Southmoreland School District Special Education Continuum of Services

Updated: August 2019

The Southmoreland School District is committed to providing all students with a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.  This education is provided at the highest possible level within our school district’s neighborhood school buildings to the greatest extent possible. To this end, Southmoreland School District offers a continuum of special education programs and services to address and meet those needs of students with disabilities.  This is accomplished through the dedication of our teachers, staff, administrators and school board members. Listed below is a summary of how we meet the diverse needs of our students.

Learning Support:  Special Education Learning Support Programs and Services are available to students found eligible for and in need of such services at all Southmoreland School District school buildings.  The model of delivery of learning support services varies given the respective students’ degree of need for such services with the focus of educating students in the least restrictive environment.  Through the learning support program, students may have access to more individualized and small group instruction with individual special education teachers. Students also have the opportunity to receive instruction with non-disabled peers in the general education classroom setting that is provided through a continuum of services including, but not limited to, a co-teaching instructional delivery model, involving the grade level regular education teacher and a special education teacher; support of paraprofessional assignment within the general education classroom; and the implementation of specially designed instruction as determined by the student’s IEP team.

Autistic Support:  Special Education Autistic Support Programs and Services are also available to students found eligible for and in need of such services at all Southmoreland School District school buildings.  The model of delivery of autistic support services varies given the respective students’ degree of need for such services with the focus of educating students in the least restrictive environment.  Through the autistic support program, students have access to individualized and small group instruction in areas of academic, social and emotional, and sensory needs. Students also have the opportunity to receive instruction with non-disabled peers in the general education classroom setting that is provided through a continuum of services including, but not limited to, a co-teaching instructional delivery model, involving the grade level regular education teacher and a special education teacher; support of paraprofessional assignment within the general education classroom; and the implementation of specially designed instruction as determined by the student’s IEP team.

Life Skills Support:  Special Education Life Skills Support Programs and Services are currently available to students found eligible for and in need of such services at the Southmoreland Primary Center, Southmoreland Elementary School and Southmoreland Middle School.  The model of delivery of life skills support services varies given the respective students’ degree of need for such services with the focus of educating students in the least restrictive environment. Through the life skills support program, students have access to individualized and small group instruction in areas of academic and adaptive behavior/daily living skill need.  Students also have the opportunity to receive instruction with non-disabled peers in the general education classroom setting that is provided through a continuum of services including, but not limited to, a co-teaching instructional delivery model, involving the grade level regular education teacher and a special education teacher; support of paraprofessional assignment within the general education classroom; and the implementation of specially designed instruction as determined by the student’s IEP team.  

Speech and Language Support:  Special Education Speech and Language Support Programs and Services are available to students found eligible for and in need of such services at all Southmoreland School District buildings.  The model of delivery of speech and language support services varies given the respective students’ degree of need for such services with the focus of educating students in the least restrictive environment.  Through the speech and language support program, students may have access to more individualized and small group instruction with individual speech and language pathologists (SLP). Students also have the opportunity to receive speech and language support through a SLP/regular education teacher consultative delivery mode thereby maximizing the students’ participation in the general education setting with non-disabled peers without the need for pull out therapeutic sessions.

Vision Support; Hearing Support:  Special Education Vision Support and Hearing Support instructional services are available to students found eligible for and in need of such services at all Southmoreland School District schools buildings, with direct instruction in these areas being provided by PA State certified special education teachers employed by and contracted through the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit.  The model of delivery of vision and hearing support services varies given the respective students’ degree of need for such services with the focus of educating students in the least restrictive environment. Through the vision and hearing support services program, students may have access to more individualized and small group instruction with individual special education teachers.  Also, students have the opportunity to receive instruction with non-disabled peers in the general education classroom setting with the support of paraprofessional assignment as deemed necessary by the IEP team on an individual student basis.

Related services of Orientation and Mobility Therapy; Physical Therapy; and Occupational Therapy:  Special Education Related services of Orientation and Mobility Therapy are available to students found eligible for and in need of such services at all Southmoreland School District schools buildings and is provided through a contract with the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit.  Special Education Related services of Occupational and Physical Therapy are available to students found eligible for and in need of such services at all Southmoreland School District schools buildings and is provided through a contract with CAMCO.

It is the district’s desire to provide all students with the highest educational experience possible while attempting to meet the ever-increasing demands being placed on districts.  It is the districts desire to successfully prepare all students to meet their future needs with the hope they become vital, participatory, contributing members of our community and life-long learners.

HOW TO MAKE A REFERRAL

If you believe that your child is in need of special help in order to make progress in school, contact your child’s principal, guidance counselor, or the Director of Special Education at (724) 887-2009.

All requests for evaluation must be made in writing.  District forms are available through the Office of the Director of Special Education.  Office hours are 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Monday through Friday during the school term and 8:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. when school is not in session.  All information will be kept confidential.  Upon request, evaluations and or tests will be given in your child’s native language or mode of communication unless it is clearly not feasible to do so.

Southmoreland School District

Compliance Policy Statement

Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, A.D.A., and Age Discrimination

In compliance with the following statutes and regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title IV), Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (ACT), the Southmoreland School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or age in its admissions, educational programs, activities, or employment practices.  The district commits itself to take whatever remedial action is necessary to rectify proven instances of discrimination where Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, ADA, and ACT are applicable.  Inquiries concerning the above may be directed to: Mr. Ron Heitchue, Title VI, IX and Section 504 Coordinator, Southmoreland School District, 2351 Route 981 Box A, Alverton PA 15612.  Phone (724) 887-2009.