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West Branch Local Schools Department of Special Services and Federal Programs provides support and individualized services so that all students can access the curriculum and make continuous progress toward meeting state standards and curricular goals. West Branch’s vision and mission to educate ALL children drives the programs and services delivered. Thus, in partnership with the community, West Branch provides balanced and comprehensive programs to meet the needs of all learners. The district identifies students who are at risk for learning due to a variety of reasons, students with disabilities, gifted students, and students who are homeless to provide specific supports. Programs include Special Education, Title I, Gifted and Talented, Preschool, Warrior Academy, and Home Instruction.
In West Branch Local Schools, special services are first and foremost about the teaching and learning of children. The Department of Special Services exists to provide services to students who need support accommodations and modifications which may be provided by classroom teachers, intervention specialists, paraprofessionals and/or related service providers. This may be specified within RtI (Response to Intervention) plans, 504 Plans, WEPs (Written Education Plans), and IEPs (Individualized Education Programs), which are created by a variety of staff members within the district depending on a student needs and available programs. West Branch Local Schools is committed to the idea that all students have access and opportunity to the district’s learning experiences by providing high quality programs. Your child's teacher and the support staff below will be essential in identifying and supporting any specific needs that your child may have.
Further, each year school districts throughout Ohio participate in an effort to identify, locate and evaluate all children with disabilities, birth through 21. A disability means there are conditions such as a multi-handicap, hearing, visual, orthopedic, other health impairment, intellectual disability, emotional disturbance, and/or speech/language handicap. Many times children with disabilities are not visible because they do not function in the mainstream of a community. Parents are not always aware that there are programs and services available for these children. If you know of a child who may have one or more of the above suspected disabilities, including preschool age children, please contact the Special Services Department at 330-938-4490.
The Office of Special Services Oversees the Following Programs:
Special Education Programs (Intervention Specialists are listed below with links to their email address)
Gifted and Talented Programs
Federal Title 1 Programs
English Language Learners
School Psychological Services:
Ms. Brittany Woodard - High School
Ms. Sarah Scarazzo -- Middle School, Preschool
Mrs. Stephanie White - Early Learning Center, Intermediate
Guidance Counseling:
Mrs. Jana Stitle - High School
Mr. Ken Harris - High School
Mr. Christopher Yannon - High School
Ms. Celeste Alters - Early Learning Center Guidance
Ms. Tabitha Tayala - Intermediate & Middle School Guidance
Ms. Maggie Kamenitsa - Middle School Guidance
Nursing:
Mrs. Elizabeth Hall - Intermediate & Middle School
Mrs. Teresa Santee - High School
Ms. Tiffany Woods - Early Learning Center
Speech and Language Therapy:
Mrs. Samantha Hofmann
Ms. Lisa Mogg
Mrs. Jessica Wallace
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Home Instruction
Homeless Children
Intervention Specialists - listed by building
WBHS Intervention Specialists
Mr. Jonathon James
Mrs. Debi Clegg
Ms. Shannon Keck-Phillis
Ms. Shawn Wiesemann
Mr. Chris Dorris
Mrs. Jessica Crider
Mr. Kraig Barth
Mr. Logan Coe
WBMS Intervention Specialists
Mrs. Leigh Ann Martin
Mrs. Nancy Ensley
Miss Abbey Ausnehmer
Ms. Alyssa Lanzo
Ms. Kelly Passmore
Mrs. Jessica Haupt
Ms. Carla Stone
Intermediate School Intervention Specialists
Mrs. Becky Thrasher
Ms. Megan Bowser
Mr. Tim Basalla
Ms. Lauri Edwards
Early Learning Center Intervention Specialists
Mrs. Kari Kibby
Ms. Heather McMasters
Mrs. Jorri Zmuda
Please contact us at 330-938-4490 if you need additional information.
Lindsey Szymanski
Director of Special Services
330-938-4490