Pupil & Staff Support Services

Laura Zurell

Director of Pupil and Staff Support Services

1700 Main Street
Coventry, CT 06238
Phone: 860-742-7317 ext.4
Fax: 860-742-4567

Pupil and Staff Support Services Goals 2022-2023

The Coventry Public School System is dedicated to providing high quality instruction and relevant learning experiences for all children. Administrators, teachers, and support staff work collaboratively to develop a wide variety of programs and services to meet each child’s unique learning needs.

The Pupil and Staff Support Services department is committed to providing equitable access and opportunities for all Coventry’s school-aged children, more specifically, those students who meet the criteria for eligibility for special education services according to the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). We accept the ever-changing and continuous challenge to provide a continuum of educational services for children in our trust each day.

Included on this website is a brief description of the process for referring a student to special education and the variety of special educational services offered. As you read the information, know that you play a key role in helping to design an effective educational plan for your child. Please collaborate with us as we strive to create excellent school experiences. Working in partnerships is the most effective way to help all students experience success in and out of school.

Information regarding the following program:

Coventry Academy, Coventry's Alternative High School

Coventry's RISE Program, 18-22 Transition Program

For additional information on the following topics, click on the desired topic.

A Parent's Guide to Special Education

A Parent’s Guide to Special Education in Connecticut was developed by the Connecticut State Department of Education’s Bureau of Special Education. This document provides information for parents, guardians and other family members about laws, regulations and policies affecting special education programs and services. These protections, rights and opportunities will best help students with disabilities reach their full potential when parents, families and schools work collaboratively (Introduction, p. 2). This document is referenced and provided to parents via email, the CPS website, or in-person.

A Parent's Guide to Special Education

Connecticut State Department of Education - Parent Links

All links below are to PDFs on external sites and will open in a new tab

Procedural Safeguards

CT-SEDS Parent Portal Quick Start Guide

Side-by_side Comparison of the Current Connecticut IEP and the New IEP

Video: Individualized Education Program, A Guide for Parents and Families

Parents' Guide to Special Education in Connecticut - English / Spanish

Seclusion and Restraint

Transition Bill of Rights

Continuum of Special Education Services

Coventry Early Intervention

Students, ages three and four, are serviced by the Hale Early Education Center (HEEC). Staff work to identify educationally “at risk” and special needs children and provide assistance and support to these children and to their families.

HEEC offers developmental screenings, evaluations, parent/guardian support, and information to assist parents/guardians. One community screen is held in the fall and is open to all Coventry residents. A second screening occurs in the spring for students newly enrolled at HEEC. Parents/guardians, however, may refer children to HEEC at any time during the school year if they have concerns about their child’s development.

HEEC provides a continuum of services for the town’s preschool population who experience special needs. For some children with mild needs, services may be provided through an itinerant program. Preschool children who display moderate to significant delays may attend HEEC in part-day or school-day classes. All programs are developed based on individual needs.

Coventry Public Schools works to provide inclusive educational opportunities for all students.

Grades K-12

As students enter grades K to 12, their individual identified needs are addressed within the continuum of educational services provided in special education as well as in general education settings. The instruction for students is a cooperative effort involving all staff, families, and the Coventry community. Depending on the extent of services needed, a student will be instructed within the following continuum of services:

General Education Classroom with Collaborative Support

Students are in the general education classrooms, taught by both general education and special education teachers and staff. Instruction is a collaborative effort providing increased support for the students within an inclusive environment.

General Education Classroom with Learning Center Support

Students are in the general education setting for the majority of the school day. Specialized instruction by a special education teacher, reading interventionist and/or math interventionists support the student’s specific needs that are more effective outside of the general education classroom.

Learning Centers/Transition Rooms

Students who require intensive support to regulate emotions and behaviors have access to the transition room as determined by the individual’s IEP. Opportunities are provided for these students to interact with general education students. The amount of time spent in the general education environment is determined on an individual basis at each student’s PPT. Programming is fluid as students internalize the coping strategies and skills needed to be successful in the general education setting.

ABA Program

Determined by the PPT, students who meet eligibility for intensive instruction in the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program receive discrete trial instruction to support individualized programming. For the most part, students in the ABA program require 1:1 adult/student support. Students have daily opportunities to join their grade level peers in the general education classroom.

CHS Skills Classes -

Literacy Skills Center
Math Skills Center
Executive Functioning Skills Center
These courses provide targeted support for literacy, math, or executive functioning skills based on IEP goals and identified content areas. Small groups of students are engaged in activities that enhance learning and performance as well as activities that help prepare students for post-secondary education and employment. These courses are designed with pre-teaching and re-teaching of literacy, math, or executive functioning concepts to meet the specific needs of students with special needs at the secondary level.

Coventry Academy (CA)

This Alternative Learning Program supports students challenged to meet success in a traditional high school. Transition from CHS to CA is a collaborative process between Coventry High School and Coventry Academy staff and administration, the PSSS Director, and the student and parents. The CA Team supports students to achieve the goal of graduating while developing the necessary skills to become successful, independent adults. Our alternative learning staff members assist each student in developing positive character and self-esteem by focusing on students’ abilities and interests.

Out-Placement

The extent of the student’s special education needs requires a very restrictive or very specialized environment not offered within the Coventry School District.

Post-Secondary Transition Planning

Related Services

The following services may be included on an IEP based on the identified needs of a student.

Speech and Language

Speech and language pathologists provide assessment, analysis, and remediation that lead to improvement of communication skills and correction of speech and/or language problems. Services also include collaboration with parents/guardians, teachers and other school personnel and, in individual cases, coordinates with community agencies.

Occupational and Physical Therapy

Occupational and physical therapy services are provided to children with physical, cognitive, sensory-integrative, and/or learning disabilities as required to allow the child to benefit from his/her educational program. Therapists provide collaborative consultation with school staff, administrators, parents and outside agencies. Formal and informal consultations with school personnel and parents/guardians increase awareness and provide the rational for therapeutic interventions.

Psychology

School psychologists are diagnosticians and mental health consultants in the school system. Through individual psychological testing and other diagnostic techniques, information about possible causes of difficulties can be examined and various forms of educational interventions can be initiated. Group and individual counseling are provided to students who require such services. The school psychologists work collaboratively with staff and parents recommending special services, programs, and modifications to existing programs.

Social Work

Social workers offer a wide variety of services to students at all grade levels as well as to parents/guardians. Assessment and consultation aid in the identification of social, emotional, personal, educational, or financial conditions that may impact a student’s availability to learn. Individual and group counseling support the ability of each student to participate in their education. Family support, home visits, and education are offered in the hope of strengthening parenting skills and the family unit. Information and referral assistance are also offered to enable families to access appropriate community resources.

Guidance

Guidance counselors help students learn to self-advocate and make appropriate decisions about course and school choices, careers, and life goals. Guidance counselors assist all students in the identification and development of their interests and aptitudes.

CT-SEDS

CT-SEDS Parent Portal Quick Start Guide

Side-by_side Comparison of the Current Connecticut IEP and the New IEP

Video: Individualized Education Program, A Guide for Parents and Families

CT-SEDS Informational Session - 11/7/2022

Please click through the presentation shown below to access various links to resources, including handouts and videos regarding the state's new IEP and 504 platform.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact your child's school or case manager.

Extended School Year Program (ESY)

Dates and Times

PreK & Kindergarten

Monday – Thursday (July 1 - July 25)
8:30 am – 11:00 am
Hale Early Education Center

Grades 1-12

Monday – Thursday (July 1 - July 25)
8:00 am – 11:30 am
Capt. Nathan Hale Middle School
1776 Main Street, Coventry

RISE Program (18-22)

Tuesday - Thursday (July 2 - July 25)
8:30 am – 1:30 pm

NO ESY ON THURSDAY, JULY 4TH

Documents

Extended School Year Requirements

Medicaid

Mission Statement

The mission of the Coventry Public Schools Pupil & Staff Support Services Department is to provide a free, appropriate public education for students with disabilities ages three to twenty-two. The PSSS department, in coordination with building administrators is responsible for the referral, identification and programming for students with disabilities who require special education instruction and related services. Special education and related services are provided in full compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA, 2004), Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), and Connecticut General Statutes 10-76 a-j.

Parent Bill of Rights for English Learners/Multilingual Learners

On January 3, 2024, the State Board of Education adopted the Parent Bill of Rights for English Learners/Multilingual Learners (ELs/MLs). This resource provides parents with a list or declarations of the rights of English Learners/Multilingual Learners to ensure access to grade level content, language instruction programs, and interventions. This has been translated into 16 different languages.

The Parent Bill of Rights for English Learners/Multilingual Learners site page is now available on the CSDE Website and includes the document in English as well as the 16 translated versions.

Parent Bill of Rights for English Learners/Multilingual Learners

English | Spanish | Mandarin Chinese | Portuguese | Polish | Albanian | Turkish

Planning and Placement Team

The assessment and identification of a student for special education services, the review and modification of a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), and the dismissal of a student from special education services must take place at a PPT meeting. Each team includes representatives of regular education and special education within the student’s school. Parents/guardians are invited to all PPT meetings, and are integral parts of the team.

Procedural Safeguards

The parent/guardian of a child who requires or who may require special education is guaranteed procedural safeguards in accordance with the federal law entitled “Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act” (IDEIA, as reauthorized in December 2004) and with Connecticut state laws and regulations concerning children regarding special education. A copy of your rights, Procedural Safeguards Notice Under IDEA Part B must be given to parents/guardians upon referral, annually and at other times as required by law. It is also available by calling the office of Pupil and Staff Support Services at 860-742-7317 ext. 4 or online at the links below (external links will open in new tabs):

CT State Department of Education - Procedural Safeguards Notice

Referral Process: Requesting Initial Evaluation of Child

When a student is having difficulty in school, general-education interventions are implemented prior to any referral process. If you have concerns at any time, you may contact your child’s school.

Hale Early Education Center – Dr. Lois Hasty, 860-742-4550

Coventry Grammar School – Dr. Beth Giller, 860-742-7313

G. H. Robertson Intermediate School – Mrs. Jennifer DeRagon, 860-742-7341

Capt. Nathan Hale Middle School – Mr. Ross Sward, 860-742-7334

Coventry High School – Mr. Joseph Blake, 860-742-7346

Information about the referral process and what you can expect may be found in the following (external links below will open in a new tab):

A Parent’s Guide to Special Education in Connecticut (English / Spanish)
IEP Manual

A hard copy can also be requested by contacting the office of Pupil and Staff Support Services at 860.742.7317 ext. 4. Additionally, a meeting can be arranged with a member of the Planning and Placement Team (PPT) to further explain the PPT process or review your specific concerns about your child prior to the referral PPT meeting by contacting you child’s school.

If the referral PPT determines that evaluations will be completed, you may request to have the results of the assessments and evaluations provided to you three days prior to the PPT where the results will be discussed for the first time.

Section 504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”) is a non-discrimination statute enacted by the United States Congress. Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by recipients of federal funds. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA” or “Title II”) also prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by state and local governments.

To be protected under Section 504 and the ADA (“collectively, “Section 504/ADA”) as an individual with a disability, an individual must (1) have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; (2) have a record of such an impairment; or (3) be regarded as having such an impairment.

Notice of Parent and Student Rights under Section 504

Sparkler - Early Childhood Development

Children’s brains grow rapidly in their earliest years, laying the foundation for the rest of their lives — with learning fueled by play and interactions between children and their parents and caregivers.

Sparkler is a mobile app that helps parents to check in on how their child is doing against key milestones — and provides activities to spark their early learning.

It also has evidence-based and FUN do-together activities that you can play with your 0-5 year old to spark their growing heart, mind, and body!

Get started today by downloading Sparkler from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Use the code COVENTRY(Directions - English / Spanish) if you live in town or HEEC (Directions - English / Spanish) if your child is enrolled at Hale Early Education Center!

Special Education Parent Resources

Please note...all links below will open up in a new tab/window

Resources

(CT State Department of Education) CSDE Special Education Call Center is a partnership with the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC), Connecticut's designated parent training and information group for children with disabilities. The call center can be accessed in English and Spanish by dialing 860-713-6966. Regular business hours are Monday-Friday (excluding holidays) 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Youth Behavioral Health Crisis Flyer
Special Education Acronyms
“How Do I Know If My Child is Making Progress?” CPAC Presentation - October 2019

Medical Plans

Individualized Health Plan & 504 Jan 2019
What is an individualized HealthCare Plan

Wrap CT Supports & Services

Finding someone to support your child’s mental health is just as important as finding a medical professional to help address physical well-being. The complexity of the children’s mental healthcare system and the process of navigating it can be frustrating to parents and guardians. Connecting to Care is committed to providing accurate and useful information about mental/behavioral healthcare for your child. While these lists may not be exhaustive of the services available in your area, they do provide the core services in each area. For additional services, you may reach out to your local children’s behavioral health collaborative on this site Community Collaboratives In CT | Wraparound Initiative (connectingtocarect.org) or contact Infoline 2-1-1 Connecticut at www.211ct.org.

Child and Family Outpatient Services

CHR's Child and Family Outpatient Practice