The Westfield Parent-Teacher Council/Special Education Committee has put together this booklet of information that will hopefully, offer guidance in finding the most appropriate services for your child.  Not all of the information in this packet will be relevant to you because the Special Education programs and services are individually designed for children with diversified needs and abilities.

To begin, let us define the terms "Special Education/Learning Differences".  It is not as frightening a label as it sounds:  A classified child usually needs a different style of teaching or a service unlike his or her typical peer.  The philosophy of the Westfield Special Education Department is "Every child can learn."  Therefore, no matter what the need -- small or great, requiring minimal intervention or multiple services -- there are teaching techniques and services that can assist your child to become a successful learner.

Albert Einstein was dyslexic and flunked math. Agatha Christie was learning disabled.  Leonardo da Vinci was learning disabled.  Stephen Hawking has Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS).  Marlee Matlin is deaf.  Joan Didion has multiple sclerosis. Charles Schwab is dyslexic. Learning differences and/or physical disabilities do not preclude success!

Contents

1. EDUCATIONAL CLASSIFICATION CATEGORIES

2. LAWS GUIDING SERVICES

3. WHO'S WHO IN WESTFIELD'S DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL SERVICES

4. EIP - EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM (BIRTH - 3YRS)

5. IN-DISTRICT - PROGRAMS & PERSONNEL

6. OUT REACH/OUT-OF-DISTRICT SERVICES

7. KINDRED SPIRITS

Top  

Educational Classification Categories

The following broad based educational guidelines have been developed by the Federal Government and adopted by the State as a means to shrink into manageable groupings the varied needs of children so that proper funding can be allocated to each school district. Special Education classification is simply the avenue necessary to provide the services and varied learning techniques needed for your child.

Auditorily Impaired Autistic Cognitively Impaired Communication Impaired Emotionally Disturbed Multiply Disabled Orthopedically Impaired

Other Health Impaired Preschool Disabled Social Maladjustment Specific Learning Disability Traumatic Brain Injury Visually Impaired Eligible for Speech-Language Services

Children who qualify for In-District/Out-of-District Special Education services due to a medical or educational need may include:  Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD/ADHD), Dyslexia, Learning Disabilities, Speech/Language Delay/Impairment, Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), . . .

Top  

Laws Guiding Services

In order to gain a basic understanding of how the aforementioned classifications were developed, we have listed four of the most important laws that guide the School Systems. These laws establish the “blueprint” for providing special education services including identification, evaluation, development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP), placement, and due process.  Contact the Westfield Department of Special Services to obtain a current copy of procedural safeguards called the “Parental Rights in Special Education (PRISE)”.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Referred to as "The Civil Rights Law for the Disabled" because it was the first law that stipulates that "no otherwise qualified handicapped individual...shall solely by reason of his handicap, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance or activity..."

P.L. 101-336, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
This law, based on the concepts of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in employment, public accommodation, transportation, State and local government services and telecommunications. The ADA is the most significant federal law assuring the full civil rights of all individuals with disabilities.

P.L. 105-17, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997.
Evolved from a series of laws mandating a "free appropriate public education for all children in the least restrictive environment", this current version of IDEA strengthens academic expectations and accountability for children with disabilities and bridges the gap between what children with disabilities learn and what is required in the regular curriculum.

N.J.A.C 6A:14, New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 6A, Chapter 14, Special Education.
The Special Education Code adopted by the New Jersey State Board of Education to assure compliance with both the Federal and State statutes on behalf of children with disabilities who are legal residents of our State.

Top  

Who's Who In Westfield's Department Of Special Services

The Westfield Special Education Services Department provides a wide variety of In-District/ Out-of-District services for children age 3 - 21. A child study team is assigned when your child turns three. Contact the Administrative Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent, 789-4442, three months before your child's 3rd birthday for continued or new services. See EIP - Early Intervention Program section for information on services for Birth - 3yrs.

