Student Services

The SEAC advises the Poquoson school division of unmet needs and assists in formulating plans for improving the performance of students with disabilities. The SEAC works with the school board, administrators, parents and teachers who are responsible for the education of students with special needs.

Members of the committee are as follows:

Dr. Christopher Burbage, School Board Representative

Heather Worthen, Director of Student Services

Heather Hopkins, Coordinator of Special Education

Beth Hornsby, Special Education Instructional Support Specialist//SLP

Morgan Shephard, Teacher Representative

Ms. Erika Chwalik, Parent Chair 

Parents of students with disabilities are welcome to attend all meetings and may express their views and concerns during the Public Comment agenda item.  All comments should not publicly identify a student or staff member, and should be made in a professional manner.  

The SEAC will meet in the Poquoson Elementary School (PES) Library from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM on the following dates:

September 26, 2024

October 24, 2024

December 12, 2024

February 6, 2025

April 10, 2025

May 29, 2025

Parent Involvement Survey

All parents of school-aged children and youth with disabilities who receive special education services in Virginia are encouraged to complete the Virginia Department of Education’s annual Parent Involvement Survey. The survey will remain open through December 15, 2023. If you have questions concerning this survey, please contact Chiquita Seaborne, Family Engagement Specialist/Special Projects Coordinator, via telephone at (804) 225-3898 or via email, at Chiquita.Seaborne@doe.virginia.gov.

• Parent Involvement Survey-English
• Parent Involvement Survey-Spanish

VDOE Flyer

This parent’s guide was developed by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to help parents understand their rights and responsibilities, the child’s rights, and the school’s responsibilities to meet the special needs of students. This guide includes a description of the special education process and what is required of parents and the school during each step of that process. Important timelines are highlighted in each section.

VDOE Parent's Guide

"Your Family's Special Education Rights" identifies key parts of the “Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004” (IDEA), a federal law governing the education of students with disabilities. IDEA 2004 requires that families be informed of their special education rights, including how families and schools can resolve problems.

The Office of Student Services mails this to parents of students with IEPs annually.

VDOE Safeguards

This document reflects Virginia’s reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, December 3, 2004, (IDEA ’04) and its implementing federal regulations, October 13, 2006, prompted the need to revise Virginia’s special education regulations. Input was received from a Stakeholders Group that included school personnel, parents, consumers, professionals, and members of the State Special Education Advisory Committee. The Virginia Department of Education adhered to the requirements of Virginia’s Administrative Process Act in the development and review of these regulations.

VDOE Regulations

As parents, you play an important role in working with school divisions to ensure that your child’s education needs are met. However, when problems arise with your child’s special education, you may not know what to do or whom to call. The following information may help you resolve your special education concerns by working with Poquoson division staff.

Troubleshooting Special Education Concerns

• VCU Autism Center for Excellence
• Students with Sensory Disabilities
• VDOE: Special Education For Parents

School success goes hand in hand with good attendance! Too many absences—excused or unexcused—can keep students from succeeding in school and in life. How many are too many? 10% of the school year—that’s 18 missed days or 2 days a month—can knock students off track.

Build the Habit of Good Attendance Early

Keep Your Child on Track in Middle and High School

 

Welcome to our new families! Poquoson Schools wants to ensure all students and families get acclimated to our division. As with any transition, there are many things to consider. 

We recommend viewing this slideshow and reaching out to your student's school counselor with any questions and/or concerns.

During the public health emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicaid recipients did not have to complete their re-enrollment/renewals annually, as previously required. However, health coverage from Virginia Medicaid is now required to be renewed each year, and it is anticipated that many families will be unaware of this requirement and are at risk of losing coverage. 

Understanding the Renewal Process

Need local assistance?

Superintendent Memo June 2023

Update your information to receive pertinent renewal information: 

• Online at commonhelp.virginia.gov, or
• By calling Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282,
• By calling their local Department of Social Services.
• By contacting your Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO, or "health plan")