The Office of Special Services offers a continuum of programs and services for pre-school and
school-age students with disabilities. School–aged students can receive services either through
an Individualized Education Program or a Section 504 Accommodation Plan. Quality educational programs and services are provided in the least restrictive environment to meet the academic,
social and emotional needs of our students. Related services such as speech & language, counseling, hearing impaired services, vision services, occupational therapy and physical therapy are also available to students. All services are provided in compliance with the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.
Planning for Re-Opening of Schools
Carolyn Moffa, Director of Special Services
Pearl River School District
135 West Crooked Hill Road
Pearl River, New York 10965
(845) 620-3938
(845) 620-0404 (fax)
Donna Baker (845) 620-3939
Sofija Duic (845) 735-1435
Lynne McNally (845) 620-3940
Starting May 6th, 2020, Wednesday’s will be devoted to Pearl River Wellness Day for Staff and Students! Mrs. Canals, Dr. Turco, and Ms. Martens set up a google classroom, Wellness for your Mental Health to provide additional support for our staff and students. Each week, new skills, tips, and coping strategies will be discussed and reviewed. Additionally, the clinical staff will be available live from 1pm-2 pm to answer any questions and /or have group discussions. There may also be surprise speakers that join us during that time!
Come join our classroom at the following class code: f5l66ou .
As always, if a student is in need of additional support, please feel free to reach out to our clinical staff in order to set up a phone conference
Introducing Coping Circles – Free COVID-19 phone/video groups
The NYS Office of Mental Health is offering a free Coping Circles to those needing some extra support as the result of issues related to COVID19. This is a terrific resource and it’s free!!
1. The Office of Mental Health encourages participation from healthcare workers, first responders, COVID-19 survivors, those who have lost loved ones to COVID-19, and those who have experienced COVID-19 related job loss. Specialized Coping Circles for these groups will be created pending demand and availability.
2. Coping Circles will be available throughout the summer through the end of August 2020.
3. New Yorkers interested in joining Coping a Circles can register here, a secure and HIPAA-compliant web platform.
English Flyer: Coping Circles Flyer.pdf
Spanish Flyer: Coping Circles Flyer_Spanish US Final.pdf
SUPPORT DOCUMENTS:
Supporting grieving children and teens during the COVID-19 global health crisis grief.pdf
Coronavirus - Anxiety Workwook Coronavirus-Anxiety-Workbook 1.pdf
RCVOAD - COVID-19 Community Resource Guide: Resource Guide.pdf
PDF Document - Parent Handout: COVID-19_parent_handout_NASP_NASN_2-20_FINAL.pdf
Weblink: Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource
Please view the attachment regarding student Special Education meetings while schools are closed.
NYS State Emotional Support Hotline Opens Today
The Governor has opened a Emotional Support Hotline: 1-844-863-9314, more information can be found at: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/covid-19-resources.html
COVID19 Resources
The COVID-19 pandemic has left many New Yorkers feeling anxious and stressed.
Learn more about:
PUBLIC RESOURCES
OMH Emotional Support Line: 1-844-863-9314 *
The Emotional Support Line provides free and confidential support, helping callers experiencing increased anxiety due to the coronavirus emergency. The Help Line is staffed by volunteers, including mental health professionals, who have received training in crisis counseling.
Tips for Mental Wellness (Español | বাংলা | 中文 | Р УС С К И Й | Kreyòl Ayisyen | 한국어를)
How to cope with COVID related stress and anxiety
Mental Health Resources During an Emergency
People often experience anxiety, fear, and helplessness during an emergency. Know the signs and get help.
PROVIDER RESOURCES
Guidance on COVID-19
Interim guidance for behavioral health providers licensed by OMH, including Telemental Health Guidance
VOLUNTEER
Get Involved
Are you a qualified health, mental health or related professional? Consider volunteering to support the State’s COVID response.
*DISCLAIMER: The Office of Mental Health’s (“OMH”) Emotional Support Line (“Line”) is not licensed or unlicensed mental health care or treatment of any type regardless of what is discussed or who provides support. It is for emotional support purposes only. Use of the Line does not create any confidential provider-therapist relationship of any type. The Line not a substitute for professional health care.
If you believe you are experiencing a medical or behavioral health emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
By using this Line, you acknowledge and agree that the State, OMH, any State or OMH employee(s), and/or any community volunteers involved with the Line in any manner (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”), have no liability of any type related to your use of the Line, including but not limited to any decision you make, or a third party makes, as a result of your use of the Line, or because you were not able to access the Line for any reason. By using the Line, you agree to fully indemnify the Indemnified Parties and hold them harmless for any and all damages or causes of action that may arise out of your use of the Line. Without limiting the foregoing, in no event shall any of the Indemnified Parties be liable for any special, incidental, consequential, or indirect damages of any type arising from your use of the Line, or for any other reason.
The Line is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. None of the Indemnified Parties shall be liable for any inability by you to access the Line, including but not limited to interruptions in the Line due to technical reasons or delays to due to a high volume of calls.
NYSED & IRIS Center - Parent Tip Sheet - Online Learning.pdf (This tip sheet offers practical ideas and strategies for helping children adapt to some of the challenges and frustrations of learning in a virtual environment.)
