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At Â鶹´«Ã½ Bucks, our mission is to equip every student with academic and problem-solving skills essential for personal growth, responsible citizenship and continuous learning. By educating and nurturing the whole child, regardless of ability or need, CB students can thrive in an ever-evolving world.

As we begin a new school year, a crucial aspect of fulfilling this mission is to provide an inclusive environment for all students, including students with disabilities. In recent years, the district has been working to create a continuum of special education services and programs in all schools to ensure students with disabilities can be educated in their home schools and alongside their peers, to the maximum extent possible, rather than transported to schools or locations outside their home school.

This endeavor not only aligns with our mission and values, but is also a part of Â鶹´«Ã½’s comprehensive plan. A component of the comprehensive plan is a special education plan that was developed in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law that requires students with disabilities to have access to a “free and appropriate public education” in the “least restrictive environment” possible. Inclusion is shown to boost not only academic performance, social interaction, self-regard, and behavior in students with disabilities, but also benefit their peers without disabilities. 

The evolution of the district’s special education program is reflective of the four main objectives of the program: 

• To align services and programs for students with disabilities with district-wide curricula, instruction, assessment, and professional development 

• To ensure that students with disabilities have access to the general education curriculum and engage in activities with peers without disabilities 

• To foster cooperation and communication among all CB community members —students, parents and guardians, educators, staff members, administrators, and residents—to bolster the success of students with disabilities

• To regularly assess the efficacy and compliance of special education programs and services, using data for ongoing refinement

To support this shift towards greater inclusion, the district is implementing the following actions: 

• Providing professional development and coaching for teachers and staff on how to differentiate instruction, use co-teaching models, implement positive behavior interventions and supports, and use assistive technology and universal design for learning 

• Increasing the availability and accessibility of resources and materials for students with disabilities, such as textbooks, manipulatives, software, and equipment 

• Enhancing the collaboration and communication among general and special education teachers, related service providers, paraprofessionals, and administrators to ensure that students with disabilities receive appropriate and consistent services and supports 

• Engaging parents and families of students with disabilities in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process and providing them with information and resources to support their children's learning and development 

• Encouraging and facilitating the participation of students with disabilities in the general education curriculum and extracurricular activities, such as clubs, sports, and field trips, with the necessary accommodations and modifications 

• Monitoring and evaluating the progress and outcomes of students with disabilities and using data to inform instructional decisions and program improvements 

• Creating a positive and welcoming school climate, where diversity is valued, respected, and celebrated, and where all students feel a sense of belonging and acceptance 

• Providing opportunities for students, families, faculty and staff to share their feedback, concerns, and suggestions, and to be involved in the decision-making and planning processes 

Â鶹´«Ã½ Bucks is committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive environment for all students. We are confident that with the support and involvement of all stakeholders, our shift to a fully inclusive setting for students with disabilities will be positive and beneficial to all of us in CB. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Steven Yanni 
Superintendent 
 
Alyssa Wright 
Director of Pupil Services

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This message was originally emailed to all Â鶹´«Ã½ families on Sept. 13, 2024.