District Newsletter

Starting 2026 With Gratitude

As we begin 2026, we want to extend our sincere thanks to our partner districts for the collaboration, communication, and trust that continue to guide our shared work. The start of a new year is a natural time to reflect, recalibrate, and recommit—and we deeply value the ongoing dialogue that helps us better support students with complex needs.

At Expedition Behavioral Education (EBE), our role is to serve as a responsive, collaborative partner to districts. We are committed to strengthening systems, building staff capacity, and expanding access to high-quality behavioral and instructional services. Whether supporting referrals, assisting with student transitions, or working alongside teams to advance inclusive practices, our focus remains on listening, problem-solving, and partnering to support meaningful student progress.

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

• Enrolled: 38 students enrolled
• Districts: 17 districts represented
• Waitlist: 1 student on the waitlist

Summit Academy

• Enrolled: 26 students enrolled
• Districts: 15 districts represented
• Waitlist: 2 students on the waitlist

Pathfinder Services

• MASH Partnerships: 2 MASH partnerships
• RBT Partnerships: 4 individualized RBT partnerships
• District Partnerships: 7 district partnerships providing:
  • BCBA and special education case-management consultation
  • In-district training and professional development
  • Program design and systems development

These numbers reflect the trust districts place in these services and the growing demand for specialized, collaborative programming across the region.

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities

We are excited to share two upcoming professional learning opportunities designed to support inclusive, responsive, and student-centered practices. We are also grateful to the Rochester School District for hosting our February event and partnering with us in this important work.

February 17: Winter National Voices, Local Impact 

Where: Rochester Middle School.

Event information: We are pleased to welcome Dr. Camille Kolu as part of our National Voices, Local Impact series. Dr. Kolu will present on Trauma-Informed Behavioral Interventions in Schools, sharing practical, evidence-based strategies to support students with diverse and complex needs while strengthening systems of care within school communities.

Dr. Kolu is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a doctorate in Behavioral Neuroscience and is nationally recognized for bridging behavior analysis and neuroscience to improve educational outcomes, relationships, and behavioral supports.

Note: There will be no student program on February 17 to allow staff participation in this learning opportunity.

May 26: Spring National Voices, Local Impact

Where: ESD 113 Tyee site in Tumwater 

Event information: We are also thrilled to welcome Dr. Megan DeLeon, founder of the Do Better Collective, for a spring session focused on Connected Relationships as the Heart of Learning and Behavior Support.

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. Her engaging, human-centered approach brings clarity and compassion to complex behavioral science.

The session will explore:

• The role of relationships in learning and behavior
• Understanding positive and negative reinforcement
• Developing meaningful reinforcers
• Supporting play and leisure skills
• Approaching behavior support with curiosity, compassion, and care

Registration information for both events will be distributed by ESD 113 in the coming days. We encourage staff to join us for these impactful learning opportunities.

Note: There will be no student program on May 26 to allow staff participation in this learning opportunity.

Extended School Year (ESY) Planning: Summer 2026

Districts have recently received detailed communication regarding Extended School Year (ESY) services for current Summit Academy students. As a brief reminder, ESD 113 will offer ESY services for eligible students as determined by IEP teams.

Over the coming weeks, members of our team will connect with districts to support student identification, service planning, and logistical considerations. Our goal is to ensure early, collaborative planning that supports thoughtful IEP decision-making and clear timelines.

Key ESY Details (Summit Academy)

• Dates: August 3–20 (Monday–Thursday)
• Schedule: Half-day sessions (an or pm), 3 hours per day
• Total Services: 36 instructional hours
• Service Model:
  • 1:1 support provided by a Teacher Associate
  • Supervision by a Special Education Teacher and BCBA
  • Focus on skill maintenance and targeted development

Districts will be notified no later than February 15, 2026, regarding currently enrolled students who may qualify for ESY services to support planning and budgeting.

Please reach out with questions or to discuss individual student considerations—we are always happy to partner.

FileMaker Access Reminder

To improve privacy, confidentiality, and efficiency, all student records and program documentation are housed in our secure FileMaker database. This platform allows districts to access information in one centralized location and reduces reliance on email-based sharing.

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 from our programs. If you need a new or updated login, please contact Carynne Johnson. Feedback is always welcome as we continue refining this system.

Calendar Notes & Upcoming Dates

• January 19: No Program
• January 29–30 | 11 am early release: Winter Conferences 
• February 16: No Program (Holiday)
• February 17: No Program (National Voices, Local Impact)

Looking Ahead in 2026

As districts begin early planning for the next school year, our team is available to support:

• 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

Please reach out to schedule a mid-year consultation or spring professional learning.

Partnering Forward

Thank you for your continued trust and collaboration as we begin the new year. January is a time to reflect on progress and recommit to the work ahead, and we are grateful to partner with districts who share our dedication to student success.

Together, we are strengthening the systems, relationships, and practices that support meaningful growth and help every student thrive.