Wilson School District Special Education Program Information
Contact Information
- Joni Lefever
- Director of Student Services
- MTSS, School Counselors, Social Workers
- Gifted Support, 504s and Related Services
- 610.670.0180 x 1204
- lefjon@share.wilsonsd.org
- Dr. Erin Squibb, BCBA
- Supervisor of Special Education
- HS Upper House, Shiloh Hills Elem
- BCBAs and RBTs
- Related Services
- 610.670.0180 x 2193
- squeri@wilsonsd.org
- Dr. Phil Cogdill
- Supervisor of Special Education
- West MS, Southern MS, Cornwall Terrace Elem, Green Valley Elem
- Extended School Year (ESY)
- Special Education Paraprofessionals
- 610.670.0180 x 1043
- cogphi@wilsonsd.org
- Amanda Ruth
- Supervisor of Special Education
- Out-of-District Placement Coordinator
- Spring Ridge Elementary, School Psychologists
- 610.670.0180 x 2192
- rutama@wilsonsd.org
- Susan Ummarino
- Supervisor of Special Education
- Whitfield Elem, Spring Ridge LSS, HS Lower House, Secondary MDS and LSS
- 610.670.0180 x 1082
- ummsus@wilsonsd.org
- Chelsea Hoffman, BCBA
- Secondary Programs
- 610.670.0180 x 3314
- hofche@wilsonsd.org
- Emily Lowe, BCBA
- Elementary Programs
- 610.670.0180 x 1172
- lowemi@wilsonsd.org
Introduction
The Department of Special Education administers the delivery of educational evaluation, identification, placement and program to students with disabilities and/or gifted ability under the mandates of the federal and state guidelines. The School District, in conjunction with the Berks County Intermediate Unit and approved private schools in our area, offers a continuum of services to meet the individual needs of all identified students.
Programs for Children with Special Needs
In compliance with state and federal law, notice is hereby given by the Wilson School District that it conducts ongoing identification activities as a part of its school program for the purpose of identifying students who may be in need of special education and related services. If your child is identified by the district as possibly in need of such services, you will be notified of applicable procedures. Individualized services are available to meet specially designed instruction needs due to the following conditions:
- Autism
- Deaf-Blindness
- Deafness
- Emotional Disturbance
- Hearing Impairment
- Intellectual Disability
- Multiple Disabilities
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Other Health Impairment
- Specific Learning Disability
- Speech or Language Impairment
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Visual Impairment
- Mentally Gifted
If you believe that your school-age child may be in need of services and related programs, screening and evaluation processes to assess the needs of the child and his/her ability are available to you at no cost, upon written request. Early intervention services are available for young children (age 3 to school age). You may request screening and evaluation at any time, whether or not your child is enrolled in the district’s public school program. Requests for screening and evaluation should be made in writing to Ms. Joni Lefever, Director of Student Services, Wilson School District, 2601 Grandview Blvd., West Lawn, PA 19609-1324.
In compliance with state and federal law, the Wilson School District will provide to each protected handicapped student without discrimination or cost to the student or family, those related aids, services, or accommodations that are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities to the maximum extent appropriate to the student’s abilities. In order to qualify as a protected handicapped student, the child must be of school age with a physical or mental disability that substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the school program. These services and protections for “protected handicapped students” are distinct from those applicable to all eligible or students with disabilities enrolled (or seeking enrollment) in special education programs.
Programs and Services offered by the Wilson School District
It is through a combination of programs and services that the District provides to special education students a Free and Appropriate Public Education
Notice of Special Education Services
Aviso de Servicios de Educación Especial
Programs
- Learning Support
- Life Skills Support
- Emotional Support
- Autistic Support
- Multiple Disabilities Support
- Deaf and Hearing Impaired Support
- Blind or Visually Impaired Support
Services
- Speech & Language Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Audiological
- Vision
- Orientation and Mobility
- Early Intervention
- Pragmatic Language
- Health Services
- Counseling Services
- Social Skills Training
- Behavior Support Plans
- Educational Needs Assessment
- Transition Planning
- Psychological Services
- Psychological Assessment
- Parent Involvement
All information gathered about your child is subject to the confidentiality provisions contained in federal and state law. The district has policies and procedures in effect governing the collection, maintenance, destruction and disclosure to third parties of this information. For information about those policies and procedures, as well as rights of confidentiality and access to educational records, you may contact in writing Dr. Andrew Hoffert, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Programs, or any building principal.
For further information on the rights of parents and children, provision of services, evaluation and screening, you may contact in writing Dr. Andrew Hoffert, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Programs, or any building principal.
Parent Resources
- Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) – Special Education section of PDE
- PA Training and Technical Assistance Network
- Parent Training – Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU)
- Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR)
- Phone: 1.800.222.3353
- Berks County Intermediate Unit
- 610.987.2248