Public Notice
Public Notice of Special Education Services and Programs
Child Find Annual Notice to Parents
The Washington School District is committed to identifying and supporting students who may be eligible for special education services and related supports in accordance with state and federal law. Services are provided at no cost to eligible students and families and are designed to ensure that students with disabilities have access to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their individual needs.
This annual notice describes the District’s responsibilities regarding Child Find activities, evaluation procedures, special education services, confidentiality protections, and parent rights.
In addition to special education services provided under Chapter 14 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Washington School District also provides accommodations and services for eligible students under Chapter 15/Section 504 and gifted education services under Chapter 16 regulations. Additional information regarding these services is available in Chapter 15 and Chapter 16 sections of this handbook.
If you need this notice translated, interpreted, or explained in another format or language, please contact the Washington School District.
Child Find and Evaluation Procedures
In accordance with state and federal law, the Washington School District conducts ongoing Child Find activities to identify, locate, and evaluate children residing within the District who may need special education services or related supports. These responsibilities apply to students enrolled in public schools, private schools, charter schools, and homeschool programs, as well as children who are homeless, wards of the state, or highly mobile, including migrant children.
The District uses a variety of procedures to identify students who may need additional supports or services. These procedures may include review of academic and health records, hearing and vision screenings, classroom observations, assessment of academic or behavioral performance, Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) interventions, and parent or teacher referrals.
If screening information suggests that a student may have a disability, the District may request written parental consent to conduct a Multidisciplinary Evaluation (MDE). Parents/guardians may request an evaluation at any time by submitting a written request to the school principal or Director of Special Education.
Under Pennsylvania and federal regulations, students may qualify for special education services based on one or more of the following disability categories: 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, or Visual Impairment including Blindness. Preschool-aged children may also qualify based on developmental delay.
Special Education Services
The Washington School District provides special education programs and related services individualized to meet the unique educational needs of eligible students. Services are provided in compliance with state and federal regulations and are reasonably calculated to provide meaningful educational benefit.
Eligible students receive services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) developed by an IEP Team that includes school personnel and the student’s parent/guardian. Reevaluations are conducted in accordance with applicable regulations.
Depending upon a student’s identified needs, services may be provided within regular education settings, through supplemental or itinerant supports, or within specialized programs operated by the District, Intermediate Unit #1, or Approved Private Schools. Related services may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, vision services, hearing services, social work services, counseling, behavioral supports, and specialized transportation.
To the maximum extent appropriate, students with disabilities are educated alongside nondisabled peers and have equal opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities, school-sponsored programs, and district services.
Confidentiality of Student Information
The Washington School District maintains the confidentiality of personally identifiable student information in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and applicable state and federal regulations, including 34 CFR §300.127.
Personally identifiable information collected, maintained, or used by the District may include educational records, assessment results, health information, behavioral information, and reports provided by parents, physicians, or outside agencies. The District maintains safeguards to protect the confidentiality of student records, including staff training and restricted access to educational records.
Parents/guardians have the right to inspect and review educational records related to their child, request explanations or copies of records, seek amendment of records believed to be inaccurate or misleading, and request a hearing regarding educational records. The District will comply with requests to review records without unnecessary delay and in accordance with applicable timelines.
Personally identifiable information will not be released without parent consent except as permitted by law, including disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests or to another school district in which the student seeks enrollment.
When a student reaches age 18, rights regarding educational records transfer to the student unless otherwise provided by law.
Complaints regarding alleged violations of confidentiality rights may be filed with:
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Bureau of Special Education – Division of Compliance
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
or
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
Gaskin Settlement Agreement
Information regarding the Gaskin et al. v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Education settlement agreement is available through the following organizations:
The Washington School District will continue to provide screening and identification services in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations.