Assistant Superintendent of Student Personnel Services

Dr. Theodore Kozlik

789-4442

	Health Services	Margaret Teitelbaum	789-4519
	Transportation Services	Dee Macaluso	789-4408
	Union County Educational Services		233-9317

Child Study Teams and Main Number

789-4440/4441

Child Study Team

Franklin, Wilson

	Andrea Lo	LDTC
	Kim Leoniy	Psychologist
	JoAnn Ellis	Social Worker

Child Study Team

Tamaques, Edison Intermediate

	Anthony Tomasso	LDTC
	Janet Hussein	Psychologist
	Terry Paster	Social Worker

Child Study Team

Washington, Roosevelt Intermediate

	Gail Friedman	LDTC
	Janet Harrison, Ed.D.	Psychologist
	Robert Thurston	Social Worker

Child Study Team Preschool, Jefferson, McKinley Ileana Pisauro LDTC Jenine Sinagra LDTC Marilyn Lawson Psychologist
Child Study Team	High School  -  789-6128

	Michelle Arocha	Secretary
	Janet McCann	LDTC
	Jodi Klimko	LDTC - 3/5
	Stacie Miller	Psychologist
	Daniel Fiadino	Social Worker

Top  

EIP-Early Intervention Program (Birth - 3yrs)

Children from Birth - 3yrs who require EIP services are covered through State (Dept. of Health) and Federally funded grants at specific facilities and are not under the jurisdiction of your local town. If you suspect your child has special needs before the age of three it is important to seek professional/medical advice. Second and third opinions can often prove to be invaluable information sources and resources.

This is an emotionally frustrating and confusing time for parents and family members. Many outreach networks, support groups and information services regarding your child's needs are available. It is impossible to include all the services available.  Instead, under the Outreach/Out-of-District Services section we have listed several avenues to point you to more specific services. You can also refer to http://www.westfieldnj.com/specialeducation for links to additional sources.

Top  

In-District - Programs & Resource Teachers

** Designated Barrier Free Environment

Pre-K Program:

** Edison Middle School

Special Services

789-4440

	Kathy Wildstein
	Kathryn Brennan

Elementary Programs:

Franklin School

789-4590

	Principal	Dr. Mary Fleck
	Assistant Principal	Mrs. Claudia Andreski
	Nurse	Maureen Pigott
	Assistant Principal	Claudia Andreski
	Resource Teachers	Cindy Cooper, Robin Gasson, Joy Nuzzo
	Special Education Class (NI), Grades 1-2	Randi Goodstein
	Special Education Class (NI), Grades 3-5	Diane Eisen
	Student Support Counselor	Lynn Slomczewski

** Jefferson School

789-4490

	Principal	Dr. Jordon Schiff
	Nurse	Annemarie Schneider
	Resource Teacher	Kelly Kerrigan, Sandra Stanton
	Student Support Counselor	Maria Catero

McKinley School

789-4555

	Principal	Mr. Charles Hansen III
	Nurse	Josephine Oliveri
	Resource Teacher	Anna Marie Kossler, Linda Mankoski
	Transitional Kindergarten	Laura Scaturo
	Special Education Class (SLD), grades 1-2	Susan Glick
	Special Education Class (SLD), grades 3-5	Judy Cologna
	Student Support Counselor	Lynn Slomczewski

Tamaques School

789-4580

	Principal	Mr. Michael Cullen
	Nurse	Jeanne Jensen
	Resource Teacher	Stephanie Altman, Catherine Becker, Sharon Contreras
	Student Support Counselor	Frank Uvegas

** Washington School

789-4600

	Principal	Mr. Joseph Malanga
	Nurse	Bernadette Graf
	Resource Teacher	Katherine Martyn, Jessica Marks
	Student Support Counselor	Maria Catero

Wilson School

789-4605

	Principal	Dr. Andrew Perry
	Nurse	Katherine Haldeman
	Resource Teacher	Susan Kaplan, Rochelle Spagnola, Lisa Quackenbush
	Student Support Counselor	Frank Uvegas

Secondary Programs:

**Edison Intermediate School

789-4470

	Principal	Mrs. Cheryl O'Brien
	Assistant Principal	Mr. Stewart Carey
	Nurse	Roberta Cohen, MaryBeth Mansfield
	Substance Awareness	Marie Koch
	Guidance	Carol Gerson, Donald Heaney, Gloria White-James
	Resource Teacher	Marcia Dinorscio, Kathy Kopec, Michael Kozlowski, Jason McNeece,  Patricia Pace, Michelle Puccio, Joanne Saladino, Jenna Wason
	Self-contained Perceptionally Impaired	Karen Federico, Robert Sanders

 

** Roosevelt Intermediate School

789-4560

	Principal	Mr. Ken Schulack
	Assistant Principal	Mr. Dennis McMorrow
	Nurse	Barbara Mellon, Jean Wands
	Substance Awareness	Marie Koch
	Guidance	Brenda Benimeo, Deborah Lyons
	Resource Teacher	Staci Beegle, Dominic Ceccio, Nancy Hatfield -1/5, Greg Long, Mary Shea, Marcia Sheldon, Marilyn Toriello

