INTRODUCTION

The Hamburg Area School District's Special Education Department oversees the provision of educational evaluations, identification, placement, and programming for students with disabilities and/or gifted abilities, following federal and state guidelines. The School District collaborates with the Berks County Intermediate Unit and accredited private schools in our region to offer a full range of services tailored to meet the unique needs of all identified students.

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

In accordance with state and federal regulations, we inform you that the district conducts continuous identification activities within its school program to identify students who may require special education and related services. If your child is identified as potentially needing these services, you will be informed of the necessary procedures. Customized services are provided to address special instructional needs due to the following conditions:

• Autism
• Deaf-Blindness
• Deafness
• Emotional Disturbance
• Hearing Impairment
• Intellectual Disability
• Multiple Disabilities
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Other Health Impairment
• Specific Learning Disability
• Speech or Language Impairment
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visual Impairment
• Mentally Gifted

If you suspect your school-age child may need these services, you can request a screening and/or evaluation at no cost by submitting a written request. Early intervention services are also available for young children (ages 3 to school age). You may request screenings and/or evaluations at any time, whether or not your child is enrolled in the district's public school program. Requests for screening and evaluation should be made in writing to Mr. Robert Marra, Director of Special Education and Student Services.

In compliance with state and federal law, the Hamburg Area School District will provide to each protected handicapped student without discrimination or cost to the student or family, those related aids, services, or accommodations that are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities to the maximum extent appropriate to the student’s abilities. In order to qualify as a protected handicapped student, the child must be of school age with a physical or mental disability that substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the school program. These services and protections for “protected handicapped students” are distinct from those applicable to all eligible or students with disabilities enrolled (or seeking enrollment) in special education programs.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OFFERED

The district offers a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to special education students through a combination of programs and services:

PROGRAMS

• Learning Support
• Life Skills Support
• Emotional Support
• Autistic Support
• Multiple Disabilities Support
• Deaf and Hearing Impaired Support
• Blind or Visually Impaired Support

SERVICES

• Speech & Language Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Audiological Services
• Vision Services
• Orientation and Mobility Services
• Early Intervention
• Pragmatic Language Services
• Health Services
• Counseling Services
• Social Skills Training
• Behavior Support Plans
• Educational Needs Assessment
• Transition Planning
• Psychological Services
• Psychological Assessment
• Parent Involvement

All information gathered about your child is protected under federal and state confidentiality laws. The district has policies in place governing the collection, maintenance, destruction, and disclosure of this information to third parties. For details on these policies and your rights regarding confidentiality and access to educational records, please contact Mr. Robert Marra, Director of Special Education and Student Services, or any building principal.

For additional information on parental and student rights, services, evaluations, and screenings, you may also contact Mr. Robert Marra, Director of Special Education and Student Services, or any building principal.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Confidentiality is maintained on all personally identifiable information regarding students in accordance with HASD School Board Policy #216 Educational Records.  This policy can be found on the District website under School Board Policy 216.  

As part of the confidentiality guidelines for the collection, maintenance, release and subsequent destruction of education record for exceptional students, the HAMBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT INCLUDING TILDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL and PERRY  ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, HAMBURG AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL 6-8, AND THE HAMBURG AREA HIGH SCHOOL 9-12, hereby notify parents of their right to inspect, review, and receive a copy of their child’s educational records as stated in the HASD School Board Policy #216 Educational Records.  Additional information regarding accessing your child’s records is available by calling the Hamburg Area School District’s Special Education Department at (610) 562-2241 ext. 1745. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Should you need assistance in reading or an explanation in a language other than English in regard to any school-related activity, an interpreter will be provided at no cost to you.

The Hamburg Area School District is an equal-opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, and handicap in its activities, program, or employment practices as required by Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504.