How do parents get help for their kids?

September 2005 (back)

In the course of any school year, you or your child may experience a difficulty or have a question about a program. It could be a problem on the school bus, difficulty with a certain subject or just finding out about a school event. 

It is the aim of our school district to promote the success of each child and ensure that each child has a positive experience in our schools.

Here are a few steps to follow which will be of help when you have a question or problem that you need to have resolved. 

1.  Do not let a problem go unresolved. Quite often parents ignore a problem or try to wait until it resolves itself. Although that sometimes will work, if the problem continues for any period of time, it may become worse. It would be best to contact the school to try to get help. 

2.  Seek help from the person who is most directly related to the issue. If you have a concern about a particular subject or class, contact the teacher by phone or make an appointment to see them. For students in the Middle School or High School, the student's guidance counselor is a good resource.

3. The building principal is there to help you. The building principal is the educational leader of each building; he or she can help you resolve a problem or provide you with information that you might need.

The building principals are:
Susan Gottlieb, Chase School: 888-2471 
Dr. Willam Greene, Cooke School: 794-8830
Patti Sonnenschein, Duggan School: 583-5390 
Kimberly Patterson, Rutherford School: 794-4240
Deborah Wood, Middle School: 796-3058
Paula Sapphire, High School: 794-8840

4.  Please pick the right time to call. The beginning and end of the school day are hectic times in a school day; if possible try to call after the school day has begun but before students are being dismissed. Whenever you leave a message, our staff will respond as quickly as possible to your call but please recognize that in the course of a day in meeting the needs of children in school the call may be delayed.

5.  Supervisors can help as well as the Principal. There are many people who supervise programs offered by our school. If you have a question that specifically relates to their area, you can speak to them. They are: 

Ken Garry, Physical Education/Athletics: 794-8824 
Kevin Dirth, Music: 794-8840 
Scott Palermo, Pupil Services: 794-0128
Gary Furman, Mathematics/AIS Services: 794-0128
Betsie Green, English (6-12): 794-8840
Francis Devine, Social Studies (6-12): 794-8840 
Lillian Tighe, Foreign Language (6-12): 794-8840
Hal Grunenwald, Science (6-12):  794-8840 
Martin Gershowitz, Transportation: 794-8570
Mary Koselnak, Transportation: 794-8570
Kathy Kelley, Cafeteria Services: 794-8466

6.  What if the problem still persists? If you have contacted the above mentioned Principals and Supervisors and still experience difficulty solving a problem please feel free to contact:

Eileen P. Casey, Superintendent of Schools: 794-7700
Dr. Patrick Michel, Assistant Superintendent of Schools: 794-7700
Gladys Baxter, School Business Manager & Supervisor of Transportation Department: 794-7702

7.  Help us to help you. If you have information that the school should be aware of about your child, please let us know. For example, it is very important that the school be aware of special medical needs. The school nurse at each school should have that information. It is important that the school have your current phone number and an emergency number that can be called if necessary. Please contact the school with this information if it changes.

By working together and communicating, we can use a cooperative approach to ensure that your child benefits from his/her education and has a positive experience. 

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