- Wayne Township Public Schools
- Student Support Services
Student Support Services
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Wayne Township Public Schools' Student Support Services is committed to making a difference in the lives of every child in our District from ages 3-21.We understand and champion the notion that learning is a lifelong process and strive to give all of our students the opportunity to thrive in their least restrictive environment with their peers.These pages are intended to be a resource for both parents and educators. If you would like more information on any part of the services we offer or if you have a student that you suspect may have a disability, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Student Support Services
District Contacts
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Central Office Contacts
Ms. Jennifer Varano - Assistant DirectorMr. Scot Burkholder-Director SSS - Federal, State, and Special ProgramsJennifer Montana - Supervisor of Health & WellnessMs. Patricia Monaco - Assistant Principal, ElementaryMs. Nicole Gibbs - Assistant Principal, SecondarySupport Staff - Ms. Ann McKay, Ms. Susan Hohmann, Ms. Diane Wilde -
District Anti-Bullying Coordinator
District Anti-Bullying Coordinator
Scot Burkholder
50 Nellis Drive
Wayne, NJ 07470
sburkholder@wayneschools.com -
Elementary School Counselors/504 Coordinators/Crisis Intervention Team
A.P. Terhune
CHRISTINE CORDEIRA
973-633-3150J.F. Kennedy
MAY MIZOV
973-633-3160James Fallon
DENISE MALONE
973-633-3125Lafayette
BILLIE LYNNE LIQUORI
973-633-3165Packanack
LAUREN RESZKA
973-633-3170 ext. 293Pines Lake
KAREN OLAYA
973-633-3175Randall Carter
FRANCESCA RUSSO
973-633-3145Ryerson
CRYSTAL OLSON
973-633-3180Theunis Dey
KRISTEN VALENCIA
973-633-3155
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Middle School Counselors/504 Coordinators/Crisis Intervention Team
Anthony Wayne Middle School
DANIEL FANUELE
973-389-2120
MICHELE GIARRUSSO
973-389-2120
JEFFREY ROBJOHNS
973-389-2120
George Washington Middle School
JACKIE MOLINA
973-633-3140
DONNA SANTANGELO
973-633-3140
PATRICIA MONTINI
973-633-3140
Shuyler Colfax Middle School
KAREN GORMAN
973-633-3130
LAURA KUHN
973-633-3130
KAREN VIVINO
973-633-3130
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High School Counselors/504 Coordinators/Crisis Intervention Team
Wayne Hills High School
NICOLE SANDAS
973-317-2028
SARA BEKTESHI
973-317-2033
HARRISON BENDER
973-317-2026
CHRISTINE ZAKK
973-317-2057
JONATHAN ROMAN
973-317-2027
MATI SICHERER
973-317-2031ALEXANDRA KARTSAKALIS
973-317-2095DONNA KING
973-317-2022
Wayne Valley High School
JESSICA FEINBERG
973-317-2221
WILLIAM CHEVAL JR.
973-317-2229
ANDREW IMPERATORE
973-317-2217
FELICIA MICHELSON
973-317-2220
MICHAEL PAUL
973-317-2263
CATHERINE LAVIOLA
973-317-2222
JEN MONTANA
973-317-2219
KIM MAPP
973-317-2233
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Elementary School Anti-Bullying Specialists
A.P. Terhune
CHRISTINE CORDEIRA
973-633-3150J.F. Kennedy
MAY MIZOV
973-633-3160James Fallon
DENISE MALONE
973-633-3125Lafayette
BILLIE LYNNE SCURA
973-633-3165Packanack
LAUREN RESZKA
973-633-3170Pines Lake
KAREN OLAYA
973-633-3175Randall Carter
FRANCESCA RUSSO
973-633-3145Ryerson
CRYSTAL OLSON
973-633-3180Theunis Dey
KRISTEN VALENCIA
973-633-3155
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Middle School Anti-Bullying Specialists
Anthony Wayne Middle School
MICHELE GIARRUSSO
973-389-2120
George Washington Middle School
DONNA SANTANGELO
973-633-3140
Shuyler Colfax Middle School
LAURA KUHN
973-633-3130
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High School Anti-Bullying Specialists
Wayne Hills High School
CHRISTINE ZAKK
973-317-2022
Wayne Valley High School
KATHERINE LAVIOLA
973-317-2220
Student Support
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504
SECTION 504
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WAYNE SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE OF PARENT/ STUDENT RIGHTS UNDER SECTION 504 (FORM 504-1) The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, commonly referred to as "Section 504" is a non-discrimination statute enacted by the United States Congress. The purpose of the Act is to prohibit discrimination and to assure that disabled students have educational opportunities and benefits equal to those provided to nondisabled students.
