Staff
Learning Support:
Michelle Bernatowicz, Theresa Bowser, Rick Graziani, MariAnne Leone, Kim McManus, Keith Nies, Lisa Villa
Para-Educator Support:
Stephanie Fedei (Coordinator), Kendall Bard, Debbie Benson, Melinda Eisenfelder, Leslie Hall, Diana Joint, Susan McCloy, Karen Muza, Lisa Pacansky, Marianne Sharman, Lisa Slezak, Lori Wheeler, Karen Whiteford, Cheryl Woodruff.
Gifted Support:
Theresa Bowser, Michelle Timmers
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Philosophy Regarding Special Need
The Fairview School District is committed to providing a complete continuum of program alternatives and special services that meet individual student needs. We believe that special education is a process rather than a program or classroom. We believe that students with special needs are best served using special education resources and services to support the student's participation in the least restrictive environment.
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Learning Support
This program works to support and include students in their regular education program as well as to adapt instruction in any subject area—especially reading and math—in order to meet students’ needs and improve their skill levels. Services include a wide range of interventions driven by each child’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP). Support ranges from full inclusion in the general curriculum to resource room supplemental classes. .
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Speech and Language Support
This program helps students improve speech and language skills. Services can be through integrated classroom activities or individual therapy as needed.
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Emotional Support
Students with Emotional Support needs are often managed successfully through our Learning Support programs. The focus of this intervention includes social skills, emotional support, and behavior management. Children needing this type of program may be involved in learning support with added interventions through WRAP-around services. More severe needs are addressed through consortium classrooms in neighboring school districts.
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Autistic Support
In our elementary school, the curriculum stresses functional communication skills, daily living skills, and community-based learning experiences. This is an Intermediate Unit multi-district program for grades K-4. Some middle and high school Autistic Support students may attend a neighboring school district program.
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Physical Therapy Consultation, Occupational Therapy Consultation, Hearing and Vision Support
These supportive programs provide strategies and interventions to support students with needs in these areas. These programs are provided by itinerant consultants from the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit.
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Gifted Support
Our GSL Program (Gifted Seminars for Learning) provides individualized services to all students who meet the Fairview criteria for inclusion in the gifted program. Program options include acceleration opportunities within the curriculum and among grade levels. It also includes a pull-out program which targets specific skills of research and inquiry (K-8), and special projects in areas of interest. Independent study, advanced coursework, and college level courses can be considered for high school gifted students whose needs are not met by the general education curriculum.
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Requesting Support
A referral may be made by a parent, teacher, or principal for psychological consultation. This is done as part of the Instructional Support Team process. Parents are part of this team and give permission for any evaluation.
A multi-disciplinary evaluation is conducted and recommendations are developed to present to the parents and school staff. This team discusses the student’s needs and determines whether the student is in need of special education support.
When a student is identified as needing special education services, a meeting is held at school with the parents and school staff to write the Individualized Education Plan (IEP), which describes how the student will be supported. Following the writing of the IEP the student will begin to receive special education support. An IEP meeting is held every school year to review and adjust the student’s plan for special education support.
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