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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.
Special Education Contact Information:
Michelle Zinkus, Director of Special Education
(570) 462-1957 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.
The Virtual 2020 Pennsylvania Community of Practice Transition Conference
on Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Schuylkill County Resource for Families
Helpful Hints/Parent Trainings
Registration for the 2020 Transition Conference on July 15th is now open: https://www.pattan.net/Events/Conferences/Course-2737/Events/Session-34592.
Ben Hartranft (one of the favorites from fall's college day event at LCCC) is presenting at 2:15!!!
There is no cost to register! Act 48 will be provided for those who need it and follow attendance expectations.
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.
Learn about the PA ABLE Savings Program at PAABLE. gov
A PA ABLE Savings Program account gives individuals with qualified disabilities (Eligible Individuals), and their families and friends, a tax-free way to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses, while maintaining government benefits. The state and federal tax-free investment options are offered to encourage Eligible Individuals and their families to save private funds to support health, independence, and quality of life.
To help you learn about the important features and benefits of PA ABLE, the Pennsylvania Treasury Department is hosting free webinars.
Some of the topics that we will discuss include: eligibility requirements for opening a PA ABLE account, the federal and state tax benefits of PA ABLE, and how PA ABLE account interacts with current benefits.
· Wednesday, Jun 17, 2020 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
· Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Newsletter form the Reading District OVR Office
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
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