** Westfield High School

789-4500

	Principal	Dr. Robert Petix
	Assistant Principal	Mr. Robert Eyre
	Assistant Principal	Mr. John Farinella
	Nurse	Carol Stavitski, Margaret Teitelbaum
	Special Education Chairperson	Anita O'Neal
	Substance Awareness	Maureen Mazzarese
	Guidance	Jan Fine, Judy Glasser, Ramaha Harewood, Elizabeth McDermott, James Moriarty, Leslie Scheckman, Paul Smith
	Resource Teachers	Jan Fine, Judy Glasser, Rahama Harewood, Elizabeth McDermott, James Moriarty, Leslee Scheckman, Paul Smith

Related Services - Personnel

	Human Resources	Dr. Margaret Dolan, Assistant Superintendent, 789-4425
	Guidance/Section 504 Coordinator	Dr. Cas Jakubik, Director
	Occupational Therapist	Elaine Eisenstein
	Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing	Maryanne Morrison
	Speech Correctionists	Patricia Dubroski, Bill Gelber, Betty Ann Kaltneckar, Lance Wildstein, Marissa Nicholas, Debby Posluszny, Diane Scrudato
	Adaptive PhysEd	Nancy Carpenter
	English as a Second Language	Carol Dreyer, Nancy Liggera, Linda Ulanet

Top  

Out Reach/Out-Of-District Services

Out-of-district placements require mutual agreement between parents and the child study team. Appropriate programs for your child can be located using several avenues. These avenues are guides to point you to more specific options.

Westfield Board of Ed - Dept. of Special Services, Child Study Team, Westfield
(908)789-4442
(Non-Westfield residents see local Board of Ed)
The CST (Child Study Team) is a group of Education Professionals who evaluate your child's learning needs and help develop the Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Westfield Parent-Teacher Council/ Special Education Committee, Westfield

Contact your school's PTC/Special Ed Rep

www.westfieldnj.com/specialeducation

A parent committee whose focus is to act as a support network, an information resource,  and watchdog on local issues concerning Special Education.

SPAN Statewide Parent Advocacy Network, Newark
(800)654-7726
A non-profit training and information center for parents of children with disabilities. SPAN helps parents to effectively communicate with educators and health care providers, become familiar with federal and state entitlements, participate in the special education decision-making process and network with other parents.

NJ Dept. of Education - Office of Special Education, Trenton
(609)633-6833
Responsible for administering all state funded Special Education Programs in the public schools and determining the eligibility of private schools to provide educational programs to students with developmental disabilities under contract with local school districts.

NJ Dept of Health - Family Health Services/Early Intervention Services, Trenton
(609)777-7734
Provides partial support to community based agencies and hospitals to ensure that children with special needs have access to necessary services. Specialized Pediatric Services and Early Intervention Services are supported by this agency. A county based case manager will work with families of special needs children to develop a service plan.

Library For The Blind and Handicapped, Trenton
(800)792-8322
Provides the Blind, Deaf, Blind/Deaf and Learning Disabled with recorded books, Braille, and large print books predominantly for pleasure reading. Its Deaf Awareness Project provides reference books, video tapes and assistive devices (ITY, Closed Captioners, etc) free of charge through the interlibrary loan service throughout the State.

SCRIPT - Statewide Computerized Reference Information Program, Trenton
(800)792-8858
Computerized information service listing approximately 1,500 programs and services primarily in NJ for persons with developmental disabilities.

Educational Law Center Inc., Newark
(973)624-1815
A Not for Profit Public interest law firm specializing in reform of the public elementary and secondary school systems in N.J. ELC provides free legal assistance to parents, students and concerned individuals who encounter individual or systemic problems in Public School Education.

NOTE: Whether a child is in-district or out-of-district, it is important for you as the parent to know you are your child's biggest advocate! You are responsible for making sure the program is appropriate for your child. When differences arise between parent and school system, legal action for resolution should only be used if all other avenues fail to resolve the conflict.

.  .  .  .  .

The Internet can be an excellent source of information about specific disabilities, current research and practices, federal and state mandates, and the types of programs and services available. Links to many of these sites can be found on the PTC/Special Education web page at http://www.westfieldnj.com/specialeducation.

Top  

Kindred Spirits/Local Resource Parents

From time to time every parent has questions and feelings about the choices they made or are about to make regarding their child's growth and development, education, and alternatives. Professional advice is essential. Parental advice offers a knowledge through the intimate experiences of raising a child. Therefore we have put together a short list of local resource parents and/or organizations as another information source and friendly ear. The list is available upon request to Westfield area residents via e-mail by clicking here.

Top