Welcome to the Department of Special Services. It is our hope to keep you abreast of current events occurring in our district as well changes in the law and innovations in the field of special education. Be sure to also check our listing of Upcoming Events frequently to find out about future workshops and lectures.

The primary function of the Department of Special Services is to provide Special Education and Related Services to those students who are determined to be eligible for these services, as required by New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14. The superintendent and building principals organize and monitor the efforts of the staff and help to assure that each identified student is provided with an appropriate educational program.

The Child Study Team consists of a Learning Disability Teacher/Consultant, Mrs. Kathy Plechy, School Psychologist, Mrs. Melissa Kornreich and Mrs. Laura Decker and School Social Worker, Mrs. Tamara Silva. The Child Study Team is responsible for evaluating students to determine eligibility for special education and related services. Child Study Team members also serve as case managers for individual students and are responsible for developing an appropriate Individualized Educational Program (IEP) for each student.

The Speech/Language Specialists, Mrs. Maureen Doninger, Mrs. Dana Socci and Mrs. Lynn Sibilia, serve as members of the Child Study Team and conduct speech/language assessments as necessary. They also provide speech/language therapy to those students who require these services. The Occupational Therapists for the district are Mrs. Lori Downs & Mrs. Erica Lista. The Physical Therapist is Mrs. Gina Zaccaria.

Our teaching staff is committed to addressing the needs of our students. Our Special Education teachers, Mrs. Donna Algieri, Mrs. Patricia Alicandri, Ms. Eileen Little, Ms. Joyce Husk, Mrs. Stefanie Wozniak, Ms. Melissa Russo, Ms. Kelly Muscara, Ms. Christine Miller, Mr. Greg Vacarro, Ms. Sarah Montague and Mrs. Marian Smith, are the center of our programs and are responsible for the daily implementation of each student’s Individualized Educational Program (IEP). Our new integrated preschool program is thriving due to the efforts of Mrs. Nicole Skopak and her classroom staff. All of our staff coordinate efforts between the general education and the special education programs and conduct ongoing monitoring of pupil progress. We also have paraprofessionals who support our programs.

In addition to providing services for those students found eligible for special education and related services, the staff offers assistance to the regular education staff and participates on the Intervention and Referral Services Team and other school committees.

What is the process to determine eligibility for Special Services?
Any child between the ages of 2 ½ and 5 can be evaluated by the Child Study Team (CST) to determine is there exists an educational disability. Parents are encouraged to phone the Special Services Department to request further information, if they suspect that their child has special needs. (973-228-2571, ext. 1190)

The classroom teacher or parent may refer any child who is having difficulty in school to the school-based Intervention and Referral Service team. This multi-disciplinary team meets monthly, in each school, to recommend strategies to assist our students in general education settings. Members of this team may include the student’s classroom teacher, school principal, school counselor, a Child Study Team member, speech language specialist, school nurse and academic tutorial teacher. If school-based, general education efforts do not resolve the difficulty, the IR&S team may make a referral to the Child Study Team.

Children may be referred for evaluation based on a written request from a parent, teacher, counselor or principal. After a referral is received, an evaluation-planning meeting is scheduled within twenty days to determine whether an evaluation is warranted. Parents participate in this meeting with members of the child study team and the child's classroom teacher. If there is agreement to conduct an evaluation, parents provide written consent regarding the nature and scope of the evaluation before assessments can begin.

The evaluation, which includes review of relevant data and individual tests, multi-disciplinary assessments and observations of the child, determines whether the child is classified with an educational disability as defined by the NJ Department of Education. The assessment process may take up to ninety days to complete. Parents are provided with written assessment reports ten days prior to their participation in an eligibility-determination meeting. If the evaluation team determines that a child does have a disability, a meeting is scheduled to develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to address the child's needs.

What is an Individualize Educational Plan (IEP)?
The IEP is a written plan that describes the child's current academic achievement and functional performance, a specific course of action appropriate for the child and measurable goals or benchmarks. Parents attend the IEP meeting and provide written approval of the initial IEP before it is implemented.

A member of the Child Study Team serves as case manager and monitors the child's progress. The IEP is reviewed and updated annually.

Where can I get more information?
Your children are very important to us. This brief summary is provided as a brief introduction to Special Services. We encourage you to contact us with any questions or concerns regarding your child. Contact your child's teacher, principal or the Special Services Department, (973-228- 2571, extension 1190). Our main office is located at Grandview School, Hamilton Drive East. Members of the team are located in each of our two elementary school buildings.

