Child Study Team
Programs and Services
Special Education Program:
Federally mandated program in which students found to be eligible for special
education and related services--due to the presence of one or more disabilities
that negatively impacts educational performance--are provided with an
Indivualized Education Program (IEP) that outlines the appropriate educational
program, placement, supports and services they need to make educational gains
in the least restrictive environment to the maximum extent possible.
School Based Individual, Group and Crisis Counseling:
Recognizes the link between mental health and learning and behavior;
Understands that sound mental health leads to:
high academic achievement;
positive social skills and behavior;
tolerance and respect for others; and
safe and supportive learning environments.
Identifies and addresses concerns and behaviors that interfere with students'
academic, emotional and social growth and development and negatively impact
school performance;and
Promotes independent problem solving, enhanced social skills,self-management
and effective coping strategies.
Parent Guidance:
Helps parents understand factors that influence behavior which gets in the way of or prevents students from reaching their potential and empowers parents to help their children overcome academic, emotional and behavioral challenges.
Character Education:
Describes character within a broad framework which encompasses thoughts,
feelings and behavior;
Fosters the development of values which function as the cornerstone and
embodiment of ethical behavior;
Encourages and inspires students to demonstrate ethical behavior within the school
and the community; and
Calls on school personnel, parents and community members to act in concert to
promote a caring and responsible student body and community.
Featured Programs:
Conflict Resolution:
Students in conflict meet to find appropriate ways to diffuse,handle and prevent
problems between them.
Peer Mediation:
Upper grade students--acting as trained peer mediators--help other students settle
and resolve disputes between them in a peaceful and mutually beneficial manner.
Peer Tutoring:
Students in higher grades provide additional support to struggling students in the
mainstream setting and assistance to classified students in the special education
setting.
Peer Mentoring:
Older students offer appropriate social, emotional and academic support to and
build a relationship as "Big Brothers/Big Sisters" with younger students who would
enjoy and likely benefit from such support.
If you think your child would benefit from participation in any of the programs described above, please contact Dr. Hillary Sobol--Supervisor of Special Services and School Psychologist--or any other member of the Child Study Team.
Child Find:
Project CHILD FIND is a free referral service and public awareness campaign to assist in the identification of unserved/underserved youth with a delay or disability from birth through twenty-one years of age. In addition, Project CHILD FIND develops and distributes information to the public about early intervention services and special education programs throughout New Jersey.
Project CHILD FIND's comprehensive efforts include:
1. Assisting families of infants and toddlers, birth through two, concerned about their child’s development by directing all requests regarding early intervention to the family’s local Special Child Health Case Management Unit. If you need the number for your Special Child Health Case Management Unit, call:
Project CHILD FIND
1-800-322-8174
2. Aiding families of preschoolers, three through five, concerned about their child’s development by directing requests to their local school district.
3. Helping families access community services through referral.
4. Promoting community and public awareness of all children with disabilities by providing information.
5. Providing assistance to local school district boards of education to identify unserved children from age three through twenty-one who are in need of special education and related services.
Information through Project CHILD FIND may be obtained by calling the toll-free number, 1-800-322-8174, which is in service 7 days a week, 24-hours a day or by calling the Moonachie School District. All calls received are confidential.
Project CHILD FIND was established by the New Jersey Department of Education through I.D.E.A., Part B funds from the U.S. Department of Education.
Although it is a general education program that often includes input from multiple sources including those making up the Child Study Team, students may receive educational support that is separate from special education under Section 504.
Section 504:
Section 504 is a broad civil rights law protecting the rights of individuals in programs and activities that receive federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education. It is a nondiscrimination law that prohibits discrimination based solely on a person's disability and protects all school-age children who qualify as "handicapped."
A student is eligible for accommodations under Section 504 if he/she has a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities that impacts education. Accommodations help students benefit from their educational program and gain full access to the general education curriculum.
The Moonachie School District does not discriminate in admission or access to or employment of its programs and activities in accordance with Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
If you feel your child may qualify for services under Section 504, please contact Kerry Salerno, the Moonachie School District's 504 Officer.