Special Education
Contact Information
Dr. Mary Polk
Director of Special Education
61 Woodside Road
Riverside, IL 60546
708-447-0706
708-447-0797 fax
Dear Families,
Welcome back to school year 2010-2011. We had a productive Summer School at Central with 24 students attending Session I and 20 students attending Session II. The students’ enthusiasm and love for learning gave us extra energy through a flood-filled summer.
Special thanks to our dedicated District 96 staff who made Extended School Year possible. Our teachers included: Ms. Valerie Brackett, Ms. Candace Cafarelli, Ms. Meredith Sayre, Ms. Andrea Flodin, Ms. Allison Kamp, and Ms. Meredith Wydra.
Our Paraprofessional support was provided by: Ms. Doreen Forrett, Ms. Mary Jo McCloskey, Ms. Barbara Preston, Mr. Brian LaPointe, and Ms. Laura Rice. Ms. Meredith Bolda served as a substitute Paraprofessional.
The Special Education department is pleased to announce the appointments of two new Paraprofessionals who are both certified teachers. Ms. Amanda Neal will work at Hollywood School, and Ms. Beckylee Dykiel will work at Hauser Junior High.
Please watch your mail for your copy of your child’s Confidential Memo, which will be distributed to all of the staff who work with your child. The Confidential Memo contains your child’s IEP goals, related services, and accommodations. You will receive your copy within the first two weeks of school.
If you are a new family be sure to browse our website and read the brochures entitled District 96 Special Education and Introduction to the IEP. If you should have any questions, please contact your child’s case manager or me at (708) 447-0706.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mary Polk
Director of Special Education and
Assessment Systems
The Special Education Department will periodically post available resources and upcoming events.
Illinois Autism Project
New Brain Findings on Dyslexic Children: Good Readers Learn From Repeating Auditory Signals, Poor Readers Do Not
How Noise & Nervous System Get in Way of Reading Skills
District 96 Special Education Brochure
Introduction to the IEP
Special Education Rights Guide Update
The 2009 special education rights guide, Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois, is now available. This document is a major rewrite of the 2001 A Parents’ Guide: The Educational Rights of Students with Disabilities. The guide was collaboratively developed and reviewed by the Parent Task Force on Accessible special Education Materials, parent leaders, special education administrators, parent and advocacy organizations, and the Illinois State Board of Education.
The 2009 edition has been designed to serve as a useful resource to both parents and school personnel. The guide includes a comprehensive narrative outlining the principal rights and procedures for special education. To maximize user-friendliness, the guide allows the reader to obtain a detailed overview of special education as a whole, or to research a specific topic.
The online version of the Guide may be found at LADSE
http://www.isbe.net/spec-ed/pdfs/parent_guide_english.pdf. Questions may be directed to Special Education Services staff at 217-782-5589 or via the agency toll-free number at 866-262-6663.
LaGrange Area Department of Special Education – LADSE
For additional resources through LADSE click on their name and you will be linked to their website.
Parent Academy
LADSE hosts free monthly informational presentations. Click on the flyer below for details.