Student Services
Homewood School District 153 provides special education services for students who are eligible to receive special education support. Students with disabilities are offered an appropriate education that is designed to meet their individual needs. Both resource and instructional programs are provided.
A continuum of services is available in order to address the needs of students with disabilities. These services include: occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work support, psychological services, speech/language therapy, and hearing itinerant support.
A continuum of services is available in order to address the needs of students with disabilities. These services include: occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work support, psychological services, speech/language therapy, and hearing itinerant support.
District 153 is a participating member of the SPEED Cooperative which services students with low-incidence disabilities.
Section 504
Students with Disabilities who do not qualify for an Individualized Education Program (IEP), as required by the federal Individuals with Disability Education Act and implementing provisions of the School Code, may qualify for services under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 if the child (i) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of a physical or mental impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment.
To determine eligibility for a Section 504 Plan, a student must be evaluated to determine if the child has a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such that the child requires services, accommodations, or modifications to policy. If you have questions about identification, assessment, and placement of a child pursuant to Section 504, please contact Melanie Mandisodza, Director of Student Services, at 708-798-3766.
Any parent who is deaf or who does not typically communicate using spoken English is entitled to interpretation services at a Section 504 meeting.
Behavioral Safety
Any parent who is deaf or who does not typically communicate using spoken English is entitled to interpretation services at a Section 504 meeting.
Behavioral Safety
Homewood School District 153 proudly practices Safety Care, a behavioral safety training curriculum. For more information please visit Safety Care.
Timely and Meaningful Consultation
Homewood School District 153 provides a yearly Timely and Meaningful Consultation (TMC) for our families that have homeschooled students or students that attend private school within our school boundaries. Consultations are held every May and October.
Our Consultation discusses the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend private schools and/or home schools. If you are the parent of a home-schooled student who has been, or may be, identified with a disability and you reside within the boundaries of Homewood School District 153, you are urged to call to discuss.
If you have further questions please contact Melanie Mandisodza, Director of Student Support Services at 708-798-3766.
Use of Technology Platforms
Dear Homewood School District 153 Families:
The U.S. Department of Education and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) encourage the use of technology platforms to provide remote learning and educational services during the COVID-19 pandemic. ISBE recommends synchronous instruction and services. To satisfy these recommendations, the District is using several tools, including the Zoom platform. The District will utilize Zoom in ways that best protect the safety and privacy of students, teachers, and administrators. The District will utilize meeting security controls and students will access remote services through the District’s Zoom account only, through meeting links distributed by teachers and other District educational service providers. Click here to access the Zoom student privacy policy.
We are aware of media reports of “Zoom bombing” issues and are taking appropriate precautions.
We need your assistance to ensure that Zoom is used appropriately by your student(s). Please see our letter below for guidelines to follow
Availability of Interpretation Services
Interpretation services are available at IEP meetings for parents whose native language is other than English, or who are deaf, to assist with participation in the meeting. If you would like an interpreter at your child’s IEP meeting, please request an interpreter by completing a Request for Interpreter Form below or by contacting Morgan Koncel at [email protected] or 708-647-2222. You have the right to request that the interpreter serve no other role in the IEP meeting other than as an interpreter and the District will make reasonable efforts to fulfill this request. Please contact Morgan Koncel at [email protected] or 708-647-2222 if you have any questions or complaints about interpretation services.
NOTICE:
The District will provide the parent or guardian of a student with an IEP, who is receiving related services pursuant to that IEP, with a copy of related service logs at the student’s annual review IEP meeting. Additionally, a parent or guardian may request to view or receive a copy of his or her child’s related service logs at any time and the District will provide those logs within ten business days of the request.