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,
Soon you will receive a copy of your child’s report card along with a special education goal update. This is District 96’s first special education goal update using Easy IEP, our computerized IEP program. The Progress Report is a cumulative goal update. It will list your child’s annual goals and progress toward short-term objectives. If you should have any questions regarding the Progress Report, please contact the service provider whose name and phone number is printed at the bottom of each page.
We have had a very busy school year with over 300 staffings to date. Last week we conducted Pre-School Screenings for 91 students. Special thanks to our parent volunteers who included:
| Rosie Balk | Sue Gersch |
| Carol Barlow | Jeanine Glavis |
| Kathy Barcal | Jeannette Kausal |
| Nancy Berger | Nick Kritikos |
| Sandy Biolat | Kierth Kurth |
| Elaine Cinkay | Becky Malloy |
| Karen Cochran | Holly Malone |
| Jodi Connelly | Jennifer Pollock |
| Nancy Connelly | Karen Quinn |
| Karen Dakota | Steph Schulte |
| Cathy Daun | Jennifer Straka |
| Kathy Dudek | Gelse Tkalec |
| Jan Eckhardt |
We are happy to announce new Special Education personnel. Danae Calvo is our newest substitute Resource Teacher who provides support at both Blythe Park and Central Schools. Ms. Calvo previously worked for 5 years as a Paraprofessional at Ames. Candice Cafarelli serves as a substitute Paraprofessional at Ames. Ms. Cafarelli is certified as a Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (Special Education Teacher). We have added part-time LADSE support staff to assist with initial case studies and triennial reevaluation staffings. We welcome Mary Gallagher, School Psychologist and Keri Gough, School Social Worker.
We have appreciated stimulating professional development opportunities, as organized by Meg O’Brien, District 96 Administrative Coordinator. On December 18, Trisha Olson and Kevin Gordon, Attorneys for Scariano, Himes and Petrarca presented a Legal Issues in-service to 67 special education department members. The in-service focused on conducting Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Improvement Plans. Our most recent professional development opportunity was held on January 29, 2010 for Paraprofessionals. I conducted an IEP in-service and shared our District 96 Special Education demographics.
Thank you for your support and encouragement this school year. Our Special Education staff is grateful for your thoughtful notes and email communication. We wish you a speedy winter’s end.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mary Polk
Director of Special Education and
Assessment Systems
09-10 Fall Letter
09-10 Welcome Back Letter
The Special Education Department will periodically post available resources and upcoming events.
CHADD Meetings
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
The IEP – A Parent’s Perspective will be presented by Susan Hans, IBE Parent Mentor.
LADSE Presents: THE IEP A Parent’s Perspective 11/19/09
Promoting Early Literacy in Your Home will be presented by Jolene Lorimer, LADSE Reading Specialist.
LADSE Parent Academy – September 09
LADSE hosts free monthly informational presentations. Click on the flyer below for details.
Parent Academy Flyer 2009-2010
Positive Parenting
LADSE is offering a six-week course called Positive Parenting – A Problem Solving Approach. Click on the flyer below for the details.
Positive Parent-Winter 2010