SOUTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

62 South Fayette

http :// www . cdc . gov / ncbddd / autism / ActEarly / default . htm For additional information regarding the signs of developmental delays , please contact the Director of Pupil Personnel at 412-221-4542 , Ext . 429 .

Services for School Age Students with Disabilities or Mental Giftedness :

The South Fayette Township School District provides a free , appropriate public education to students with disabilities or mental giftedness according to state and federal rules . To be eligible , the child must : n Be of school age . n Have a disability or mental giftedness and be in need of specially designed instruction . n Meet eligibility criteria for one or more of the following physical or mental disabilities as set forth in the Pennsylvania State Standards : autism , deaf-blindness , blindness , visual impairment , emotional disturbance , specific learning disability , other health impairment , traumatic brain injury , and speech / language impairment , orthopedic impairment , hearing impairment , deafness , multiple disabilities or mental retardation . Services designed to meet the needs of eligible disabled students include : a ) The annual development of an individualized education program ( IEP or Gifted IEP ). b ) A triennial multidisciplinary re-evaluation for students with disabilities ( except for those students with mental retardation where evaluation remains biennial ). c ) A range of supports for students from itinerant level to supplemental level to full time level special education support within the school district or placement in a full-time special education disabilities class outside of the regular school

The extent of special education services for disabled or mentally gifted students and the location for the delivery of such services are determined by the parents and the district staff at the IEP team meeting and are based on the student ’ s identified needs and abilities , chronological age and the level of intensity of the specified intervention . The school district also provides related services , such as transportation , physical therapy , occupational therapy and assistive technology if they are required to enable the student with disabilities to derive educational benefits . a ) Prior to initiation of services , parents of a student with disabilities are presented a “ Notice of Recommended Educational Placement / Prior Written Notice ” ( NOREP ) and parents of a mentally gifted student with a “ Notice of Recommended Assignment ” ( NORA ) with which they agree or disagree . If parents agree to the program outlined by the multidisciplinary team and the parent signs either the NOREP or NORA , then the program is implemented for their child . If parents disagree with the program being recommended , they have the right to request IEP facilitation , mediation and / or a due process hearing . Parents are issued their “ Procedural Safeguards ” which outlines in detail their legal rights as a parent of a child identified as having a disability or considered mental gifted . Lastly , if a child proves to have a disability or handicapping condition under PA Chapter 15 and the American Disabilities Act and it is determined the child is entitled to services and accommodations that are necessary to enable them access and safety when participating in programs and activities of the school , then a 504 Student Services Plan is outlined between the parent , district LEA and district staff . Parents are also given “ Procedural Safeguards ” for Chapter 15 504 Student Services Plans which outlines their rights as a parent of a student who has a disability and requires accommodations .

Detailed information regarding Chapter 14 special education , Chapter 16 gifted education and Chapter 15 504 Service Plan / Agreement procedures and services may be obtained by calling the Pupil Personnel Department at South Fayette Township School Schools , ( 412 ) 221-4542 , extension 429 . Services for Students in Nonpublic Schools : Public school education may be accessible to resident students attending nonpublic schools on a dual enrollment basis in 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 Pupil Personnel . 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 Pupil Personnel 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 course work 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 .

School Board Policy # 918 , Title I Parental Involvement , can be found in the back of the Handbook .

Department of Pupil Personnel : Pupil Support Services and Special Education Department : 412-221-4542

Mandi Davis Skerbetz , Ed . D . Director of Pupil Personnel Extension 429 mdskerbetz @ southfayette . org

Gretchen Tucci , M . S . Ed . School Psychologist / Assistant Director of Pupil

Personnel Extension 415 gitucci @ southfayette . org

Conchetta Bell , Psy . D . School Psychologist / Transition and 504 Plan

Services Coordinator Extension 404 clbell @ southfayette . org