Director of Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services (PPS)
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WELCOME TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION |
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Important phone numbers to know:
* RVC Behavioral Health Center - 516-927-1630 | * Center for Hope - 516-216-5194 |
* Mineola Behavioral Health Center - 516-321-5770 | * National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Call or Text 988 |
* Commack Behavioral Health Center - 631-775-3280 | * Northwell Crisis Support 631-608-5885 |
* South Oaks Hospital Admissions - 631-608-5885 | * Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 800-662-HELP |
* Cohen Children’s Medical Center Pediatric Behavioral Health Urgent Care - 718-470-3148 | * Nassau County Helpline 516-227-TALK |
* Cohen Children’s Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Department - 718-470-3768 | * If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255 [tel:8002738255], text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources. |
* Long Island Crisis Center - 516-679-1111 | |
A Message from Our Director
Welcome to the official website of the Special Education Department at the East Meadow School District!
I am honored to serve as the Director of Special Education, and I extend a warm welcome to the East Meadow families, educators, and all those dedicated to nurturing the growth and development of our students with special needs.
As the Director of Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services, I am responsible for overseeing the special education process for the East Meadow School District. This includes referrals to, and meetings of the Committee on Special Education (CSE) and the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE), as well as the implementation of the special education programs and related services within and outside the district.
I supervise special education teachers, speech and language teachers, physical therapists and occupational therapists employed by the district. Additionally, I ensure that the East Meadow School District continues to operate its programs and implements procedures that are current with ongoing changes in federal and state legislation relative to the special education process. Communication with the district’s central and building administration is ongoing, as it is with the dozens of programs located outside the district that many of our special-needs students attend.
Duties related to Pupil Personnel Services include overseeing the district’s psychological services and social worker services departments. Additionally, alternate placements in programs outside the district for students, the homeless, mental health issues, and crisis intervention all fall under this office.
We understand the crucial role that a strong partnership between families and schools plays in a student's education journey. Throughout the school year, we engage with parents to ensure a collaborative and supportive learning environment. Our focus is on students ranging from pre-K to age 22, and we prioritize close collaboration with parents, educators, and stakeholders to ensure a high-quality education for every student.
Our core mission is to create a safe and supportive learning atmosphere where each student can thrive. We are committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal aspirations, both within their school years and as they transition to post-school life. To this end, we provide an array of programs and services, tailored to make a meaningful impact on learning outcomes. These include personalized instruction, supplemental support, and specialized interventions.
Aligned with the guidelines set forth by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004), our broader goal as a district is to foster holistic student achievement. Our commitment extends beyond academics, encompassing the full spectrum of students' lives. We are dedicated to offering personalized education for students with special needs within an environment that addresses their academic, social, and emotional requirements.
Should you have inquiries regarding the process of identifying students for special education or if you seek more information about our program offerings, please don't hesitate to connect with the school psychologist at your child's school or directly contact our special education office.
We encourage your participation in SEPTA's (Special Education Parent Teacher Association) events, including the monthly committee meetings. Through collaborative efforts, we can ensure the success and well-being of our students.
Further resources and important phone numbers can also be found on this page along with our monthly Parent Workshop dates and the Zoom link.
I look forward to our continued commitment to support students and their families!
Warm regards,
Meet the Department of Special Education Child Find
Joane Vincent
Danielle Betz
Kathleen Hannan
Parent Resources
Child Find
The East Meadow School District, in conjunction with Project Child Find, is attempting to obtain the names of any children within our district who might need special education and/or related services. Children 5 years of age and under may be eligible for services. We are requesting that parents who have a child who has been diagnosed as having a disability or who they suspect might have a disability, please contact the Committee on Preschool Special Education.
Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE)
The Preschool Special Education Committee oversees the identification and delivery of services to children needing specialized education before entering kindergarten, covering ages 3 to 5. Eligibility is decided based on a comprehensive assessment that comes at no cost to families. The East Meadow School District's Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) is responsible for determining eligibility, suggesting suitable special education or related services, and crafting an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each qualified child. The administration of the Preschool Special Education Programs for 3 to 5-year-old children with disabilities in New York State is managed by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) through local school districts. The Nassau County Department of Health collaborates with providers and funds these services alongside NYSED.
If you have any questions concerning special education support services for a pre-school aged student, please contact:
Ms. Carrie Kelsey
CPSE Chairperson
Please see the link below to register your child in the East Meadow School District.
Special Education Programs
Please note that all services are recommended by the Committee of Special Education (CSE) and are done so in consideration of the least restrictive learning environment (LRE).
Related Services:
Related services are recommended and offered via the Committee of Special Education (CSE) based upon individual student needs. Such services may be speech and language, vision, hearing, orientation and mobility, counseling, parent training, skilled nursing, occupational therapy (OT), or Physical Therapy (PT).
Resource Room:
The resource room program provides students with focused supplemental instruction in a group of five students to one teacher. The resource program teacher, working with the classroom teachers, gives specific instruction to help with instructional strategies in correspondence to the student’s IEP goals.
Integrated Co-Teaching Services (ICT):
Integrated Co-Teaching Services refer to a method where students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) get their specialized instruction alongside other students in regular education settings. This approach involves two certified educators working together: a general education teacher and a special education teacher. Both teachers actively contribute to teaching by delivering content, encouraging student participation, and supporting learning. ICT is two teachers equally responsible for the delivery and instruction of all students within their classroom.
Consultant Teacher Program:
The Consultant Teacher Program supports students with disabilities by allowing them to remain in regular education classes while receiving guidance from a special education teacher or related service provider. This service enables school districts to offer support directly or indirectly to students with disabilities. Through this approach, regular education teachers receive guidance from consultant teachers to adapt the learning environment and teaching methods to cater to the needs of students with disabilities in their classrooms.
Special Classes:
Teaching within the specialized class aligns with the teaching methodology employed in the general education environment. These special classes offer foundational instruction within a setting that caters to students with disabilities. Special classes are offered for subjects such as English, Social Studies, Science, and Math. The curriculum and standards maintain consistency with those of regular education courses but are tailored to accommodate each student's unique requirements. The specialized classes are conducted with a size ratio determined by the CSE (Committee on Special Education), which could be either 6:1, 8:1, 10:1, 12:1 or 15:1 depending on the individualized needs of the student.
Suicide Prevention Resouces
BCBA Parent Training
The dates for the 2023-2024 school year:
September 13, 2023
October 4, 2023
November 8, 2023
December 4, 2023
January 3, 2024
March 13, 2024
April 3, 2024
May 2, 2024
June 4, 2024
Presentations will be done virtually via Zoom at 7:00 p.m.
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