Dyslexia Awareness 2024 Virtual Event Interested in a quick review of dyslexia basics? You may want to take advantage of this October 15th virtual presentation sponsored by one of our partner IDA branches. Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 6pm-7:30pm, IDA Southern CA Tri-Counties Branch A 30,000 Foot Overview of Dyslexia […]
Update: Universal Reading Screening in California In 2023, the California legislature passed SB 114, which included two key features: a requirement for annual universal reading screening of students in California schools in grades K-2, and the creation of a list of approved screening instruments. With passage of the bill, California […]
President’s Letter Did you know that October is Dyslexia Awareness Month? Here at IDA NorCal, we work to increase our focus on spreading awareness about dyslexia throughout the month. One way to do this is to share solid, research-based information with teachers, parents, and community members. If you haven’t already […]
A Mid-Peninsula School District Shifts to Structured Literacy Switching from balanced literacy, an approach entrenched in California’s public school system, to structured literacy has plenty of science behind it. But it needs committed administrative staff and teacher buy-in to make the transition work. San Mateo-Foster City School District laid extensive […]
Workshop Leader Training April 22 in Mill Valley: IDA NorCal needs station leaders and facilitators for its popular dyslexia simulation workshops. We invite you to participate in an upcoming training to serve in these roles. This is a great way to support the International Dyslexia Association’s work of raising awareness […]
“I read a book one day and my whole life was changed.” Orhan Pamuk Mine too, what a gift. But when my son could not read a book, my whole life changed as well. For many of our members whose lives have been changed by dyslexia, NorCal IDA strives […]
Are you ready to expand your teacher toolbox? IDA NorCal is planning in-person and virtual events in the coming months on topics ranging from morphology to multisensory math. Orton-Gillingham International trainer Ron Yoshimoto will present a one-day in-person session on morphology on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at Star Academy in […]
The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE), project lead for the California Dyslexia Initiative (CDI), in partnership with Glean Education is presenting another free expert webinar series this academic year. The seven-part series features national recognized speakers in 90-minute sessions. This year’s focus is on helping parents and educators in […]
Thanks to scholarship support from IDA NorCal, K-3 teachers at San Francisco Unified School District’s Alice Fong Yu Alternative School, a Chinese language immersion program, are returning to the classroom with skills acquired this summer through an online structured literacy training. The synchronous 30-hour program offered through the Institute for […]
It is heartening to see more schools and districts adopting science-based curriculum and instruction as we continue to champion the IDA goal: “Until Everyone Can Read.” IDA NorCal works to support this movement in every way it can. See the story in this issue for an example of two San […]
It finally feels like spring, which means summer is just around the corner. June and July will bring a number of opportunities for educators to develop their knowledge of Structured Literacy. Consider enrolling in one of the evidence-based teacher trainings being offered this summer in the Bay Area. Spaces are […]
The California Dyslexia Guidelines, mandated with the passage of AB 1369, were published in August 2019, just as the school year began. On Saturday, April 6, IDA NorCal and Parents Helping Parents (PHP) are offering a morning workshop for parents and teachers to learn more about these guidelines and what […]
Several Structured Literacy trainings are scheduled this summer on the Peninsula and in San Francisco. Trainings vary in price and in time commitment; all will build your skills so that you can work more effectively with struggling readers in the next academic year. Check your calendar and pick one that […]
IDA Northern California offers scholarships for training in Structured Literacy approaches (also known as multisensory structured language education – MSLE). Subject to availability and eligibility, scholarships will be awarded to cover a portion of the cost of training, including books and supplies. Scholarships are only awarded for training programs that […]
The International Dyslexia Association (our “parent” organization) is looking for peer review members of the Program Accreditation and Review Team to serve as agents of IDA in their evaluation and decision-making processes. If you are interested in participating, APPLY NOW; the program starts in April. What does a Peer Reviewer […]
I hope your new year is off to a good start. We were glad to see so many of you at our Annual Members Meeting and Brunch, where we celebrated two individuals who have greatly contributed to the field of dyslexia. This year we honored Nancy Cushen White and Cheryl […]
