•   The Office for Students with Exceptionalities        Children


      18 South Perry St.
      Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
      (845) 451-4900, Ext. 3473 (General Number)

      (845) 383-8570 (Fax)
      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 and support for students. We coordinate the district's Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) initiative. Teams in each of our schools recommend interventions for students who are referred to the building intervention team because they are struggling with their learning or behavior. Teachers, intervention specialists in reading and math and other service provider staff implement the MTSS recommendations, monitor and review student progress in the interventions, and continually update recommendations to support the learning and growth of each student referred to the team.

    Our department coordinates all special education services across Poughkeepsie's schools through the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) and the Committee on Special Education (CSE), and we oversee all Section 504 accommodation plans to assure that all students have access to their learning, and are provided with what they need to make progress. Other activities of our department include the assignment of tutors for homebound instruction, and coordination of student disciplinary hearings (otherwise known as Superintendent's Hearings) for all registered students in the district. 

    We are committed to service to the students and families of Poughkeepsie. We are here to help you and answer your questions. Our staff can provide information and guidance for parents in all of the areas managed within our department. Below is a list of key personnel who can help to assist you with specific questions about MTSS, 504, Special Education, Homebound Instruction and Superintendent's Hearings.

    To serve your needs, we've created the following chart so you will know exactly who to contact in our office. We look forward to helping you so together we can support your child's learning and progress!

     

    CONTACT

    EMAIL

    PHONE

    General Information

    Department Secretaries

    See below for emails for each school

    or program

    845-451-4900 ext. 9473

    FAX

     

     

    845-363-8570

     

     

     

     

    Department Oversight

    Dr. Iris Goliger, Executive Director

    igoliger@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900

    ext. 9473

    Department Communications, Superintendent Hearings

    Samantha Ausenbaugh, Administrative School Secretary

    sausenbaugh@poughkeepsieschools.org (Effective after 9/25/23)

    451-4900 ext.5721

    Billing, Requisitions, Homebound Instruction

    Takisha Morton, Account Clerk

    tmorton@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext.5726

    Parent Support/Advocate

    Aurora Porto, Spanish Speaking District Family Advocate

    aporto@poughkeepsieschools.org

    845-874-8520

     

     

     

     

    Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)

    Andrew Rao,

    MTSS Coordinator

    arao@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext.1498

     

     

     

     

    Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE)

    Triesha Foglia-Edwards, CSE/CPSE Coordinator

    tedwards@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext.5724

     

    Sherry Yohe, Secretary

    syohe@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext.5722

     

     

     

     

    CSE Chairperson

    Kimberly Ross

    kross@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext.1366

     

     

     

     

    Early Learning Center (ELC)

    Triesha Foglia-Edwards, CSE/CPSE Coordinator

     

    tedwards@poughkeepsieschools.org

     

     

     

    451-4900 ext.5724

     

     

     

    Sherry Yohe, Secretary

    syohe@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext.5722

     

     

     

     

    Clinton Elementary

    Triesha Foglia-Edwards, CSE/CPSE Coordinator

     

    tedwards@poughkeepsieschools.org

     

    451-4900 ext.5724

     

     

    Corie Davis, Secretary

    cdavis@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext.5719

     

     

     

     

    Krieger Elementary

    Michelle O’Gara, CSE Coordinator

    mogara@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext.5723

     

     Secretary TBD

    *Temporarily, Laura Hamedl

    Lhamedl@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext.5727

     

     

     

     

    Warring Elementary

    Michelle O’Gara, CSE Coordinator

    mogara@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext.5723

     

    TBD, Secretary

    *Temporarily Sherry Yohe

    syohe@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext. 5722

     

     

     

     

    Poughkeepsie Middle School

    Michelle O’Gara, CSE Coordinator

    mogara@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext.5723

     

    Laura Hamedl, Secretary

    lhamedl@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext.5725

     

     

     

     

    Morse Elementary

    Alisa Balestrino, CSE Coordinator

    abalestrino@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext.5728

     

    Secretary TBD:

    *Temporarily Sherry Yohe

    syohe@poughkeepsieschools.org

     

    451-4900 ext.5722

     

     

     

     

    Poughkeepsie High School

    Alisa Balestrino, CSE Coordinator

    abalestrino@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext.5728

     

    Lisa Velez, Secretary

    lvelez@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext.5720

     

     

     

     

    BOCES Placed Students

    Triesha Foglia-Edwards, Coordinator

    tedwards@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900, ext.5724

     

    Laura Hamedl, Secretary

    lhamedl@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext.5725

     

     

     

     

    Parentally Placed (Parochial) Students

    Triesha Foglia-Edwards, Coordinator

    tedwards@poughkeepsieschool.org

    451-4900 ext. 5724

     

    Lisa Velez, Secretary

    lvelez@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext.5720

     

     

     

     

    Out of District Approved Private Schools

    Triesha Foglia Edwards, Coordinator

    tedwards@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext. 5724

     

    Lisa Velez, Secretary

    lvelez@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext. 5720

     

     

     

     

    Little Water Preparatory School (Charter)

    Triesha Foglia-Edwards, Coordinator

    tedwards@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900, ext.5724

     

    Secretary TBD

    *Temporarily Lisa Velez

    lvelez@poughkeepsieschools.org

    451-4900 ext.5720

     

     

     

     

     

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