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Special Education at the Edison K-8


What is a learning disability? 

"A learning disability is a neurological disorder. In simple terms, a learning disability results from a difference in the way a person's brain is "wired." Children with learning disabilities are as smart or smarter than their peers. But they may have difficulty reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, recalling and/or organizing information if left to figure things out by themselves or if taught in conventional ways.A learning disability can't be cured or fixed; it is a lifelong issue. With the right support and intervention, however, children with learning disabilities can succeed in school and go on to successful, often distinguished careers later in life.
Parents can help children with learning disabilities achieve such success by encouraging their strengths, knowing their weaknesses, understanding the educational system, working with professionals and learning about strategies for dealing with specific difficulties." 
From www.LDonline.org
​

What is an IEP?

An IEP is individual education plan that is specific to your child.  The special education team at the Edison K-8 will work with you to develop this plan because YOU know your child best.  This plan includes:

  • Services and Accommodations
  • Goals, benchmarks and objectives
  • Teachers' observations of current ability and progress
  • Parental concerns​
​
You will receive a copy of this IEP soon after the meeting.  If you accept the IEP, we ask that you sign and return it to us as soon as possible.  You can reject part or all of the IEP by calling the special education coordinator at 617 635 8436 or in writing on the form.

Annual Review:  Every year your child will have an Annual Review, where you are asked to come to the school to discuss your child's progress.  

Re-Evaluation: Every three years your child will receive a Re-Evaluation Review, which involves a meeting similar to Annual Review, but will include all of the same tests done initially.

Original Evaluation:  If it is suggested a child may need an IEP, the special education team, teachers and parents will attend a meeting to determine eligibility.  For more information, see below or contact our office. 

Progress reports will be provided with each report card.  
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Types of Disabilities

  • Autism
  • Communication Impairment
  • Developmental Delay
  • Emotional Impairment
  • Health Impairment
  • Neurological Impairment
  • Physical Impairment
  • Sensory Impairment
  • Specific Learning Disability
For more details and definitions, click here

*Note:  The Edison K-8 does not have strands/classes for all of the disability types listed above.  Please contact your Family Center or our Special Education staff members for more information.

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Placement

Based on the decisions made at your child's meeting and his/her meeting, the team will determine placement.  The Edison has many different types of classrooms for students with disabilities, however - we do not have them all.  A placement at a different school in the district may be recommended at this time.
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Transportation

At your child's IEP meeting - decisions will be made about transportation.  Will your child need door-to-door?  Will your child be on a big bus?  Will your child refuse transportation and get to school via family or public transit?   This will also be written into your child's IEP.  Bus services can go from K1 to 8th grade at the Edison K-8.
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"Fifteen percent of the U.S. population, or one in seven Americans, has some type of learning disability, according to the National Institutes of Health." 
From www.LDonline.org

Helpful Links

Legal Resources for Special Needs
Keeping Disabled Persons Safe While Remodeling
Creating a Home Where Your Disabled Child can Thrive
Teacher Resources for Special Needs

Disability and Credit Scores
Home Accommodations for Special Needs
Disability Resources from the Department of Labor
Tips for Disabled Persons to Declutter and Organize their Home
Financial Planning for Special Needs
Mass Family Ties

Boston Public Schools:  Special Education
http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/Domain/195
Boston Public Schools Special Education Parents Advisory Council
http://bostonspedpac.org/
Massachusetts Department of
Disability Definitions
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/definitions.html
Special Educations Laws and Documents
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/laws.html
IEP forms
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/iep/eng_toc.html
Mass Advocates for Children: Resources page
​http://massadvocates.org/specialeducation/resources/
​Information about IDEA 2004
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/,root,regs,300,
Massachusetts Laws about Special Education
http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/laws-by-subj/about/specialed.html
Information about Learning Disabilities
http://ldaamerica.org/types-of-learning-disabilities/

What types of special education classrooms are at the Edison K-8?

