SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
The District's Special Education Office is located in the high school. The coordinator of Special Educational Service is responsible for the administration of the CSE (Committee on Special Education), the coordination of Special Education and BOCES services, and the management of specific special services for students when needed. The High School Special Education Department provides support services to students who have been classified by The Committee on Special Education as having an educationally handicapping condition (as defined by New York State Law).
YOUTH OUTREACH WORKERS
Youth outreach workers are available to any high school student or parent. The Youth outreach workers have an office in the Student Commons and are employed by the Youth Services Project administered by Scarsdale & Edgemont Family Counseling Service and jointly funded by the Scarsdale Public Schools and the Village of Scarsdale. The youth outreach workers see students and families either on an individual basis or in groups. The youth outreach workers and the Deans work closely together to provide support for students and families.
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS
School psychologists are available to meet with any student at the request of the student, parent, or Dean. Psychologists conduct much of the diagnostic testing for students (see “diagnostic testing”) and counsel students and parents upon request and/or referral. When a student is referred to the Committee on Special Education, a school psychologist presents all appropriate data to that committee.
Pupil Study Team (PST) 504 Accommodation Plan & Process FAQ
Contact Information for Support Services at the High School
Director of Special Education
Mr. Eric Rauschenbach....................721-2447
Chairperson, Committee on Special Education
Ms. Amy Cermele ............................721-2523
School Psychologists
Dr. Peter Faustino............................721-2563
Dr. Jennifer Walker..........................721-2521
Dr. Kristin Oliverio............................721-2522
Dr. Carolyn Lanfredi.........................721-2542
Youth Outreach
Ms. Natalie Ramos...........................721-2675
Ms. Elizabeth Corritt.........................721-2468
Special Education Department
Ms. Eileen Cagner, Chairperson.......721-2457
Mr. Bryan Bagala..............................721-2528
Ms. Karen Butler...............................721-2690
Ms. Nancy Denion............................721-2526
Mr. Jonathan Feld.............................721-2548
Ms. Catherine Flores........................721-2500 ext 3455
Ms. Cara Rossi ...............................721-2454
Ms. Jessica Levine ..........................721-2500 ext 3216
Mr. Tom List…………………....……..721-2681
Mr. Vincent Modaferri........................721-2500 ext 3297
Mr. Adam Singer ……………………..721-2500 ext 3379
Ms. Wynter Williams..........................721-2554
9TH GRADE
Freshman Seminar is the core of the freshman counseling program.
Through the Freshman Seminars the Deans facilitate our students' transitions into the high school. All freshmen meet with their Dean in small seminars for one period each week for the first semester of school. Seminars serve many purposes, but most importantly they enable a student and Dean to form a close relationship. Freshmen in the Civic Education program have comparable sessions built into their advisory groups.
There is a significant instructional component to Freshman Seminar. Students learn to find their way around the school and where they can receive academic or personal help. They learn about school procedures regarding, for example, course changes, progress reports, absences and lateness. They discuss extra-curricular activities and are encouraged to participate. They meet and talk with key school personnel. Discussions about adjustment and the typical problems of a freshman may take the form of role-playing and moral dilemma activities. Sensitive issues such as cheating, lying, drug and alcohol use and stealing are addressed.
Through Freshman Seminar and frequent counseling contacts, the Deans participate in the transformation of eighth graders into high school students. Deans receive copies of all progress reports, disciplinary actions, report cards and “cut” slips and thereby closely monitor the progress of their freshmen.
During the second semester, Deans meet with all freshman and their parents for a course planning conference. An overview of the courses a student will take throughout high school is discussed, as well as the student's general progress.
10TH GRADE
Deans meet with sophomores in small Sophomore Seminars. Students discuss their personality styles, personal interests, and values as they reflect on their personal choices and decisions. Tenth graders are not asked to decide “what they want to be when they grow up:' but rather to consider the factors that go into such choices.
Course planning with tenth graders takes place in the early spring. The Deans will discuss recommendations and course selection for junior year. These course results will appear on the Parent Portal later in the process for parents to review.
11TH GRADE
During the junior year, your family may experience additional stress in academic and extracurricular areas. The Deans are always available for support at this important time.
Eleventh graders can take the PSAT/NMSQT in October (See “College Entrance Examinations”). The college search process officially begins in November when Deans meet with juniors during Junior Seminar. During these sessions, Deans focus on the college search and application process. In December, Deans kickoff the college process to parents during the Junior College Night program. More details on the college planning program are covered under “College Counseling.”
12TH GRADE
Senior year begins in a whirl. College applications, recommendations, college visits, and completion of high school requirements demand significant attention and energy.
Deans welcome the opportunity to advise, counsel and encourage seniors and their parents through this year. From the Essay Writing Workshop, to Common App Workshops where Deans assist seniors with any and all aspects of their Common Application, continuing throughout the college application process, to the Senior Day at the end of senior year, Deans help students prepare to graduate and enter college. Our Senior Day Program deals with such issues as: separation from family and friends, social and academic pressures at college, roommates, resources on college campuses and coping techniques.
Counseling services are at the core of students' experiences as they proceed smoothly from one grade to the next. Special programs are in place at each grade level to address the appropriate issues for students at each age and stage of development.
School Counselors at Scarsdale High School are called Deans. A Dean has extensive training in human behavior, personal counseling, interpersonal skills and college and career counseling. A Dean is a counselor, an advisor, a teacher, a listener and a primary support person who works with students and parents, both separately and together, on developmental issues, course planning, college planning and problem solving.
Students are assigned a Dean upon entering the high school and remain with their Dean until graduation. Deans and teachers work together closely to make the high school experience a rich and rewarding one for each student.
The Dean is often the first person parents contact regarding any questions or concerns about the student or about the high school. Deans respect the confidentiality of the relationship they form with students and their families. They seek to understand the expectations and concerns parents have and advise accordingly. Requests for family continuity with a Dean are honored.
As a general rule, if you have a question or concern about your child, contact the Dean, who will either answer your questions or direct you to the appropriate person. Some guidelines are listed below.
Please call your Dean when you:
- Have a concern regarding your child
- Would like to check on your child's general progress
- Have information to share
- Have not received your child's report card
- Have a personal matter to discuss
- Have a question regarding your child's schedule or course selection
- Do not know whom else to ask!
Do not call the deans if you:
- Want to report an absence for illness (call the Attendance Office, 721-2510)
- Wish to reach a teacher (call the General Office, 721-2500, to leave a message)
- Have a problem with lockers or lost books (call General Office, 721-2500)
We encourage you to advise the Dean of any major change in your family (such as divorce, separation, remarriage, death, etc.) that might affect your child. Although it is up to you to decide how much information you wish to share, remember that the more a Dean knows about your child, the more he or she is able to offer comfort, support, and guidance. It is also part of the Dean's responsibility to inform the teachers of any major changes in the child's life so that the teachers can also be supportive. This kind of information sharing is only done with your consent.
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