Pupil Personnel Services
Winter 2020 Information for Parents
Greetings Parents & Students! This page has been created to provide information and resources to you throughout the school year. We hope you find this information useful.
Please be sure to visit this site often for up-to-date information
Letter from the Pupil Personnel Director
September 15, 2020
Dear Parent(s):
Welcome back to the 2020-2021 school year. Last year was a whirlwind and did not end as we expected. Many of our families faced difficult times adjusting to the school closing as well as trying to adjust to the new “normal” they were presented with. The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on us all. Despite this, the back-to-school energy is in the air as families, students, and staff prepare for the 2020-21 school year. The intent of this letter is to provide you with important information you will need as the school year begins.
As we enter the new school year, you will notice various changes in the way the schools look as well as new practices and protocols. We understand these changes may be difficult and we are here to support you. The district’s goal is to continue to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of our students and staff. We want the students, parents, and staff members to feel safe and secure as we navigate the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In February, Alyssa Marino joined our administrative team as the new Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services. Mrs. Marino has a background as a school social worker, and worked in several capacities at Orange Ulster BOCES. She has proven to be a wonderful asset to our department.
As the school year begins, you will receive additional information from your child’s school. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s program, I would encourage you to contact the child’s teacher/case manager. You may also contact the staff at Pupil Personnel. We will be happy to assist you.
Below please find important contact information. Additionally, you will find the days of the month CSE/504/CPSE meetings will be held for each building. Meetings will be held via Zoom through December 31,2020. At that time, we will revisit whether meetings will continue to be held virtually, or within the building. You will receive notice via mail or email, if a meeting has been scheduled for your child. Please make sure your current email address is on file. You will need to create a Zoom account prior to your child’s meeting if you wish to participate using the video feature. You can create a Zoom account by accessing the following website: https://zoom.us/
During the school closing the Pupil Personnel Department created a newsletter to provide up to date resources and information for our families. We are continuing to use this newsletter as schools reopen.
Mrs. Marino and I look forward to a very productive school year. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have; we would be happy to assist you.
Sincerely,
Heather C. Hendershot
Director
Important Information Regarding Delays or Inclement Weather
Important Pupil Personnel Information
CSE Case Managers: Parents will be contacted via email/phone by the case manager during the month of September. This staff member will serve as your point of contact should you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s IEP.
504 Case Managers: The school psychologists and guidance counselors are case managers for students who have 504 plans. Please see below for contact information. These staff members will serve as your point of contact should you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s 504.
Program Locations:
Scotchtown Avenue School (SAS): 615-6600
Goshen Intermediate School (GIS): 615-6500
C.J. Hooker Middle School (CJH): 615-6300
Goshen High School (GHS): 615-6100
School Psychologists:
Kerry Eschbacher (SAS): 615-6613
Kristen Kurpick (GIS): 615-6512
Anthony Monti (CJH): 615-6311
Mary Keller (GHS): 615-6124
Angela Blake (St. Johns, Burke, Out of District): 615-6450
Guidance Departments:
C.J. Hooker Middle School (CJH): 615-6330
Goshen High School (GHS): 615-6120
Administration: 615-6450
Heather Hendershot: PPS Department, Scotchtown Avenue School, District of Location, CPSE
Alyssa Marino: Goshen Intermediate, C.J. Hooker Middle School, Goshen High School, Out of District
CSE/504 Monthly Dates:
SAS: 2nd & 4th Thursday of the Month
GIS: 1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month
CJH: 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the Month
GHS: 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the Month
Out of District: 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the Month
CPSE: 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the Month
IMPORTANT BUILDING INFORMATION
Please take the time to view these videos and share them with your child as they contain information related to what school will look like when the students return to school:
Scotchtown Avenue: https://youtu.be/a1IONFMCMEE
Goshen Intermediate School: https://youtu.be/Akhv9rqVUXY
C.J. Hooker Middle School: https://youtu.be/k45uaaw7Yt4
Goshen High School: https://youtu.be/8SlWLc2m7x
PARENT COMMUNICATION
To obtain updates on your child's progress pertaining to assignments, please click HERE to obtain information about how to receive email progress summaries and other communication functions offered through Google.
Goshen Central School District Reopening Plan
At the Goshen Central School District, our primary commitment is to the students and families we serve. Our priority must be keeping them safe. When the 2020-2021 school year begins, on-campus school will look much different than previous years due to COVID-19 and the health and safety measures that continue to evolve. This School Reopening Plan will define clear guidance for the reopening of our four schools and aligns with the regulations developed in collaboration with NYSDOH and the NYS Education Department.
