A Spotlight on Special Education, Related Services, and Intervention Providers at Lee Elementary School Throughout your child’s education here at Lee Elementary, he or she may receive services from other personnel in addition to his or her classroom teacher. Your child may have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and/or receive related services which are special education programs. They may receive intervention services as part of our school’s Response to Intervention (RTI) model which is a general education program. This pamphlet is to familiarize you with the providers of these services and to help put a face to a name. Our goal is to provide the best possible instruction as well as the maximum support that meets the needs of all students at Lee Elementary.

Special Education The Special Education Team works to address learning goals as defined in a student's IEP (Individualized Education Plan) both in and out of the general education classroom. This involves following a student's specific needs using specially designed instruction and accommodations to promote effective progress. We work together with the general education teachers to adapt and/or modify classroom assignments, administer assessments, and behavior management. We also have an Integrated Preschool that supports children with developmental delays and a Developmental Program which works on social skills and concepts in addition to academic skills. As Interventionists, we work with all students in small flexible groups on specific skills as part of the RTI (Response to Intervention) model.

Nancy Forget [email protected]

MaryAnn Fitzhugh [email protected]

Emily Mertinooke [email protected]

Debra Thompson [email protected]

“It takes a village to raise a child.” ~African Proverb

Monique Alarie [email protected]

School Psychologist As part of the Special Education team I support our students’ ability to learn and LES’ teachers ability to teach. I apply my knowledge in mental health, learning, and behavior to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally and emotionally. Rachel Wildrick [email protected]

School Adjustment Counselor I hold social skills groups to increase student’s skills and strategies to cope with school, friends and any other struggles they may be experiencing. I meet with students to “check- in” on how they are “adjusting” here at school, especially new students. I teach character development classes at LES. These lessons increase self-awareness and help all students learn to be the best student and friend they can be. I am a supportive, friendly face and safe place for students to “just be”! Heather Lucy [email protected]

Administration Kate Retzel: Principal [email protected]

Andrea Larmon: Director of Special Education [email protected]

Reading Specialists We provide both push in and pull out reading instruction to all students. We focus on the 5 components of literacy; fluency, comprehension, phonics, phonemic awareness and vocabulary using different activities and approaches when needed. Mia Darone [email protected]

Amy Schlaefer [email protected]

English Language Learning We work with beginning level ELL’s from all over the world teaching all aspects of English acquisition, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It is a nurturing classroom environment allowing students to feel safe and comfortable while learning a new language. We are also available to translate in meetings for teachers and parents, making sure they are comfortable in our community. Marisa Coughlin [email protected]

Speech We provide consultation, screening/evaluation, direct treatment and intervention services to students in the Lee Public Schools. Both speech pathologists evaluate and treat delays/disorders in articulation/phonology, receptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, speech motor planning, auditory and language processing, speech fluency and pragmatic (social) language. Speech language pathologists consult with team members regarding alternative communication devices for students who are nonverbal and will either assist/manage programming and developing vocabulary for those systems. They are the on-site specialists for students who have a diagnosis of hearing impairment and/or students who require assisted listening devices, such as FM systems. They provide training in the use of these systems and maintain them daily. Heather Whalen [email protected]

Sue Floyd [email protected]

Title I Jana Laiz [email protected]

Title I gives math and reading to support students. This service is sometimes given within the whole classroom setting and sometimes to small groups during Response to Intervention (RTI).

Joanne Orluck

Sue Farley-Turner [email protected]

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy supports student’s access to curriculum through strategies that improve body awareness for postural control and upper body strength. We also provide activities that improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skill development (important for helping children read and express what they know on paper), activities of daily living such as clothing, management at transitions and independence at mealtime can also be supported through OT services. Sandra Boylston [email protected]

Deb Huston [email protected]

Physical Therapy School based physical therapy is designed to help children with gross motor delays be successful in all areas of school including recess, PE class and moving through the building. Services may be provided through an IEP or through general education as tiered intervention. PT activities generally focus on core strength, coordination, balance, and following motor directions. Jamie Bannon [email protected]