Questions or Referrals
Parents/guardians who believe their child may need special education services or related supports may contact:
Camilla Justice
Director of Special Education
Washington School District
801 East Wheeling Street
Washington, PA 15301
Phone: (724) 223-5055
Email: justicec@prexie.us
OR
Anna Stanziano
Assistant Special Education Director/Cyber Coordinator
Washington School District
201 Allison Ave.
Washington, PA 15301
Cell - (724)-263-6872
Chapter 15 – Section 504
The Washington School District shall provide each protected handicapped student enrolled in the District, without cost to the student or family, those related aids, services, or accommodations needed to afford the student equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities, without discrimination and to the maximum extent appropriate to the student’s abilities.
To receive services under a Chapter 15/Section 504 Service Agreement, a student must be of school age and have a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities impacting educational access.
The District provides services and accommodations in accordance with Chapter 15 of the Pennsylvania School Code and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Parents/guardians are entitled to procedural safeguards, including the right to:
· receive notice regarding the identification, evaluation, and educational placement of their child;
· review relevant educational records;
· participate in meetings regarding their child’s educational program; and
· request an impartial due process hearing.
Parents/guardians who believe their child may be eligible for Chapter 15/Section 504 services may request an evaluation by contacting their child’s school counselor or building administrator.
For additional information regarding Chapter 15 regulations, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Implementation of Chapter 15 webpage:
PA Department of Education – Chapter 15 Regulations
Questions regarding Section 504 services, accommodations, or nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the District’s Section 504 Coordinator:
Washington Park Elementary School
Tiffani Lusk
School Counselor – Grades K–2
Washington Park Elementary School
Email: lusk@prexie.us
Office: (724) 223-5000 ext. 1153
Fax: (724) 223-5152
Amy Friend
School Counselor – Grades 3–6
Washington Park Elementary School
Phone: (724) 223-5000 ext. 1074
Email: frienda@prexie.us
Washington Junior High School
Sadie Sabo
School Counselor – Grades 7–8
Washington Junior High School
Phone: (724) 223-5094
Email: sabos@prexie.us
Washington High School
Jacque Jaroszynski
High School Counselor – Last Names A–L
Washington High School
Phone: (724) 223-5082
Email: jaroszynskij@prexie.us
Jessica L. Branagan, M.S., N.C.C., L.P.C.
High School Counselor – Last Names M–Z
Washington High School
Phone: (724) 223-5081
Email: branaganj@prexie.us
Chapter 16 – Gifted Education
In accordance with the Washington School District mission statement, WSD is committed to educating all students through the guidance of dedicated staff members. Learners are provided with lifelong tools to navigate a path toward growth and advancement while collectively supporting and celebrating student, staff, and community achievements. WSD offers a relevant, rigorous, and disciplined academic environment through customized educational delivery. We cultivate learners who are engaged in pursuing productive academic and social pathways. WSD’s learning community achieves progress by empowering members to reach their full potential.
“Mentally Gifted” refers to outstanding intellectual and creative ability, the development of which requires specially designed programs, support services, or both, not ordinarily provided in the regular education program, as defined by Pennsylvania Code.
Gifted education for identified gifted students enables participation in acceleration programs, enrichment programs, or both, as appropriate, and provides services based on students’ intellectual and academic abilities and needs.
The Washington School District is committed to providing quality gifted education services to all identified students throughout the District. All gifted support services operate in accordance with Chapter 16 regulations.
Parents/guardians who believe their child may be eligible for gifted education services may request a gifted evaluation at any time by contacting their child’s school counselor or building administrator.
Gifted students who are identified through the evaluation process receive services through a Gifted Individualized Education Plan (GIEP), developed in accordance with Chapter 16 regulations and based upon the student’s demonstrated needs and abilities.
For additional information regarding Chapter 16 regulations, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education Chapter 16 webpage:
PA Department of Education – Chapter 16 Regulations
Questions regarding gifted education services may be directed to:
Jessica Gardner
Gifted/Transition Coordinator
Washington School District
724.223.5085, ext 2209
Camilla Justice
Director of Special Education