CEEDAR Center - Guide to At-Home Learning
CEEDAR Center - Spanish Guide CEEDAR-Family Guide-Spanish-USDOE-8_18_20.pdf
Speech/language specialists provide diagnostic testing to help determine the extent and origin of communication problems that may be interfering with academic achievement. There is one Speech/Language specialist at each of Pearl River's five schools. They provide services to students with moderate to severe communication disorders including voice, fluency, hearing and language deficits. These student services are specified in an Individualized Education Program designed by the Committee in Special Education. Speech & Language Website
Speech & Language Pathologists:
Colleen Moore, Evans Park Elementary & Pearl River High School
Stephanie Hommel, Lincoln Avenue Elementary & Pearl River Middle School
Stephanie King, Evans Park Elementary & Franklin Avenue Elementary
School Psychologists provide a broad range of services to all students, including the assessment of individual needs and problems, consultation with teachers, administrators and parents, direct intervention with students, and program development for students, parents and staff. There is one psychologist for each of Pearl River's schools, with the exception of the High School, which has two. The psychologists serve on the Instructional Support Team, coordinate the screening of new entrants, act as the case managers for students receiving special education services, and are mandated members of the Committee on Special Education. Using classroom observations, interviews and formal testing, the psychologists identify the issues affecting academic performance and behavior, and develop strategies in cooperation with the school, family and student to address the situation. School psychologists work with teachers, parents, and outside resources to promote academic success, reduce behavior problems, and enhance the personal well being of all students. School Psychologist Webpage
Psychologists:
Ellen McCabe - District Office (845) 735-7212, Franklin Avenue (845) 920-7405
Dr. Rebecca Massa - District Office (845) 735-0268, Lincoln Avenue (845) 920-7415
Krystina Kane - Evans Park (845) 620-3953
Miguel Arias - Pearl River Middle School (845) 620-3893
James Calisi - Pearl River Middle School (845) 620-3887
Jamie Martens - Pearl River High School (845) 620-3810
Dr. Samantha Turco - Pearl River High School (845) 620-3817
The school social worker helps identify and address the social emotional issues that can interfere with academic progress. Through counseling, crisis intervention, referrals and prevention programs, they assist young people overcome the day to day struggles children and adolescents face today.
Social Workers:
Norma Canals (Social Worker)
Pearl River High School (Monday, Wednesday & Friday All Day & Tuesday PM & Thursday AM) (845) 620-3806
Pearl River Middle School (Tuesday AM & Thursday PM) (845) 620-3893
Natalie Cervantes-Libassi (Social Worker)
Evans Park (Tuesday) 845-620-3950
Franklin Avenue (Thursday & Friday) 845-620-3965
Lincoln Avenue (Monday & Wednesday) 845-620-3850
The Committee on Special Education (CSE) is a multi-disciplinary team that identifies children in grades K-12 with special education needs such as learning disabilities, speech and language impairments, physical disabilities, emotional disturbance, mental retardation, etc. The CSE recommends programs and services to support the academic program. The Committee is composed of personnel from the Pearl River schools including a chairperson, school psychologist, special education teachers, general education teachers and a parent of the student receiving special education services. (School physician, related service providers, and a parent member are involved when applicable.) Although it is natural for parents and staff members to be concerned about designating a child as having special education needs, such designation provides assurance that a specially designed program will be provided to the child by the district. At the preschool level, the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) identifies children ages three to five that need special education and recommends appropriate state and county approved pre-k programs/services.
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a formal document enumerating the special services planned for a student who has been designated by the Committee on Special Education or Committee on Preschool Special Education. The IEP contains a summary of the student's strengths and weaknesses, present levels of performance and specific educational goals. It also indicates the nature of the disabling condition and the recommended program and placement. The IEP is the teacher's guide for instruction and states the criteria used to determine the effectiveness of the instructional plan.
NYS has just passed a law that now makes identification cards available to people who have a medically diagnosed developmental disability. These new I/DD ID cards are meant to be presented to law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel to aid in the communication process: OPWDD ID Card Webpage
Updated Diploma and Credentials Brochure for Seniors, quick link below. (Updated November 2019)
Understanding the Requirements and Pathways to Graduation - A Guide for Families.pdf
Reaching for the Future - From School Age to Adult Life
A resource guide for students with disabilities.
PDF: Reaching for the Future.pdf
Weblink: http://www.rocklandboces.org/files/2015/07/Reaching-for-the-Future-ybi8ye.pdf
Wanted to let you know that the NAMI Rockland Helpline is open!
Their Family Peer Advocates are also working remotely and are keeping contact with the families we are working with by phone. (845) 359-8784 FPA and Spanish Line
All of the Face-to-Face meetings, support groups and classes are cancelled for this month and they will re-assess at the end of the month or as more information becomes available.
They are looking into providing online / telephone support groups and will notify you as soon as we have all the details.
Treatment and Support Services
We offer a full range of clinical services in professional, confidential and comfortable settings, as well as mobile services.
About Us
+ Our staff includes psychiatrists, licensed social workers and nurse practitioners.
+ We are trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches and use evidence-based practices.
+ Our mission is to promote mental health through advocacy, community education and direct services.
+ All MHA clinics are licensed by the New York State Office of Mental Health.
Contact Information:
To initiate services, please call Central Scheduling at 914-345-5900, ext. 7350
For more information about our Rockland County services, please call our Rockland Coordinator, Laura Ferrelli, LMHC, at 914-598-7264
Addressing Grief: General Tips to Support Students of All Ages
