Welcome to Special Education
Parent and family technology resource page: https://sites.google.com/k12.somerville.ma.us/parents/home
Special Education Town Hall. August 6, 2020. In case you missed it, please watch the Special Education Town Hall recording. SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) Leadership - Michele Lippens, Lucy DeToledo, Lianor Hillerstrom, invite you to a Virtual Town Hall specifically for families of children with special needs. We welcome Christine Trevisone - Director of Special Education; Chad Mazza - Assistant Superintendent; Carrie Normand - School Committee Chair; and Laura Pitone - School Committee Member, to join us for an update and facilitated discussion on Planning Efforts related to Special Education. We welcome all voices and look forward to hearing your thoughts.
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.
- July 1, 2020: Update to families from Special Education Director on Extended Year Services (EYS) for Summer 2020 English, Español, Português, Kreyòl Ayisyen
Check out the Special Education End-of-Year Presentation, June 2019
Take the Survey
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: 2020-2021 Somerville Special Education Procedural Manual
- Learn more about Special Education assistive technology: Special Education Assistive Technology (SEAT)
- SPS Policy and Procedures Regarding Special Education Extended School Year Programs and Services: 2020-2021 Coming Soon
Contact Us
We invite you to share your comments or questions.
- Christine Trevisone, Director of Special Education, 617-625-6600 ext 6810
- Marilyn Vrountas, Assistant Director of Special Education, 617-625-6600 ext 6815
- Caeli Gallitano, District Coordinator of Social Emotional Support & Services Grades K-8, and Director of the SEEK Program , 617-629-5440 ext 6668
- Merlisha Theodat, Special Education Facilitator at Argenziano School, 617-625-6600 ext 6836
- Dorothy Scally, Special Education Facilitator at the Brown School, 617-625-6600 ext 6835
- Susan Gibbons, Special Education Department Head at the Capuano, 617-625-6600 ext 3624
- Anne Casavant, Special Education Department Head at East Somerville Community School, 617-625-6600 ext 3723
- Merlisha Theodot, Special Education Department Head at the Arthur D. Healey School, 617-625-6600 ext 6536
- Victoria Vendola, Special Education Department Head at the John F. Kennedy School, 617-625-6600 ext 6619
- Jack Haverty, Special Education Department Head at Next Wave and Full Circle, 617-629-5640 x6870
- Dorothy Scally, Out of District, 617-625-6600 ext 6835
- Rachel Ziulkowski, Special Education Department Head at Somerville High School, 617-625-6600 ext 6188
- Susan Maday, Special Education Facilitator at Winter Hill Community Innovation School. 617-625-6600 ext 6817
- Susan Maday, Special Education Facilitator at West Somerville Neighborhood School, 617-625-6600 ext 6817
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 regular 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.
- Argenziano School: Merlisha Theodat, Facilitator - (617) 625-6600, x6836
- Brown School: Dorothy Scally, Facilitator - (617) 625-6688, x6835
- ECIP/Capuano Early Childhood Center: Susan Gibbons, Department Head - (617) 625-6600, x3624
- East Somerville Community School: Anne Casavant, Department Head - (617) 625-6600, x3781
- Healey School: Merlisha Theodat, Department Head - (617) 625-6600, x6536
- Kennedy School: Victoria Vendola, Department Head - (617) 625-6600, x6619
- Next Wave/Full Circle Schools: Jack Haverty, Department Head - (617) 625-6600, x6820
- Somerville High School: Rachel Ziulkowski, Department Head - (617) 625-6600, x6188
- West Somerville Neighborhood School: Susan Maday, Facilitator - (617) 625-6600, x6817
- Winter Hill Community Innovation School: Susan Maday, Department Head - (617) 625-6600, x6817
- Out-of-District: Dorothy Scally, Facilitator - (617) 625-6600, x6835