Related Services

School Psychology:

In each of the Vernon Public Schools, School Psychologists help students succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally by focusing on growing the whole-child. Psychologists work directly with students, and on their behalf, by consulting with comprehensive teams made up of teachers, parents, administrators and other school professionals. Some of the responsibilities of School Psychologists are to; provide individual and/or group counseling, deliver classroom lessons on a variety of topics, conduct evaluations to determine eligibility for special education, enhance home-school collaboration and coordinate community support services, design and implement academic and behavioral interventions in partnership with teachers, collect and analyze student data to ensure and promote a safe climate, and to respond to crises by providing leadership and coordination with the best interest of the student in mind.

Speech and Language Pathology:

Speech and Language Pathologists (SLPs) provide services to students who meet eligibility criteria for services. Services are provided in various groupings (individual and small group) dependent upon student need. Focus of instruction, whether taking place in the regular education classroom or within a resource room setting, includes articulation, expressive and receptive language, speech fluency and voice, and pragmatic language. SLPs consult with teachers and link their objectives and lesson foci to the curriculum, when appropriate.

Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy:

Occupational and Physical Therapy are related services provided to students through an Individualized Education Plan when they require “developmental, corrective and other supportive services” to have their educational needs met. School-based therapists focus on assisting students to acquire the functional abilities necessary to access educational materials and adapt to their educational environment. They may support students with daily activities related to educational participation, adapt the performance context, teach alternative methods, or facilitate the use of assistive devices. Both OTs and PTs provide supportive and therapeutic services to students with varied gross motor and fine motor deficits. They consult with regular classroom teachers to support students in the general education environment.

Social Work:

School Social Workers work to ensure that the social and emotional well-being of all students allows for them to achieve success in the educational environment and in the community. They accomplish this by providing counseling, consultation and advocacy in collaboration with school staff, families, and through mobilizing community resources and partners. Responsibilities include helping students develop the skills necessary for school success, such as organization, time management, study habits and behaviors, and social skills. Creating a safe place for students to share their feelings, fears and concerns that may affect them while they are at school is a top priority.

Teacher of the Hearing Impaired:

The Teacher of the Hearing Impaired provides direct instruction and consultative services to students diagnosed with varying degrees of hearing loss. Services are individualized dependent upon student need but can include using aural/oral methods, sign language, and/or cochlear implant therapies. Additional services include diagnostic testing, intense language based instruction, auditory therapy, speech production and consultation with parents and general education classroom teachers.