Agencies & Organizations

211summit.org:  Information and Referral Service in Summit County, including Lifeline, MedAssist, Homeless Services.

Adoption: PASSS/Post-Adoption Special Service Subsidy:  $10,000 per child funding for treatment of a physical, developmental, mental or emotional condition. Applies to International, Attorney, Public or Private adoptions. $15,000 per child, if residential treatment is required.

Adoption and Attachment Therapy Center:  treatment center for Attachment Disorders, Trauma, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in children. (Accept PASSS subsidies, above.)

Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board of Summit County:   Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Suicide Prev., Alcohol/Gambling Addiction Services.  See below for more mental health substance abuse resources.

      Interval Brotherhood Home: Addiction Treatment Center, Family Education Program

      Oriana House: Community Corrections and chemical dependency treatment

      Drug Rehab:  Information, resources & treatment for individuals dealing with addictions and related conditions.

BeST Center at NEOMED:  Best Practices in Schizophrenia Treatment (BeST) Center

Blick Center: PT, OT, SLP Therapies, Behavioral Health Services, Case Management for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron

Child Guidance and Family Solutions Comprehensive services for children of all ages, toddler to teens.

Children's Health Insurance Programs (CHIP): Provides free or low-cost health coverage for children up to 19. 

Coleman Behavioral Health: Comprehensive services for children, adolescents and adults

University Hospitals/Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital

Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital

County of Summit Board of Developmental Disabilities: Services for qualifying youth and adults who have a developmental disability and/or functional limitations in multiple life domains.

Greenleaf Family Center: Parenting classes, counseling, anger mgmt., financial counseling, services for the deaf, interpreter services.

Northeast Ohio Disability Resources Guide

Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities:  OCECD/Parent Mentors of Ohio

Ohio Dept. of Education/Office for Exceptional Children: Special Education Resources

Ohio Employment First: State level directive that community employment is the preferred outcome for all individuals with disabilities.

PACER Center:  Assistance Center for Children with disabilities and their families.

Rainbow Babies & Children's/University Hospital:  Pediatric Hospital, Physicians & Outpatient treatment. 

Rainbow Babies & Children's: Financial Assistance Services/Programs

Shelter Care: Temporary shelter for runaways, youth under house arrest or families and children in crisis.

Social Security:  Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children with Disabilities Guidelines

Social Security: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for adults who are disabled, 18 and over Guidelines

State Support Team Region 8: Provides free technical support and educational opportunities for families so they can become knowledgeable participants in their child's education.

Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library:  Books, e-books, dvd's, classes, homework help for children, teen's & adults.

Summit County Children's Services:  Safety & welfare agency, kinship, foster & adoption services/funding.

Summit County Educational Service Center: provides professional development and programming to member schools, including Stow-Munroe Falls City.

Summit County Juvenile Court: Addt'l specialty dockets in Mental Health/Substance Abuse (Crossroads) and Developmental Disabilities (New Paths.)

Summit County Jobs and Family Services: Funding agency of food assistance, medicaid, childcare assistance programs.

Summit County Public Health Dept.: Provides immunizations, community care, alcohol and drug assistance

The Emily Program in Cleveland:  Comprehensive Eating Disorder Treatment

List of School Counseling Topics & Resources

General Helpful Websites:

http://www.smarterparenting.com/resources/

http://www.sesamestreet.org/toolkits

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/

• Anger management

  • Listen When Angry or Upset Video-Story for Kids

    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IqVJHVkTLE

  • Interactive Exercises to Get Your Feelings Out

    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkKLz61RHXo

  • Anger Management for Children

    • http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/praise-discipline/anger-management-children

  • Tips for dealing with an angry child effectively

    • https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/calm-parenting-anger-management-in-children-and-teens/

• Anxiety

  • Are you worrying about your anxious child? You are not alone.  Learn about different types of anxiety, red flags, causes, etc.

    • http://www.worrywisekids.org/

  • See the signs of anxiety, anxiety disorders, and interventions.

