Special Education and Student Services (SESS)

The Bethlehem Central School District is responsible for providing special education services to all resident students who qualify for such supports. These services are coordinated by the district's Special Education and Student Services Department, which encompasses the district's Committees for Special Education at the preschool, elementary and secondary levels. SESS also oversees the district's health, counseling and mental health services for all resident students.

News & Announcements

BCMS student wins regional braille challenge, heads to National Competition

May 14, 2013

BCMS student Kelly Cusack won the Northeast Regional Braille Challenge and has been invited to the national challenge in California this June. This is her third invitation to the national challenge! The first two times she competed at the National Braille Challenge she came in second place out of 900 contestants. This year, there are 1,000 expected contestants from 39 states and 3 Candadian provinces. Click here for more information about the Braille Challenge.

BCHS ‘Angels’ soar in Washington

May 14, 2013

Two BCHS students and members of the Challenger Angels cheer squad, senior Jessica Klein and freshman Julia Huber, had the opportunity to perform a routine at the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition’s annual meeting recently.
The Angels, 14 special needs cheerleaders in a squad organized by Colonie Pop Warner, headed to Washington on May 6 and performed for the council at its annual meeting.
Click here to read more and see photos of the event, courtesy of the Times Union.

OB2L (Overcoming Barriers to Learning) Center Hosts Workshop at Bethelhem Central

On Nov. 29, the OB2L (Overcoming Barriers To Learning) Center hosted a workshop at BCSD. The OB2L is the center for behavioral and cognitive support and operates under the guidance of Tim Feeney, Ph.D. and the direction of Kelly Brock M.S.Ed. Its mission is to provide the supports and strategies children and families need at home, school or in the community and for children to further develop and advance in self-regulation.
VIEW THE SLIDES FROM THE OB2L PRESENTATION [PDF] »

Photo Gallery - Bethlehem Collaboration for Special
Education Hosts Family Fun Day

The Bethlehem Collaboration for Special Education held a Family Fun Day on November 18 at the Bethlehem YMCA. The BCSE is an organization in the Bethlehem Central School District involved in the education, advocacy and development of those with special needs. Read more on their Facebook page. VIEW THE PHOTO GALLERY »

Everyday Art offers Thursday program for kids with special needs

Everyday Art is an after-school art program for children ages 8-15, that offers a class on Thursdays specifically for children with special needs.  For more information, please go to www.Everydayartwithheart.com or contact Jill Baboulis, CSW and teaching artist at 369-1951.

Friday 'Knights' Recreation and Family Support Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Read more about the program here. [PDF]

Procedural Safeguards Notice: Rights for Parents with of children with disabilities 3-21

English Version [PDF] | en Espanol [PDF]

New York State Forms and Notices Related to Special Education

This site contains forms and notices developed by the New York State Education Department relating to special education. Visit SED site

Homework help

BCSD Implements Student-Centric Learning Environments

Courtesy Don Johnston Incorporated

Educators at Bethlehem Central School District are thinking outside the box to develop new ways for their students to succeed far beyond the classroom. READ MORE »

New York state launches new web site for autism resources

New York State's Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental
Disabilities (OMRDD) and the State Education Department (SED) have announced the launch of the New York ACTS Web site. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families now have a single comprehensive resource to go to for important information and the State services available to address the needs of these individuals and their families. http://www.nyacts.org/

information for parents of students using co:writer or read:out Loud software

• Co:Writer letter

• Read:Out Loud letter 

• Resources & Links 

• Software request letter (Word doc) 

 

MORE SPECIAL EDUCATION NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS »

Special education links

• Announcements

• Homework Help

• Program Information

• Due Process

• Family Resources

• State Education Department Resources

• Autism Information

• Physician Recommendation Form [PDF]