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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
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.
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 14 - 21 years of age and would like to receive information about the transition process and transition section of an IEP.
Recorded parent sessions on various transition topics
IU29 Local Task Force is hosting an in-person evening session on December 5th Personal Wellness for Caregivers of Youth with Mental Health Needs
Servant's To All My Father's House Newsletter November 2022
WAIVER BASICS* (101) WORKSHOPS
February issue of Transition Tidbits
Self-care tip: practice square breathing daily
Pennsylvania Elks Home Service Program
Transitioning into the Adult system
TaC news for November here: https://www.smore.com/thcx4 \
PA Transition Tidbits October Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/ka5n7
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
Schuylkill County Resource for Families
Helpful Hints/Parent Trainings
STAND OUT AND SHINE - AUTISM AWARENESS FESTIVAL
IU Parent Treaining Series 21 - 22
Newsletter form the Reading District OVR Office
S.N.A.P. (Special Needs Assessment Program) is a disaster preparedness tool provided by your county government. For more information visit https://scema.org/ Help Your Emergency Responders Help You!
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
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
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