Special Services
91 Northfield Road
Millington, NJ 07946
P: (908) 647-1202
F: (908) 604-9316
The Long Hill School District is dedicated to providing educational programs that foster lifelong learning and meet the diverse needs of our students. Through the district’s Special Services Department, students who require additional assistance in meeting the state’s and district’s challenging performance standards receive instructional support in a variety of programs.
The Special Services Department includes both regular and special education teachers and a Child Study Team comprised of a Learning Consultant, a School Psychologist, and a School Social Worker. Instructional Assistants are assigned as an additional support. Related Services include Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Counseling.
Programs
Special Education
A full continuum of special education instructional environments is available in all three of our buildings. Based on Child Study Team multi-disciplinary evaluations a student may receive services in a self-contained classroom, a resource center program, through the in-class support model, or through supported instructional assistance. The results of the child study team evaluation will assist in developing an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) for each eligible student. Special education services are governed by the belief that students will thrive best in the least restrictive environment. All students participate in “specials” and lunch/recess with their grade level peers. The Child Study Team and the parent work together to determine the level of service most suitable for each student.
English Language Services for English Language Learners ELL
When the English language proficiency of a student is limited because his/her primary language is other than English, direct English language instruction is provided to support the development of English and promote academic growth. Students are immersed in regular classes. They are included in all typical, grade level classroom activities and receive individual or small group language remediation. State testing criteria govern the eligibility of students for this program.
Speech and Language Services
Speech and language services are provided to address articulation, phonology, voice, fluency, and language difficulties that adversely affect a student’s educational performance and communication. A speech/language evaluation by a Speech/Language Pathologist is required to determine eligibility. In collaboration with a teacher and a parent, an individualized speech/language plan is developed for each eligible student.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy services are provided to children who present with fine motor, visual motor, and visual perceptual difficulties that are impacting a student’s functional performance within their educational environment. Students receive an occupational therapy evaluation by a registered and licensed occupational therapist. If warranted, subsequent treatment is regularly scheduled during school hours based on standardized test results and assessment of a student’s functional performance in school.
Physical Therapy
School Based physical therapy services benefit students who need support in the acquisition of gross motor skills required in the school environment and to keep up with peers while participating in gross motor activities in the classroom, in PE, and at recess. Students who qualify for physical therapy services may demonstrate deficits such as sustaining postures in the classroom, difficulty maneuvering in the classroom and hallways, difficulty learning new skills, problems with motor awareness, and/or gross motor delays that impact their ability to keep up with peers. Eligibility is determined through the administration of standardized testing and observation of the functional abilities required to be included in the educational setting.
Counseling Services
The Long Hill Township School Counseling Program is designed to be comprehensive and developmental, with an emphasis on prevention. This includes individual and small group counseling, character education lessons, and consultation with staff, parents, and community members. In addition, counselors work closely with community-based resources in the Long Hill Township area in order to provide every student with an individualized approach that fosters an atmosphere of safety, trust, and positive regard.
How to Request a Child Study Team Evaluation
A parent or guardian of a child in the district may request a referral to the Child Study Team for an evaluation for special education and related services by sending a letter to the Director of Special Services. In the letter, please state your child’s name, date of birth, a daytime number where you may be contacted and your reason for requesting the Child Study Team evaluation. The letter must have your original signature. E-mailed or faxed letter are not accepted. When a teacher identifies a student who may be having educational challenges, and the interventions recommended by the Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) have not been successful, the student may be referred for an evaluation by a teacher.
If your child is younger than 3 years of age, and you believe your child may require special education and related services, please contact Early Intervention Services.
Early Intervention Services Contact Information
1-888-653-4463
http://www.nj.gov/health/fhs/eis/
Development of an
Individualized Education Plan
Once evaluations are completed, an eligibility meeting will be held to discuss if the student meets eligibility criteria, as defined within the NJ Administrative Code. If the student meets criteria for special education and related services, an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) will be developed.
Special education services are designed to provide learning in the ‘least restrictive environment’ and include a variety of placement options. A variety of educational settings are available within the Long Hill Township School District. Please click on the RESOURCES tab for other helpful links, as well as our Special Education brochures featuring programs in each school building and our Long Hill Ledger newsletters.
For further information please refer to the New Jersey Special Education Code
http://www.state.nj.us/education/code/current/title6a/chap14.pdf
Parental Rights in Special Education (PRISE), Revised in 2023
English: https://www.nj.gov/education/specialed/parents/ParentalRightsinSpecialEducation2023.pdf
Spanish:
https://www.nj.gov/education/specialed/parents/PRISE%20Spanish.pdf