    • https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/mental-health/mental-health-disorders/anxiety-and-anxiety-disorders-in-children-information-for-parents

• Bullying & Cyberbullying

  • Know the facts about bullying, even if you don’t think it affects your child

    • http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/social-emotional-skills/bullying-and-teasing-no-laughing-matter

  • Prevent & Address Cyberbullying Behaviors

    • http://www.schoolcounselor.org/magazine/blogs/may-june-2012/prevent-and-address-cyberbullying-behaviors

• Divorce

  • Facts and Ideas for helping children through divorce

    • https://www.aamft.org/iMIS15/AAMFT/Content/consumer_updates/children_and_divorce.aspx

• Teasing

  • Book: Simon’s Hook: A story about teases and put-downs by Karen Gedig Burnett

  • YouTube videos based on Simon’s Hook (3 parts)

    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28G_T1yzGG8 (Part 1)

    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtGeLe84ybk (Part 2)

    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V5jLTOx9Dw (Part 3)

Disability Specific Info

People First ... Disability Second:  People First Language emphasizes the person, not their disability, and helps to diminish the use of outdated and offensive language.  It helps break down barriers, foster mutual respect, and open lines of communication and acceptance.  Incorporating People First Language into our everyday language through both the spoken word and written communications demonstrates that all people are unique and respected for who they are. For more information on People First Language and examples of use, please visit: https://www.thearc.org/who-we-are/media-center/people-first-language

 

ADD/ADHD

Additude: Additude Magazine/Webinars/Publications

Nat'l Center for Learning Disabilities: Comprehensive info. on all types of learning challenges

LD online: Leading website on learning disabilities and ADD/ADHD

 

Autism and Asperger's

ASPIES: Asperger Support Group of Greater Akron

Autism Society of Ohio: Ohio Chapter of the Autism Society 

Organization for Autism Research (OAR): Research based information on ASD's

 

Behavioral/Emotional/Mental Health

Coleman Behavioral Health: Assessments, counseling, treatment for a variety of mental health challenges

National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Summit County: Support Groups, family workshops

Greenleaf Family Center:Youth and parenting workshops, counseling, anger mgmt. services

BeST Center at NEOMED: Best Practices in Schizophrenia Treatment (BeST) Center

Emotional Disturbances: Definition and guidance on emotional disturbances from Ohio Dept. of Ed. under IDEA

Summit County Suicide Prevention Coalition:  Resources for suicide prevention (Emergencies - always call #911) 

Summit Psychological Associates: Psychiatric and psychological services/evaluations, counseling, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, guardianship evals. etc.

 

Hearing Impairments

The Ohio Center for Deafblind Education: For individuals birth thru 21, free technical assistance to families, schools

Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center: Resources and links to deafness, hearing loss and impairments, Auditory Processing Dis.

Ohio Hands and Voices: Supporting individuals through parent-professional collaboration

Greenleaf Family Center: Community Services for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Interpreter Services

American Speech and Hearing Association:  Hearing resources and links

American Sign Language Pro: Video sign language dictionary, ASL learning tools for various ages

Signing Time Kids: Learn to sign, for kids and adults. Games, videos, plus more! 

University of Akron Audiolgy & Speech Center:  Comprehensive audiology services

 

Epilepsy

Epilepsy Advocate: Website/Webcasts/Sign up for their free magazine 

Epilepsy Foundation: Comprehensive seizure information 

Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Resources, toolkit, training resources

 

Cognitive/Intellectual Disabilities

Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council: Promoting inclusion, independence, productivity for those with developmental issues.

County of Summit Board of Developmental Disabilities:  Local county agency to obtain services for the developmentally disabled.

Ohio Dept. of Ed. - Intellectual Disabilties:  Definition and guidance info. of an individual w/an intellectual disabiliity under IDEA

ARC of Ohio: State level advocacy group for those with developmental disabilities.

Ohio Dept. of Ed. - Multiple Disabilities:  Definition and guidance info. for an individual with multiple disabilities under IDEA.

 

Learning Disabilities

National Center for Learning Disabilties: Complete info. on all types of learning disabilities, webinars, e-books & more.

LD Online: Comprehensive site for information on learning disabilities.

International Dyslexia Association: Resources, publications, provider/tutor search tool.

International Dyslexia Association of Northern Ohio: local chapter, resources and conference info.

Children's Dyslexia Center of Canton: Provides free one on one instruction in Orton-Gillingham

to school age children 5-18. 