We will work with the special education team to provide your child with the Least Restrictive Environment.  Our school is working with the district to provide more inclusive learning opportunities every year. 

We have talented Special Educators in all areas of the building.  
  • Inclusive classrooms (1 teacher with duel or triple licensure AND paraprofessional)
  • Sub-separate Emotional Impairment classrooms

Contact Information
Phone: 617 635 8436

Special Education Staff:
Coordinator
Julie A. Shea

jashea@bostonpublicschools.org

Joyce Cuhna
Jcuhna@Bostonpublicschools.org

SESS Clerk
Eileen Flaherty
eflaherty2@bostonpublicschools.org


EI Strand Behavior Specialist
Dr. Charles Lower
mcheney@bostonpublicschools.org

EI School Psychologist
K-8 Danielle Burke
​dburke4@bosotnpublicschools.org

Learning Specialists
K-4 Megan Gothie
mgothie@bostonpublicschools.org
5-8 Mary Kate Heavey
mheavey@bostonpublicschools.org

Student Support Coordinator
Julie Shea
jashea@bostonpublicschools.org

Administration: 
Principal
Ms. Samantha Varano 

​svarano@bostonpublicschools.org

Assistant Principal (K-4)
Ms. Rebecca Lee
alee@bostonpublicschools.org

Assistant Principal (5-8)
Ms. Stacey Dodge
swoods@bostonpublicschools.org

Is my child eligible for a Specific Learning Disability?

The Special Education Team, parent/guardian and providers will assess if your child is eligible for a Specific Learning Disability by reviewing the following:
  • Educational history
  • Participation Skills
  • Performance History
  • Medical Information
  • Area of Concern
  • Evaluation through diagnostic tests (psychological and academic)
  • Observations
  • Parent/Guardian input
  • Teacher input

Parents will be asked to agree to testing and observations of their child.  The team will come together to discuss the findings and next steps.

For more details and information, click ​here.
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EI Program

The Emotional Impairment Strand (EI Program) at the Thomas A. Edison K-8 School, is a program within the Boston Public Schools’ special education department. The program strives to provide the academic, clinical, behavioral, and social-emotional supports its students may need to reach their full potential as learners while helping them to develop the habits and skills needed to ultimately move away from such supports, and back into less restrictive settings. The EI program delivers its supports within the regular education community at the Edison K8, ensuring that all students have access to the full range of opportunities the school provides.  It further ensures that all students grow and learn alongside each other, helping all to develop the skills needed to become fully realized citizens of our diverse and rapidly changing world.  ​

Help support the Emotional Impairment Program by making a donation today.
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  • Edison K-8 School
    • School Calendar
    • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Edison Core Values
    • Uniforms
    • About Thomas Edison
    • Facilities
    • Images of School Grounds
  • Administration
  • Teachers
  • School Year Photos
  • Families
  • Special Education
    • Inclusion Newsletters
  • ELA
  • Math
  • STEM Instruction
  • Specialties
    • Foreign Language
    • Visual Arts
    • Theater >
      • Setting and Design Photos >
        • Lion King (2018)
      • Edison in Wonderland
      • Macbeth - (Spring 2016)
      • Annie (May 2012)
      • A Midsummer Night's Dream (January 2012)
      • Romeo and Juliet (May 2011)
      • The Wiz (Jan 2011)
    • Music >
      • Chorus
      • Band
    • Elementary Music
    • Physical Education
    • Athletics >
      • Cross Country
      • Basketball
      • Soccer
      • Rowing
      • Volleyball
  • Parent Council
  • Support the Edison
  • FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact Us
  • UNDER CONSTRUCTION
    • Site Council
    • Partnerships >
      • City Connects
      • College Success Academy
    • Students >
      • After-School Programs
      • School Handbook
      • Anti-Bullying
    • Fall 2017 Newsletter
    • Prospective Families
    • Student Learning Goals
    • Academic Resources
    • Common Core Resource
    • MCAS and PARCC Schedule
    • Other Resources for Families