An eligible student under Section 504 is a student who has, or has a record of having, or is regarded as having, a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities such as learning, self-care, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, and performing manual tasks.
Dual Eligibility: Some students will be eligible for education services under both Section 504 and the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Students who are eligible under the IDEA have many specific rights that are not available to students who are eligible solely under Section 504. Procedural Safeguards (Due process procedures for parents and children) prepared by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is available through the District's Special Education Department and sets out the rights assured by the IDEA. It is the purpose of this notice form to set out the rights assured by Section 504 to those disabled students who do not qualify under the IDEA.
The enabling regulations for Section 504 as set out in 34 C.P.R. Part 104 provide parents/and students with the following rights.- You have right to be informed by the district of your rights under Section 504. (The purpose of this notice form is to advise you of those rights.) (34 C.P.R. 104.32.)
- Your child has the right to a free appropriate education designed to meet his/her individual needs as appropriately as the needs of non-disabled students are met. (34 CP.R. 104.33)
- Your child has the right to free educational services except for those fees that are imposed on non-disabled students or their parents. Insurers and similar third parties are not relieved from an otherwise valid obligation to provide or pay for services provided to a disabled student. (34 C.P.R. 104.33)
- Your child has a right to facilities, services, and activities that are comparable to those provided for non-disabled students. (34 C.P.R. 104.34)
- Your child has a right to placement in the least restrictive environment. (34 C.P.R. 104.34.)
- Your child has a right to an evaluation prior to an initial Section 504 placement and any subsequent significant change in placement. (34 C.P.R. 104.35.)
- Testing and other evaluation procedures must conform to the requirements (34 C.P.R. 104.35) as to validation, administration, areas of evaluation, etc. district shall consider information from a variety of sources, including aptitude and achievement tests, teacher recommendations, physical condition, social and cultural background, adaptive behavior physical or medical reports, student grades, progress reports, parent observations, and anecdotal reports. (34 C.F.R 104.35.)
- Placement decisions must be made by a group of persons (i.e., Intervention Referral Service Team and/or Central Office 504 Committee), including persons knowledgeable about your child, the meaning of the evaluation data, the placement options, and the legal requirements for least restrictive environment and comparable facilities. (34 C.F.R. 104.35.)
- If eligible under Section 504, your child has a right to annual reevaluations. (34 C.F.R. 104.36.)
- You have the right to examine relevant records. (34 C.F.R 104. 36.)
- You have a right to notice of any action by the district in regard to the identification, evaluation, or placement of your child. (34 C.F.R 104.36.)
- You have a right to an impartial hearing with respect to the district's actions regarding your child's identification, evaluation, or educational placement, with opportunity for parental participation in the hearing and representation by an attorney. (34 C.F.R 104.36.)
- If you wish to challenge the actions of the 504 Committee in regard to your child's identification, evaluation, and education placement, you should file a written request for a hearing with the districts 504 Coordinator.
- If you disagree with the decision of the district 504 Committee, you have a right to review of that decision by a court of competent jurisdiction. (34 C.F.R 104.36.)
- On Section 504 matters other than your child's identification, evaluation, and placement, you have a right to file a discrimination complaint with the District's Equity and Compliance Office, who will investigate the allegations to the extent warranted by the nature of the complaint in an effort to reach a prompt and equitable resolution.
