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Special Education

Introduction

Introduction iconIntroductiontitle

Woodside High School's Special Education Department has a myriad of programs. We service students with a variety of disabilities that range from mild learning disabilities to severe learning and physical disabilities. Our department is comprised of three basic supports: Specialized Academic Instruction (Study Skills and/or Co-taught Courses), Independent Living Skills (ILS) and Therapeutic Day School (STARS).

The department works closely with the School Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist and the Adaptive Physical Education Program. It is our goal to offer each of our students the very best opportunities available at a comprehensive high school to advance personally, academically, and vocationally.

Specialized Academic Instruction

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Specialized Academic Instruction
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Below are teachers with Special Education credentials who work with students in a Study Skills class and also work as a Co-Teacher in general education settings as well. They provide Specialized Academic Instruction:

 
Co-taught Biology with Shomace Ighanian
Study Skills Grades 11
 
 
 
Co-teaches US History with Kayla Dice
Study Skills Grade 9 and Study Skills Grade 10
Co-teaches Government/Economics with Jesse Manzo
Study Skills Grades 12
 Co-teaches Geometry with Kristina Stefani
 Study Skills Grade 12
Co-teacher Algebra 1 with Briana Lee
Study Skills Grade 12
 
Edel, David
Co-teaches Ethnic Studies with Aaron Oka
Study Skills Grade 11
Co-teaches Geometry with Robert Igoe
Study Skills Grade 9
Push-in Astronomy with Matthew Sahagun
Co-teaches Chemistry with Zachary Larsen
Study Skills Grade 9
Co-teaches English III with Brian Ngo
Study Skills Grade 12
Co-teaches World History with Kelly Dolan
Study Skills Grade 10
Taylor, Alexander
Co-teaches English III/IV with Gordon Budimirovic
Study Skills Grade 9
Co-teaches English IV with Pila Zargar
SAC mixed grade level Study Skills and Study Skills Grade 10 
Independent Living Skills (ILS)

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Students with orthopedic impairments, or disabilities significantly affecting a student's ability to move, communicate and/or walk; students on the autism spectrum with social, emotional and academic needs; and students with intellectual disability are are provided support in the Independent Living Skills program.

The program provides a highly structured, highly modified functional academic and life skills curriculum to meet the individual needs of students as outlined on their IEPs. Academic instruction, independence training, social skills and transition services are integral components of the program.

Therapeutic Day School (STARS)

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Therapeutic Day School (STARS)
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Students who require a small setting with counseling support to access the curriculum attend classes in the STARS program. The IEP teams agrees to the periods and subjects that students in STARS may require this setting. STARS stands for Successful Transition Achieved with Responsive Support.

Mental Health Case Workers support students by offering counseling services that are determined by the IEP team. 

 
  STARS teacher (English I,II,III,IV, PE, and Study Skills)
  Mental Health Case Worker 
  STARS Mathematics teacher
Moro, Donna
  STARS teacher (Ethnic Studies, MEH, US Hist, Gov/Econ, Biology and Study Skills)
  School Psychologist / Mental Health Therapist
 
School Psychologist

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School Psychologist
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Dr. Joe Miller is the full-time School Psychologist for Woodside High School. Ms. Hanrahan can be reached at jomiller@seq.org
 
For information on accommodations for College Board or ACT testing accommodations, please contact Isobel Phillips at extension 45345. 
 
For questions on 504 plans or SSTs, please contact Isabel Phillips at extension 45345. 
Speech and language

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Speech and language
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The Speech and Language program at Woodside High School is designed to help students with language processing, voice, speech articulation or fluency changes. Assessment procedures may be indicated after a formal screening. Subsequent speech therapy is based on specific test results that profile the student's area of need.

Speech and Language Specialist
Hatch, Jordan (Part-time)
Speech and Language Specialist
Adaptive Physical Education

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Coach Jim Bell is our Adapted PE teacher at Woodside High School. Not all students with an IEP receive Adapted PE. He works with all students who have this service on their IEP.
Other Contacts

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Other Contacts
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Wendy Porter is the administrative vice principal who oversees the special education programs at Woodside High School.
Lisa Reed is the SUHSD Program Specialist that supports students and staff at Woodside High School.