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:

Caitlin Orsborne, School Board Representative

Ashley Ide, Asst. Superintendent for Instruction

Heather Worthen, Director of Student Services

Ruth-Marie Cason, Coordinator of Special Education

Morgan Shephard, Teacher Representative

Heather Hopkins, Teacher Representative

Lynn Hurd, School Psychologist and VTSS Chair

Megan Hanlin, 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 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on the following dates:

September 25, 2025

October 23, 2025

December 11, 2025

February 5, 2026

April 2, 2026

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

• PCPS Authorization Form for Release and Exchange of Information
• 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

Laws of Attendance 8VAC20-730-10. Definitions. 

 

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")

Health Services Scoliosis Information for Parents

• Services for Students Identified as Hearing or Visually Impaired
• Eating Disorder Information
• Head Lice Information
• PCPS Head Lice Brochure 

• Greater Williamsburg Child Assessment Center
• New Horizons Family Counseling Center

National Helplines

SAMSHA National Helpline |  1-800-662-HELP (4357)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  |  Call or Text 988

In Virginia, every school division is required to establish a School Health Advisory Board (SHAB). The main function of the SHAB is to provide advice to the local school board on broad issues of student health and wellness. While this board only serves with an advisory purpose, it plays an important role in shaping local school health policy and programs.

According to the Code of Virginia (§ 22.1-275.1), the SHAB assists in the development of health policies for the school division, helps plan, implement, and evaluate school health programs and services; Reviews and makes recommendations on health education curriculum, school nutrition programs, physical education, mental health, counseling services, and school environment issues that affect student well-being. The SHAB provides input on how schools, families, and the community can work together to support healthy students.

The Poquoson SHAB Committee is made up of a broad group of stakeholders, often including parents, health professionals, educators, and community members to make sure a wide perspective is represented. SHAB meets four times per year.