2019 Executive Committee Emma Elizalde, President John Santonastaso, Vice President Kori Riordan, Secretary David Futterman, Treasurer New Board Members Jennifer Parker, M.A. Jennifer Parker is a reading specialist with the San Francisco Unified School District. She also maintains a private multisensory-based tutoring practice. Before that, Jennifer was a general education […]
IDA NorCal honored two outstanding individuals for their work on behalf of people with dyslexia at the annual meeting of the membership on January 26 in San Francisco. Nancy Cushen White, EdD, has worked with IDA, with the public school system, and with the many organizations that help to improve […]
Four long-term IDA members have formed a new dyslexia network in Santa Cruz County called Structured Literacy Now. Its mission is to promote Structured Literacy approaches and early screening in public schools for all students. The group’s initial goal is to raise awareness and understanding of dyslexia in the county […]
Summer is a perfect time to obtain training in one of the evidence-based structured literacy approaches that can help struggling students. Information on trainings is posted as it becomes available, so check our website regularly in the coming weeks. You can also find information on IDA NorCal teacher training scholarships, which are offered […]
AB 1369 and Structured Literacy Sat, April 6, 2019, 9:00 am-12:00 pm This will be held at Parents Helping Parents (PHP) in San Jose. Speakers include Kathy Futterman, John Santonastaso, and Jude Wolf. Click here for info. EdRev Sat, May 4, 2019, at AT&T Park, SF EdRev Expo is an annual event […]
Back-to-school brings fresh faces ready to learn. IDA Northern California offers many opportunities to meet these eager minds. October is Dyslexia Awareness month, so celebrate by attending our branch’s AB 1369 Panel Discussion at the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley. Also, you can host an Experience Dyslexia® simulation at your school to spread the […]
In 2017 the California Department of Education released Dyslexia Guidelines, as mandated by AB 1369, the “dyslexia bill” passed in 2015. Now schools are seeking ways to implement recommendations to identify and help children with this learning difference as early as kindergarten. Administrators, teachers, parents, and the community are invited […]
An unfortunate fact of life for children with dyslexia is that, at this point in time, they are unlikely to receive the interventions they need until they fall behind their peers. That is why the California Department of Education Dyslexia Guidelines, published in August 2017 as a result of passage […]
A year ago, IDA Northern California made some changes to its popular dyslexia simulation, Experience Dyslexia®. The six station activities remain the same, but the supporting materials were reformatted and edited to enhance the learning experience. Changes include new questions for the station leaders to ask participants, a handout that […]
Spring is in full swing with opportunities budding for learning and professional growth. Having just returned from IDA’s national office in Baltimore, I can report that IDA is moving forward with three key objectives: educator training, information and support, and revenue generation to support our mission of literacy for all. […]
by Lori DePole As a recently elected IDA NorCal board member and as the Decoding Dyslexia CA Strategic Partner Liaison, I am excited to explore how we can build upon the strengths of our mutual missions to better leverage the impact our two groups are making in California. First, a […]
More than 40 people attended IDA Norcal‘s first-ever training in how to run an Experience Dyslexia® workshop – our branch’s popular dyslexia awareness activity. The March 17th morning event at the Carey School in San Mateo was designed for people who want to learn more about serving as workshop facilitators or […]
This summer offers several opportunities for educators to build their skills by enrolling in structured literacy trainings. These include Orton-Gillingham-based programs in San Francisco and Los Altos, and Slingerland trainings in San Jose. Participants who enroll in programs that include a practicum may be eligible for NorCal IDA scholarship support. […]
As with all beginnings, the start of 2018 brings resolutions and renewed energy. IDA NorCal is pleased to kick off the new year with our Annual Member’s Meeting and Brunch, where we celebrate individuals who have greatly contributed to the field of dyslexia. Dr. Fumiko Hoeft and Dr. Kathy Futterman […]
IDA NorCal will hold its Annual New Year’s Brunch for members on Saturday, January 27 in San Francisco. Members, please check your email for your invitation. This year’s event will honor two individuals who have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of students with dyslexia. Please join us in celebrating […]
At the annual membership meeting on January 27, we will be voting on the slate of Board of Directors and Officers for 2018. Here is the slate of nominees: New Board Members: Lori DePole Mary Cancelmo Kori Riordan Board Officers: President – Cawley Carr President Elect (will assume the presidency […]
