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Special Education
Contact Information:
    Mr. Phillip Andras, Director of Special Education
       (570)462-1957   andrp@svbluedevils.org

    Michelle Zinkus, Jr/Sr High School Special Education Coordinator
        (570)462-1957    zinkm@svbluedevils.org

    Brooke Kehler, Elementary Special Education Coordinator
        (570)462-2796     kehlb@svbluedevils.org

    Lesley Matus, School Psychologist
        (570)462-1957      matul@svbluedevils.org


Special Education
     Each student with a disability who is a resident of Shenandoah Valley shall be provided quality education program and services that meet the student’s needs for educational, instructional, transitional, and related services. The special education program shall be designed to comply with law; conformed to district goals; and integrate programs of special education with the regular instructional program of the schools, consistent with the interest of the student with a disability and other students.
Under Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), a child with a disability can be defined as the following: Autism, Deaf/Blindness, Deafness, Emotional Disturbance, Hearing Impaired, Mental Retardation, Multiple Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Speech and Language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Visual Impairment.
If you believe that your school-age child may be in need of special education screening or evaluation, services are available to you at no cost, upon written request.





Announcements


Strategies for Supporting Students on the Autism Spectrum. 
Does your child have a form of autism?  Does your child have behaviors that you would like to improve upon? Are you interested in learning how to support your child with autism?  Then this training is for you!  This training will discuss basic strategies that you can use with your child who has an Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as how you can then utilize mobile technology to implement those strategies.   Wednesday March 21st from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Schuylkill Intermediate Gymnasium.  Presented by Schuylkill Intermediate Unit #29 TaC Staff.  To register visit the IU website at www.iu29.org and click on the Strategies for Supporting Students on the Autism Spectrum link.


Transition 101 Parent Training:
      What is Transition? What does this mean for my child with a disability?
If you have a child with a disability who is 13 - 21 years of age and would
like to receive information about the transition process and transition
section of an IEP, then please come join us for an informational training
about transition. Parents, guardians, and family members from ANY
DISTRICT may attend any of the following trainings listed on the attached flyer.



      S.N.A.P. (Special Needs Assessment Program) is a disaster preparedness tool provided by your county government.  For more information visit www.scema.org   Help Your Emergency Responders Help You!


Schuylkill County Transition Handbook - Parent Edition

2011-12 Parent Trainings


Special Education Documents

  Procedural Safeguards





Inclusion Classroom
There are currently four co-teaching classrooms at Shenandoah Valley Elementary School. “Co-teaching is two or more people sharing responsibility for teaching all of the students assigned to a classroom (Nevin, Thousand, & Villa, 2008).” The research indicates increased overall achievement for all students. There are many benefits of co-teaching for both students and teachers alike. For students, co-teaching develops respect for differences, opportunities for leadership and growth within the least restrictive environment, improves self-esteem, enables development of friendships, shows increased achievement test scores, etc.

All students have the right to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE). If you would like to receive more information about co-teaching, please log on to www.ravillabayridge.com.




Child Study Team
The purpose of the Child Study Team is to implement academic and behavioral interventions to meet the needs of students experiencing difficulty prior to a special education referral. When the student is showing academic or behavioral problems, the teacher will complete the Child Study Referral form. The Child Study Referral form is located in the Elementary Office. The Child Study Referral form will be turned in to the School Counselor.


Websites:
 
   Council for Exceptional Children

   Pennsylvania Department of Education

   Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)
 
   Schuylkill County Intermediate Unit #29


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