Busing
Special Needs Services

Busing

Bus service is provided by the public school district where parents reside. The service must be requested by April 1 of the previous year. Schedules are found in the district publication usually in August. If there are any scheduling problems, please call your district transportation office. 

Special Needs Services

If parents suspect that their child is having difficulty with speech/language skills, maintaining attention to task, or learning new concepts and vocabulary, it is advised that they contact the Committee of Special Education in their home school district for their child to be referred for an evaluation. When a referral is made and parental content is obtained an evaluation will take place. This evaluation is at no cost to families.

The evaluation team is composed of a psychologist (to assess learning strengths/weaknesses, self-concept and esteem), a speech/language pathologist (to assess speech sound development and language understanding and expression), a school nurse (to assess any health concerns) and a social worker or service coordinator to keep the parents informed as to the progress of testing and to include the parents’ observations in the evaluation process. If there are concerns with large motor skills or manual dexterity a physical therapist or occupational therapist will also be part of the evaluation team. The evaluation usually takes place at school, although parents are advised to contact their home school district as to specific policies and procedures.

Once the evaluation is completed, the Committee of Special Education in the students’ home district will conduct a meeting to review the results. Parents are legally entitled to attend this meeting and to take part in the discussion of recommendations and services. Parents are welcome to invite any other individuals to speak on their child’s behalf.

The Committee of Special Education will examine and discuss the evaluation results to see if the student is demonstrating a disability according to the regulations and guidelines specified by New York State Education Law (Section 4401 (1), Part 200). If so, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will be developed to address overall goals for the child to attain within the school year and specified objectives as to how these goals will be met. Services will also be recommended to meet the child’s needs to the fullest extent possible within the context of the regular education program. These services may include, but are not limited to, speech/language therapy, physical or occupational therapy, and academic assistance provided by a special education teacher. 

The home school district will contract with an appropriate professional to provide the recommended services to the child. Most services are provided at St. Joseph’s School, but parents are advised to contact their home school for any specific guidelines. Services recommended by the Committee of Special Education are provided at no cost to families.

For further information about the special education process, contact:

Donna Kruezer
Adm Asst to Committee of Special Education
249-5717

New York State Education Department
http://web.nysed.gov/vesid
“special education for children ages 3-21”