Walnut Avenue School

The Cranford Public Schools offer a full range of services to meet student's special needs.

Each school has access to a certified school nurse who provides preventive emergency and referral services and organizes dental, visual, and auditory exams and screenings. Physical exams are required for all students in second and fifth grades. The nurse maintains all records related to immunization, medication, and the health status of students.

A student assistance counselor provides aid to teachers, parents, and students as needed, supplying information on appropriate resources within and outside the district and acting as a liaison between the school, community agencies, parents, and children as the situation demands. Areas addressed might include, but are not limited to, school entry or separation issues, peer or school adjustment and grief or loss.

Children who demonstrate a need for additional help in reading or math may be referred to the Basic Skills Improvement Program. Referral may be based on a recommendation by the classroom teacher in grades K- 2 or through the results of standardized achievement tests (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) in grade 3-6. Parents requested to meet with the Basic Skills teacher to review the improvement plan before implementation.

An English as a Second Language (ESL) program is provided for those students whose first language was not English and who need additional help in developing their language skills.

Speech/Language services are provided for students who demonstrate a need for help in articulation or language development. Speech evaluations are generally initiated as a result of teacher or parental request. The speech teacher will notify the parent before an evaluation takes place and will review the individual educational plan following the testing.

The Pupil Assistance Committee (PAC) is a school based problem solving group whose purpose is to assist strategies for working with student who are experiencing difficulties in learning and/or with behavior. The committee includes the principal or designee, a regular education teacher, may include one or more of the following: School Nurse, Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant, Student Assistance Counselor, School Social Worker, School Psychologist, or Speech Language Specialist.

The primary role of the committee is to help with learning and/or behavior problems receive the assistance they need within the regular education setting. Parents are routinely notified whenever a child is reviewed by the Pupil Assistance Committee. An intervention plan is developed with parent participation. The plan is put into place for a specified time and monitored throughout the period. A follow up meeting is scheduled to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan. If necessary, secondary or supplemental plans can be formulated.

The Pupil Assistance Committee may recommend referral to the Child Study Team. The Principal will notify the parents in writing if a referral is to be forwarded to the Child Study Team.

The Child Study Team consists of a school psychologist, social worker, and a learning disabilities teacher consultant.

The Child Study Team will review all referrals to determine if the child requires a full evaluation. The parents written permission is required before the child can be evaluated. The parent will be invited to a meeting to have the evaluations explained. If a child meets the eligibility requirements for classification, an individualized education plan (I.E.P.) is developed. A member of the Child Study Team is designated to be the child's case manager and will assist the parent , child and teachers to implement the child's program.