Ohio Dept. of Ed. - Specific Learning Disabilites: Definition and guidance info. for an individual with a SLD under IDEA

LD Resources:  Links Page to everything committed to learning disabilities

 

Other Health Impaired

Ohio Dept. of Ed. - Other Health Impaired: Minor and Major.  Definition and guidance info. for an individual categorized OHI under IDEA.  * Minor: See also, ADD/ADHD or Learning Disabilities for more information.  *Major:Students that are medically fragile. All students eligible for Special Education services under the OHI category require "specially designed instruction" rather than an accommodation plan under Section 504.

 

Orthopedic Impairment

Ohio Dept. of Ed. - Orthopedic Impairment Definition and guidance info. for an individual with an orthopedic impairment/IDEA

Orthopedic Impairments Website: Info. for students, families, teachers and schools!

Easter Seals Northern Ohio:  Adaptive equipment for loan up to 3 months:  walkers, crutches, wheelchairs etc.

National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability: NCHPAD, all things related to physical fitness, mobility, wellness. 

 

Speech/Language Disorders

Speech vs Language Disorders = What's the Difference?

Speech Disorder: When a person is unable to produce speech sounds correctly or fluently, or has problems

with his or her voice, then he or she has a speech disorder. Difficulties pronouncing sounds, or articulation disorders, and stuttering are examples of speech disorders. 

Language Disorder: When a person has trouble understanding others (receptive language), or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings completely (expressive language), then he or she has a language disorder.

American Speech Hearing Association: Publications and resources on speech/language disorders. 

University of Akron Audiology and Speech Center  Comprehensive speech and language services.

ARK Therapeutics:  A therapist answers questions re:  Oral Motor, sensory, tooth brushing and feeding.

 

Traumatic Brain Injury

Ohio Dept. of Ed. - Traumatic Brain Injury: Definition and guidance info. for an individual with a TBI.

The Brain Injury Association of Ohio: Prevention, Resources, Support Groups etc. across Ohio

University of Akron Audiology and Speech Center:  Speech and Language Services for those with a TBI.

Community Club House for Brain Injury : Summit County Resource for TBI services

 

Visual Impairments

Ohio Dept. of Ed. - Visual Impairments: Definition and guidance for an individual with a visual impairment.

The Ohio State School for the Blind:  Resources, publications, support, groups

The Ohio Center for Deafblind Education:  For those with both vision and hearing losses.

INFORMATION COMING SOON

The acronym “EL” refers to English Learners. An EL student is defined as a child whose home language is not English and who is not currently able to perform ordinary classroom work in English.

 

Dear EL Parents and/or Guardians:

Welcome to Stow-Munroe Falls City School District!

This handbook offers an explanation of the program and regulations for EL students. The handbook may also serve as a reference in case you ever wish to look up a frequently asked question or a commonly used EL term or phrase.

If you have any questions that are not addressed in this handbook, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s EL teacher.

 

Sincerely,

Kristen Prough, Director, Special Services

st_kprough@smfcsd.org

 

Beth Trivelli, EL Consultant

st_btrivelli@smfcsd.org

 

Please click on the links below to find comprehensive information regarding the

Stow-Munroe Falls City School District's English Learners Program:

EL Parent Brochure

EL Family Handbook

Eye Exam for Initial IEPs

For the past several years, Ohio law requires that every student who is identified with a disability for the first time and begins receiving services under an IEP shall have a comprehensive eye exam performed either by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist. If such an examination has been completed for your child within nine months prior to the initial eligibility determination, that exam will meet the requirement. The law further specifies that the parent, not the school district, has full financial responsibility for this examination. Recent legislation now requires school districts to report the number of students placed on an IEP for the first time that have had an eye exam. It is important that you notify your school district's special education office when your child has an eye exam. Although students who have not had an eye exam cannot be denied services, the school district will need to report this information. For additional information, contact your school district's special education office.

Gifted Resources

The Ohio Association for Gifted Children

OACG's mission is to To promote and support the development of gifted students through dissemination of information, advocacy on their behalf, encouragement of affiliate organizations, and to promote research and education for gifted children.

 

William and Mary: Center for Gifted Education

The Center for Gifted Education (CFGE) is a research and development center providing services to educators, policy makers, graduate students, researchers, and parents in support of the needs of gifted and talented individuals.

 

Davidson Institute Gifted Database

The Davidson Gifted Database is your gateway to resources for and about gifted students. This database features easy search capabilities for articles, resources and state policy pages to help students, parents and educators pinpoint gifted information.

