Westbrook Public Schools

Who?

All children have a right to a free and appropriate public education. If a child has a disability as defined by federal laws and statutes, he/she is entitled to FAPE (free and appropriate public education) from the age of 3 to 21, or graduation.

What?

If your child has a chronic illness, such as allergies, asthma, bronchitis, depression, Crohn’s Disease, arthritis, etc. that is interfering with your child’s ability to learn and to access fully his/her education, these illnesses may be determined to be a disability. This depends upon the severity of the illness and the degree to which this illness interferes with your child’s ability to learn and function successfully in school. If it is determined by you and a school team that your child’s chronic illness is a disability, he/she is entitled to certain protections, accommodations, services and supports.

What Rights and Services?

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a federal act that governs public agencies, including public schools.

Under this Act, we are required to provide equal access to a public education as that provided to all students, those with a disability and those without disabilities.

If a student has a chronic illness that substantially impairs his/her ability to gain educational benefit from his/her public school experience, and requires accommodations, Section 504 requires that an accommodation plan be developed by the school and parents jointly to ensure that the student is provided the appropriate supports needed to learn and participate in the school setting.

Examples of some accommodations are: extra time to complete schoolwork, quiet space in which to work, health or medication plan, modified school day, small group tutoring, counseling, etc..

If more intensive and/or specialized instruction or services are required to help your child grow academically and maintain social and academic skills, your child may be referred for special education services, under the Individuals with Disabilities Act. These services may include specialized instruction from a special education teacher that is frequent and intense and therapeutic services, specialized transportation, speech and language therapy, etc..

How Do I Learn More?

If you feel that your child’s chronic illness has resulted in a need for accommodations and or services from the public school, your first contact should be with your child’s teacher, the school nurse, and/or the school principal. You will then be provided with the specific process that needs to be followed to explore such services.

What Can I Expect Next?

Once you have discussed your concerns and your child’s needs with the school personnel, a meeting will be held with you and school personnel to refer your child for consideration for such services.

Information will then be gathered from you, your child’s doctor, the school nurse, classroom teachers, and any other specialists indicated. You will then participate in another meeting to plan an appropriate Health Accommodation Plan, a 504 Accommodation Plan, or an Individual Education Program under special education. You will be informed and given written copies of the legal rights you have under these Acts, and you will continue to be a partner with the school in evaluating, adjusting, revising any plan that has been developed.

Who Do I Contact For General Information About Services In Our District?

The school principals are excellent resources and are very involved in planning for students with unique needs and can assist you with this process.

The Director of Special Services for the district, Jeffrey Newton, is also available as a resource for information and a liason to individual schools. His offices are at the Central Office, 860-399-6432, and at Daisy Ingraham School, 860-399-7925. Email is jnewton@westbrookctschools.org.