Special Education
Special Education
Dear Parents, Students, and Community Members:
As Director of Special Education and At-Risk Coordinator, I welcome you to the department website. This site was developed to provide parents, students, and community members information regarding the continuum of services and resources offered by our dedicated district staff. Please take the time to browse our website and review its contents. I hope you will find it to be helpful in connecting you to some of the many services we provide for students.
Our school vision includes a commitment to excellence in education and to provide equal opportunity among all students. We pride ourselves in providing individualized student plans within the least restrictive environment to meet academic, social emotional and functional skills. In order to fulfill our vision, we are continuously engaged in professional development to ensure "best practice" programming aimed at providing quality services that meet the needs of students.
In our efforts to meet all students' needs, we are always working to ensure that students with disabilities are receiving the services they need to make progress in their educational program. If you or anyone you know is aware of a child between the ages of 3 and 21 who is suspected of having a disability please contact us.
If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to call.
Sincerely,
Jen Talarczyk
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Individuals who are aware of any person (age 3-21) with physical, mental, emotional or learning needs are encouraged to notify and member of the Student Service Staff. If you think your child has a disability, please contact the School Psychologist at your child's school, Jane O'Brien at 608-527-2410 (Email Jane O'Brien), or Jen Talarczyk, Director of Student Services at 608-527-5515 (Email Jen Talarczyk).
The NGSD conducts an annual developmental screening for preschool aged children known as Child Development Days. Each child's motor, communication, and social skills are observed in various play areas. Parents are provided with information of their child's current development and suggestions for follow-up activities. Parents can also learn about community services available to them. The information from the screening is also used to determine whether a child should be evaluated for a suspected disability. When school staff reasonably believe a child is a child with a disability, they refer the child for an evaluation by a school district Individualized Education Program (IEP) team. The dates for the NGSD Child Development Days will be announced through a mailing to known preschool aged children 6 months to 4 1/2 years old residing in the school district (which includes a preschool screening questionnaire), in the local newspaper, as well as in the elementary schools and many community agencies. Please contact Jen Talarczyk at 608-527-5515 or Email Jen Talarczyk for further information on Child Find.
Annual Notice of Special Education Referral and Evaluation Procedures
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School Based Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is a related service provided to assist a student with a disability to benefit from his/her special education program. Occupational therapists use purposeful activity to facilitate a child's active participation in self-maintenance; academic and vocational pursuits; and play or leisure activities that occur in school environments. Using direct and indirect services, as well as assistive technology and environmental modifications, school occupational therapists collaborate with parents, teachers and other educational staff to help implement a child's special education program.
School Based Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a related service provided to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. School physical therapy focuses on a child's ability to move as independently as possible in the school environment. The school physical therapist evaluates the child's ability to move throughout the school and to participate in classroom activities.
The decision of whether a child with a disability qualifies for school physical therapy is made by a team. This team determines whether the child has a disability, has a need for special education, and requires related services such as physical therapy.
Physical therapy interventions are designed to enable the student to travel throughout the school environment; participate in classroom activities; maintain and change positions in the classroom; as well as manage stairs, restrooms, and the cafeteria.
Maureen Priewe
Occupational TherapistAndrea Elgin
Physical Therapist -
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Welcome to the New Glarus School District Speech/Language Department! Many times we are asked, "What does a Speech/Language Therapist do?" Our role from a public school perspective is to assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication disorders. We work collaboratively with families and educators to develop individualized educational plans tailored to each child's needs.
School Speech/Language Therapists provide a wide range of services aimed at helping students develop effective communication skills. These services include the following:
- Provide instruction to facilitate proper production of speech sounds.
- Provide language-based intervention on skills such as vocabulary skills, basic concept skills, grammatical skills, critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills and social communication skills.
- Work with students who have speech rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering.
- Work with students who have voice disorders, such as inappropriate pitch or harsh voice.
School Speech/Language Therapists work with all ages of students from 3 to 21. We use a variety of service delivery options. Therapy may be provided on a one-to-to basis, within a small group setting and/or in the regular education classroom. Consultation services for teachers and parents are also offered. We invite you to contact us if you have further questions.
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