 

GT World

GT World is an on-line support community for parents of Gifted and Talented children...we strive to provide a warm, comfortable, yet challenging environment in which to explore intellectual giftedness and the issues which surround it. These include parenting and advocating for our children, teaching them how to advocate for themselves, the experience of growing up gifted, obtaining an appropriate education, helping gifted kids with learning disabilities, and the wide range of other issues which tend to be flavored strongly by the our children's "difference". To this end, we provide a number of ways for community members to get together.

 

Hoagies Gifted Education

A comprehensive resource guide for education of gifted children. It's full of great information, with links to the most complete, easiest to use, resources on nearly every aspect of gifted education available on the Internet, plus lots of annotations and first hand information provided by parents facing the same challenges that you are facing..."

 

Dr. Sylvia Rimm

Dr. Sylvia Rimm has gained a national following by her practical and commonsense advice. She directs Family Achievement Clinic at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, and is a clinical professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Families come from all over the United States for help. Dr. Rimm speaks and publishes nationally on family and school approaches to guiding children toward achievement.

 

National Association for Gifted Children 

NAGC staff and leaders support and develop policies and practices that encourage and respond to the diverse expressions of gifts and talents in children and youth from all cultures, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic groups. NAGC supports and engages in research and development, staff development, advocacy, communication, and collaboration with other organizations and agencies who strive to improve the quality of education for all students.

• Immunization Summary for School Attendance
• District Medication Policy
• Medication Forms
• District Lice Policy
• When Should I Keep My Student Home?
• School Health Flu Info

Homelessness

MCKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS RESOURCES FOR AWARENESS

The purpose of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Children and Youth Program, under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), is to ensure that all children and youth, including preschoolers, have equal access to the same free and appropriate public education, as non-homeless children and youth.

A Parent's Guide to the Rights of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness: Click Here.

Copies are also made available in your school's office and from your school's Counselor.

 

Homeless Liaison: Julie Miller, Curriculum Supervisor grades 7-12

IDEA-B Funds 2017

IDEA-B Special Education Funds 2019

IDEA-B Special Education funds are federal dollars allocated to State Departments of education and given to school districts for the purpose of providing educational services, resources and supports for students with disabilities.

Previously, IDEA-B entitlement funds were distributed to districts based upon the number of children identified with disabilities, ages three through 21, as reported in the school district’s December 1st child count. Beginning with FY2002, special education grant awards were allocated upon a base amount for each LEA, additional funds based upon population (85%) and poverty (15%) and any discretionary funds the state may provide. Under this new means of formula calculation, Stow-Munroe Falls City School District will receive approximately $1,074,770.05 (IDEA-B) for special education expenditures during the 2019-2020 school year. The grant money is to be used only for special education programming and resources for special education students and will be obligated only after the project application is approved by the Ohio Department of Education, Division of Special Education. Additionally, under IDEA-B, children with disabilities enrolled in chartered nonpublic schools are eligible to receive IDEA-B benefits through the participating public school district in which the nonpublic school is located when they are provided special education and related services. Therefore, Holy Family Parochial school will be eligible to receive a portion of the entitlement funds identified above ($21,042.18).

Stow-Munroe Fall City Schools’ IDEA-B funds have been used to partially fund the salaries of the District Special Service Director, Supervisor, and pay for six full-time Special Education teachers. Monies have also been used to pay for staff professional development and to purchase technology and classroom supplies for students and teachers. Additionally, the grant monies have been used to pay the tuition for special education students attending specialized programs outside our district. 

Click here for a short presentation regarding the expenditure of IDEA-B funds that was presented to the Board of Education on September, 25, 2019.

School employees and district residents are encouraged to contact Kristen Prough, Director of Special Services, at 330.689.5431 with any comments regarding the expenditures of these funds. The grant application and all funds pertaining to the project will be available for review at the Board of Education Office, 4350 Allen Road, Stow, OH 44224.

Annual Public Notification in Stow-Munroe Falls posted on district website for public review.

(March 2020)

Lil' Bulldogs Preschool

The major objective of the Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools Developmental Preschool is to provide a positive learning environment through a child-centered program. The program will provide classroom experience that includes: skills assessment and development activities; parental involvement in the planning and implementation of individual child programs; and promotion of intellectual, social and physical growth accepting each child on an individual developmental level. This program will allow children to solve problems independently, to encourage communication and to explore material and interest through quiet and active play.

