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Mendon-Upton launches family night to outline student support services and goals
Summary
The Mendon-Upton Regional School District used a family night to introduce its Office of Student Support Services, describe a continuum of supports from MTSS and counseling to IEPs and 504 plans, and announce parent-led Special Education Parent Advisory Council (CPAC) reconstitution efforts.
The Mendon-Upton Regional School District hosted a family night where the district's Director of Student Support Services outlined a plan to expand coordinated student supports, saying the office "is more than just special education." The event framed student services around the district's strategic priorities, including deep learning, high-quality curriculum, equity and well-being, and community support.
The director said short-term work will include a "deep dive" review of student services to identify strengths, weaknesses and risks and to develop recommendations and strategic priorities. "My vision for our department is really, to provide equitable accesses to student services and supports across the district for all families," the director said. The office listed a range of services available to students: MTSS interventions, special education services through IEPs, 504 accommodations, counseling, home/hospital tutoring and transition supports.
Mark Corbinick, a team chair at Misco, explained distinctions among plans used to support students with disabilities: an individualized education program (IEP) provides specially designed instruction and related services and is reviewed annually with a three-year eligibility reevaluation; a 504 plan supplies legally binding accommodations but does not include specialized instruction; and a health-care plan documents medical supports needed during the school day (for example, for diabetes).
District staff emphasized family partnership and staff capacity building as central to their approach. The director said the office will support a parent-run Special Education Parent Advisory Council (CPAC) and "we're gonna listen to families" as the council reconstitutes. The event closed with staff answering questions about how families access services and about upcoming CPAC sign-ups.
The district did not announce new binding policies or budget decisions at the event; staff described programs, referral procedures and aspirations for improving coordination across schools.
