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805 W Centre St, Shenandoah, PA 17976
Special Education
Each student with a disability who is a resident of Shenandoah Valley shall be provided quality education program and services that meet the student’s needs for educational, instructional, transitional, and related services. The special education program shall be designed to comply with law; conformed to district goals; and integrate programs of special education with the regular instructional program of the schools, consistent with the interest of the student with a disability and other students.
Under Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), a child with a disability can be defined as the following: Autism, Deaf/Blindness, Deafness, Emotional Disturbance,Hearing Impaired, Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Speech and Language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Visual Impairment.
If you believe that your school-age child may be in need of special education screening or evaluation, services are available to you at no cost, upon written request.
Family Engagement
Survey
Family Engagement promotes equitable partnerships among schools, families and communities to actively promote student achievement through shared commitment, decision-making and responsibility. PaTTAN is looking for your input as we update our training plans, publications and resources. Please help us by completing our Family Engagement Survey. Families and schools working together, because our students are worth it.
The survey can be accessed at the link below and will close 3/23/20.
Special Education Contact Information:
Michelle Zinkus, Director of Special Education
(570) 462-1957 EXT 4130 zinkm@svbluedevils.org
Kelly Savakinas, Secretary to the Director of Special Education
(570) 462-1957 savak@svbluedevils.org
Lesley Matus, School Psychologist
(570) 462-2796 matul@svbluedevils.org
Elementary Special Education Teachers:
Maricia Buhl buhlm@svbluedevils.org
Karen Possessky posk@svbluedevils.org
Jaime Houseknecht housej@svbluedevils.org
Angela Huben hubea@svbluedevils.org
Michelle Brochyus brocm@svbluedevils.org
Ashley Palubinsky palua@svbluedevils.org
Barbara Cuff cuffb@svbluedevils.org
High School Special Education Teachers:
Amanda Zulkowski mccla@svbluedevils.org
Sarah Hollenbach lesis@svbluedevils.org
Lori Hess hessl@svbluedevils.org
Gloria Laudeman laudg@svbluedevils.org
Coleen McGuire mcguc@svbluedevils.org
Speech and Language Pathology:
Dawn Wenrich wenrda@svbluedevils.org
Erica Polley polle@svbluedevils.org
Emotional Support Teachers
Kassandra Stewart blewk@svbluedevils.org
Angel VanBlargan vanban@svbluedevils.org
Deaf/Hard of Hearing Teacher:
Lisa Reidler reidl@svbluedevils.org
Autistic Support Teacher:
Melissa Troutman troum@svbluedevils.org
Occupational Therapy
Valerie Dornsife dornv@svbluedevils.org
Social Worker/Behavioral Interventionist
Sean Lyons lyonss@svbluedevils.org
Joan Matta (Behavioral Interventionist) mattj@svbluedevils.org
Inclusion Classroom:
There are currently four co-teaching classrooms at Shenandoah Valley Elementary School. “Co-teaching is two or more people sharing responsibility for teaching all of the students assigned to a classroom (Nevin, Thousand, & Villa, 2008).” The research indicates increased overall achievement for all students. There are many benefits of co-teaching for both students and teachers alike. For students, co- teaching develops respect for differences, opportunities for leadership and growth within the least restrictive environment, improves self- esteem, enables development of friendships, shows increased achievement test scores, etc.
All students have the right to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE). If you would like to receive more information about co-teaching, please log on to Parent Hub.
Child Study Team:
The purpose of the Child Study Team is to implement academic and behavioral interventions to meet the needs of students experiencing difficulty prior to a special education referral. When the student is showing academic or behavioral problems, the teacher will complete the Child Study Referral form. The Child Study Referral form is located in the Elementary Office. The Child Study Referral form will be turned in to the School Counselor.
Transition 101 Parent Training:
What is Transition? What does this mean for my child with a disability?
If you have a child with a disability who is 13 - 21 years of age and would like to receive information about the transition process and transition section of an IEP, then please come join us for an informational training about transition. Parents, guardians, and family members from ANY DISTRICT may attend the following training listed on the attached flyer.
2021 PA Community of Practice Transition Virtual Conference
Registration is OPEN for this year’s transition conference. It is FREE and virtual with sessions on August 11 & 12, 2021. There are many sessions to choose from and the content is perfect for professionals, parents, and YOUTH! Click the link above to register.
2021 Virtual Transition Fair - The Next Step
Recording Timestamps
0:00-39:36-Welcome and Keynote Presentation with Dr. Josie Badger (Includes Q&A)
39:37-1:38-Student Panel-What is it like being in college?
1:57-2:02-Introduction to the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition-The Collaborative (NTACT-C)
2:03-2:26-Presentation by LVCIL
2:27-2:58-Presentation by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
2:58-3:27-Presentation by Lehigh Carbon Community College about the admissions process, Disability Support Services and the SEED Program.
3:27-3:30-Introduction to the Trello with community resources to explore.
