Welcome to Special Services
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.
Office of Special Services
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
Student Learning Tools
Special Services Events
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District Admin. Office
Special Education MS & HS Staff Mtg.
Special Services -
District Admin. Office
SEW/#PRSELFIE Committee Meeting
Social Emotional Wellness Committee Meeting
Special Services -
District Admin. Building
Psychologist Meeting
Special Services -
Evans Park
Special Education ELF Staff Meeting
Special Services -
District Admin. Building
Speech Pathologists' Meeting
Special Services -
District Admin. Office
Special Education MS & HS Staff Mtg.
Special Services -
District Admin. Building
SEW/#PRSELFIE Committee Meeting
Social Emotional Wellness Committee Meeting
Special Services -
District Admin. Building
Psychologist Meeting
Special Services -
District Admin. Office
Special Education MS & HS Staff Mtg.
Special Services -
Evans Park
Special Education ELF Staff Meeting
Special Services
Speech & Language Services
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
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
School Social Workers
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) (845) 620-3806
Pearl River Middle School (Thursday) (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
Speech & Language Newsletters
NEW - Welcome Back - Fall 2019 News Letter Fall 2019 Newsletter.pdf
Speech & Language Pathologist - Parent Pamphlet 2019 Speech Language Pathologist2019 - parent pamphlet_.pdf
Psychologist Newsletters
Fall 2019 News Letter School Psychologist Newsletter Fall 2019.pdf
Fall 2019 News Letter (Spanish) School Psychologist Newsletter Spanish Fall 2019.pdf
Social Worker Newsletters
Committees on Special Education & Preschool Special Education
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.
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
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.
Special Education Documents
Additional Resources
- Sp.Ed. NYS Performance Plan Indicator
- Parent's Guide to NYS Sp. Ed.
- Part B - Procedural Safeguards - English
- Part B - Procedural Safeguards - Chinese
- Part B - Procedural Safeguards - Haitian Creole
- Part B - Procedural Safeguards - Korean
- Part B - Procedural Safeguards - Russian
- Part B - Procedural Safeguards - Spanish
NYS Alternate Assessment (NYSSA)
I/DD ID Cards for people who have a medically diagnosed developmental disability
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: https://opwdd.ny.gov/iddidcards
Updated Diploma & Credential Options - Updated November 2019
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
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
NAMI Education Night for Parents and Caregivers - "Youth, Gaming, and Problem Gambling" - Wednesday, 11/13 @ 7pm
Rockland County Services - The Mental Health Association of Westchester
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
OPWDD (Office for People with Developmental Disabilities) Front Door Process
Geared toward families looking to access new services through OPWDD or to gain more information about the process for the future
This workshop will be held on Wednesday, November 13th at:
Rockland BOCES Conference Center, Bldg. 10
65 Parrott Road
West Nyack, NY 10994
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
All are welcome to this free, informative workshop. It is open to parents and students, as well as professionals.
There is no need to register.
School Safety And Crisis
Addressing Grief: General Tips to Support Students of All Ages