Parent workshops are offered to provide information and support and are open to all parents. Information is distributed in student backpacks, and mailed to parents whose children attend out-of-district school settings. Check the district’s website at www.ncboe.org.

The NJ Department of Education brochure "Parental Rights in Special Education" is available online at http://www.state.nj.us/njded/parights. This brochure is also distributed by the Special Services Department to parents whose child is referred for an evaluation.

Glossary of Commonly Used Terms
Child Study Team (CST) - A team of specialists on the district staff who evaluates students suspected of having a learning disability and develops of Individualized Educational Plans (IEPS). The team for each child is comprised of individuals who will knowledgeable about school programs and educational needs and strategies to support your child.

Evaluation - An assessment that determines whether a child has an educational disability, as defined by the NJ Department of Education. Components of a Child Study Team Evaluation include an educational assessment, psychological assessment, social assessment and speech language assessment for students under age 6. Other assessments may be included based on each student's individual strengths and needs.

IEP - Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a written description of the educational plan developed for a child determined to have educational disabilities.

IEP Team - The group of individuals who are responsible for the development, review and revision of the student's individualized educational program. This includes the parent, classroom teacher, members of the child study team and special education teacher and/or specialists working with your child.

Least Restrictive Environment - To the maximum extent appropriate, a student with a disability is educated with children in general education settings, with non-disabled peers.

LLD Class - A self-contained Learning and/or Language Disabilities (LLD) class.

Intervention and Referral Service (IR&S) - A school-based committee that addresses the needs of students through interventions in the regular classroom. Though a CST staff member will usually serve on this committee, this is not a special education initiative.

Integrated Preschool Class – A small class, composed of students with and without disabilities. Students with special needs participate in this program and receive services based on their IEP’s. Typically developing preschool students complete applications complete applications and are accepted following a lottery, which is held in May. Tuition, based on a rate determined annually by the Board of Education, will be charged for the participation of non-disabled students. An open house is scheduled annually to provide information to interested parents.

Resource Program - A support program for children in K-12 who’s Individualized Educational Plans (IEPS) determine that they need special education supports for their academic work. A special education teacher works with the child to provide additional instruction and support in and/or out of the child's regular classroom.

Related Services – Speech-Language, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling and social skills are provided to students determined to be eligible for special education and related services.

Extended School Year Services – The IEP team reviews student progress and determines whether the student experiences significant difficulties with regression and skill recoupment following absences and school vacations. Specific recommendations are made regarding the student’s need for special education and related services during the summer.

1. Enhance communication between special education, regular education staff, administration and parents on behalf of students with special needs.
2. Expand understanding and perception of special education and the special needs of students among district staff, parents and students.
3. Review and improve Individualized Education Plans (IEP) processes and meeting procedures and provide appropriate staff and parent training.
4. Participate in the state’s monitoring process during the 2005-6 school year.
5. Continue “Parents as Partners” for family support and training. Programs will be developed based on responses to a parent interest survey and input provided by the Board of Education’s Special Education Parent Advisory Committee.

The North Caldwell Public School District is continuing its Half-day Integrated Preschool Program for three and four year old students and its Full-day Preschool Disabled Program. The half-day integrated preschool program is located at Grandview School and is offered to preschool students, with and without disabilities. The program is offered Monday through Thursday for two and one-half hours each session and follows the district calendar. Our program is designed to provide developmentally appropriate experiences in a safe and nurturing environment. Classroom activities promote physical, emotional, social and cognitive development for children who are typically developing as well as children with special needs.

Application and tuition information for the 2007 - 2008 school year will be posted no later than March 2007.

http://www.umdnj.edu/spsweb - Contact this website for further information regarding our Social Decision Making - Problem Solving program.

http://www.positivediscipline.com - Are you looking for assistance in dealing with your child more effectively? This site has information for both parents and teachers.

http://www.ldonline.org - This website earned a 4 star rating and provides parents with information ranging from the basics of learning disabilities to in depth discussions of specific disorders. There is also a page for children, KidZone, where they can view art work by other kids with learning disabilities and also access audio information to learn more about learning disabilities.

http://www.borntoexplore.org - This site deals specifically with attention deficit disorder and offers information in this area. This site earned a three star rating.

http://www.chadd.org - This site also deals with ADD and ADHD. Information regarding legislative updates and current research is available through this site.

http://www.cec.sped.org - The Council for Exceptional Children is an national organization dedicated to conducting research and advocating for the rights of children with disabilities. The web site provides in depth analysis of current campaigns and pending legislature. IT also provides links to other valuable sites.

http://www.ncld.org - This is the web site for the National Center for Learning Disabilities and offers practical advice and information for parents and students.