•   Office of Students with Exceptionalities        Children

      Poughkeepsie City School District
      Office of Students with Exceptionalities
      18 South Perry St.
      Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
      Phone- (845) 437-3473 
      Map

     District Mission

    We are champions of children who inspire and nurture the whole child by providing innovative, high-quality educational opportunities that prepare all students to embark on individual paths of success in a globally diverse community.
     

    The Office of Students with Exceptionalities is responsible for a wide range of programs for students. Including, services to students with disabilities, homeless students, students receiving education programs at home and health services for students. The Office of Students with Exceptionalities also coordinates guidance programs, school social workers, school psychologists, occupational and physical therapists and school nurses

    Administrators in the Family & Student Support Services Office

    - Executive Director 

    Dr. Iris Goliger
     

    - Coordinator 

    Michelle O'Gara 

    • Special Education & 504 plan administrative contact for the following schools: Krieger, Warring, & Poughkeepsie Middle School

    - Coordinator 

     Triesha Foglia-Edwards

    • Responsible for programs for pre-school children with disabilities, as well as arranging placements when the children attain school age. 
    • Special Education & 504 plan administrative contact for the following schools: ELC, Clinton, Private Schools & BOCES programs

    - Coordinator

      Alisa Balestrino 

    • Special Education & 504 plan adnimitrative contact for the following schools: Morse & Poughkeepsie High School

    Office Staff

    TBD, Secretary to the Executive Director

     

    Parents who have questions regarding an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Accomodation Plan, should contact one of typists listed below for assistance:

    Laura Hamedl, IEP Typist
    • Contact for: Morse & Krieger
    Triesh Mathis, IEP Typist 
    • Contact for: Warring, BOCES programs, & Private Schools
    Gloree Sapio, IEP Typist
    • Contact for: Poughkeepsie Middle School
    Lisa Velez, IEP Typist
    • Contact for: Poughkeepsie High School
    Sherry Wilson, IEP Typist
    • Contact for: ELC, Clinton, & Preschool programs for students with exceptionalities
     
    Nyato Murray, Account Clerk
      
     
    District-Wide CSE Chairpersons

    Amber Dorsey

    Homebound Tutoring

    Contact: Ms. Nyato Murray 

    This office is responsible for assigning Homebound Tutors to students who are unable to attend school because of suspension or medical requirements. 

    Homeschooling for students with Exceptionalities

    Contact: TBD - Clerical Support

    Parents may exercise their right to provide required instruction at home under Education Law, section 3212(2).

    Home Schooling Process & Procedures: Part 100.10

    Section 504 Accomodation Plans

    US Dept of Education - 504 Resource Guide

    Other Relevant NYS regulations

    For the New York State regulations on Home Schooling, click here.
    For the New York State regulations on Homeless Students, click here.
    For the New York State Information about  Students With Disabilities, click here.

     

    MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) Coordinator, TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment)
     
    Alicia O'Connell
    • Provides support to building IST and works within the Office of Students with Exceptionalities to support students suspected of having learning difficulties. 

    Instructional Support Team

    Parents sometimes are concerned that their child is not making adequate academic progress. Often, parents are not sure where to turn for guidance and seek extensive testing for their children. In most cases, testing is not warranted and only places undue stress on the child. Many learning concerns can be addressed through your child’s building’s Instructional Support Team (IST Team). The IST Team is comprised of professional within your child’s school, and may include personnel such as: school psychologists, regular education teachers, special education teachers, speech and language therapists, building administrators, social workers, nurses, etc. The goal of the IST Team is to identify strategies/ accommodations/ services that will help your child be successful in school. Recommendations may include interventions such as: remedial services, instructional strategies, classroom modifications, behavioral interventions, etc. The IST Team will reconvene to review the strategies/interventions that they implemented. Parent input is highly valued and is necessary for the IST Team process to work properly. To have your child reviewed by the IST Team, contact your child’s teacher (elementary school) or guidance counselor (secondary school).

    RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION PLAN AND INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT TEAM PROCEDURES HANDBOOK

    RTI AIS Plan