Referrals and Committees
Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE)
The Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) is responsible for identifying preschool students (ages 3-4) with disabilities and arranging for the delivery of special education services to eligible students. A preschool student with a disability is one who, as determined by an individual evaluation, exhibits a significant delay or disorder in one or more functional areas related to cognitive, language and communication, adaptive, social-emotional, or motor development which adversely affects the student’s ability to learn. A broad range of related services and special education program are available to meet the educational needs of preschool students with disabilities.
If a parent or guardian suspects that his or her child has a disability or delay, they should contact the Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Personnel first to register the child in the district. Once registered, the parent my send a letter to the Pupil Personnel Office, 629 Fifth Avenue, Pelham, New York, 10803 to request that the child is evaluated by the Committee on Preschool Special Education.
The Chairperson for this committee is Dr. Lauren Ribeiro. She may be reached at 738-3434, ext. 3 for further information.
Committee on Special Education (CSE)
As a parent, you may suspect that your child is having difficulties and suspect there may be an underlying disability. It is important to first arrange a conference with the classroom teacher, school psychologist or school counselor. Response to Intervention (RtI) at the building level is a key component in the pre-referral process. The parent and building specialists should plan a course of action that will provide additional building level support services. These can include, but are not limited to, support by the reading or learning specialist teacher, speech and language services, program modifications etc.
If after multiple interventions, the RtI Team in a building or a parent feels a referral to the CSE is warranted, then a request is made in writing to the Pupil Personnel Office requesting the referral and evaluation of the student. Referrals can be made in writing to the Pupil Personnel Office, 629 Fifth Avenue, Pelham, New York, 10803. For further information you may contact Traci Holtz, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services, Dr. Lauren Ribeiro, Elementary Special Education Supervisor, or Greg Lau, Secondary Special Education Supervisor, at 738-3434, ext. 3.
Section 504
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal law that protects qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination based on their disability. Under this law, individuals with disabilities are defined as persons with a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities. People who have a history of, or who are regarded as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one of more major life activities, are also covered. Some examples of major life activities are walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing or learning.
While having a disability is one reason for referral to the Section 504 Committee, there must be a functional impairment evident in the child’s ability to learn or access school programs in order to qualify for a Section 504 Plan. The Section 504 Committee will determine if your child qualifies for the reasonable accommodations and modifications of a Section 504 Plan. Should you suspect your child may have an impairment that is impacting his/her functioning in school, you may refer your child in writing to the Pupil Personnel Office, 629 Fifth Avenue, Pelham, New York, 10803. For further information you may contact Traci Holtz, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services, Dr. Lauren Ribeiro, Elementary Special Education Supervisor, or Greg Lau, Secondary Special Education Supervisor, at 738-3434, ext. 3.