Special Education
Pupil Services Staff
Dianne Ellis, Pupil Services Director, (413) 863-7508
David Potter Elementary Team Leader, (413) 863-3253
Cheryl Thompson, Secondary Team Leader, (413) 863-7273
Deborah Morse, District Registrar & Administrative Assistant to Central Office Operations (413) 863-7507
Rachel Vachula, Student Services Data Technician & District Communications, (413) 863-7508
Julia Goldstein, Elementary School Psychologist
Scott Harris, District Board Certified Behavioral Analyst
Stacey Langknecht, Family Engagement Coordinator
Jimena De Pareja, Spanish Language Community Liaison
Special Education Services
We provide a variety of special education services to our students from preschool through high school. Services range from consultation and direct services in the classroom to pullout services and self-contained classrooms with specialized instruction. The Special Education office works with principals, teachers, parents/guardians, and students to coordinate the educational and other needs of students in the Gill-Montague Regional School District. Our specialized staff conducts evaluations and develops Individualized Education Plans (IEP) in compliance with state and federal laws. We deliver services that support the needs of each student in the least restrictive environment.
A Parents Guide to Special Education
Child Find
In accordance with Federal law, IDEA and Massachusetts law 603 CMR 28.00, the Gill Montague Regional School District provides special education programs designed to meet the needs of children who are attending not only public schools but also those who are in home education programs, attend private schools in the towns of Gill or Montague or outside of our district towns, at private expense, and whose parents/ legal guardians reside within the district. Additionally, the Gill-Montague Regional School District enjoys collaborative relationships with early childhood providers, headstart, private preschools, family doctors, and early intervention programs. We are committed to identifying children before their third birthday in order to provide early intervention services for eligible three and four year-olds.
Gill Montague provides all children with an opportunity to participate in the public schools programs using a continuous and systematic effort to identify children in need of special education and consultative services.
In addition, the Gill Montague Regional School District will arrange for the provision and evaluation of those ages 16 – 21, who have not graduated from high school and who are not now attending school or children ages 3 through 21 who are unable to progress effectively in a regular program due to a suspected disability consisting of a developmental delay or an intellectual, sensory, neurological, emotional, communication, physical, specific learning, or health impairment or combination thereof. All programs and services are offered without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability.
For more information and district contacts by school please click on the child find document linked here.
Parents Rights Brochure in Special Education
English
Russian
Spanish
Equitable Services for Private School and Home School Families
- Information about equitable services can be found here: https://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/proshare/
- 23-24 GMRSD Equitable Services Consultation dates: December 13, 2023, February 7, 2024, May 8, 2024.
23-24 School Year Equitable Services Consultation Presentation
Select Resources
Gill Montague Special Education Parent Advisory Council
DESE Special Education Parent Information
Federation for Children with Special Needs
Federation for Children YouTube Channel with Free Training Information
Chapter 688 Transition Planning
Autism Speaks 100 Day Kit for Young Children
Family FACTS on Education
www.communityresourcesforautism.org
Franklin Hampshire United ARC
https://ucpwma.org/
Cerebral Palsy Help for Parents and Caregivers
http://www.massfamilyties.org/
Mass-PAC