The Special Services Center of the New Philadelphia City Schools is committed to providing support services to all students and teachers and to providing a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment to all students with disabilities. The Special Services Center monitors to (1) ensure that the special education policies and procedures are in accordance with all federal, state and local mandates, (2) design, implement and evaluate appropriate programs for students with disabilities; and (3) provide technical assistance and staff development opportunities. The schools and the Special Services Center work collaboratively and focus on the consistency and quality of special education programs and related services within the district.
The Special Services Center is comprised of a staff of a director, two secretaries, one social worker, two school psychologists, four full-time and one part-time speech-language pathologists, two school nurses, 32 special education teachers (intervention specialists) and 30 paraprofessional personnel (educational aides). The part-time services of one occupational therapist, two certified occupational therapist assistants, one physical therapist, and one physical therapist assistant are also employed.
Each year school districts throughout Ohio participate in an effort to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities, birth through age 21. A disability means a child exhibits a condition such as a speech/language, hearing, visual, orthopedic, autism, behavior, or other health handicap. Parents are not always aware that there are programs and services available for these children. If you know of a child who may have one or more of the above mentioned disabilities, please contact the Special Services Center at 330-364-0613.
The Special Services Department is also responsible for coordinating home instruction for those students in need, monitoring the state required forms for students that are home schooled and the coordination of kindergarten screening for the district.
Mrs. Vanessa Spring, Director of Special Services
248 Front Avenue SW
New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663-2150
E-Mail: SpringV@NPschools.org
PH: 330-364-0613
FAX: 330-364-9310