OK... how is Harborfields SD for SN?

Sorry... trying to see the best school district in that area for SN.

Huntington
Harborfields
Elwood

Message edited 7/12/2011 6:48:47 PM.

Re: OK... how is Harborfields SD for SN?

I'm still new to the message board lingo so I really have no idea what SN means, but I am guess it has something to do with special education.

I work for Harborfields and I have a close friend whose son is PDD and she raves about the services. Of course she has her ups and downs, but all in all she says she has gotten fantastic services.

From a parent who has an autistic child and is navigating the system, I reached out to the assistant supt. for it and she was great getting back to me with answers. I am in Comsewogue and they had no problem explaining the CPSE portion. It was really nice considering I know how busy they are at the end of the year.

I also have taught adapted PE for the last ten years there and they have not been the best. The new staff is adamant about getting in line with the services needed. We had a nice meeting and they take everything seriously. I think it is in part because they finally have an assistant to the director. This was years in the making and it has paid off having her on board.

I don't know much about the other two. I know Glenn is struggling. They had an enormous 7.9 increase this year for the budget that did pass, but they are actively looking for someone to combine with like the PP said. But then again, I posted from another Mom who raves about it.

Good luck and I apologize if I am completely wrong with this post being about the special Ed services.

Re: OK... how is Harborfields SD for SN?

Thanks!

SN = Special Needs. Forum/chat lingo. Not school district lingo.

Re: OK... how is Harborfields SD for SN?

on other forums SN meant screen name. Then in the car before I thought of special needs. Silly me!

Re: OK... how is Harborfields SD for SN?

I am an in home ABA therapist and my agency works with harborfields. So I know there is a good chance that most children who attend harborfields on the specturm will have ABA services in home...some school districts do not provide that for school age children. I am not sure about the other two districts.

Re: OK... how is Harborfields SD for SN?

They also have inclusion and self contained elementary classes. I work in the HD now, but have done MS, and K-5 there at Harborfields.

Re: OK... how is Harborfields SD for SN?

FM

Re: OK... how is Harborfields SD for SN?

Your best bet would be to find out the types of classes and programs each school district would offer. A school district that offers a 6:1:1 (often with ABA) would mostly keep a more significantly involved student in-house vs. Sending to BOCES or a special school. Most district have the classic 12:1:1 and 15:1:1 type of class. Many have co-teaching or inclusion
classes, but not always at every grade level. Some school districts have a life skills program offered at the high school level and some start at the middle school level. None of these programs or classes are ever set in stone, they change over the years as the districts needs change. Harborfields, south huntionton, Elwood, northport/east northport, hauppauge, smithtown, commack and kings park are all great schools for general Ed. The bigger the district the more likely that the can support a variety of classroom programs because they have more students that might need them. And you would have better stability for the variety of class programs. What do you see your son's needs being once he becomes school age? What type of class do you think he will need?

Re: OK... how is Harborfields SD for SN?

We are in Harborfields and I cannot say how much I love the CPSE (and I'm sure the CSE when it comes around)

I would be happy to answer any questions. They have made everything super easy and smooth.

Re: OK... how is Harborfields SD for SN?

Thanks for the feedback!

Re: OK... how is Harborfields SD for SN?

just to add. i know there is a 12:1:1 kindergarten class that is full day (the rest of the classes are half day)

Re: OK... how is Harborfields SD for SN?

DS is in a 6/1/3.5 ratio now. Not sure how he would fare on a higher ratio!

Re: OK... how is Harborfields SD for SN?

I just checked the memory book (yearbook) and it seems that there is also a class called PALS?

Re: OK... how is Harborfields SD for SN?

Were in Huntington and very happy with the SD and how they handle SN children and parents.

Re: OK... how is Harborfields SD for SN?

Harborfields does have self-contained classes at all levels now with very low numbers (6:1:2 I believe in some of the elementary PALS classes). They are bringing kids back to district from BOCES, DDI, etc.

Re: OK... how is Harborfields SD for SN?

I would be very wary of Elwood. They are looking to at a huge budget crisis right now.

While the Special Ed likely won't be touched (it was mentioned during a Board meeting it was protected by the State laws), they were discussing that they either needed to merge with another school district or cut their school day down, eliminating all extracurricular activities, foreign language & increase class sizes. There are only a few districts they would merge with - one of which caused an uproar in the community as it's had issues with gang violence in the area.

My friend is a special ed teacher in Northport but we all grew in Harborfields. When were looking for a home, she recommended Harborfields & Northport because she felt like they had very strong resources for special needs & advanced placement.

Re: OK... how is Harborfields SD for SN?