Special Education

Hot Topics

Supervisor of Special Education
Cindy Hoover

IEP Coordinator
Colleen Basilio

The Avon Grove School District is committed to educating students with disabilities within their neighborhood schools. Special education supports and services are provided within the regular education setting, to the maximum extent appropriate. Examples of these supports and services include instructional and curricular adaptations, alternative assessment, course modifications, co-teaching with regular and special education teachers and inclusionary aides, when appropriate. Additional services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and/or physical therapy may be provided as related services.

When the presence of a disability is suspected, a comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation is conducted to determine the nature and degree of the student’s needs. The IEP team including family members and school personnel develops an Individualized Educational Program (IEP). The IEP, written annually, describes academic and/or social goals for the student. Special techniques, materials and equipment needed to achieve these goals are identified. A special education teacher is assigned to implement the IEP in conjunction with the regular classroom teacher(s). Progress toward each IEP goal is monitored frequently and reported to families on a quarterly basis.

For additional information on services, return to link above under parents and special education.

News and Events

Summer Camp opportunity for Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders Ages 7-10

May 1, 2008 Autism Alliance of Chester County in collaboration with Brandywine YMCA present Camp Brandywine! June 23rd - 27th, 2008 for children ages 7-10 with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder 9:00 pm to 4:00 pm- no extended hours available. Cost for 5 days- $200 at Brandywine YMCA 295 Hurley Road, Coatesville 610-380-YMCA. Registration form.

Social Awareness

May 1, 2008 Developing Socially Appropriate Behaviors presentation.

Free lecture series on Autism

April 16, 2008 Autism Society of America’s Greater Philadelphia Chapter With support from PECO Energy and Hinkle, Fingles & Prior, Attorneys at Law Presents A FREE Four Part Autism Lecture SeriesEach lecture will take place from 7-9 PM Freedom Hall ~ Upper Merion Township Building 175 West Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia PA

Do you...

April 16, 2008 Do you have a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who has a younger infant sibling? Click here for more information.

Special Education support group

April 7 , 2008 Special Education support group in Chester County for parents reference...click here for details.

Seniors Scholarship opportunity

April 4, 2008 High school seniors from Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, Philadelphia and Chester Counties who contend with a chronic disease or physical or mental challenge can apply for one of 10 $1,000 Susanna DeLaurentis Memorial Scholarships. The program honors the memory of Susanna DeLaurentis, who died of cancer in 1999 at age 10. A resident of Cheltenham, Susanna attended Myers Elementary School and Elkins Park Middle School. Applicants are asked to submit a brief statement of their health condition, and how they have managed to excel despite the condition; their postsecondary education plans; academic achievements; and participation in extracurricular or community activities. Students also must include at least one letter of reference from a teacher or school administrator. Submissions should be mailed to SDCF, Box 11208, Elkins Park, Pa. 19027. The deadline is May 2. Awards will be announced no later than June 2. The scholarship will be paid directly to the honoree's institution of higher learning. To learn more, e-mail michaeljad@comcast. net or visit www.friendsofsusann a.org.

Offered through Community Services of Devereux

March 14, 2008 Adolescent parenting skills education group offered to parents by Community Services of Devereux in April. See flyer.

Camp opportunities

March 13, 2008 Summer camp activities available in the county for parents and information and registration forms

Grant Opportunity for Parents

March 13, 2008 "Grant Opportunity for Parents" Deadline is April 18,2008.

Training opportunity for parents in the county

February 13, 2008 TIM Academy Presents: Two Unique Workshops for Parents and Home Support Staff Session 1: Establishing Successful Home Environments for Children with Autism Session 2: Establishing Successful Community Activities for Children with Autism When: April 30, 2008 Where: Location to be determined Time: Session 1 9:00 am to 11:30 am Session 2 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm Cost for parents: $125 per session $200 for both sessions Cost for Professionals: $175.00 per session $300.00 for both sessions For more information contact: Wendy Moran ~wmoran@timacademy.org Michelle McGurl ~ mmcgurl@timacademy.org 610-644-2313

ASCEND Meeting Notices

February 11, 2008 Community happenings ASCEND meetings and locations.

Parent to Parent of PA

January 18, 2008 Parent to Parent of PA helps locate a support group.

IU 13 Annual College Fair

November 29, 2007 The Lancaster-Lebanon IU 13 Annual College Fair is scheduled Thursday, April 17, 2008, at Millersville University. Sponsored by Brenda S. Kauffman’s School-to-Work/Transitions Services, the annual fair is attended each year by an increased number of high school students with special needs who are interested in post-secondary options. Also each year, we enjoy a higher turnout of visiting college & agency representatives. Yet, we are pleased that enough space is available for us to be able to contact our neighboring IU’s. We therefore welcome your providing to the high schools that you serve the attached three-page information/registration flyer, which is complete with details such as the program agenda of scheduled morning information sessions followed by the fair itself, the April 1st registration deadline, and driving directions to MU. Also attached for you as an FYI is the press release. Ms. Bortner, I look forward to your contacting me with any questions or any follow-up that I could do. And, if you prefer to receive hard copies of the three-page flyer, just ask, and I will be glad to quickly supply. (If you just assume do your own, please note flyer’s footer: information/driving directions on green-color paper front/back; registration form on plain white.) Press Release, Registration Form, Directions, Flyer.

Available Information

September 24, 2007 This is the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities. It provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues.

Unique

August 20 , 2007 Special Education Parent Support Group information - "UNIQUE". Come one and all and participate with other parents of students with disabilities to the meetings attached on this meeting list for 2007-2008 school year

CCIU Policies and Procedures

June 14, 2007 On June 14, 2007, the Avon Grove School District adopted the Chester County Intermediate Unit's policies and procedures under the federal requirements of 34 CFR 300.101 through 300.211.

Notice of Adoption of Policies, Procedures and Use of Federal Funds for Special Education

June 26, 2006

»More information (PDF Format).