District Newsletter

Spring 2026: Reflection, Momentum, and Planning Ahead

As we move into the spring months, we want to extend our sincere appreciation to our partner districts for the continued collaboration, communication, and shared commitment to students. This time of year offers an important opportunity to reflect on progress, refine systems, and begin intentional planning for the upcoming school year.

Across Expedition Behavioral Education (EBE), we are seeing meaningful growth—in student outcomes, staff capacity, and district partnerships. We are grateful for the trust you place in our programs and value the ongoing dialogue that helps us respond to the evolving needs of students with complex behavioral and instructional profiles.

Spring is also a critical time for looking ahead. As districts begin planning for the 2026–27 school year, our focus remains on being a responsive and collaborative partner. Whether supporting referrals, preparing for transitions, or strengthening inclusive practices within districts, we are committed to working alongside you to ensure strong, student-centered systems are in place for the year ahead.

Enrollment Snapshot: January 2026

District engagement remains strong across all EBE programs, reflecting the continued regional need for integrated behavioral and instructional supports.

Olympic Academy

• 35 students enrolled
• Representing 16 districts
• Waitlist: 4 students

Summit Academy

• 25 students enrolled
• Representing 15 districts
• Waitlist: 4 students

Pathfinder Services

• 1 MASH partnership
• 5 individualized RBT partnerships (7 total RBTs in districts)
• 7 district partnerships providing:
  • BCBA and special education case-management consultation
  • In-district training and professional development
  • Program design and systems development

2026–27 Open Enrollment

We will begin open enrollment for all programs for the 2026–27 school year in April. Our team will first reach out to districts with students currently on waitlists, followed by additional placements for the upcoming year.

To ensure balanced staffing and sustainable program design, we are implementing enrollment caps:

• Olympic Academy: 40 students (10 primary, 15 intermediate, 15 secondary)
• Summit Academy: 27 students
• Pathfinder Services: 10 total RBTs

These caps are intended to maintain program quality, support appropriate staffing ratios, and ensure consistent service delivery across settings. Find more information on referring a student for services.

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities

We are excited to offer upcoming professional learning opportunities designed to support inclusive, responsive, and student-centered practices. Our goal is to build capacity within partner districts while strengthening regional collaboration.

We also want to thank the Rochester School District for hosting our February session and partnering with us in this work.

Compassionate Behavioral Interventions

• When: May 26 | 8 am–3:30 pm
• Presenter: Megan DeLeon
• Where: Capital Events Center, Tumwater, WA
• Register: pdEnroller ID #201463
• Description: Dr. DeLeon is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis and Special Education and more than 15 years of international consulting experience. She is known for translating complex behavioral science into practical, relationship-centered strategies. This session will focus on how relationships influence learning and behavior. Topics include:
  • Reinforcement (positive and negative)
  • Developing meaningful reinforcers
  • Supporting play and leisure skills
  • Approaching behavior with curiosity, compassion, and care

Dr. DeLeon is also the founder of Do Better Collective, which focuses on building a collaborative and practice-oriented ABA community. Based on prior interest, we anticipate this training will fill quickly.

Evidence-Based Practices for Students with ADHD

• When: August 25 | 8 am–3:30 pm
• Presenter: Cindy Goldrich
• Where: Expedition Behavioral Education Campus
• Register: pdEnroller ID #203751
• Description: This session will provide practical, research-informed strategies to support students with ADHD and executive functioning challenges. Cindy is the author of 8 Keys to Parenting Kids and Teens with ADHD and ADHD, Executive Function, and Behavioral Challenges in the Classroom. This training will be tailored to Olympic Academy staff while also being open to district partners.

Collaborative Problem Solving for Students with Behavioral Challenges

• When: August 27 | 8 am–3:30 pm
• Presenter: Ross Greene
• Description: Ross Greene is a clinical child psychologist and the developer of the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions model. He is the author of The Explosive Child, Lost at School, Lost & Found, and Raising Human Beings. This training will focus on applying Collaborative Problem Solving in school-based settings.

We are currently seeking a partner district to host this event. Hosting districts will receive a 50% discount per attendee.

If you are part of the ESD 113 Special Education Cooperative or partnering with us to host an event, discount codes are available.

FileMaker Access Reminder

To improve privacy, confidentiality, and efficiency, all student records and program documentation are housed in our secure FileMaker database. This platform provides centralized access and reduces reliance on email-based communication. Districts can securely access:

• Current special education paperwork
• Attendance and student schedules
• Progress notes and grades
• Discipline reports
• Interlocal agreements
• Billing and invoices

We encourage districts to use FileMaker as the primary platform for accessing student information. If you need a new or updated login, please contact Carynne Johnson. We welcome feedback as we continue refining this system.

Important Dates

• April 6–10: Spring Break
• May 25: Memorial Day (No Program)
• May 26: Staff Professional Development (No Program)
• June 18: Last Day of Program
• August 3–August 20: Extended School Year (ESY)

Planning for 2026–27: How We Can Support

As districts continue planning for the 2026–2027 school year, Expedition Behavioral Education is available to support in the following areas:

• Program design and expansion
• FBA/BIP development
• Consultation for students with high-intensity needs
• Administrative coaching for compassionate, legally sound IEP facilitation
• Professional development in instruction, behavior, UDL, and systems alignment

We encourage you to reach out to schedule spring consultation, referral discussions, or professional learning as you prepare for the upcoming year.

Partnering Forward into 2026–27

As we move through the remainder of the school year and into planning for 2026–27, we want to thank you for your continued partnership, trust, and shared leadership. The work happening across our region reflects a deep commitment to supporting students with complex needs in thoughtful, responsive, and inclusive ways.

We recognize that spring is a critical time for decision-making—staffing, programming, and student placement—and we are here to support you through that process. Whether through consultation, program development, or professional learning, our goal is to ensure districts feel prepared and supported heading into the new school year.

Together, we are building sustainable systems, strengthening professional capacity, and improving outcomes for students. We value the opportunity to partner with you in this work and look forward to continuing our collaboration into the 2026–27 school year.