The Student Services Department oversees services for students receiving homebound instruction, Section 504 services, preschool special education, special education for school-age students, and children with limited English proficiency. Over 100 full time and part time employees are dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of these students residing in our district. Our department goal is to ensure that all students in Anthony Wayne Local Schools are taught the skills necessary to be healthy, happy, and productive citizens in our great community.

Angela Gardner
Director of Student Services, (7th - 12th grade)
Central Administrative Building (CAO)
[email protected]
419-877-5377

Jennifer Karl-Thompson
Director of Student Services, (Preschool - 6th)
Central Administrative Building (CAO)
[email protected]
419-877-5377

Crystal Bucher
Student Services Administrative Assistant
Central Administrative Building (CAO)
[email protected]
419-877-5377

Katie Hart, School Psychologist - AWHS & PENTA
Jessica Keeler, School Psychologist - AWJH, Whitehouse Primary
Cari Langenderfer, School Psychologist - FTMS
Nicole Miller-Strauss, School Psychologist - Monclova Primary & Waterville Primary
Christina Riddell, School Psychologist - Preschool

Children ages 0-3 years with developmental needs are served by Early Intervention Services through Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities. This agency can be contacted at 419-380-4000.

If you suspect your preschool-aged child (3-5 years) has a disability, please call 419-877-5377 and request to speak with the Student Services Administrative Assistant. This will allow the district to collect basic information about your concerns for your child and determine next steps.

ABOUT THE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

Anthony Wayne Local Schools contracts the Preschool Program through the Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West. The Preschool Program is a developmentally appropriate program providing educational services to typically developing children and children with special needs, between the ages of three and five. Children attend preschool four days per week (Tuesday through Friday) and occasional Mondays, either during the morning or afternoon sessions, following the Anthony Wayne Local School District’s calendar. There is a maximum of 16 children with a highly trained teacher and an additional adult in the classroom.

The Preschool Program is licensed by the Ohio Department of Education and follows Early Learning and Development Standards.

Enrollment documentation that will be needed are: 2 proofs of residency (current utility bills, landline phone bill, and lease or purchase agreement), the child’s birth certificate, parent(s)/guardian(s) photo identification, divorce decree, and/or proof of legal custody of the child. Additional information is required for children residing in foster care including:  foster parent agreement or school placement letter, and court document naming the school district responsible for the cost of educating the child.  

If you would like to enroll your child in the preschool program, please contact Crystal Bucher at 419-877-5377, so she can assist you with the enrollment process.

WHAT IS SECTION 504?
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (hereinafter “Section 504), is Congress’s directive to schools receiving any Federal funding to eliminate discrimination based on disability from all aspects of their school operations. It states: “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall solely by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Since the School District is a recipient of Federal dollars, its administrators and staff are required to provide eligible disabled students with equal access (both physical and academic) to services, programs, and activities offered by its schools.  Section 504 is a civil rights statute and not a special education statute.

HOW CAN I REFER MY CHILD TO DETERMINE 504 ELIGIBILITY?
If you suspect that your child is “disabled” under Section 504/ADA, contact your child’s teacher, school, counselor, or building principal. You will be asked to complete a referral form and grant consent for a 504 evaluation. After the evaluation is complete, a meeting will be scheduled to determine if your child has a “disability.” You have the right to meaningfully participate in the process and provide input, even if you cannot attend the meeting in person.

WHAT CRITERIA ARE USED TO DETERMINE 504 ELIGIBILITY?
A student qualifies for Section 504 protection if s/he is determined to be an individual with a disability as defined by the statute. Specially, the student must have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, or have a record of such an impairment, or be regarded as having such an impairment. Only those students with an actual impairment, however, are entitled to accommodations/modifications/interventions pursuant to Section 504. Those students with a record of an impairment or who are regarded as having an impairment are entitled to protection from discrimination based upon disability.

Major life activities include, but are not limited to, functions such as (a) caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, eating, sleeping, standing, lifting, bending, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, learning, and (b) the operation of major bodily functions including the functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions.

All referrals should be made in writing, dated at the time the request is made, and include information that supports the reason for referral.  Any questions or referrals should be directed to:  Section 504 Compliance Officer, Student Services Department, 9565 Bucher Road, P.O. Box 2487, Whitehouse, Ohio 43571. Telephone: 419-877-5377.

Child Find is the process of locating, evaluating, and identifying children with disabilities who may be in need of special education and related services. The Anthony Wayne Local School District is committed to locating, identifying and providing a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), for all children between the ages of 3 and 22, with disabilities. Location and referral of such children may be initiated by anyone with knowledge of the child and suspecting the child may have a disability. At any time you suspect your child has a disability, you may request an evaluation with the District.

All referrals should be made in writing, dated at the time the request is made, and include information that supports the reason for referral. Referrals should be mailed or emailed to the Building Principal and School Psychologist. Any questions may be directed to the Student Services Department at Telephone: 419-877-5377.

The ELL Program supports students whose primary language is not English. Our TESOL teacher works with elementary through high school students to improve and develop their English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, as well as to help them adapt to their new environment and academic courses. We are dedicated to preparing them to become independent and successful both in and out of the classroom.

The ELL program is offered to students whose primary language is not English, who need help in moving from limited English proficient toward proficiency, both in the English language and in Ohio's academic standards. We are committed to helping these students transition into our district and achieve their maximum learning potential. We want to provide a safe place for learning English and learning about our schools. We will teach each student the skills that they need to succeed. We hope to work with our students', parents, and their teachers to help them meet their learning goals.

Agata Riley
TESOL Teacher
[email protected]