The Office of Pupil Personnel Services is a department comprised of dedicated administrators, faculty and support staff committed to ensuring that the educational needs of each child are met.  We are proud of our special education programs and continue to work throughout the year to improve and expand them to meet the needs of our students.   Our work is directed by Federal law and by NYS Education Department regulations.  While these laws and regulations have undergone numerous revisions, the intent has remained constant; all students are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education in the Least Restrictive Environment.  The Hendrick Hudson School District believes this intent is best served by providing our students the supports and services needed in our District buildings. 

For further information contact:

Lynn Rafalik, Executive Director of Pupil Personnel Services
7 Furnace Woods Road
Cortlandt Manor, New York 10567
lynn.rafalik@henhudschools.org
914-257-5147

Danielle Elkins, Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services
Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE)
Grades K-5 (Buchanan-Verplanck Elementary, Frank G. Lindsey Elementary, Furnace Woods Elementary)
danielle.elkins@henhudschools.org
914-257-5144

Jean Gismervik, Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services
Grades 6-12 (Blue Mountain Middle School, Hendrick Hudson High School)
jean.gismervik@henhudschools.org
914-257-5144

Maura Bistro, Secretary to the Executive Director of Pupil Personnel Services
maura.bistro@henhudschools.org
914-257-5147

Sarah DeOliveira, Secretary to the Assistant Directors Pupil Personnel Services
Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE)
sarah.deoliveira@henhudschools.org
914-257-5144

Sharlotte Pena, Secretary to Pupil Personnel Services
sharlotte.pena@henhudschools.org
914-257-5145

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Education Law amendment now requires parents to be notified of their rights to a referral and evaluation of their child

(2/8/15) Section 4402 of the Education Law has been amended by adding a new subdivision, effective July 1, 2015, requiring public schools to notify every parent of their rights regarding referral and evaluation of their child for the purposes of special education services or programs upon their child’s enrollment in public school.

This amendment requires school districts to notify every parent or person in parental relation of their rights regarding the referral and evaluation of their child for the purposes of special education services or programs. This notification shall be provided to the parents of all students in the district (with and without disabilities) upon their child’s entry into public school.

This field advisory (PDF) provides information on this change which includes the legal citation(s), a summary of the changes, an effective date, and the corresponding statutory language. The field advisory is also posted at:
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/timely.htm

In addition, the new requirement has been included in A Parent's Guide to Special Education in NYS (PDF).