Dear Parents & Caregivers:
I hope you are enjoying the seasonal changes that living in New England affords us. There is much to celebrate in terms of the trajectory of learning in the WPS.
Key initiatives for the 2023-24 school year in accordance with the WPS Strategic Plan include: 1). Continued work in practice with Universal Design for Learning (UDL). This initiative supports strong collaboration and planning across professionals to ensure access and equity for all learners in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE); 2).Continued emphasis on SEL:Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health (MH) and wellness; 3). The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) mid-cycle Tiered Focused Monitoring Review (TFMR) will occur on site the week of November 27th centered on Special Education (SE) and Civil Rights (CR) standards in practice. A special education parent survey from DESE has gone out via email to all families who have students on IEPs. In the event you did not receive a survey, please check your SPAM folder, or contact Michael McDonald, DESE TFMR Coordinator, at [email protected] to participate in the parent survey process. Your feedback is important to us; and, 4).Ongoing professional development, planning, and preparation for the implementation of the new DESE IEP form in the Fall of 2024.
The Westborough Student Services team provides a range of tiered resources, supports, and services to ensure that students develop the necessary skills to access the curriculum in the most inclusive and least restrictive learning environment (LRE). Utilizing a skill-based approach toward student learning fosters the development of the whole child, while maximizing individual student potential.
The Student Services Team is extremely grateful for the commitment, collaboration, and feedback that we receive from families and caregivers to further inform and improve our practice. If questions arise, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher, special education liaison, counselor, or Student Services Coordinator. Here is a direct link to the annual Parent's Notice of Procedural Safeguards. If you have questions or concerns specific to your child’s IEP, or services, please feel free to contact your child’s school special education liaison.
A core value of the Westborough Public Schools is supporting the diverse and unique needs of all students in the WPS learning community.
Regards,
Sherrie
For family collaboration, support, and information please contact: Westborough SEPAC
Linked here for your review: Parent's Notice of Procedural Safeguards.
2022-23SY: School Committee - Student Services Annual Update
The Westborough Public Schools Child Find procedures (which are mandated by state and federal law) in accordance with Federal law IDEA (formerly PL 94-142) provides special education programs designed to meet the needs of children who are attending public schools as well as to support children who are attending private school at private expense and whose parents reside in the Westborough community. A screening and/or evaluation is provided to children ages 3 through 21 who are unable to progress effectively in a regular education program due to a suspected disability consisting of a developmental delay, intellectual, sensory (hearing, vision, deaf/blind), neurological, Autism, emotional, communication, physical, specific learning disability, multiple or health impairment.
The Westborough Public Schools are committed to locating children before their third birthday in order to provide services for 3-and 4-year olds who may be eligible for special education. If you have questions or concerns, please call Sherrie Stevens, Ph.D., Director of Student Services at (508) 836-7700 ext. 2018.