Special Education "Each One - Reach One"

Suffolk Public Schools is committed to the philosophy that every student has a right to an appropriate education.   In keeping with that philosophy, a full range of services has been developed in Special Education serving children with disabilities, age 2 to 21 years of age.  

A child who qualifies for special services has an intellectual, emotional or physical disability that significantly interferes with the ability to access the general school curriculum. A special instructional program is designed for each individual student to meet that child's specific needs.   When required to help a child with a disability benefit from special education, related services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy are also provided.

The school division is proud of the strides it has made in providing for individual students and in protecting student and parent rights in the process. A student search is continually in progress with referrals accepted at any time from parents, agencies, physicians or others concerned about a student who might be in need of services.   Anyone interested in making a referral should contact the Child Study Chair at the school the child is zoned to attend or Sandra Witcher, Director of Special Education for Suffolk Public Schools, at P.O. Box 1549, Suffolk VA 23439, or call 925-6764.

Suffolk Public Schools offers programs for students who have autism, deaf-blindness, a developmental delay, a hearing impairment (which may include deafness), mental retardation, multiple disabilities, an orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, a physical disability, an emotional disturbance, a severe disability, a specific learning disability, a speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, or a visual impairment (which may include blindness). An early childhood program for students who have developmental delays is also available.

The Virginia Department of Education and Suffolk Public Schools have established a Parent Resource Center at 2316 William Reid Drive Elephants Fork Elementary Mobile Unit 1. The center is staffed by a parent and an educator who conduct workshops, provide information, and offer support to any Suffolk parent, educator, or interested community member. One of their main goals is to help parents and teachers of students with disabilities learn the skills needed to create and implement effective working relationships with each other. The center's library and helpful staff are valuable tools to enable parents to make informed decisions about their child's education. Call Debra Bagley for additional information at this 24-hour telephone number - 757-925-5785 or email her by clicking here.

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Suffolk Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies.

Kevin L. Alston, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services
100 N. Main Street
P.O. Box 1549
Suffolk, VA 23434

Phone: (757) 925-6750
Email: kevinalston@spsk12.net