WHO:	Preschoolers with disabilities ages 3-5; this includes those with deficits in communication skills, hearing or vision abilities, motor functioning, social- emotional/behavioral functioning, cognitive ability and/or adaptive behavior.
WHAT:	A developmental preschool program and related services such as speech and
	language therapy which are deemed necessary on an individual basis.
WHEN:	Four half-day sessions are available, Monday through Thursday. Some programs may be designed differently to program meet individual needs.
WHERE:	Indian Trail Elementary School.
WHY:	Public school personnel are required to identify and evaluate all children under age 22 who might be considered to have problems that affect their education. Early recognition of potential problems can necessitate the provision of activities and services that may prevent more serious difficulties when the child is older. If problems persist, specialized school programs are available.

 

Preschool will be in session Monday-Thursday this year. The AM session will meet from 8:30 - 11:15, and the PM session will meet from 12:30 - 3:15.  Additional information will be shared with families regarding the official start date, virtual open houses, preventative measures, class lists, and supply lists soon.  

You can click here for the order from the Ohio Department of Health that outlines the preventative measures that will be in place in our classrooms.

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PEER ROLE MODELS 

Typical peer role models or children without disabilities are assigned to every classroom. Those children being considered need to go through a screening process. Applications for a screening can be obtained clicking the Preschool Program tab on the left.

 

Preschool Peer Application:

As of December 1st, 2024, we are currently accepting applications for preschool peer openings for the 2025-2026 school year. Click the link to the application. Be sure to include Proof of Residency with the application. The deadline for accepting applications is February 21st, 2025. 
Once completed, please submit it to: 

Julie Roberts, SMFCSD, Special Services 
st_jroberts@smfcsd.org 
or 
4350 Allen Rd. Stow, Ohio 44224.

CLICK HERE FOR PEER PRESCHOOL APPLICATION!

 

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Preschool Peer Screening:

In order to gain additional information from parents about your child, we are requesting that all parents complete an Ages & Stages Questionnaire prior to your child's screening date.  The questionnaire asks about a range of skills for your child and some items require you to request information from your child or to observe them doing a specific task.  Please bring the completed questionnaire to your child's screening appointment.

 

Please select the appropriate questionnaire based on your child's current age.  Note that each questionnaire covers an age span of a few months.  For example, the 33 month questionnaire is for children ages 31 months 16 days through 34 months 15 days.  

 

Ages and Stages Questionnaire 33 Month

Ages and Stages Questionnaire 36 Month

Ages and Stages Questionnaire 42 Month

Ages and Stages Questionnaire 48 Month

Ages and Stages Questionnaire 60 Month

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PRESCHOOL PEER MODEL 

ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM OCCURS THROUGH ONE OF TWO AVENUES:

Preschooler with a Disability: A child between the ages of three and five who demonstrate delays in one or more areas of development during the screening process. Areas of delay include communication, motor, social/emotional/behavior, adaptive, cognitive and visual hearing impairments. This screening/evaluation process involves play-based activities, parent interview, formal and informal assessment.

OR

Peer Model: a child between the ages of three and five who does NOT have special needs can apply to the program as a peer model. A screening is completed prior to acceptance into the program. Peer models must be completely toilet-trained and demonstrate good play skills (appropriate toy play, engagement with others, taking turns, etc.).

 

PEER SCREENING PROCESS

Once all information is received, you will be contacted to schedule a screening date and time. At the screening, your child will participate in a variety of preschool activities over a 45 minute session with several other prospective students. The Screening Team will be looking for specific skills in the areas of language development, motor, social and pre-academic skills. Screenings are tentatively planned for several sessions throughout the school year.

After the screening, letters of acceptance or denial will be sent to the families indicating one of the following:

              - Your child has been selected as a peer in the program;

              - Your child has not been selected as a peer;

              -  The results of the screening indicate that your child is experiencing a delay in one or more areas of their development. The parent will be contacted at a later time to discuss the possibility of additional evaluations.

Please understand, not all children that apply to the program will be accepted. If you child is accepted, the acceptance letter will include the steps and documents needed for registration. 

Click here to view the State Support Team's Parent Access Collaborative (PAC) 

Welcome to the Parent Mentor Webpage!

