Department of Student Services & Alternative Programs
Child Find
In accordance with federal regulations, Wolcott Public Schools assumes responsibility for the location, identification, and evaluation of all Wolcott children from birth through age 21 who require special education and related services. All children who are suspected of having a disability and who are in need of special education are part of the Child Find process in the Wolcott Public Schools' district. This includes students who are advancing from grade to grade; enrolled in private elementary or private secondary schools, including religious schools, and highly mobile, such as migrant and homeless children. In addition, the Wolcott Public Schools' district identifies students (kindergarten through grade 12) who may be gifted or talented.

There are many resources available to parents of children with special educational needs. The following organizations and web sites are just a few of the places parents and professionals can seek information.
Please Note: Parents may need to create a free account in order to access some of the parent information/handouts.
Parents Guide to Special Education in Connecticut
A Parent's Guide to Special Education 2021 (ct.gov)
Una guía de educación especial para los padres de Connecticut
IEP Manual - https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DDS/family/IEP_Guide_page_by_page.pdf
Procedural Safeguards Notice - https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Special-Education/Prosaf.pdf?la=en
Transition Bill of Rights -
Easing into Secondary Transition: A Comprehensive Guide to Resources and Services in Connecticut has been revised and is available electronically at: http://portal.ct.gov/SDE-EasingIntoSecondaryTransition.
State Education Resource Center (SERC)
State Education Resource Center (SERC), Middletown, CT. SERC is a library dedicated to providing parents and professionals an abundant collection of education resources. SERC also sponsors many workshops for parents and professional staff during the year. If you ask to be added to the mailing list, you will get the quarterly updates of all workshops offered. Contact SERC at (860) 632-1485 to be put on the mailing list and to get directions to the library. You can also visit the web site at www.ctserc.org.
Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC)
Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC) Niantic, CT. CPAC is a statewide organization providing information and support to parents of children with special needs. CPAC can answer your questions and lead you to appropriate services or information. They offer a lending library, parent newsletter and parent training and workshops. Call (800) 445-2722 for more information or go to www.cpacinc.org.
Autism Spectrum Resource Center (ASRC)
Autism Spectrum Resource Center (ASRC) offers information and support to parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder. Parents can join the ASRC by calling 787-3676 (New Haven), or visit their web site at www.ct-asrc.org.
CT Department of Education Bureau of Special Education
http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2678&Q=320730
CT Council for Developmental Disabilities
www.state.ct.us/ctcdd
CT Birth to Three System
www.birth23.org
IDEA: Building the Legacy IDEA 2004
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/home
Infoline 211
http://www.211ct.org
FERPA
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html
Speech and Language
Mission Statement
The mission of the Wolcott Public Schools Speech and Language Department is to provide comprehensive services for the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and intervention of communication disorders related to educational success, in accordance with federal and state regulations.
About Us
The Speech and Language Department is staffed by state licensed and certified speech-language pathologists (SLPs). These SLPs are professionally trained to consult, screen, assess and provide intervention for persons with, or who are at risk for, communication disabilities in the areas of articulation, fluency, voice, and language. SLPs provide a variety of services for the students with identified speech and/or language disabilities. They also consult with classroom teachers, parents, school staff and others on ways to improve the language skills and communication of children in general.
Identification Process
Students require a comprehensive evaluation by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) prior to receiving services. Students who are eligible for services must demonstrate a speech/language impairment based on evaluation results, demonstrate that the impairment adversely affects educational performance and must meet state guideline eligibility criteria as set forth by the State of Connecticut Department of Education, Speech/Language Guidelines.
Service Delivery Models
Speech-Language Pathologists utilize a variety of service delivery models depending on the unique needs of the student. Students can be seen outside of the classroom (pull-out), inside of the classroom (push-in) or both. Services can be direct or indirect or a combination of the two. Consultation and collaboration with other professionals is vital to ensure meaningful curricula access and generalization of communication skills. The Speech-Language Pathologist plays an important role on the educational team in order to facilitate academic success for all students.
Age appropriate speech/language development:
Language: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/
Other helpful parent resources:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Index: https://www.asha.org/topicindex/
Autism speaks: http://www.autismspeaks.org/
Hearing impairment: https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/hearing-loss/
Stuttering: http://www.stutteringhelp.org/
Mommy Speech Therapy – For Early Language: http://mommyspeechtherapy.com
Super Duper Inc. – Short, informational handouts for parents: http://www.superduperinc.com/Handouts/Handout.aspx
Unified Sports
For more information, view this Unified Sports Video
CIAC Special Olympics Unified Sports(r) Promo
Preschool Program
Wolcott Public Schools' preschool is an inclusive and interdisciplinary early childhood education program. It offers learning experiences, which foster personal/social, creative, physical, and cognitive development through multi-sensory activities. It will provide a developmentally appropriate program for preschool students identified for special education and for children who are typically developing. It will facilitate competent and capable learners in a nurturing and supportive environment. Emphasis is placed on meeting academic benchmark standards while providing a least restrictive setting for all students. Families are encouraged to actively participate in the education of their young children. Program staff members and families work collaboratively to ensure that children are provided with optimal learning experiences. Each child's learning is encouraged through exploration of the educational environment with age-appropriate experiences. Modifications are made to accommodate every child.
