Director's Message

Message from the Director of Special Services, Suzanne Wright

The Special Services Department embraces the mission of the North Branford
Schools as a proud and caring community that strives to prepare all students to be capable
and confident life-long learners. Students with disabilities are provided special education
and related services to support them in achieving success in school and the community.
We strongly believe that all children can learn and be successful. Special Services staff
members work closely with classroom teachers to achieve the Strategic Objective that all
students meet or exceed state or system performance standards or the goals identified in
their Individual Education Plans.

The Special Services Department has expanded the continuum of services for
students with disabilities through the development of the Life Skills and Bridges
program, the addition of special education teachers and paraprofessionals, increased
course offerings, the use of assistive technology as well as extracurricular activities such
as Unified Sports Teams, Best Buddies and the Soup Club.

There continues to be a strong emphasis on the development of reading skills
through the use of research based methods. Special Education teachers at all levels have
received extensive professional development in the use of multisensory structured
language instruction and other evidence based practices.

Services to support high school students as they transition to secondary education
or employment have been expanded by incorporating activities into the instructional
program provided in classrooms and resource rooms, the appointment of a Transition
Coordinator and hiring of a job coach.

Support services provided by related service staff include speech and language,
counseling, occupational and physical therapy. The Special Services Department
conducts comprehensive evaluations to determine students’ eligibility for special
education as well as to monitor student progress.

Communication with parents is very important in developing Individual
Education Plans and monitoring student progress. Staff members communicate with
parents at meetings, Open House and Parent Teacher conferences, or through telephone,
email or the use of communication books. In addition, the Special Services Department
publishes a newsletter, Special Education News and Discussion (SEND), a few times
each year to provide information to parents of students with disabilities. The newsletter
is sent to each family of a student that receives special education services and is posted
on the district website. The Special Services Department will continue to work in
collaboration with classroom teachers, families and the community to support students in
reaching their goals!