Special Education

Welcome to the Special Education Department 

Director: Fawn Meli
Secretary: Tammy Lombardo-Schatz

NOTICE TO PARENTS OF CHILDREN WHO RESIDE IN THE JIM THORPE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT 

PROGRAMS FOR ELIGIBLE OR PROTECTED HANDICAPPED STUDENTS

 

The Jim Thorpe Area School District, either directly or through various other educational agencies, including Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21  provides Special Education services that may be required by children with special need. 

In compliance with state and federal law, notice is hereby given by the Jim Thorpe Area School District that it conducts identification activities as a part of its school program for the purpose of identifying students who may be in need of special education and related services (eligible students). If your child is identified by the district as possibly in need of such services, you will be notified of applicable procedures. 

Individualized services and programs are available for children who are determined to need specially designed instruction due to the following conditions: 

  1. Autism/Pervasive Development Disorder

  2. Blindness or Visual Impairment

  3. Deafness

  4. Developmental Delay

  5. Mentally Gifted

  6. Intellectual Disability (Mental Retardation)

  7. Multi-handicapped

  8. Neurological Impairment

  9. Other Health Impairments

  10. Physical Disability

  11. Serious Emotional Disturbance

  12. Specific learning Disability

  13. Speech and Language Impairment

  14. Traumatic Brain Injury

     

If you believe that your school-age child may be in need of special education services and related programs, you may request screening and evaluation at any time, whether or not your child is enrolled in the district's public school program. Requests for evaluation and screening are to be made in writing to the building principal or Fawn Meli, Director of Special Education, 1100 Center St, Jim Thorpe, PA  18229.

Preschool Children With Special Needs (Age 3 to School Age Parents who have questions regarding their child's seeing, hearing, learning, talking, moving about, manipulating objects, understanding, showing emotions, getting along with others, playing with toys, taking care of himself/herself should contact Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21, that offers Project Connect, a preschool program for children with special needs. CLIU #21 can provide information, screening, evaluation, programs, therapy, parent support, and referral to community agencies at no cost to the parent. For further information, phone CLIU #21 at (610) 799-4111 or {800) 223-4821, or the Jim Thorpe Area School District. 

Protected Handicapped Students

In compliance with state and federal law, the Jim Thorpe Area School District will provide to each protected handicapped student without dis­ crimination or cost to the student or family, those related aids, services or accommodations which are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of the school program and extra­ curricular activities to the maximum extent appropriate to the student's abilities. In order to qualify as a protected handicapped student, the child must be school age with a physical or mental disability, which substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the school program. These services and protections for "protected handicapped students" are distinct from those applicable to all eligible or exceptional students enrolled (or seeking enrollment) in special education programs.

For further information on the rights of parents and children, provision of services, evaluation and screening (including purpose, time and location), and rights to due process procedures, you may contact, in writing, the Special Education Director or any building principal.

Confidentiality: All information gathered about your child is subject to the confidentiality provisions contained in federal and state law. The district has policies and procedures in effect governing the collection, maintenance, destruction and disclosure to third parties of this information. For information about these policies and procedures, as well as rights of confidentiality and access to educational records, you may contact, in writing, the Special Education Director or any building principal. 

CHILD FIND

The school district engages in numerous public awareness activities to alert residents about procedures for accessing special education programs. Public awareness activities are included in the district calendar, the district newsletter, and the newspaper. In addition, flyers and brochures are given to each of the non-public schools within Jim Thorpe Area School District borders. 

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE DISABLED

All district schools provide accessibility for the disabled. Parents of a disabled child should contact the Director of Special Education, 570-325-3691, for inquiries regarding appropriate placement of their child. Disabled adults who wish to visit or utilize school facilities should contact the appropriate Building Principal for information. General questions regarding the accessibility of school facilities for disabled persons should be directed to the Office of the Superintendent, at 570-325-3691.