Room 105-Mrs. Hummer

Letter of Introduction

My name is Melissa Hummer, and I am so excited to be your child’s teacher this year. I have been teaching special education for over 30 years, including 16 years with Chicago Public Schools. This is my 7th year at Minnie Miñoso Academy, and I am proud to be teaching in Room 105.

We’ve had a strong start to the school year, and I am thrilled to reconnect with returning students and families while also welcoming new students and families into our classroom community. My goal is to make our classroom a place where every student feels supported, challenged, and valued. Throughout the year, we will engage in meaningful lessons, hands-on activities, and experiences that encourage academic growth and social development.

I believe open communication and family involvement are key to student success, and I welcome your partnership throughout the year. Please feel free to contact me anytime at [email protected] with any questions or updates.

Thank you for your continued support—I am looking forward to a positive and successful school year!

Sincerely,
Melissa Hummer

Parent Requested Meeting

It is important that we partner together to support your child’s needs. If you would like to meet with me in person, my office hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 7:45–8:15 a.m. and Mondays from 2:30–3:00 p.m. Appointments are not available on non-attendance days and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. If your requested time is not available, or if a schedule change requires me to reschedule, I will notify you by Remind message and/or email. To request an appointment, please email me at [email protected]

Understanding Special Education

Fun Links

Virtual Manipulatives and gamess:

https://toytheater.com/category/teacher-tools/virtual-manipulatives/

Splash Learn at Home

Splash Learn is a fun and interactive way for students to review skills. We enjoy using it in class, and many students even choose it during free-choice time! You can also access it at home by following these simple steps:

Go to https://slearn.me/sLxjsND
Select your child’s profile and enter the password: rabbit
Follow the prompts to sign up for home access and complete the setup

Note: Completed tasks in Splash Learn may be added to your child’s lower grade and/or used as part of their homework grade.

Once your account is set up, your child can practice and have fun learning at home anytime!

How do I help my student at home?

First-Then boards are a simple and powerful tool that can make daily routines smoother and less stressful for both you and your child. They help children understand what’s expected and give them a clear path to success—which often means fewer struggles and more cooperation at home.

Like any new routine, it takes practice and consistency before your child begins to respond with less effort and more ease. Stick with it—you’ll start to see positive results over time.

This short video shows you how easy it is to use a First-Then board.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KJjctBVJOM

If you’d like support in setting up a home system or tailoring it to your child’s needs, please reach out—I’d be happy to help!

Helping Your Child with Sensory Challenges:

Some children experience sensory challenges, which means they may be very sensitive to sights, sounds, textures, or movements—or they may seek out extra sensory input. These differences can affect behavior, focus, and how they feel at home and school.

The good news is there are simple strategies that can help your child feel more comfortable and succeed in daily activities:

Create calm spaces: Reduce loud noises, bright lights, or clutter.

Use routines and schedules: Visual schedules and advance warnings help children know what’s coming next.
Offer movement and sensory breaks: Jumping, swinging, or using fidget toys can help your child self-regulate.
Use sensory tools: Weighted blankets, stress balls, chewable jewelry, or noise-canceling headphones can make a big difference.
Pay attention to clothing: Soft fabrics and tag-free clothes can reduce discomfort.
Teach calming strategies: Deep breathing or short mindfulness exercises can help your child stay calm.
You can learn more and explore tools to support your child by visiting:

https://www.understood.org/en/articles/sensory-processing-issues-strategies-you-can-try-at-home

Using these strategies at home can help your child feel more comfortable, focused, and confident every day.

Grading Policy

Student grades are based on a 10-point scale while taking into consideration the level of prompting and student independence. Because students are working with a modified curriculum, performance is measured through classroom participation, level of support needed, and overall independence. Instruction and review are provided in whole-group, small-group, and one-to-one settings.

Grading Scale:

A (9–10 points)
B (8 points)
C (7 points)
D (6 points)

Prompting Rubric:

10 points – 0–1 prompts
9 points – 2–3 prompts
8 points – 3–4 prompts
7 points – 5 or more prompts

This grading approach ensures that effort, participation, and independence are recognized as part of each student’s progress.

