Page 134 - Middleborough 2024 Town Report

MIDDLEBOROUGH PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
Special Education (CONTINUED)
The Special Education Department has adopted and
implemented the New IEP Format released by the
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Staf engaged in training during the 2023-2024 school
year in preparation for a full adoption in Fall 2024. Staf
continue to use the resource guide that was developed by
a group of New IEP Liaisons within the district to support
implementation. The district will continue to monitor the
use of this new form, solicit feedback from our staf and
families, and make adjustments as needed.
Middleborough Public Schools engaged in Year 3 of our
Tiered Focused Monitoring (“TFM”) process through the
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The
district was provided a final report on October 25, 2024 as
a result of a document review, record review, and on-site
visit during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years.
Areas including IEP Process/Development, Assistive
Technology, Placements, Instructional Groupings,
Discipline, and Related Services will be reviewed.
Additionally, indicators for Civil Rights including
Discipline, Curricular/Vocational Opportunities, Bias-Free
Counseling, DCAP, and Home/Hospital Services were
reviewed. Results of this report indicate that the district
was found compliant in 37 areas and partially compliant in
4 areas. The district will work toward full compliance in
the 4 noted areas before October 2025. The district has
submitted one progress report to DESE to date and will
continue to do so periodically throughout the remainder
of the school year.
PUPIL PERSONNEL
SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Kevin Avitabile
Director of Student Services
Jennifer Healy
Director of Special Education
The Special Education Department also completed another
successful Extended School Year program in July/August
2024. The department continued to enhance our
programming to include enrichment opportunities
through ASD Fit Boston, continued visits to Wellspring
Therapeutic Farms, Surprise Storytellers, art/music,
continued weekly Smore communications to families, and
an End of Summer Showcase to celebrate the hard work of
our students.
School Nursing
As always, school nursing continues to manage the health
and medical needs of all five (5) schools within the district.
This includes overseeing the district's adherence to Mass
DESE, state and local public health updates. This school
year our school nurse team included five (5) School Building
Nurses, multiple Per Diem/Sub Nurses, and a 1.0 Float
Nurse. Additionally, the district contracts with outside
companies to provide 1:1 nursing service for one (1)
in-district students and three (3) out of district students.
The district welcomed a new Coordinator of Nursing in
October 2024. The Coordinator of Nursing will continue to
oversee the School Nursing Department’s professional
development training, consult with the Department of
Public Health, and grant opportunities.
Student Services
Section 504
The Ofice of Pupil Personnel Services includes the
implementation and oversight of Section 504 of the
130