Trello Link with Community Resources
PA Able Accounts - Abilities in Motion
STARS - StudentsTransitioning to Achieve Realistic Success
Bridging to the Future is a one-day informational conference for parents and guardians of students with autism and other special needs who are transitioning from high school into adult life. It is FREE for parents, students, and educators. I have heard the keynote speaker several times, she is very informative and presents well to a parent audience.
Saturday, May 1st.
Whether the choice is Vocational, Technical training, 2 year, or 4-year college, be informed of the options, rights, and alternatives that are available.
https://hopin.com/events/bridging-to-the-future#top
Where and When Is Your Teen Allowed to Work
A lot more resources available here:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/YouthRules/young-worker-toolkit.
CSL Stem
Schuylkill County Resource for Families
Timeout Tuesdays - Build Your Self Care Toolbox
Teens Taking Flight Virtual Group
CLIU Parent Transition Trainings
Synchronous virtual connections with professionals from across all 16 career clusters. There is no need to register. Simply click "Dates, Times and Links" and you will have all the information you need to connect. If you would like to know more about the Career Cluster and the Presenter, click "Cluster & Presenter Information". Download Student Artifact Document for students to complete as they are listening. Each session will be approximately 30 minutes and will be moderated by educators: 15 minutes of the professional sharing, 15 minutes of Q & A from the audience.
https://sites.google.com/view/iu5careerconnections/home?authuser=0
Sessions offered now through December 11
Helpful Hints/Parent Trainings
IU Parent Treaining Series 21 - 22
Parent Training Sept - Dec 2021
Parent Training Jan - May 2022
September Issue of PA Transition Tidbits
Schuylkill IU 29 Transition council needs your ideas! Enter to win a $10 Dunkin Gift Card
Welcome to Career Day “THE VIRTUAL WAY”
https://www.pct.edu/k-12-educators/virtual-career-day While this Career Day is primarily geared toward 7-9th grade students, it is suitable for all ages. Students may choose a pathway that leads them to a host of videos and articles meant to inspire and educate. This resource can be used as an enrichment tool, based on the PA Department of Education’s Career Education and Work (CEW) standards. The list of industry-recognized career clusters, for which the pathways are based, is found here
Students can reflect/respond and, to take a step further, go to our website at pct.edu to delve further into academic programs that prepare students for applied technology careers.
If you have any difficulties, or have questions, please email me at ams106@pct.edu.
Newsletter form the Reading District OVR Office
Parent Session for Post Secondary Choices
Find Your Right Way - Informational session provided by Schuylkill Intermediate 29
S.N.A.P. (Special Needs Assessment Program) is a disaster preparedness tool provided by your county government. For more information visit www.scema.org Help Your Emergency Responders Help You!
The Brain: Basic Anatomy, Brain Injuries and Return to Learn Protocol Training
Advice from the OT - Why Good Sitting = Good Listening
PA's Supplementary and Aids Toolkit - An Overview for Parents
The Special Ed Evaluation/IEP Process
The Special Ed Evaluation/IEP Process
The Special Ed Reevaluation/IEP Process
The Special Ed Reevaluation/IEP Process
Special Education Documents:
College and Career Planning Resources
Career Readiness Opportunities
Consortium for Public Education – March Snack & Learn Sessions for students who want to explore careers and gather career learning artifacts.
Must register in advance: https://www.theconsortiumforpubliceducation.org/check-out-our-march-lineup-for-snack-learn/
- March 3, at 10:30 a.m. An interactive session with Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Dr. Armani Davis, who will talk about the ways careers unfold and how they sometimes find you before you find them.
- March 10, at 1:30 p.m. An energy careers presentation with Dr. Robert Mayfield, Manager of Tenaska Power Station and author of two books on workforce development in the power generation industry.
- March 18, at 11:30 a.m. A presentation from the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Apprenticeship Program, about training to do masonry, refractory restoration, tile setting and related careers.
- March 24, at 11 a.m. Citizens Bank representatives unpack the process of obtaining college financial aid.
Also on the site are recorded interviews from people in all 16 career clusters – students can watch to learn more about specific careers and the path needed to get into that field. CAREER JOURNEYS
· https://www.theconsortiumforpubliceducation.org/career-journeys/
Snack and Learns: https://www.theconsortiumforpubliceducation.org/sign-up-for-our-next-snack-learn-sessions/
Home page: https://www.theconsortiumforpubliceducation.org/
www.collegeboard.com : Register for the SAT
www.bls.gov/oco : Occupational Outlook Handbook - This is a guide to career information about hundreds of occupations!
www.onetonline.org : O Net online - Find occupations.
www.careeronestop.org
www.going2college.org
petersons.com :Find a college that's right for you!
educationplanner.org
FAFSA information : Apply for Federal Student Aid (Financial Aid)
Act Student : Register for the ACT
Important Websites
Council for Exceptional Children
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)
Schuylkill County Intermediate Unit #29
Apply for OVR (Office of Vocational Rehabilitation) Services
Pennsylvania Secondary Transition Guide
Schuylkill Technology Center (STC) applications
Sign Up for the Selected Service 18 years and older
PRACTICE WEBSITES
Use the following links to find information
SAT - College Board
ACT - ACT Student
ACT Question of the Day
Test Guide : ASVAB Practice Tests