North Salem SEPTO

09/04/2025

NEW TOOLS FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT!!!!
Parents, teachers, administrators, and advocates, NYSED has released new information on how to determine if a student is eligible for alternate assessment (these students are sometimes called "ungraded" or "life skills" or some other acronym, but they all will not take state assessments and cannot earn a diploma).

Please go take a look at the new Decision Making tool:
https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/special-education/nysaa-decision-making-tool.pdf

You can find a question and answer on the above tool here:https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/special-education/faq-nysaa-eligibility.pdf

And an update to the Criteria and Eligibility Policy Brief (how the school districts are supposed to interpret the federal law)
https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/special-education/nysaa-policy-brief.pdf

Alternate Assessment is a BIG DECISION. It has ripple effects for the rest of our children's lives. Our kids will learn on alternate standards and will not be eligible to pursue any careers or learning after high school that requires a high school diploma. Make sure you understand what makes a student or your child eligible and make sure that they absolutely meet all the requirements before agreeing!!!

19/03/2025

Our next Professional Development and Parent Seminar will be on Wednesday, March 26th. Professional Development and Parent Seminars (PDPS) disseminate information on effective programs for individuals with autism.

The target PDPS audience is school personnel, including general and special education teachers, administrators, related-service providers, counselors, psychologists, social workers, and paraprofessionals, working with students with autism spectrum disorders, as well as parents and family members.

To register and learn more, click here: https://www.albany.edu/autism/training-and-learning/training-opportunities/professional-development-and-parent-seminars

06/03/2025

Come meet and connect with college and universities that offer on-campus learning supports and decide next steps in your postsecondary path.

06/03/2025

In January 2025, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services at the U.S. Department of Education released a transition guidance document. This guidance document describes how state and local educational agencies and vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies may coordinate to assist students with disabilities, who are in high school and will be transitioning out of high school. These individuals with disabilities may receive federal or state funded services as adults.

21/12/2024

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has updated its Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Policy and Tools to Guide Decision-Making and Implementation - December 2024

Updates in the guidance document cover areas including, but not limited to, computer-based testing, assistive technology accommodations, tests read, and the procedures for the use of a scribe. New questions were added to B-4, C-3, C-5, and E-3. New information was added to A-7 and E-2.

07/12/2024

Office of NYS Comptroller Report

Critical Pre-School Special Ed Services Are Not Reaching All Students Who Need Them

Audit Finds Better Oversight Needed by State Education Department to Ensure Students Receive Required Services On Time and Help Local School Districts Address Shortfall in Providers

27/11/2024

A great learning experience for any parent or guardian. Well worth the time!

26/11/2024

Joint Agreement for the Coordination of Transition Services between the New York State Education Department (“NYSED”)
Adult Career and Continuing Education Services–Vocational Rehabilitation (“ACCES-VR”) and Office of Special Education (“OSE”)

06/11/2024

https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2024/11/04/new-york-plans-to-end-regents-exam-requirement-by-2027-2028-school-year/?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawGWVSdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHeY6VPwx9oUEMice2ALIkcB8zYkrQ9E-8DSOYImtt9VYuCTwK57C5mfaYg_aem_vSnJWP6p9H6A3siGDxbVbg

Current ninth graders who graduate in 2028 would not be required to pass Regents exams.

24/10/2024

Announcement from NSCSD:

Dear North Salem Central School District Community:

I am honored to report that I was officially appointed as the Superintendent of the North Salem Central School District at last evening's Board of Education meeting. This is a responsibility that I take very seriously and I remain grateful for the opportunity to serve our students, families, faculty, and staff.

Also at last night's meeting, the Board of Education appointed Kelly Rudyk as our new Director of Pupil Personnel Services, beginning November 18, 2024. Kelly is joining us from the Yorktown Central School District, where she currently serves as the Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services. Kelly's educational experiences also include serving as an English Teacher, a Special Education Teacher, a Wilson Reading Practitioner, along with multiple roles of increasing responsibility, including serving as an Instructional Leader, a CSE chairperson, and a Supervisor of Special Education. We are excited to have Kelly join our team and the North Salem Central School District Community.

As always, thank you for your continued support and partnership. Your involvement is crucial in fostering a positive and productive educational experience for our students. To that end, please join us next Wednesday, October 30th, for a Conversation with the Board at 7:00PM at the North Salem Middle/High School, at which time I will share more about me and the District's goals for the 2024-2025 school year and beyond. I hope to see as many of you as possible on the 30th.

Adam VanDerStuyf, EdD

23/10/2024

Local!!! Plan to go way before you are graduating, transition starts the year you turn 14.