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.

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

Coleen McGuire mcguc@svbluedevils.org

Speech and Language Pathology:

Dawn Wenrich wenrda@svbluedevils.org

Erica Polley polle@svbluedevils.org

Emotional Support Teachers

Mr. Jacob Prescott presj@svbluedevils.org

Mrs.Maricia Murtin buhlm@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 eight 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.

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 14 - 21 years of age and would like to receive information about the transition process and transition section of an IEP.

All About Transition

Housing Assistance

WAIVER BASICS* (101) WORKSHOPS

February issue of Transition Tidbits

Self-care tip: practice square breathing daily

Pennsylvania Elks Home Service Program

Focus Group Needed

Transitioning into the Adult system

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

Where and When Is Your Teen Allowed to Work

CSL Stem

Anatomy of a Quality Employee

Schuylkill County Resource for Families

College and Career Planning Resources

Career Readiness Opportunities

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.

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

PA Career Zone

PA Career Link

Pattan