Required Annual Notices ( cont .) 2022-2023
a special education program operated in a public school . A multidisciplinary evaluation which determines the child ’ s eligibility for services must be conducted and , if eligible , an individualized education program plan ( IEP ) is developed . Parents of nonpublic school students who suspect that their child is disabled and in need of special education may request a multidisciplinary evaluation of their child through a written request to the building principal or Director of Student Support Services .
Services for Protected Handicapped Students : The school district will provide to each protected handicapped student without discrimination or cost to the student or family those related aids , services or accommodations which are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of school programs and extracurricular activities to the extent appropriate to the student ’ s abilities . To qualify as a protected handicapped student , the child must be of school age with a physical or mental handicap which substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the school program . Services for protected handicapped students are distinct from those applicable to disabled students enrolled in special education programs . Protected handicapped students fall under Pennsylvania ’ s Chapter 15 , sometimes known by its federal name , Section 504 ( of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act ). In contrast , students with disabilities who qualify for special education services are covered by regulations contained in Pennsylvania ’ s Chapter 14 . While both Chapter 14 and 15 provide services to students , there are technical differences between the two . Additional information about evaluation procedures and provision of services to protected handicapped students is available by contacting the building principal .
Services for Preschool Age Children : Act 212 , the Early Intervention Systems Act , entitles all preschool age children with disabilities to appropriate intervention services . Young children experiencing developmental delay or physical or mental disabilities are eligible for early intervention services if it is determined that they meet eligibility requirements . The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare is responsible for providing services to infants and toddlers , defined as children from birth to three year of age . Contact the Early Learning Institute , 2510 Baldwick Road , Pittsburgh , PA , 15205-4104 , 412-922-8322 . The Pennsylvania Department of Education is responsible for providing services to preschool age children from ages three through five . Contact the Allegheny Intermediate Unit , Project DART , 425 East Waterfront Drive , Homestead , PA 15120 , 412-394-5941 .
Confidentiality of Student Records : The privacy rights of parents and students are mandated by federal legislation known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 ( FERPA - C . F . R . Part 99 ), most recently amended in November 1996 , state regulations ( Chapter 14-Special Education Services and Programs , Chapter 12-Student Rights and Responsibilities ) and district policy .
South Fayette Township School District Public Notice on Surrogate Parents For Students with Special Needs
Federal law establishes the right of a free and appropriate public education for all children with disabilities . To ensure that this right is realized for all such children , procedures are written into the laws to ensure that children with disabilities who are wards of the state , or whose parents are unknown , unavailable , or have had their parental rights legally terminated , have appropriate representation when educational programming decisions are made . This is provided through the recruitment , training and assignment of volunteer surrogate parents who represent the child during the educational process . In Pennsylvania , Intermediate Units have been given the responsibility of recruiting , training and assigning parents to children meeting the qualifications listed . The South
Fayette Township School District works with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit # 3 in providing this service .
Identification of Children Eligible for Surrogate Parents : Special needs preschool and school-aged children receiving a free and appropriate education in a public school or an approved private school , who meet one of the following criteria , are eligible for the assignment of a qualified surrogate parent :
1 . The Child is a ward of the state , or 2 . The Child ’ s parent ( s ) or guardian ( s ) are unknown or unavailable , or 3 . The Child is an unaccompanied homeless youth . To be identified as being in need of a surrogate parent , the preschooler or school-aged child must have special needs , or be thought to have special needs , and be in need of special education services in the South Fayette Township School District or IU operated program or be enrolled in an approved private / private school .
Qualification for Surrogate Parents : Surrogate parents must meet the following qualifications :
• Be of a person of good character ,
• Be at least 18 years of age ,
• Possess reasonable abilities to make decisions regarding a child ’ s educational needs ,
• Be willing to acquaint themselves with the child ’ s educational needs and with the special education system in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ,
• Have no vested interest that would conflict with the primary allegiance to the child they are representing . The surrogate parent should not be an employee of the agency responsible for the care of the child ,
• Foster parents may be considered if they meet all other qualifications ,
• Have Act 33 and Act 34 clearances from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ,
• Be willing to complete a training program conducted by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit .
Responsibilities of the Surrogate Parent : The surrogate parent is expected to act in place of a parent for the student concerning his or her educational program . This involves :
• Attending a planning conference to develop an individualized educational program ,
• Being familiar with appropriate procedures for due process and confidentiality of school records ,
• Receiving and responding to requests and notices concerning the evaluation and / or educational placement of the assigned student ,
• Making self-familiar with the unique educational needs of the assigned student .
The surrogate parent takes on certain quasi-legal responsibilities in order to serve the best interests of the child . The primary function is to represent the student in those circumstances in which decisions need to be made concerning the student ’ s educational program or placement . It is necessary for the surrogate parent to receive considerable training to familiarize him or herself with all aspects of the surrogate parent role . The demands of the role may be extensive and require the volunteer to make a significant commitment of time and learning in order to serve the best interest of the child . If you are interested in being a surrogate parent for a child / youth with disabilities , please contact the Director of Student Support Services at 412-221-4542 , Ext . 429 .
English as a Second Language Services ( ESL )
In accordance with federal law and state regulations , the South Fayette School District must identify all students who have “ limited English proficiency ” ( LEP ). These students typically have a primary language other than English that is used in their homes . Students identified with a limited English proficiency are eligible for ESL instructional services to help them attain proficient skills in their use of the written and spoken English language .
All students must have a Home Language Survey completed by their parents prior to admission into the school district . This survey allows the South Fayette School District to identify possible LEP students . South Fayette Township School District ESL teachers , will screen any student identified as possibly having a limited English proficiency and will provide direct services to students based on their level of need .
Parents or guardians who feel that their child may have a limited English proficiency should contact the ESL Coordinator at 412-221-4542 , extension 415 for more information .
Title I Performance Report
South Fayette Elementary School receives Title I funds annually . The funding is used to provide the Title I Reading Services to first grade and second grade students who are below basic or basic in their reading skills .
A highly qualified teacher , according to the United States Department of Education , is fully certified , has a bachelor ’ s degree , a content area major and has passed a content area test . In addition , fully certified teachers in Pennsylvania have completed pedagogical coursework in education , including student teaching . We take pride in the tremendous skill and dedication of our faculty and staff .
Please note that , as parents , you have a right to request and receive timely information regarding the professional qualifications of your child ’ s classroom teacher . If you have any questions about our Title I Program or about your child ’ s teacher , please feel free to contact the Title I Coordinator at 412 221-4542 , extension 612 .
Department of Student Support Services : Student Support Services and Special Education Department : 412-221-4542 Rachel A . Andler , Ed . D . Director of Student Support Services Extension 429 raandler @ southfayette . org
Conchetta Bell , Psy . D . School Psychologist / Assistant Director of Student Support Services Transition and 504 Plan Services Coordinator Extension 404 clbell @ southfayette . org
Gretchen Tucci , M . S . Ed . School Psychologist / Assistant Director of Student Support Services Extension 415 gitucci @ southfayette . org
Katelyn Romain School Psychologist Department of Student Support Services Extension 218 knromain @ southfayette . org
Amy Brooks Administrative Assistant Department of Student Support Services Extension 428 ajbrooks @ southfayette . org
Tara Rao ACCESS Coordinator / Administrative Assistant Department of Student Support Services Extension 403 ttrao @ southfayette . org outh Fayette SOUTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
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