Interactive Read-Aloud at North Street
North Street School students have the opportunity to engage in an interactive read-aloud session where they listen to a story while actively participating in activities that deepen their understanding. The value of this activity lies in its ability to enhance listening skills, build vocabulary, and encourage a love for literature. By interacting with the text, students not only strengthen their comprehension, but also develop stronger thinking and social-emotional skills. This interactive approach helps foster a deeper connection to literature, making it an essential part of their educational journey.
Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day at Parkway
Students at Parkway School came together to learn about Down syndrome and celebrate the importance of inclusion and understanding. The event featured an assembly with student-led presentations and a parade all aimed at educating their K–5 peers about what it means to have Down syndrome. Through this event, students gained valuable awareness and learned how they can contribute to the compassionate and accepting school community at Parkway School.
Parent Coffee at Julian Curtiss
To celebrate Autism Awareness Month, SESS staff at Julian Curtiss School hosted a parent coffee to provide information to parents who has children with autism. They created centers in which parents could learn about various related services such as speech and language, counseling, and occupational therapy.
AVID College Tour
Western and Central Middle School's seventh grade AVID Class traveled to Drew University in Madison, NJ for a college tour. They attended a presentation from one of Drew's admission advisors and learned about the many different programs offered at the university. The class toured their academic buildings, a dorm room, and the athletic center.
Getting ready for College Applications
School Counselor Mr. Dayton meets with juniors during Counselor Advisory to discuss the college preparation process at Greenwich High School. Topics discussed included obtaining teacher letters of recommendation, updating the Scoir network with colleges, where to find the Senior Brag Packets and Informal Comment Forms, and scheduling spring "check-in" meetings with counselors. Please contact your counselor with questions. They are always happy to help.
GHS Course Selection
GHS School Counselor Ms. Moeller, assisting one of her ninth grade students with course selection. For the first time, students can use Aspen to choose their courses before meeting with their counselor. Every student will meet with their counselor before the April 1 deadline to ensure that their course requests align with graduation requirements and support their interests and post-secondary goals.
Paraeducator of the Year at GHS
GHS fully embraced National Para Appreciation Day on April 2 to thank our hardworking, skilled, and compassionate paraeducators. The school was full of Thank You messages. The day was highlighted by the recognition of the GHS Paraeducator of the Year, Ms. Melissa Greco. Congratulations to Melissa and thank you again to all the paraeducators at GHS. Your special work is appreciated every day!
Helping Your Child Understand Their Autism: When and How to Explain It
Please join SPED*NET Wilton, Helping Your Child Understand Their Autism: When and How to Explain It. When parents get an autism diagnosis for their child, they might be relieved to know what is happening, but most likely, they will also be fearful. What does this mean for the future? When and how do I tell my child? And how do children and teens react? Marcia Eckerd, PhD, and Rob Bernstein will explore these questions and more in this practical and helpful seminar. Please bring your questions and comments.
Marcia Eckerd has provided therapy, evaluation, and consultation for neurodivergent individuals since 1985. She serves on the CT ASD Advisory Council and the Board of Directors of Autism Today! A frequent presenter on webinars and podcasts, she has been featured at US national and international conferences, including AANE.org, the Autism Parenting Magazine National Summit, the US Autism Association National Summit, and the Autism Today! World Summit. She is a prolific writer, and her journal articles on diagnosing autistic adults and autistic women are read internationally. In addition to her therapy and consultation practice, she is co-authorizing a book on neurodivergent students and schools with Robert Bernstein.
Robert J. Bernstein, an educational and behavioral therapist, has been working with children on the autism spectrum for more than 35 years. His book Uniquely Normal: Tapping the Reservoir of Normalcy to Treat Autism (2017) won six awards, including the Independent Publisher Book Awards (gold medal for psychology and mental health). His newest book is Uniquely Normal Manual (2023). Rob has a personal link to autism, having grown up with an autistic brother and as the parent of an autistic son. His family experience led him to train in developmental psychology and education, the knowledge base that underlies his cognitive method for working with autistic children. He is well established with a media presence through his podcast, monthly webinars that he runs for the US Autism Association and his YouTube channel with Marcia Eckerd, Everything Neurodiversity. His work has been featured on Dateline and in the New York Times. Rob has presented dozens of workshops and keynote addresses, at both national and international conferences. He is an international consultant working with autistic children and special education PTA groups across the United States, the United Kingdom, and India. He is on the Board of Directors of ARC and the US Autism Association.
Presented by SPED*NET in partnership with Wilton Library, Wilton Public Schools and Newtown Sped PTA. Registration suggested, so please go online to register.
Bridging Process for Students with IEP's
The SESS Department held virtual information sessions on the bridging process during the month of March. Please watch the recordings if you have a child transitioning in Fall 2025 from preschool to kindergarten, elementary to middle school, or middle to high school and were not able to join us.
PreK - Elementary
Preschool to Elementary School → Special Education Parent Orientation SESS
Elementary - Middle School
Elementary to Middle School → Special Education Parent Orientation SESS
Middle School - High School
Middle to High School → Special Education Parent Orientation SESS
Our SES PTAC representatives want you to know that they are available to anyone who wants to talk with someone about your child's receiving school to learn a little bit more about the day to day. Please email them at ses@greenwichptac.org with what the new school will be and they will connect you with the correct person.
Inclusion Corner
With Rachel Rubin
In our inclusive classrooms, we believe every student deserves the tools they need to learn and grow. One powerful way we bring this belief to life is through the use of assistive technology (AT). But what exactly is AT—and how does it support inclusion?
Assistive technology refers to any tool, device, or software that helps a student overcome learning barriers. It can be as simple as a pencil grip or as high-tech as speech-to-text software.
How Does Assistive Technology Support Inclusive Education?
- Access to Learning: AT helps students access grade-level content in ways that work for them. For example, text-to-speech tools can read aloud assignments for students who struggle with reading.
- Participation in the Classroom: AT helps students engage with lessons and activities. Visual timers, graphic organizers, and communication devices support active participation and reduce frustration. (Yes, a graphic organizer is an example of low-tech AT!)
- Personalized Supports: Every child is unique! AT allows educators to personalize learning, whether it’s using audiobooks for a child with dyslexia or noise-canceling headphones to support focus.
- Building Confidence and Independence: Students using AT often gain confidence as they become more independent learners. Learning to use tools to meet their own needs also encourages self-advocacy.
- Fostering Belonging: When barriers are removed, students with disabilities can collaborate more easily with peers, share their voice, and feel a stronger sense of belonging in the classroom community.
Essential for some, good for all.
Many assistive tools are helpful for all students, not just those with disabilities. This aligns with Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which is all about giving students multiple ways to learn and show what they know. When AT is available to all students every learner benefits—whether they have a disability or not. In offering AT as an option to all, students get the opportunity to learn which types of AT work best for them. This can help them in taking ownership of their learning, as the goal of UDL is for students to become expert learners.
Special Education & Student Supports Information and Resource Website
Please visit the new Special Education and Student Supports Department webpage on the Greenwich Public School Website. Information about Special Education supports and services as well as contact information is provided
The Office of Special Education and Student Supports
Email: stacey_heiligenthaler@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Website: https://www.greenwichschools.org/teaching-learning/special-education
Location: 290 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT
Phone: (203) 625-7493