- You have the right to file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights. The address of the Regional Office which covers New Jersey is:
Michael Carter, Regional Manager
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Jacob Javits Federal Building
26 Federal Plaza - Suite 3312
New York, NY 10278
Voice Phone (212)264-3313
FAX (212)264-3039
TDD (212)264-2355
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I&RS
I&RS - INTERVENTION AND REFERRAL SERVICES
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The Law:SUBCHAPTER 8. INTERVENTION AND REFERRAL SERVICESResources:
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Assistive Technology Team
The Wayne Township Public School district incorporates an innovative approach to Assistive Technology (AT) by having a dedicated district AT Team. This 3-person team consists of committed professionals with many years of experience and backgrounds in Special Education, Speech and Language Development, Alternative & Augmentative Communication, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology.
The AT Team provides consultations, evaluations, equipment, and services to students with educational challenges and disabilities. The goal is to enable students to be active participants in their educational program. In addition, the AT Team provides training and ongoing support for staff, students, and parents for effective implementation of the recommended Assistive Technology.
Click for more information on the Assistive Technology Team.
Parents
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Parent Workshops
Please see the Student Support Services Calendar of Events for Workshops & Registration.
Please note that past recorded presentations/workshops are moved to the Parent Resources Page.
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Parent Groups
Wayne Special Parents Association (WSPA) Special Education Parent Advocacy Group (SEPAG)
Parent-to-Parent Network: Connecting parents to other parents across the country with similar children. Please contact Ms. Brenda Figueroa at bfigueroa@spanadvocacy.org for more information.
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Parent Resources
- Ryerson Communication Parent Meeting (February 10, 2022)
- Project Child Find
- Commonly Used Acronyms in Special Education
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Student Support Services Calendar of Events
- College Transition Resource Packet
- Transition Resources (DDD, DVRS, etc.)
- SEMI
- DVRS
- DDD
- NJDOE Dyslexia Webinar
- State Resources
- Passaic County Resources
- Wayne Wellness Resources
- SSS Parent Resources YouTube Videos
- Leisure Education Toolkit for Parents with Mental Illness
- K-12 Online Resources During Distance Learning - Academic and Social/Emotional
- Iris Center - Parents: Supporting Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Supporting Your Child During Virtual Learning (video)
- Supporting Your Child During Virtual Learning (slides)
Federal Programs
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Title I
TITLE 1
Background:
Title I, Part A (Title I) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESEA) provides financial assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.
Wayne Title I Schools:
- John F. Kennedy Elementary School
- Randall Carter Elementary School
- Ryerson Elementary School (Schoolwide Designation)
- Anthony Wayne Middle School
- George Washington Middle School
Title I Federal grant assistance (through the ESEA/ESSA application process) allows the five Title I schools in Wayne to offer additional intervention in both academic and socioemotional areas of support based on assessment data, teacher input, and parent feedback holistically collected to make these supports individual to the school, students, and families as needed. The most common supports provided are: additional supplemental instructional support (push in class support, after school instruction, and summer programs), SEL/character development programs to support student wellness and readiness to learn, professional development for teachers with an intervention and SEL focus, and materials purchased to help enhance learning and character development for targeted students. For more on what each school is offering, please visit their website, attend their annual parent Title I meetings, or contact the building principal to find out more about what services may be available to your children at these schools.
Click below to read the parent letters, parent policy, and other important district wide communication regarding Title I:
Sample Annual Title I Parent Letter (Exact letter varies by school based on programs / targeted students)
Sample Title I Right to Know Letter
Wayne Township Parent Involvement Policy 2415.04 / Title I Engagement
Wayne Township Title I / NCLB / ESEA Policy 2415
For Non-Public Schools we consult with, in addition to the packet you are sent annually, you may also find all state forms and required documentation
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ESL - Title III
ESL - Title III
The Wayne Township Public schools believe in providing an inclusive, culturally responsive educational environment for all students. Children who may qualify for language services are screened through the registration, home language survey, and WIDA model screening process to determine which students are eligible for services as English language learners. Eligible students receive high intensity English as a Second Language support daily and benefit from shelter English instruction when enrolled in the program.
Our programs serve over 220-250 students annually at 6 district schools focused on providing intense language instruction in English and encouraging development of the students native language, inclusive of multicultural projects and sharing opportunities for all learners. In the past year, between 28-31 different home languages were spoken by students in our programs.. We celebrate and honor this diversity with materials, lessons, and parent presentations to develop and foster successful lifelong bilingual and biliterate learners.
