current data to make sure they were properly updated to reflect the new parent response.

•    Add Block Access and reassign student associations for staff who are not returning in the fall.  Make sure that remove their email address, phone number and district/school assignments.

•    Enter Progress Report dates and School Holidays in excess of 5 days in Tools/SELPA-District-School Admin for the 2023-2024 school year.  You do not need to enter all of your school holidays for the year, only school holidays that are in excess of 5 school days.

•    The SELPA’s Fall 1 training meeting is scheduled for September 5th, in-person at VCOE. All SIRAS, CALPADS and Admin staff are welcome to attend. Registration is now open on the SELPA website.

•    The SIRAS Data Network meetings (Office hours with SELPA for Data Specialists) have been scheduled for 2023-2024. Check the SIRAS 4 Ventura Padlet for the flyer and zoom link.

•    The schedule of SIRAS Support Webinars is posted on the SIRAS4CALPADS Padlet.
 

SST Tracker and the 504 Modules

>>>  504 Module - SIS Integration now available.  Click here for more technical information  
      Contact [email protected] for a quote and to arrange

The modules employ Transfer buttons on the MIS Summary page which move the student record from one module to another (for example, SST to 504 or SST to Special Education). If your district is interested in using either the SST Tracker or the 504 Plan Developer email Siras Systems for assistance to get started. 

Optional Costs:
   - Customized 504 Forms
   - SIS Integration of demographic and contact data
   - Training & Workshops

SIRAS CCSS Goal Alignment to Assessment & Worksheet Project
 

Siras Systems is looking for volunteers to assist in the development of short assessment worksheets connected to the goal stems when developed in the GoalWizard. Our hope is that we can combine our resources and efforts to develop material for CCSS goal stems.  SIRAS Systems will help coordinate and facilitate the development of the assessments, configure and import the files into SIRAS when complete. This project will take about a year to fully materialize. This cooperative effort benefits the outcomes of the students we serve. Users in the SIRAS family can easily and efficiently develop baselines, evaluate the student’s progress toward their goals, determine whether the goal is met and present this evidence at the annual review meetings.   Your participation and contribution to this project as a SELPA would be greatly appreciated by many.  All participants that assist would be added to our Acknowledgement page for professional recognition.  If you are interested in assisting with this project, email Steve Ormbrek at [email protected]