Dates to Know

QUARTERS — Each quarter ends on the following day:
Q1 ends October 17, 2025
Q2 ends December 19, 2025

Q3 ends March 6, 2026

Q4 ends June 4, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT DISTRIBUTION DAYS — Schools will distribute progress reports on the following dates:

Q1 on September 19,
Q2 on November 14, 2025
Q3 on February 6, 2026
Q4 on May 01, 2026

Parent-Teacher Conference Day:

Monday, October 27, 2025 (ES and HS)
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 (ES and HS)

For more information and a complete calendar documenting all attendance days and non-attendance days please use the following link:

https://www.cps.edu/globalassets/cps-pages/calendar/25-26/cps-family-calendar-english-25-26.pdf

Movement Break Playlist

Playlist 2

Resources/Information for Parents/Guardians

IL ABLE Account :
Start Saving for Your Child’s Current and Future Needs. Whether your child is in kindergarten or transitioning to adult services, start saving now to build them a more secure future with an IL ABLE Account. An IL ABLE Account is a low-cost, tax-free way for eligible people with disabilities and their families to save and invest money to pay for expenses related to living with a disability. https://illinoisable.com/

Bilingual Advisory Committees (BACs):

Authentic parent/guardian, family, and community engagement in schools is key to increasing student achievement and readiness for college, career, and life. CPS is entirely committed to engaging our families and school communities to make certain they are informed, inspired, and ready to partner with us to ensure students in all neighborhoods have access to well-resourced schools. https://www.cps.edu/services-and-supports/parent-engagement/bilingual-advisory-committees/

Parent University:

Parent Universities provide free learning experiences, support parents and guardians in developing new skills and empower families to support their student's academic success. https://www.cps.edu/services-and-supports/parent-engagement/parent-university/

Parent Engagement: Facilitate parent and community stakeholder groups, leadership training workshops, and learning programs in the areas of academics, social skills, community resources, and capacity building.

https://www.cps.edu/services-and-supports/parent-engagement/

Family and Community Engagement (FACE):

Strengthen the connections between our schools and communities to improve educational outcomes for all students through leading district engagement efforts and managing community-facing services and programs.

https://www.cps.edu/about/departments/family-and-community-engagement-face/

Parent Support Specialists:

CPS Parent Support Specialists work with families and community members to find solutions and access services and resources to help address the needs of students with disabilities. https://www.cps.edu/services-and-supports/parent-engagement/parents-of-students-with-disabilities/parent-support-specialists/

8th Grade to High School Cluster Information

If you have not already done so, please email Mr. Williams at: [email protected] to schedule you appointment for the application process.

Cluster programs are designed for students requiring a significantly modified curriculum with moderate to intensive supports in a separate classroom from general education peers for the majority of the day (over 61% of the day). Individuals may also need assistance with adaptive skills. For more information email [email protected].

School Assignments FAQ: (English and Spanish)

This is a quick resource that will answer the most common questions such as:

What is a school assignment?

How was my student's school assignment determined?

https://www.cps.edu/globalassets/cps-pages/services-and-supports/special-education/cps-school-assignment-faq.pdf

CPS Cluster Program Map: https://www.cps.edu/globalassets/cps-pages/services-and-supports/special-education/services-and-programs/sy25_moderateandintensivehs.pdf

Small Sample of High Schools: Refer to the map in the above link for a complete list and location of schools.

Jones - 700 South State, Chicago, IL 6060 (773) 534-8600 "All students in our Low Incidence program receive instruction within a traditional self-contained classroom. This time is used to work with students in facilitating the acquisition of academic and functional skills. Community-based instruction is a valuable and integral part of the educational process and allows the Special Education department to teach functional skills in their natural environment. Jones College Prep has an ideal location for this type of instruction; we are within walking distance of all CTA el lines, multiple bus routes, stores, museums, and a large variety of other cultural and commercial attractions. Additionally, the Special Education department has partnerships with a variety of organizations within the downtown area. We have been able to work with such organizations as Gallery 37, the University Center, Marriott Bridges, the 47th Ward, and local elementary schools. These partnerships allow our students to receive valuable occupational or recreational training in the local community." https://www.jonescollegeprep.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1465105&type=d&pREC_ID=1620479

Whitney Young: 211 S. Laflin St. Chicago, IL 60607 (773) 534-7500 "We provide an education addressing the individual needs of each student based on the IEP. Through the review and recommendations stipulated in an IEP, student instruction may necessitate a self-contained, mainstreamed, or combination of learning environments" https://www.wyoung.org/apps/pages/index.jsp? uREC_ID=476698&type=d#:~:text=The%20Resource%20Program%20provides%20assessment,on%20academic%20assessment%20and%20progress.

South side Occupational Academy: "...Mission is to foster a safe and supportive environment for all students to participate in individualized transition education, capitalizing on students’ interest and strengths while preparing them to become contributing members of their community.nd supportive environment for all students to participate in indivd transition education, capitalizing on students’ interest and strengths while preparing them to become contributing members of their community." https://www.southsideacademycps.org/#:~:text=Others%20&%20Respect%20the%20Environment,contributing%20members%20of%20their%20community.