Background

The Pupil Personnel Services office is dedicated to providing program opportunities for students with special needs. Staff plans for, and provides, programs and services for students needing additional support. This is done through Special Education, 504 Plans, Compensatory Education, and program modification.

Philosophy

The first priority is to meet the individual needs of our students and facilitate programs that provide students the opportunity to develop to their maximum potential. The goal is for our young people to acquire lifelong skills so they may be productive members of their community.

Programs

• Each school building within our District has trained staff who provides specialized programs and services to our students with special needs. Our District offers speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, resource, special education inclusion classes, special classes, reading and math support.
• In conjunction with Madison-Oneida BOCES, we are able to provide programs for students with multiple disabilities and students who require a small student-teacher ratio. BOCES also provides vocational training programs for many of our students with special needs.
• Canastota Central School District also facilitates programming for children ages 3-5 who show delays in development.
• We have over thirty staff members district wide involved in the provision of special education services and Compensatory Reading and Math programs.
• Each building has an active Student Support Team. The teams are made up of regular educators, special educators, psychologists, school nurses, guidance counselors/social worker and administrators. Their charge is to work with colleagues in designing supports and interventions for students needing modification within their regular classroom setting.