Questions
1)  Who are the Special Education department administrators?
2)  Who are the facilitators for each school?
3)  What do I do if I have a concern about my Pre-Schooler's learning?
4)  How can I contact the Special Education department?
5)  What do I do if I have a concern about my child's learning and they are kindergarten to grade 12 age?
 
Answers
1)  Q Who are the Special Education department administrators?
A
C. Deborah Connell is the Director of Special Education.
She can be reached at 617-625-660 x6810 or by email at dconnell@k12.somerville.ma.us.

Mary DiGuardia is the Assistant Director of Special Education.
She can be reached at 617-625-6600 x6815 or by email at mdiguardia@k12.somerville.ma.us.

Martin Kennedy is the Supervisor of Special Education Programs.
He can be reached at 617-625-6600 x6653 or by email at mkennedy@k12.somerville.ma.us.
2)  Q Who are the facilitators for each school?
A

There are special education team facilitators assigned to each of the Somerville public schools. Their goal is to process special education referrals, lead team meetings and serve as a liaison between the school and the special education department. Following is a list of the current facilitators and their contact information. They can be reached by the main telephone number, 617-625-6600.

Elaine Cullinane WSNS and WHCS x6846
Ann Ward East Somerville Community School and Argenziano x6843
Christina DiMare Somerville High School x6845
Mary Eisner Early Childhood Facilitator x6824
Dorothy Scally Healey and Kennedy x6835
3)  Q What do I do if I have a concern about my Pre-Schooler's learning?
A

The Special Education Department works with many agencies, including Early Intervention and Head Start which cater to preschool children between the ages of three and five. If your child gets preschool services and you are concerned about his/her learning, speak to his/her provider about making a referral to the Special Education Department. The evaluation process starts at 2.6 years of age.


The Special Education Department implements child find strategies several times a year by scheduling early screening days. Consult the Somerville Journal or this website for contact information.


Parents and guardians may also request an evaluation in writing, addressed to the Director of Special Education.
4)  Q How can I contact the Special Education department?
A
The Special Education Department is located at the Edgerly Center, 8 Bonair Street, Somerville, 02145.
The telephone number is 617-625-6600 x6800.
5)  Q What do I do if I have a concern about my child's learning and they are kindergarten to grade 12 age?
A
There are Student-Teacher Assistance Teams in each of the Soemrville public schools. The role of the STAT is to respond to classroom concerns about student progress. Parents always have the right to refer their student for a special education evaluation. However, the STAT can strategize more immediate interventions with students that may address the student's learning problems effectively.