Together We Can
The Office of Special Education and Student Supports
Welcome to the 2021-2022 School Year
We are so excited for the start of the 2021-2022 school year! Our staff is ready to go!
We are expecting big changes in the coming days, weeks, months and years, and what better way to start than with a new name. Our department at Greenwich Public Schools will now be known as The Office of Special Education and Student Supports. It might seem a little familiar, but we think it clearly states our focus. We are looking forward to rejuvenation and exciting beginnings
As many of you know, the PCG report was shared out to the Board in late June, and since then, the department has been working hard to move forward implementing the recommendations. I encourage all of you to read the PCG report and watch the July 27 Board meeting that can be found on the GPS website.
I am very excited to be here with a great team at Greenwich Public Schools to do this exciting work. Please continue to read our newsletter, that will be sent out every two weeks. To start, I would like you to meet our District Special Education and Student Supports Team.
Stacey Heiligenthaler, Ph.D.
Dr. Stacey Heiligenthaler
Carrie Borcherding
Diane Chiappetta-Fox
Krystina Dawson
Amy DeNicola-Hickman
Matthew Hartigan
Mary Keller, RN, MPH
Judy Nedell
Karen Vitti
PCG Report
This summer, The Office of Special Education and Student Supports has been working on reviewing, planning and implementing the recommendations from the PCG report. Please see the important links below.
On July 6, 2021, the Board of Education held a Special Meeting for the purpose of hearing public comment on the PCG Special Education Review findings and recommendations. | Meeting Video
On July 27, 2021, the first update on progress toward the PCG recommendations was shared with the Board of Education.
The next update will be presented to the Board of Education on September 9, 2021.
2021 Extended School Year Wraps Up
Professional Development
All GPS administrators met for professional learning on Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Administrators learned why UDL is necessary for transforming teaching and learning, what UDL looks like in practice and how to support the implementation of UDL in their buildings. This professional learning will continue into our new school year.
GPS was also excited to launch the 8-Day Training Series on Planning and Placement Team Practices for Improved Student Outcomes with all of our administrators. This training was provided by SERC, in conjunction with the CSDE.
Middle school psychologists, social workers, and guidance counselors have started their professional learning for Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). This learning is being offered by Cognitive and Behavioral Consultants.
Special Education teachers and administrators will be a part of the Curriculum Advisory Council in Social Studies and English Language Arts. Their work will focus around these subject areas at the middle school levels.
Special Education staff will participate, with their general education peers, in training for our new K-8 math program, Big Ideas.
The Office of Special Education and Student Supports
Email: stacey_heiligenthaler@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Website: https://www.greenwichschools.org/teaching-learning/special-education
Location: 290 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT
Phone: (203) 625-7493