Dr. LeRoy Seitz, Superintendent

Our Board is as follows:

• Mrs. Christine Aguesseau
• Mrs. Lisa Azzizzo
• Mrs. Alison Cogan
• Mrs. Alana DeCrescenzo
• Mrs. Maria Pettoni
• Ms. Sandra Pucilowski

Parents and Professionals of Exceptional Children (PEC) is a Parsippany district-wide organization concerned with the needs of exceptional students.

We are a support group, an information network, and an advocacy group. During the school year we provide programs of interest to parents and caregivers, as well as professionals.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT:

• To meet with those interested in promoting the educational, emotional and social welfare of all disabled children;
• To make the public aware of the existence and needs of the exceptional child;
• To give parents and caregivers a forum to exchange ideas;
• To aid parents and caregivers of the educational services available;
• To establish a line of communication among teachers, administrators, Board of Education members, parents and caregivers;
• To guarantee equal opportunity for all disabled students;
• To aid parents and caregivers in seeking their legal rights.

RESPONSIBILITIES TO OUR CHILDREN

The district is required to identify educationally exceptional pupils and to provide to each a free, appropriate public education.

Our district employs the services of professionals who can evaluate a student, develop an IEP (Individualized Education Plan), and provide a program for those eligible for special education.

The teacher is responsible for implementing the educational plan, monitoring the daily program and communicating with the student, parent, and Child Study Team. Teachers plan activities so that students are afforded opportunities to learn.

The chief responsibility of the School Administrator is the supervision, evaluation and implementation of instruction. They are responsible for the administration and supervision of the entire school program. They also serve as chairperson of the Child Study Team.

The Child Study Team (CST) is the group of professionals assigned to the student's case to develop and oversee the implementation of the IEP. Parents/Caregivers should regularly interface with this team, which consists of a Learning Consultant, School Psychologist, and Social Worker, and other members appropriate for the student's needs Case Manager is assigned to every classified student.

Parents/Caregivers work as partners with professionals in the decision making process. Parents may refer their child in writing to the CST. The Parent's/Caregiver's signature is required before evaluations may be conducted by the CST, and before a child may begin an individualized education program.

Parents/Caregivers should request a current copy of the New Jersey Administrative Code on Special Education and Parental Rights In Special Education (PRISE) in order to be fully informed of their rights.

DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL SERVICES

The school district's Department of Special Services provides a number of support services to students.

One of the programs is a preschool for disabled students between the ages of three and five. This program provides structure within a warm and caring environment, using a multi-modality approach with related services provided. The options available to the preschool students are either a two-hour class, or an extended day, four-hour class; both programs begin in September. All the classes have a teacher and at least one aide. A parent education program is provided as well. The classes are located In the Lake Hiawatha School along with the PACE Programs.

Child Find activities are encouraged and additional information can be obtained from the Department of Special Services.

Other special education programs are available throughout the district. They include self-contained classes and a resource program for educationally disabled students, in-class support, and out-of-district placements. These programs are tailored to meet the educational needs of classified students. Each student has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that stipulates the program and/or services needed. Inclusion in the mainstream is ongoing in both age-appropriate academic and nonacademic activities.

Related services such as speech, occupational therapy and physical therapy are also provided for disabled students. These services are specified In a student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and are related to the individual's educational needs. Certified professionals provide these services.

COMMUNICATIONS

The Department of Special Services can be reached at the following telephone number:
(973) 263-7200 ext. 7215

The Department of Special Services can be reached at the following E-mail address:
solimpio@pthsd.k12.nj.us

If you would like information regarding the referral, classification and/or placement of your child, you should contact the chairperson of the Child Study Team in the school that your child attends.

For more information about PEC and our informative monthly meetings, please contact your PEC Parent Representative.

Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.
-John F. Kennedy