Exceptional Student Services - (Special Education)

- Philosophy of the Board of Directors -

Relating to the Education of Children with Disabilities

The San Luis Valley Board of Cooperative Educational Services is committed to the basic premise that the purpose of a public school education is to help each child, including those with disabilities, develop to the limit of his/her own capacity. Our goal is to provide full educational opportunities to all children with disabilities. Each child with a disability shall be offered an individual education program to meet his/her needs.

It shall be the philosophy of the SLV BOCES to provide a free and appropriate public education to all eligible students from 3 to 21 years of age. The free educational concept shall encompass direct and related services as stipulated by state and federal statutes. Students receiving special education will have these services provided in the least restrictive educational environment which will be as close to their home as possible.

Special Education Services

Services for children and youth with disabilities in the SLV BOCES undergo continual refinement as greater understanding is achieved, as research provides better direction, and as legal mandates change. The Director of Special Education ensures that the process is reviewed and updated as needed on a yearly basis. The Director of Special Education also ensures that BOCES and local special education staff comply with both state and federal regulations regarding provision of services to students with disabilities.

Each district determines the support staff needed to implement its individual district's special education program. The program is then implemented through the efforts of BOCES support staff, instructional and itinerant staff members, as well as district instructional staff members who serve students with specific handicapping conditions.

Support services are delivered from the central administrative unit to participating school districts, instructional staff and disabled students. Special Education providers are assigned to districts based upon the number of students served.

Click to Read - Important Educational Acts

Click to Download: 2007-2008 Resource Guide
 

Assigned Schools

Psychologists:
 

Siria Fiscal North Conejos, South Conejos, Rocky Mountain Youth Academy, Sanford Head Start
Bilingual assistance for all districts
Milcah Hawk Monte Vista
Kim Leonard Ortega Middle School, Evans Elementary, Sierra Grande
Chris Lumsargis Creede, Del Norte, Sargent
Rae Jean Maestas Boyd Elementary, Polston Elementary, Centennial, Sanford, Sanford Pre-school, Alamosa Pre-school
Beth Day Alamosa High School, Sangre de Cristo, Alamosa Pre-school
Karla Stockley Moffat, Mountain Valley, Center

 

Social Workers:
 

Christine Castillo Alamosa HS, Ortega MS, Creede, Center, Monte Vista, S. Conejos, Sierra Grande, Alamosa Open High, Rocky Mtn Youth, and RMYA Second Chance
Fran Koski Evans Elem, Polston Elem, Boyd Elem, Sargent, Centennial, Del Norte, Moffat, Mtn Valley, N. Conejos, Sanford, Sangre de Cristo

 

Speech/Language Therapists:
 

Paula Harms Centennial, N. Conejos, Sanford, S. Conejos, Sierra Grande, 3-5 Child Find
Jessica Swersky Alamosa Preschool, Mountain Valley, Moffat/Crestone Charter, Sangre de Cristo, 0-3 Child Find
Lisa Karlskin N. Conejos, Children's Garden,  Sanford, Alamosa Hd St, ASC CPP
Peggy Walters (Initials and Triannuals & Consultation), Sargent, Del Norte, Creede, Alamosa K-12
Kay Risdahl (Direct Service) Sargent, Monte Vista HS, Marsh Elem, Bill Metz Elem., Center
Jody Kernen (Direct Service) Creede, Del Norte, Monte Vista MS, Sargent CPP
Cory Crawford Alamosa Early Childhood sites, San Luis, S. Conejos, Fort Garland
Cathy Bell Monte Vista
Robin Martinez Polston, Boyd, Evans

 

Occupational Therapists:
 

???????
 Alamosa (Preschool, Polston, Boyd), Center, Moffat, Mtn Valley, Sangre de Cristo, Sargent, Child Find 0-3
Patti Kelley Creede, Del Norte, Monte Vista, Child Find 0-3
Rebecca Mezoff North Conejos, South Conejos, Sierra Grande, Centennial, Alamosa (OMS, Evans, AHS) Sanford

 

Vision Specialist:

Kathy Gallina - Valley wide

 

Physical Therapist:
 

Liz Meyers Child Find 0-3, Centennial, N. Conejos, S. Conejos,Sanford, Alamosa (Preschool, Polston), Sierra GrandeChild Find 3-5 in assigned areas
Katie Booth Creede, Del Norte, Monte Vista, Sargent, Center, Mountain Valley, Moffat/Crestone, Sangre de Cristo, Alamosa (Boyd, Evans, OMS, AHS), Sierra Grande, Child Find 3-5 in assigned areas

 

Audiologist:

Lara Ciasulli - Valley wide (Contracted services only)

Mary Morin - Valley wide

 

Parent Liaison:

Ernie Mondragon - Valley Wide (bi-lingual)

Lynn Toepfer -  Valley Wide

 

SWAP - School To Work Alliance:
 

Theresa Naranjo Coordinator - Valley Wide
Estevan Lujan Valley Wide

Early Childhood Special Education:
 

Julie Faucett Child Find Coordinator, Center Head St, Center CPP
Deb Huss Sargent, Sanford, Ft. Garland, Little Treasures
Laura Barr Del Norte, Creede, Children's Garden
Kristen Peterson Moffat, Saguache, Sangre de Cristo
Cindy Hagaman ASC, Gingerbread Hdst, CDI_Alamosa Hdst
???? All 14 School Districts 0-3

Pamela Espinoza

 Monte Vista

 

Click to Read - Important Educational Acts
 

© SLV BOCES 2008 • Designed by B4 Studio, LLC