Each student who is identified as eligible for special education services must receive a “free and appropriate education” based upon his or her needs.  The information provided within this booklet will acquaint you with a description of services available to Plainville students.

Our staff makes every effort to provide services that will enable each child to succeed educationally.  We encourage all parents to actively participate in decision-making and to become knowledgeable about their child’s educational program.  Hopefully this booklet will give you all the pertinent information that will allow for the best partnership between school and home.

If you desire additional information or have questions about special education and/or related services, please call our office at 793-3214.

Your continued cooperation will assist us in providing the appropriate services for your child’s needs.

Vicki Trzcinski,
Director of Special Education and Pupil Services

Online Resources

-State Department of Education Website
-Health Forms
-2010 Guidelines for Identifying Children with Learning Disabilities
-Parental Notification of the Laws Relating to the use of Seclusion and Restraint in the Public Schools
-Steps to Protect a Child's Right to Special Education: Procedural Safeguards
-Guide to RTI Services in Plainville

Overview

Plainville Community Schools provide a full range of early intervention, special education and related services for children and youth ages 3-21.  Among these services are collaboration with classroom teachers, special education instruction, support services, outreach services with community programs, and information dissemination.

Plainville Community Schools Special Education personnel include a Director of Special Education and Pupil Services, Supervisor of Special Education, Special Education Program Specialist, Resource Teachers, School Psychologists, School Social Worker, Occupational and Physical Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, School Nurses, Instructional Aides, and Tutors.

   Mission Statement

The Plainville Special Education Department will assist and enhance each student’s academic, social, and behavioral development within the least restrictive environment.

In order to achieve this goal, we will:

• Provide access to a continuum of services and placement options structured to allow each child to attain greater levels of integration into regular education classes and the community.

• Collaborate with family, community, educational and related service personnel in order to provide students with an opportunity to become participating members of the school community.

• Facilitate an understanding and acceptance of diversity among individuals, in both academic and community circles.

• Commit to ongoing professional growth and support with emphasis on including all students with diverse needs in all aspects of the school community.

The Team Approach

Interdisciplinary teaming takes place in every school for children and youth with specialized learning needs by:

• The Early Childhood Program of Plainville for 3 to 5 year olds
• Pre-referral Teams for K through Grade 5 students
• Student Intervention Team for Middle School students
• Student Assistance Model team for High School students

The focus of all the assistance teams is strategies – development and implementation – to enhance each referred student’s school adjustment.  Referrals to the team are made by parents, teachers, administrators, related services staff, and by community agencies assisting family members.

If it appears that a student’s progress is a concern after a team-generated series of intervention strategies has been tried, a Planning and Placement team meeting may be scheduled.  At the meeting, the PPT team explores the student’s academic strengths and weaknesses and determines the need for educational assessment.  Once the evaluation process is completed, the PPT team meets to share results and to determine if special education services are required.

The main goal of each of our teams is to improve student success.

Please click on a program below for more information: