Office of the Director of Special Education & Student Services


Special Education in the South Orangetown Central School District is integrated into all five school buildings.  Most recently, all students continue to benefit from the advanced technology added to each classroom.  Teachers work very effectively to differentiate instruction and to ensure all students have the appropriate learning experience.

In addition, we understand the importance of the home/school partnership and its impact on student success. We encourage parent communication and our commitment to the parent school connection.

Each school building has a multi-disciplinary team of professionals working together to support our students.  We are able to select instructional and related services from a broad continuum of options to achieve student growth.

We look forward to continue to work together in a strong collaborative model to support the students of South Orangetown.

The Office of Special Education and Student Services is available to assist you whenever necessary.

Sincerely,

 

Michele Fenster

Director of Special Education and Student Services

South Orangetown Central School District

Telephone: (845) 680-1025

Fax: (845) 680-1903

Email: mfenster@socsd.org

 
The Department of Special Education’s 2011-2012 key initiatives include: 

  • Continuing our collaboration with the Office of Curriculum and Instruction in supporting all buildings with Response to Intervention (RTI) staffing, enabling us to support the needs of students at the building level.
     

  • Continue the coordination of an assistive technology team representing each building.
     

  • Coordinating staff development in the transition of a new prior written notice requirement established by NYSED.
     

  • Coordinating staff development to our building level child study teams.

Accolades:

  • Rockland BOCES Community Vocational Program recently acknowledged the South Orangetown Special Education Office for “Making a Difference”.

The Office of Special Education and Student Services looks forward to the 2011-12 school year and the anticipation of meeting the diverse needs of our students, fostering learning in the least restrictive environment, and preparing them to transition successfully in meeting the challenges of the 21st century.
 


Eleanor Young

Assistant to the Director of Special Education and Student Services/CSE Chairperson
(845) 680-1024
Eleanor Young

Debra Arouesty

Special Education &
Student Services Coordinator

(845) 680-1020
Debra Arouesty
 
   

Secretaries

   



Nancy O'Sullivan
(845) 680-
1026



Lillian Croyle

(845) 680-1021



Jackie Garrecht

(845) 680-
1027


Psychologists        
Tappan Zee
High School

Ed Honcharski 
(845) 680-1613

Beth Jaret
(845) 680-1610
South Orangetown
Middle School


Julianna Michael
(845) 680-1112


Stephen Sawitsky
(845) 680-1019
Cottage Lane
Elementary School

Linda King 
(845) 680-1554

Tappan Zee
Elementary

Sean Jones
(845) 680-1406
Mr. Jones Website

William O. Schaefer
Elementary School

Heather O'Donnell
(845) 680-1342

         
Team Leaders        
Tappan Zee
High School
South Orangetown
Middle School
Cottage Lane
Elementary School
Tappan Zee
Elementary
William O. Schaefer
Elementary School
Eileen Fiorentino
680-1661
Peter Jelalian
680-1247
Julia Pocalyko
680-1502
Debra Arouesty
680-1421
Gail Rogo
680-1338


Committee on Special Education (CSE)

In accordance with state law, each Board of Education must appoint a CSE to assist it in meeting its responsibilities to students with disabilities.  The membership may include the parents of the student, a regular education teacher, a special education teacher or related service provider, a school psychologist, an additional parent member, and a representative of the school district.


Referrals

A student suspected of having a disability shall be referred in writing to the Committee on Special Education.  A parent, teacher or administrator may refer a student to the CSE for an evaluation.  Referrals should be initiated in writing to the school administrator or directly to the Director of Special Education, Michele Fenster.


Special Education Information and Data

K-12 Developmental Continuum

SEPTA Presentation 3.1.2011:  SED Mandated Model IEP Form

Special Education Services Pre-K - 12 Brochure

Home Bound Instruction

Building Level Speech/Language Services Criteria

Special Education Task Force Presentation, Nov '05

SOCSD Special Education Report - November 2005

NYS District Report Card Students with Disabilities 2005-06

VESID 2005-2006 Parent Questionnaire

S.O.S.:  Social Skills in Our Schools - Highlights of our program