Welcome to Special Education
Helpful Information
Parent and family technology resource page
Special Education Resources and Sites for Content Area Practice - The Special Education Department staff have compiled and organized a comprehensive list of resources and sites to support families and students. We invite you to explore the site for a great list of resources, activities, and information on topics that include accessibility, art, executive functioning, communication, literacy, sensory, and more. Information is available in multiple languages.
Special Education
The Special Education Department is responsible for ensuring all students who require special education services in order to maximize their learning are identified and their individualized learning needs are met in the least restrictive environment possible. Special Education Department staff work with teachers, administrators, and families to ensure Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students are implemented with integrity.
- Learn more about the Special Education process: 2022-2023 Somerville Special Education Procedural Manual
- Special Education Programs and Services
Contact Us
We invite you to share your comments or questions.
Special Education Department
- Ildefonso Arellano, Director of Special Education: 617-625-6600 x6810
- Marisa MacDonald, Assistant Director of Special Education, 617-625-6600 x6815
Capuano Early Childhood Center
- Susan Gibbons, SE Department Coordinator, Capuano School, 617-625-6600 x3624
- Laura Walley. SE Program Director - AIM 617-625-6600 x6730
Arthur D. Healey School
- Siobhan Aberdale, SE Department Coordinator 617-625-6600 x6798
Benjamin G. Brown School
- Dorothy Scally, SE Department Coordinator, 617-625-6600 x6835
East Somerville Community School
- Marianna Stewart, SE Department Coordinator 617-625-6600, x3754
Albert F. Argenziano School
- Dr. Iris Miller, SE Department Coordinator 617-625-6600 x6534
John F. Kennedy School
- Will Verbits, SE Department Coordinator 617-625-6600 x6619
West Somerville Neighborhood School
- Dr. Iris Miller, SE Department Coordinator 617-625-6600 x6536
Winter Hill Community Innovation School
- Siobhan Aberdale, SE Department Coordinator 617-625-6600 x6798
Winter Hill Community Innovation School AIM Program
- Laura Walley. SE Program Director - AIM 617-625-6600 x6730
Somerville High School
- Konstantina Kalogridis, SE Department Coordinator 617-625-6600 x615122
- Marianna Stewart, SE Department Coordinator for Specialized Programs 617-625-6600
Next Wave / Full Circle Schools
- Jack Haverty, SE Department Coordinator / Assistant Principal 617-625-6600 x610770
Out of District Programs
- Dorothy Scally, SE Department Coordinator, 617-625-6600 x6835
Special Education Team Facilitators
Special Education Parent Advisory Council
Connect to other families whose children receive special education services in the Somerville Public Schools.
Parent's Notice of Procedural Safeguards
If a student is eligible for special education, the school district must provide a free appropriate public education, commonly referred to by the acronym FAPE, working in partnership with the student's parents / guardians. Please read the Parent's Notice of Procedural Safeguards, available on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's website in multiple languages.
Child Find
In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA 2004) and Massachusetts Special Education regulations 603 CMR 28.00, the Somerville Public Schools provides screenings and evaluations for all children residing in Somerville, MA between the ages of 3 and 21 to determine eligibility for special education services. Any parent, caregiver, or teacher may refer the student for evaluation if they suspect the presence of a disability that may preclude the child from progressing effectively in a general education program. This notice applies to all children residing in Somerville, MA who attend either public or private schools. If you believe your child may be in need of special education services, please contact your child's principal or a special education department head or facilitator as listed below.
Child Find Notice in: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole
- Argenziano School: Dr. Iris Miller, Department Coordinator, 617-625-6600 x6354
- Brown School: Dorothy Scally, Department Coordinator, 617-625-6688 x6835
- ECIP / Capuano Early Childhood Center: Susan Gibbons, Department Coordinator, 617-625-6600 x3624
- East Somerville Community School: Marianna Stewart, Department Coordinator 617-625-6688 x3754
- Healey School: Siobhan Aberdale, Department Coordinator, 617-625-6600 x6536
- Kennedy School: Will Verbits, Department Coordinator, 617-625-6600 x6619
- Full Circle and Next Wave Schools: Jack Haverty, Department Coordinator, 617-625-6600 x610770
- Somerville High School: Konstantina Halas, Department Coordinator, 617-625-6600 x615122
- West Somerville Neighborhood School: Dr. Iris Miller, Department Coordinator, 617-625-6600 x6458
- Winter Hill Community Innovation School: Siobhan Aberdale, Department Coordinator, 617-625-6600 x6798
- Out of District Programs: Dorothy Scally, Department Coordinator, 617-625-6600 x6835