Schools currently hosting ESL programs include APT, JFK, Pines Lake, and Ryerson at the elementary level and George Washington Middle School and Wayne Hills High School at the secondary level.
We are currently working on expanding the program to include more schools. If your child does not attend one of the schools above, click the first document below to find your children's ESL partner school.
For more information on these programs, entry/exit criteria, program letters, and home language surveys, please visit the links below.
Bilingual ELL Parent Letters and Home Language Surveys
Wayne Township English as a Second Language - Schools and Teachers 2020-21
NJDOE Bilingual, ESL, and Title III Home Page - Information, sample forms, and parent resources
ESL Parent Stakeholder Meeting Resources - Supporting EL’s at Home (April 2021)
2022-2023 ESL Staffing & Building List
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McKinney Vento/Displace Homeless Families
McKinney Vento/Displace Homeless Families
Wayne Township Public Schools are committed to supporting all families during challenging times of displacement, hardship, and homelessness. The McKinney-Vento ACT provides families with assistance through federal grants, local resources, and protects enrollment status for displaced families. It is important to be aware that the program is eligible to families under many circumstances, including temporary displacement due to fire, economic hardship, or eviction, families who are doubled up with relatives due to loss of their home, families staying in a hotel/motel, and some students who have been placed in alternative living arrangements by state agencies. Families may be eligible for continued enrollment, transportation, school supplies, and/or referrals to more assistance programs to be determined during intake and ongoing check in discussions.
If you are experiencing financial hardship or loss of your living situation, please contact your child's school or Scot Burkholder, Wayne Township McKinney-Vento Liaison (sburkholder@wayneschools.com) to determine whether you will qualify for assistance through this program. Below are some helpful resources and forms to determine if you may qualify for this program or other related services and supports.
Letter of Allowable Expenses for McKinney Vento Families
McKinney Vento Informational Brochure for Parents
Passaic County Family Support Resource Guide
New Jersey Mental Health Resources for Families
Parent Rights Under McKinney Vento
USDOE Letter on What Supports/Funding are available for MV Families
Wayne Township Public School McKinney-Vento Interview/Intake Form (Can be filled out in advance or with a school official for support)
McKinney-Vento Family Update Form (To be filled out by an existing McKinney-Vento family to update your status/address)
WTPS Policy 5116 - McKinney Vento BOE Policy
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District Assessment Information
District Assessment Information
The Wayne Township Public Schools participates annually in a number of federally and state mandated assessments which are required by law. This page is specifically designed to give parents an overview of all mandated testing for Wayne students and to provide helpful links for parents to learn more about each assessment.
District Assessment Schedule 2020-21 (Updated April 2021)
Updated Cover Letter for Assessment Modifications (NJDOE Guidance - April 2021)
Click on any link below to learn more about the assessment process, administration, and score reporting for each assessment. The assessment calendar includes more information on AP testing, college board assessments, and other district-based assessments.
New Jersey Student Learning Assessments ELA / Math (Students in grades 3 - 10)
New Jersey Student Learning Assessments - Science (Students in grades 3, 8 , 11)
ACCESS 2.0 (English Language Learners)
Dynamic Learning Maps (Classified Students Only)
ESY
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Contacts
Wayne ESY Program ContactsPatricia MonacoNorthern Region Educational Services Commission
973-614-8585 ext. 3811
45 Reinhardt Road Wayne, NJ 07470 -
Hours/Location
Wayne ESY Program Hours/Locations:Preschool Program8:30 am to 10:15 am / 10:45 am to 12:30 pmEarly Childhood CenterStaff report time: 8:15 amElementary Program8:30 am to 12:30 pmRyerson Elementary SchoolStaff report time: 8:15 amSecondary Program7:30 am to 11:30 amAnthony Wayne Middle SchoolStaff report time: 7:15 am -
Dates
Wayne Extended School Year Program DatesWednesday, July 5, 2023 - Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Health Services
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The Department of Student Support Services is responsible for the supervision of all Nursing Staff and the district's Student Assistance Counselors. The office monitors and ensures that all students and staff are provided a healthy environment conducive to social, emotional and physical learning.
Click for more information on the Health Services Department.
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