Special Services

Stonington Public Schools actively seeks to locate, identify, and refer children from birth to age 21 who require special education and related services in order to assist them and their families. If you are concerned about a child's development, you are encouraged to contact your local elementary school to receive information about Early Childhood Screenings (see our link below). If the child is younger than 3 years of age, you may chose instead to contact the Connecticut Birth to Three System at 1-800-505-7000.

• Referral to Determine Eligibility for Special Ed and Related Services Form
• Connecticut Birth to Three System
• PAD Screening Calendar
• Area Child Care & Preschool Listings
• Child Find Brochure
• List of Area Pediatricians
• Sparkler Early Childhood App
• Connecting to Care Resources for Families

SPS Transition Website - New (click here)

• Connecticut Core Transition Skills
• Building a Bridge: A Resource Manual for High School Students (Revised 2009, English)
• Building a Bridge: A Resource Manual for High School Students (Revised 2009, Spanish)
• Directory of Transition/Vocational Service Providers (2010)
• Stepping Forward: A Self-Advocacy Guide for Middle and High School Students (revised 2013) (formerly An Educational Journey from Self Discovery to Advocacy)
• Transition Assessment Resource Manual (2008)
• Transition Bill of Rights for Parents of Students Receiving Special Education Services
• Disability Eligibility Resource Documents (Learning Disabilities and Autism)
• State of Connecticut Department of Developmental Services
• Department of Rehab Services (DORS/BRS)
• Town of Stonington: Department of Human Services

NEW IEP via CT-SEDS

Announcing Connecticut's New IEP/504 System

In September 2020, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) entered into a partnership with the Public Consulting Group (PCG) to support its goals and vision of developing a comprehensive statewide Special Education Data System (CT-SEDS) to make available to all of its local school district partners in as of July 1, 2022. CT-SEDS adaptive electronic Individual Education Program (IEP) document, along with 504 plans,  has been designed to improve format and flow of information with intuitive, easy to use displays. The new system includes a parent portal for families to access their student’s IEP and other important information as well as a language translation feature to ensure that parents receive information in their native language.  The new and improved document will also assist planning and placement teams (PPTs) in navigating the special education process, leading to the development of high quality IEPs for Connecticut’s students. (Source, CSDE)

The links below are intended to provide assistance to parents/guardians as you navigate the new system. 

How to Access the Parent Portal in CT -SEDs

NEW IEP Document

Side By Side Comparison of Old IEP and New IEP

IEP Guide for Parents- Video

Parent Rights and Other Documents:

• IEP MANUAL
• Procedural Safeguards (Revised March 2021) (English)
• SPS Section 504 Procedural Safeguards Notice
• CT State Dept. of Ed, Special Education, Family Resources
• Homebound Tutoring Requirements/Documents
• Alternative Education Forms (Homeschooling)
• Parents Guide to Special Education in Connecticut
• Una guía de educación especial para los padres de Connecticut
• Understanding the PPT Process
• PPT Checklist for Parents
• Connecting to Care Resources for Families

Transition:

• Transition Bill of Rights for Parents of Students Receiving Special Education Services
• Building Bridge Transition Manual

Disability Resources:

• Autism Speaks
• CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
• Connecticut Birth to Three System
• Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC) is a statewide nonprofit organization that offers information and support to families of children with any disability or chronic illness, age birth to 26. All of CPAC's services are FREE for families.
• Disability Eligibility Resource Documents (Learning Disabilities and Autism)
• Dyslexia Resources and Information
• Emotional Disturbance Identification and Information
• Learning Disabilities Association of America
• State of Connecticut Department of Developmental Services
• Town of Stonington: Department of Human Services

Preschool Information:

• Information regarding Stonington's Integrated Preschool Program may be found on the Preschool page.

Medicaid:

• Medicaid Parent Letter
• Parent Consent Form School Based Child Health Program
• Transfer of Confidential Student Information - FERPA
• Transfer of Confidential Student Information - HIPAA

McKinney-Vento/Rights of Homeless Students

Assistance For Families - Please contact Director of Special Services: Allison VanEtten- Phone: 860.572.0506 x2111

Preschool Schedule: 

AM session (8:30 AM to 11:00 AM) 

PM session (12:30 PM to 3:15 PM)

• 2024-2025 School Calendar
• Preschool Brochure
• Preschool Assessment of Development (PAD) Brochure
• Early Childhood Health Assessment Record
• PAD Screening Calendar
• Area Pediatricians/Clinics List
• Area Childcare
• Sparkler Early Childhood App

Connecticut Early Learning Development Standards - Link

Connecticut Early Learning Development Standards: Guide for Families - Link

What Children Birth to Five Should be Able to Do - Link

• Section 504 Grievance Procedure
• Section 504 Procedural Safeguards
• 504 Parent Guide - Manual
• Guía de recursos para padres y educadores de la Sección 504

Special Education Forms

Data Collection Sheets

• Worksheet for Manifestation Determination for Administrators
• FERPA FORM
• HIPAA FORM

Special Education Publications

• Notice of Parent Rights and Information
• Parental Rights Related Information
• Procedural Safeguards (Revised March 2021) (English)
• Parents Guide (Spanish)
• 2018 Parental Notification of the Laws Relating to Seclusion and Restraint in the Public Schools (English)
• 2017 Parental Notification of the Laws Relating to Seclusion and Restraint in the Public Schools (Spanish)

• Medicaid Parent Letter
• Parent Consent Form School Based Child Health Program
• Transfer of Confidential Student Information - FERPA
• Transfer of Confidential Student Information - HIPAA