Special Education and Pupil Services

I believe that education is a shared experience of learning for both the students and instructors.

I believe that education should be transformational and innovative.

I believe that all educational experiences should be rigorous and coincide with a student-centered philosophy.

I truly believe holding students to the highest expectations possible fosters academic, personal, and social growth in ways that are wholly beneficial to the individual student. It is the job of the district to ensure each student has the necessary scaffolds and resources to access higher level content regardless of their present levels of performance.

I believe we need to foster and cultivate social awareness, decision making, and self-advocacy skills in all students.

I believe students, families, community members and school are all part of a broader complex system that shape learning, development, and experiences. All are to be valued.

I believe we need to create inclusive schools in order to discover, nurture, and cultivate the interest and strengths of each individual student.

I believe schools should be a safe learning environment filled with trust and respect for all stakeholders.  

The Patchogue-Medford Union Free School District has an ongoing “Child Find” system, which is designed to locate, identify, and evaluate any child residing in a home, facility, or residence within its geographical boundaries, preschool (age 3) to grade 12, who may have a disability and be in need of Special Education or Section 504 services. This includes children who are not in school; those who are in public, private, or home school; those who are highly mobile, such as children who are migrant or homeless; and those who are advancing from grade to grade, who may need but are not receiving Special Education or Section 504 services.

Parents, relatives, public, and private agency employees, and concerned citizens are urged to help the Patchogue-Medford Union Free School District find any child who may have a disability and need Special Education or Section 504 services.

If you know of a child who lives within the boundaries of the Patchogue-Medford Union Free School District, who may have a disability, and may need but is not receiving Special Education or Section 504 services, please contact their building principal or Ms. Jessica Lukas, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services, at (631) 687-6440.

The earlier we can begin the process of identifying whether a child is exceptional and in need of having specially designed instruction the earlier we can plan an appropriate education for the child.