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Special Education Information 

Special Education Information

Child jumping over hurdles

Special Education Contacts:

  • Director of Special Education/PPS: Scott Drechsler, 249-5716
  • Special Education Administrator for Grades PK-1: Mary Sapone, 249-5733
  • Special Education Administrator for Grades 2-5: Jennifer Lerner, 249-5735
  • Special Education Administrator for Middle School: Laura Fitch, 249-6479
  • Special Education Administrator for High School: TBD, 249-6777

The Penfield Central School District offers a comprehensive special education program to meet children's needs at all ability levels. It is the district's policy and practice to meet the learning needs of students who require a degree of special education service, in the general education classroom alongside their typical classmates, whenever possible. 

The District provides a full continuum of special education programs and services to meet the differing needs of students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. New York State's definition of least restrictive environment means that placement of students with disabilities in special classes, separate schools or other removal from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability is such that even with the use of supplementary aids and services, education cannot be satisfactorily achieved.

The placement of an individual student with a disability in the least restrictive environment shall:

  • provide the special education needed by the student
  • provide for the education of the student in a setting with other students who do not have disabilities, whenever appropriate 
  • provide services in the student's home school whenever possible

Some of the programs and services available in the district include:

  • Related Services - such as speech and language services, psychological services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling services, health care services, social work services and other appropriate services
  • Consultant Teacher Services
  • Resource Room
  • Special Classes (both in and out of district)
  • Home and/or Hospital instruction
  • Transition Services