 

Hello-

I'm Angelina Sachs, and work as the Parent Mentor for the Stow-Munroe Falls City School District.  I am here to help you and your child. I offer support and information to parents of children and young adults who have been diagnosed with a disability and receive special education services. I can also assist families and students who receive accommodations under a 504 Plan or have a child that is experiencing difficulties and currently working with an Intervention Assistance Team. I can assist you in becoming the best advocate for your child. The program, in conjunction with the Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools, is designed and actively works to foster parent and professional teamwork.

Parent Mentors are grant-funded through the Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children. Parent Mentors come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences but have one very important thing in common...  we are all parents of children with disabilities and recognize the challenges placed before you, as you learn to navigate the special education process.

Promoting partnerships between parents and education is the common goal of every Parent Mentor Program. In their dual role as parent and consultant, mentors work to encourage and facilitate positive communication between parents and educators. To view a Google Slide presentation on the Parent Mentor Program click here.

 

The Stow-Munroe Falls City School Parent Mentor Program offers the following services:

• Guidance throughout the special education process, including the assessment process and Evaluation Team Report (ETR.)
• Ohio Department of Education's Evaluation Roadmap (for families with children ages 3-21)

• Learn how  you as parent, can be involved in the development of your child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP.) 
• Support to families through explanation and translation of special education terminology in understandable terms.

• The availability to meet individually and or at team meetings including ETR/IEP's; at the request of families or staff.

• Knowledge of the special education programs available through the Stow-Munroe Falls City School district and the Six District Educational Compact.

• Workshops and training sessions focused on topics of interest that may give parents a better understanding of  their child's disability and how it might enhance their child's educational, daily living or social skills.

• A Lending Resource Library with current books, pamphlets, DVD's on disabilities such as Autism/Asperger's, ADD/ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Social Skill development, behavior and discipline plus many others.

• The availability of state and community resources such as medical/prescription/food assistance programs, support groups, local  tutoring services,  agency services offered through Akron Child Guidance, Summit DD, The  Rehabilitation  Service Commission/OOD and many more. 

There are many resources listed on the pages above, if you need assistance or are looking for something you can't find, please feel free to contact me.
 

Angelina Sachs                           
Special Services
Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools
4350 Allen Rd.
Stow, Ohio 44224

Telephone: 234-738-1330
Email: st_asachs@smfcsd.org

Procedural Safeguards

A Guide to Parent Rights in Special Education has been prepared by the Office of Exceptional Children in the Ohio Department of Education.  This guide replaces Whose IDEA Is This? and is an important source of information for parents with a child who is suspected of having a disability or is currently identified with a disability under the Individual with Disabilities Education Improvement Act.    

Special education, for students ages 3 to 21, is guided by federal and state requirements. The federal requirements are referred to as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The state requirements are referred to as the Ohio Operating Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities (Ohio Operating Standards). This guide can help you understand your rights and your child’s rights according to IDEA and the Ohio Operating Standards. It also gives you information and resources to help you understand your child’s special education supports and services.

 

Click here for links to translated copies of the guide.  

Click on the link below to download the guide.

A Guide to Parent Rights in Special Education

SMF Resources

Bulldog Bags, INC: Non-profit providing food to SMFSchool Students to reduce hunger on weekends. 

Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools Website Home Page

Stow-Munroe Falls Special Services Home Page

Community Curfews: Stow- Under 18, 11pm to 6am, Sunday to Thursday. 12am to 6am Fri. & Sat. Munroe Falls - Under 12, Darkness to Dawn Everyday.  Ages 12-18, 11 pm to 5:30 am Sun. to Thurs. 12 am to 5:30 am Friday and Saturday.

Dolly Parton Imagination Library: Summit County Residents! Free Series of Books for ages Birth thru Five. Each month, a new age-appropriate book will be mailed to your home for no cost. The books are provided by the foundation and United Way of Summit County.  Please obtain & submit the registration form by clicking on the above link.

Stow-Munroe Falls Student Code of Conduct:  Expectations of student behavior and policy's.

Stohion Online:  Stow-Munroe Falls High School student newspaper.

Stow Parks and Rec Preview Catalog: Fall/Winter 2019-2020 Catalog of Programs

Progress Book:  Stow-Munroe Falls Parent/Student Access.

State Support Team Region 8:  Stow-Munroe Falls regional training center for districts and families.