Our Experience Dyslexia® simulation is a powerful tool for building basic knowledge of dyslexia and empathy for those who have this learning difference. Starting this week, IDA NorCal will be rolling out an updated version of the kit—our first revision since 2010. In addition to a new logo and color […]
Here’s a painless way to help IDA NorCal financially without giving an extra cent: When you shop at Amazon, go through our Amazon Smile account and purchase items just as you normally would! A small percentage of what you spend will go directly to IDA NorCal to help fund our programs. Bookmark our […]
I hope the summer season has left you feeling relaxed and ready to jump into the start of school with renewed vigor. There is much to get excited about this fall! California’s Department of Education has issued its official Dyslexia Guidelines, which are an outgrowth of the passage of AB 1369. […]
The Science of Teaching Reading: What Students with Dyslexia Need to Learn and Why Co-sponsored by the Northern California Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (NorCal IDA) and the Children’s Health Council (CHC) When and Where: Saturday, October 7, 2017, 9:00 am-3:00 pm (check-in begins at 8:30 am, catered lunch […]
In mid-August, the California Department of Education published long-awaited dyslexia guidelines designed to assist regular and special education teachers and parents in identifying, assessing, and supporting students with dyslexia. This achievement resulted from the 2015 passage of AB 1369, which created a Work Group to help develop guidelines for students with […]
This summer, NorCal IDA awarded a total of $10,000 in scholarship support to nine teachers who enrolled in summer structured literacy programs. Scholarships are given for programs that are accredited by the International Dyslexia Association. Programs must also include a practicum that allows trainees to apply what they learn during […]
As we spring forward this season, NCBIDA welcomes opportunities to advance dyslexia awareness and education. All are described in the stories below, along with details on how to participate. On May 7 we will be sponsoring a local run/walk in SF as a fundraiser in conjunction with IDA’s Team Quest. […]
Looking for a fun way to help support children and adults with dyslexia? Please join us for our second annual walk/run fundraiser along the SF Bay and Presidio. We will meet at the Warming Hut in Crissy Field on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at 9:00 am. This is our local […]
The 22-member work group assembled to help draft dyslexia guidelines for the State of California held its last meeting on March 24. Now committee members must wait, along with the general public, until August to see what the end product looks like. The Department of Education plans to post the […]
Summer brings an assortment of teacher training programs to the San Francisco Bay Area. They vary in cost and time commitment, so interested educators can find a structured literacy training program that best fits their needs. NCBIDA is also pleased to be able to offer partial scholarship support this summer […]
IDA Northern California is pleased to once again offer partial scholarships for training in structured literacy approaches (also known as multisensory structured language education—MSLE). Scholarships are awarded for up to 50 percent of the full cost of the training (including books and supplies). Scholarships are only awarded for training programs […]
President’s Message The start of a new year brings anticipation and resolutions for change and growth. I invite all NCBIDA members to attend our Annual Brunch and Membership Meeting on Saturday morning, January 28, in San Francisco to learn of NCBIDA’s goals and plans in 2017. (To RSVP, please email […]
2017 Board of Directors Nominees The professionals listed below have volunteered to put their names forward as nominees for our board of directors. Directors serve three-year terms, and their responsibilities include attending board meetings and serving on subcommittees to further our work in the Northern California community. If you are […]
Fall Progress: Dyslexia Guidelines Work Group (AB 1369) by Nancy Cushen White, EdD The 22 members of the AB 1369 Dyslexia Guidelines Work Group continued to meet bi-monthly in the fall, striving to prepare dyslexia guidelines for California educators and parents for the start of the 2017-18 academic year. The […]
IDA Northern California Loses a Loyal Friend and Supporter With the death in early January of Cathy “Cacker” Toomey Dunn, NCBIDA lost a loyal advocate for students with learning disabilities, including dyslexia, and an ardent supporter of effective training for teachers of LD students. Throughout her life, Cathy shared her […]
Upcoming Events NCBIDA New Year’s Brunch Saturday, January 28, 10:00 am-12:30 pm 2311 Broadway, San Francisco, CA For NCBIDA Members Only. We hope you can come celebrate with us! We will hold our Annual Meeting and vote on the slate of Board of Directors and Officers for 2017 during the […]
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