Special Education and Pupil Services

Department of Special Education, Student Services and English Learner Education 

Director of Special Education

Dr. Coleman serves the Ware Public Schools as the Director of Student Services. This position encompasses the Director of Special Education, Coordinator of English Language Learners, Title IX Coordinator, Civil Rights Compliance Officer, and College and Career Readiness.

Dr. Ginger Coleman holds her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision, with her research and dissertation on the Science of Reading. In addition, she holds a Master of Science in Education & Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Education and Social Work. Throughout her 25+ year tenure, she has served in the capacity of Teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal across three districts, with her last serving Lowell Public Schools. She is passionate about her profession and firmly believes in EVERY STUDENT! Her goals are clear in closing achievement gaps and accelerating learning through a Multi-Tiered system of support. Dr. Coleman has dedicated her career to serving marginalized populations, including students with emotional and behavioral dysregulation, autism, and English Language Learners.
 
Dr. Ginger Coleman is dedicated to the Ware Public Schools, our families, and partners served, through a shared belief in our district's vision and mission of closing achievement gaps through positive and deliberate collaboration, with measurable outcomes.
 
Thank you for visiting, please check back often for our Monthly newsletters. (Coming soon)



Special Education Monthly Newsletters

 

 October 2023 December 2023  January 2024   Coming Soon!
       
       



Ware Public Schools DESE Tiered Focused Monitoring Review

During the week of March 27, 2023, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Ware Public Schools. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.

In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child’s special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview the chairperson(s) of the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and onsite observations. 

Parents and other individuals may call Alaena Podmore, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (781) 338-6706 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide Ware Public Schools with a report with information about areas in which the district meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the district requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.




Child Find

Special Education Notice    
In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA 2004) and Massachusetts Special Education Regulations, 603 CMR 28.00, the Ware Public Schools provides screenings and/or evaluations for all children residing in Ware, between the ages of 3-21, when parents, caretakers, and/or teachers suspect the presence of a disability.  The purpose of the evaluation is to determine eligibility for Special Education services.  This notice applies to children residing in Ware who attend either public or private schools, including homeschooled students. Ware Public Schools is also committed to identifying children before their third birthday in order to provide early intervention services for three and four year-olds with disabilities. If you suspect that your child may have an educational disability, please contact the Department of Special Education at 413-967-4271. 


Section 504 Notice 

Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination in publicly funded activities the Ware Public Schools has a responsibility to identify refer, evaluate, and if eligible, provide access to public education to student with impairments in its jurisdiction. For additional information about the rights or parents of eligible children, or for answers to any questions you might have about identification, evaluation and placement into Section 504 programs, please contact the Department of Special Education at 413-967-4271.
   


Special Education
 Updates

SY 23 Ware Public Schools Department of Special Education Welcome Letter (English)

SY 23 Ware Public Schools Department of Special Education Welcome Letter (Spanish)



 

Special Education Parent Advisory Council

Massachusetts Special Education Regulation 603 CMR 28.07 (4) requires each school district to create a Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). The SEPAC advises the school district on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities and participates in the planning, development, and evaluation of the school district's special education programs.

Ware Public Schools previously received an Alternative Compliance Waiver for the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC).  In lieu of a SEPAC, the District held a series of parent training and participation events.  

During the 2021-2022, in coordination with parents/guardians, the District is worked to reestablish the Ware Public Schools Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). The District will continue to work with parents/guardian to strengthen our SEPAC during the 2022-2023 school year. For information on the SEPAC, contact Ginger Coleman, Director of Special Education, at (413) 967-4271. We welcome and encourage your participation and input.  Strong partnerships with parents/guardians is crucial to ensuring the success of the Special Education Program at Ware Public Schools.

Ware Special Education Parent Advisory Council Event Notices

School Year 2023-2024

Please join us for our monthly SEPAC virtual meetings. I am attaching a form HERE, and dependent upon interest, in person will be an option also, so please fill out your preference.

 

Meetings will take place on Thursdays and start at 6:00 p.m. as follows:

 

January 18th

February 15th

March 21th

April 11th

May 9th

June 6th (Last meeting)

 

TEAMS MEETING LINK:


School Year 2022-2023
SEPAC Notice: May 2023 (English)
SEPAC Notice: May (Spanish)

SEPAC Notice: April 2023 (English)
SEPAC Notice: April 2023 (Spanish)

SEPAC Notice: February 2023 (English)
SEPAC Notice: February 2023 (Spanish)

SEPAC Notice: January 2023 (English)
SEPAC Notice: January 2023 (Spanish)

SEPAC Notice: December 2022 (English)
SEPAC Notice: December 2022 (Spanish)

SEPAC Notice: October 2022 (English)

SEPAC Notice: October 2022 (Spanish)



Additional Documents and Resources              


 

It is the policy of the Ware Public Schools not to discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity,  homelessness, military service, union activity or genetics in its educational programs, activities or employment policies as required by Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, Chapter 622 of the Massachusetts General Laws, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, M.G.L. c. 71A and c. 76, s. 5.