Special Services

Referral to a Student Support Team

Virginia Procedural Safeguards

Virginia Family Special Education Connection

The Warren County Public Schools provides a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to all students within its jurisdiction who are identified with a disability, consistent with definitions set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. No student, solely by reason of his or her handicap as defined in these Acts, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity operated by Warren County Public Schools.

Any student who needs or is believed to need special education accommodations, related services, or programs under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, may be referred to the school division’s 504 Coordinator, Mr. Michael Hirsch, for determination of eligibility under Section 504.

If you have a concern, please contact your building principal.

Click here for more information: U.S Department of Education 504 Information

Allergy Guidelines

Clinic Forms

Warren County Public Schools strives to meet the individualized health care needs of our students. To meet these needs, our medical staff and administrative teams collaborate with community-based medical professionals to create individualized health care plans. The plans contain documentation that records important information about medical conditions symptoms and prescribed interventions that support students while in school. The links below can be used by the parent to initiate the process to create a health care plan. In addition, schools will accept other types of documentation from a student's doctor to start the process. Please return the selected form or other medical documentation to the administrator at your child's school to start the health care plan for your child. If you have any questions, please call the Special Services office at 540-635-2725.

Health & Safety

Welcome

Services for Students Identified as Hearing or Visually Impaired

Mental Health & Substance Abuse

General Help

Child Find

Early Intervention Developmental Screenings

Some preschoolers have difficulty developing certain skills. Warren County Public Schools' Preschool Child Find offers free development screenings for children ages 2 (by September 30th) and 5 to assist in identifying the need for special education services. The screenings are conducted by an early childhood special education teacher and a speech/language pathologist. The screenings assess general development in the following areas:

Motor: includes gross and fine motor skills, the ability to move the body

Adaptive: self care skills such as feeding and dressing

Personal-Social: the ability to relate to children and adults

Cognitive: the ability to learn and use new ideas

Communication: includes understanding others and expressing one's thoughts

If you have concerns about your preschool aged child, please contact our child find office to schedule an appointment.

Child Find Office/Special Services

465 W. 15th St.
Front Royal, VA 2230
540-635-6030
Fax: 540-635-3001

The screenings are provided at no cost to parents of Warren County. The screening may indicate the need for a referral for special education evaluation in accordance with regulations and administrative requirements for the operation of special education programs in Virginia.

Questions or comments can be directed to the Child Find Coordinator Lisa Seal: Email: lseal@wcps.k12.va.us Phone: 540-635-6030 ext: 33253

Special Education Advisory Committee

What is SEAC?

Each school division in Virginia is required to have a Special Education Advisory Committee according to the "Regulations Governing Special Education programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia." Special Education Advisory Committees are also required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Mission

Our mission is to advise the Superintendent and School Board of any needs regarding the education of children with special needs and disabilities; and,

to collaboratively serve as a resource of support and information for all individuals involved in educating children with special needs and disabilities.

In doing so, we aim to better serve all children within Warren County, Virginia

Meetings

Meetings begin at 6pm with 45 minutes to an hour of conducting SEAC business. During the second hour we typically host guest speakers. Meeting announcements and agendas are available to the public the week prior to our meetings. Meetings finish at 8pm. Meetings are held at the Special Services Complex at 465 W. 15th Street, Front Royal VA.

Meetings may be attended virtually by visiting https://meet.google.com Use meeting code SEAC

Contact Information

For more information please contact Gina Casella at: gcasella@wcps.k12.va.us

Please visit the SEAC Facebook page

Calendar Links

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Non-Traditional Education

Non-traditional education in Warren County includes a variety of approaches to teaching and learning separate from that which is offered by our traditional secondary schools. Non-traditional options include a continuum of services that support students in the least restrictive environment. The following is a brief description of the options available for our students.

Choices

Choices is a program embedded in the high schools that provides intensive case management, as well as a pull-out site available to students to access additional academic and counseling support. This intervention is generally accessed before a referral to the non-traditional placement committee is completed.

Diversified Minds

Located at the 15th Street Special Services site, this program blends rigorous academics, online programming, and clinical support to meet the needs of this diverse population.

Brighter Futures Learning Community

This program is designed to meet the needs of students exhibiting significant behavioral challenges. Located at the 15th street Special Services site, this program blends academics, counseling, high adventure activities, and a specifically designed behavior program to assist students in meeting their academic and life goals. Please contact Randa Vernaza, Administrator at Brighter Futures for more information.

STARS

This virtual approach to learning utilizes “APEX”, which is an online educational program that supports students’ diverse needs. Two staff members at the 15th Street Special Services site support a computer lab for students to access the program and receive additional academic support. The students are also expected to access the material from home and complement the limited seat time available. This approach allows students to participate in school at non-traditional times and work at their own pace to meet their academic goals. APEX Learning

Homelessness Services

Project HOPE - Virginia, the Virginia Education Program for Homeless Children and Youth, is a federally-funded grant authorized by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act. Project HOPE - Virginia ensures the enrollment, attendance, and the success of homeless children and youth in school through public awareness efforts across the commonwealth and subgrants to local school divisions. Local Education Agencies (LEA) develop customized programs to meet the needs of homeless children and youth in their area. Project HOPE - Virginia funds activities throughout the school year, including early childhood education, mentoring, tutoring, parent education, summer enrichment programs, and domestic violence prevention programs. In addition, emergency services, referrals for health services, transportation, school supplies, and costs related to obtaining school records may be provided through the local Homeless Education Program. Click here for further information Project Hope Virginia

Contact: Shamika McDonald 540-635-2725

Right Turn Program

The Right Turn Program has been developed as a possible alternative to long term suspension for first time offenders for drug offenses committed on school grounds.

The purpose of the program is to give both students and parents information that can assist families with drug use and improving the parent-child relationship.

Agreements in participation:

This is a one-time offering for a student and is for first time offenders only, who are not charged with distribution of drugs. Legal charges for use or under the influence will be made anytime a student has drugs or is under the influence at school. The Juvenile Courts have agreed to consider deferring these charges if the program is successfully completed.
The student and parent or guardian must actively participate in all 8 modules in order to successfully complete the program.
The modules must be completed within the time frame offered. Being absent or late to any program module will negate this agreement and the 365 day suspension will be instituted immediately. The court will also be informed of unsuccessful completion.
Appropriate participation is expected during each module. Attentiveness to the instructors, willingness to actively participate and respect for other group members is needed by both students and parents. If instructors feel that the student and/or parents have a hostile or overtly negative attitude towards the program, participation will be immediately terminated and this information will be sent to the Superintendent for review. The court will also be informed of unsuccessful completion.

Nursing Services

The mission of Warren County Public Schools nursing services is to enhance the health and well-being of students, staff, and our community by fully implementing the nursing process in the school setting. We strive to make accurate assessments and nursing diagnoses, create plans of care, utilize appropriate interventions, and evaluate care while documenting all health events. We contribute to a healthy and safe school environment for all through infection control, accident prevention, and health education.

Welcome to the WCPS Department of Special Services