Stow Free and Reduced Lunch: Application guidelines

Stow Transportation/Busing:  Shared custody/parenting forms, policies 

Before and After School Child Care:  Available at all six elementary buildings through the YMCA

Six District Educational Compact: College Tech Prep & Career Programs

SMF N.I.C.E.is a local organization capable of providing food, supplies, and other temporary assistance to Stow-Munroe Falls families in need.  Call 330-689-2700 or contact smfnice@gmail.com

IEP Eye Exam: Free program that provides a comprehensive exam and glasses for those without optical coverage.

PBIS/Positive Behavior Interventions and Support:  The Stow-Munroe Falls City School District continues to focus on expectations that will help lead academic and behavioral success through the PBIS model. This school-wide approach is a process of fostering and promoting positive behavior and less disciplinary action by creating safer and more effective schools. For needing additional behavioral support, a tiered model of instruction is being utilized. Similar to the instructional model of RTI. 

U.S. Office of Special Education Programs:  http://www.pbis.org/

PBIS World: http://www.pbisworld.com/  (plug in your behavioral challenge for interventions at Tiers 1, 2 & 3)

Early Childhood Social Emotional Learning

Special Services Office Contact:

4350 Allen Road
Stow, OH 44224

Telephone Number: 330-689-5445  Ext. 705430
Fax Number: 330-689-5448

State SPED Resources

Child Find: Children who are identified, located, and evaluated for the need of Special Education Services including Non-Public Schools that reside within the district.

A Guide to Parent Rights in Special Education: A Parents Guide to the Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act of 2001 (IDEA)/Procedural Safeguards.

Ohio Dept. of Education/Special Education: ODE Special Education Webpage

Ohio Operating Standards: The guidance document for Ohio Educational Agencies serving children with disabilities

ODE LiveBinder Online Toolkit: Resources for ETR, IEP, and Transition. 

Third Grade Reading Guarantee: ODE link to the Third Grade Reading Guarantee

Autism Scholarship Program: Alternative educational scholarship program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Jon Peterson Scholarship: Alternative educational scholarship program 

Academic Content Standards: What students are learning in subject matter and by grade

Academic Content Standards - Extended: For students with significant intellectual disabilities

SPED Northeast Ohio summer camp and recreational opportunities: Recreational and leisure opportunities

Learning Aid Ohio is a new state program designed to provide additional supplemental learning support for students with IEPs during this unique school year. Support comes in the form of funding up to $1,500 per family per quarter to help subsidize the cost of your chosen learning providers, providers have to be approved by the state. To qualify for additional learning support the student must be an Ohio resident, be learning full-time remotely, be on an IEP during the 2020-2021 school year, and be experiencing financial hardship as outlined by the Federal Poverty Level Guidelines.  If your student meets these requirements please visit the state website and apply for support https://www.learningohio.com/  

Quality Educational Programs

Approximately 623, or 8.8% of the students, who attend Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools, ages three through 22 years of age, have been identified as a student with a disability and are provided with a free appropriate public education in accordance with federal and state regulations.

Students with disabilities have unique characteristics and needs, many of which are best met by the classroom teacher who differentiates instruction within the regular classroom with the support of special education and related service providers. The team of professionals works collaboratively to assure that all students with disabilities have access to the same curriculum as typical students.

Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools uses a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to provide prevention and intervention services aimed at providing high quality instruction to all students to ensure that they are making progress in the curriculum. This tiered intervention model reviews student intervention data to determine intervention effectiveness. At all stages of this process, progress data is taken and analyzed to make decisions. MTSS allows for early intervention by providing academic supports as soon as a student begins to struggle in the curriculum. When a teacher or school-based team identifies a student that needs to improve a skill, an intervention is put into place addressing that specific skill.

Students who fail to respond to intensive, empirically-based research interventions may be referred to determine if the student is suspected of having a disability. All decisions of whether or not a student is responding to intervention are based on data. It is at this time that the team may determine the need for a Evaluation Team Report (ETR) to be completed to determine two things: ( 1) Does the student meet one of the 13 federally defined disability categories for special education; and, ( 2 ) If the student is determined eligible for special education, what specifically designed instruction, services and supports are needed to meet the individual needs of the student.

There is no set amount of time for the intervention process within MTSS. The goal is to provide a student with intervention when needed in order to help that student meet state approved grade level standards. The process aims to help us to identify children needing interventions in reading, math, and/or writing to prevent the development of serious learning difficulties.