The mission of the Wolcott School Readiness Council is to provide leadership to high quality programs for children in the town of Wolcott, to empower all young children to be effective, enthusiastic, and socially competent learners, through on-going professional development, consultation, and collaboration and by linking resources to families, the school, and the community.
School Readiness
Staff List by School
DIRECTORY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PERSONNEL LISTED BY SCHOOL
2021-2022
Alcott Preschool Personnel
Curcio, Andrea Pre K Teacher (3-4 year olds) 203-879-8160
Leonard, Brittany Pre K Teacher (3-4 year olds) 203-879-8160 Palmer, Shelby Pre K Teacher (3-4 year olds) 203-879-8160 Morek, Danielle Speech/Language Pathologist 203-879-8160
Cianchetti, Tony Social Worker (all Elem/Tyrrell)
Hogrefe, Sara OT (Alcott/Frisbie/Tyrrell)
Jackson, Cindy PT (Elementary & High School)
Cameron, Tammy School Nurse 203-879-8160
Alcott Elem. SPED Personnel
Klemenz, Lisa Project Explore (all 3 Elem.)
Baranowski, Judy School Psychologist 203-879-8160
Morek, Danielle Speech/Language Pathologist 203-879-8160
Gilchrist, Kelly SPED Teacher 203-879-8160
Jackson, Barbara SPED Teacher 203-879-8160
Cianchetti, Tony Social Worker (all Elem/Tyrrell)
Hogrefe, Sarah OT (all schools)
Chipelo, Christie OT
Owens, Marge PT
Cameron, Tammy School Nurse 203-879-8160
Frisbie Elem. SPED Personnel
Klemenz, Lisa Project Explore (all 3 Elem.)
Gray, Monica School Psychologist 203-879-8146
Cleary, Lisa Speech/Language Pathologist 203-879-8146
Allison, Lauren SPED Teacher 203-879-8146
D'Ettore, Amy SPED Teacher 203-879-8146
Vaivoda, Linda SPED Teacher 203-879-8146
Gomez, Shannon SPED Teacher 203-879-8146
Cianchetti, Tony Social Worker (all Elem/Tyrrell)
Chipelo, Christine OT
Hogrefe, Sarah OT
Owens, Marge PT
Conner, Mary-Alice School Nurse 203-879-8146
Wakelee Elem. SPED Personnel
Klemenz, Lisa Project Explore (all 3 Elem.)
Goodman, Deborah School Psychologist 203-879-8154
Kerkhoff, Victoria Speech/Language Pathologist 203-879-8098
Hamel, Michael SPED Teacher 203-879-8154
Sells, Suzanne SPED Teacher 203-879-8154
Gress, Christin SPED Teacher-Life Skills 203-879-8154
Currier, Kara Social Worker
Hogrefe, Sarah OT
Chipelo, Christine OT
Owens, Marge PT
Mello, Alejandra School Nurse 203-879-8154
Tyrrell Middle SPED Personnel
Conway, Pam Project Explore Teacher 203-879-8151
Gorton, Amanda School Psychologist 203-879-8151
Hilibert, Jennifer Speech/Language Pathologist 203-879-8151
Rioux, Gwynne SPED Teacher (abc room) 203-879-8151
Jasulavic, Diane SPED Teacher 203-879-8151
Burksa, Alyssa SPED Teacher 203-879-8151
Merrill, Nicole SPED Teacher 203-879-8151
Artigliere, Alison SPED Teacher/BCBA 203-879-8151
Stango, Bethany Life Skills SPED Teacher 203-879-8151
Barberet, Taylor School Counselor 203-879-8151
Salustro, Wendy School Counselor 203-879-8151
Lynch, Michael School Counselor 203-879-8151
Cianchetti, Tony Social Worker
Chipelo, Christie OT
Hogrefe, Sarah OT
Owens, Marge PT
Green, Joshua School Nurse 203-879-8151
WHS SPED Personnel
Sweeney-Bizier, Kristin School Psychologist 203-879-8157
Barrett, Anamarie Speech/Language Pathologist 203-879-8157
McOmber, Sarah SPED Teacher 203-879-8164
Majewski, Audra SPED Teacher 203-879-8164
Russo, Stephanie SPED Teacher-Life Skills 203-879-8164
Daniele, Briana SPED Teacher-STEP 203-879-8164
Fell, Julie SPED Teacher 203-879-8164
Nanfito, Allysia SPED Teacher-Phoenix 203-879-8164
Garguilo, Brittany SPED Teacher-18-21 year olds 203-879-8164
Aldridge, Sabrina SPED Teacher 203-879-8164
Ametli, Monila SPED Teacher 203-879-8164
Ferguson, Kristin SHAPE 203-879-8164
Giedra, Alyssa Guidance 203-879-8157
Villano-Corso, Taryn Guidance 203-879-8157
Brochu,Kelley Guidance 203-879-8157
Wursthorn, Mark Guidance Director 203-879-8157
Fontanella, Jill Social Worker 203-879-8157
Hogrefe, Sarah OT
Chipelo, Christie OT
Owens, Marge PT
Guinipero, Lori School Nurse 203-879-8171
as of 10.05.2021