The areas outlined in this plan represent the myriad considerations the Goshen Central School District will address to reopen schools safely and to sustain their safe operation. It is important to note that our plan retains a strong focus on academic instruction to enhance student performance and address learning loss. An emphasis on the social-emotional needs of our students is a priority and therefore have addressed this within our plan.
You may access the plan by clicking on the link below:
Updates and information will be provided throughout the school year. You may follow the updates by clicking on the link below:
Helpful Tips & Links to Explain Social Distancing and Why Masks are Needed
These short videos may help you with explaining to your child why social distancing and why masks are necessary.
CSE, 504, & CPSE Information
CSE Meetings: The special education case managers will be reaching out to parents confirm we have accurate phone numbers and email addresses. A few days before the meeting, the case managers will send the access code for parents to join the meetings.
504 Meetings: The school psychologists will be reaching out to parents confirm we have accurate phone numbers and email addresses. A few days before the meeting, the case managers will send the access code for parents to join the meetings.
CPSE Meetings: PPS Clerical staff will be reaching out to parents confirm we have accurate phone numbers and email addresses. A few days before the meeting, PPS clerical staff will send the access code for parents to join the meetings.
Zoom Account Information
We ask that all parties participating in the meeting have their camera on and microphone muted. As the chairperson begins the meeting, staff members and parents will have the opportunity to unmute their microphones to participate in the meeting.
CSE & 504 Evaluations
New guidance has since been issued by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and Governor Cuomo. Districts are able to conduct evaluations in-person provided the school district follows the guidelines issued by the New York State Department of Health. Effective July 22, 2020 the school district began conducting in-person evaluations. The District developed strict safety protocols to provide a safe environment for these evaluations to take place. The health, safety, and welfare of our students is, and continues to be, a priority for the district.
Evaluations will continue to be conducted in-person throughout the 2020-21 school year.
CPSE Information
Teletherapy/Telehealth and In-person services may be available for your child during the 2020-21 school year. Therapists have been contacting families to inform them of the service delivery options. If you have not heard from a provider, please contact them as soon as possible to inquire about this service.
Please continue to check the Orange County Health Department website for information pertaining to CPSE and Early Intervention Services. If your child was being evaluated, please contact the evaluation unit to find out the status of the evaluation. Contact information is listed below for your convenience.
Orange County Health Department Intervention Services
Orange County Health Department Programs & Services
Orange County Health Department Early Intervention Services
Orange County Health Department: Children with Special Health Care Needs
Homebound Instruction
Under certain circumstances, the tutors will be collaborating with your child's classroom teachers to receive work and materials. Your child's tutor will be reaching out to you with further information. If you have not received communication, please feel free to contact Heather Hendershot
Staff Pictures
Related Service Departments
School Psychologists
School Social Workers & Counselors
Speech Department
English Language Learner Department
SAS:
GIS:
CJH:
GHS:
Social Worker, Psychologist, Counselor Contact Information
Your child's social emotional well being is important to us. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the activities or information posted, please feel free to reach out to your child's provider. Please feel free to reach out to one of the following members of the support staff should you need assistance: Below, you will find their contact information; you can click on their names to send emails.
SAS: Kerry Eschbacher Mary Kay Jankowski
GIS: Kristen Kurpick Chris Haller MaryKay Jankowski
CJH: Anthony Monti Lauren Levesque
GHS: Mary Keller Katie Shaffer
If you have immediate concerns or if there is an emergency please contact the following numbers:
Orange County Crisis Call Center: 1-800-832-1200
Text for Teens: 845-341-1000
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Access Supports for Living has a Virtual Mental Health and Substance Abuse Urgent Care available 24:7 by phone. Call 888-750-2266, option 2
Access Supports for Living: 1-888-750-2266
National Parent Helpline at 1-855-427-2736
Orange County 211: Dial 211
Meals on Wheels: 845-615-3730
Important School & District Information
Parent Resources
PARENT & FAMILY SUPPORT INFORMATION
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hotline: 1-888-364-3065
COVID-19 Emotional Support Line: 1-844-863-9313
Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-(800) 985-5990 or Text TalkWithUs to 66746
Crisis Textline: Text TALK to 741741
Trevor Project Lifeline (866) 488-7386 (crisis support for LGBTQ youth)
7 Cups; Free, anonymous and confidential online text chat with trained listeners, online therapists & counselors; https://www.7cups.com
Click on the links below for information:
Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus
Talking to Children About COVID-19: A Parent Resource
Caring for You and Your Family's Stress: Coronavirus Resources for Kids, Parents and Educators
Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease
Heather Hendershot, Director of Pupil Personnel Services & Alyssa Marino, Assistant Director
Email: pps.calendar@gcsny.org
Website: https://www.gcsny.org/departments/pps/
Phone: 845-615-6450