Special Education New
Special Education at CCS
Crosslake Community Schools provides special education services and supports students with disabilities. Services are based on each student’s individual needs and IEP and may include specialized instruction, accommodations, related services and ongoing support.
Many services are provided directly by CCS staff. We also partner with the Paul Bunyan Education Cooperative to provide additional specialized services when needed, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, assistive technology, audiology, autism services, vision and mobility support, and other related services.
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If you have concerns about your student’s academic, behavioral or developmental progress, the best place to start is with your student’s teacher or Gena Jacobson, CCS Special Education Manager.
In many situations, the school begins by identifying specific areas of concern and putting targeted interventions in place. These interventions are documented and monitored over time so the team can determine what is helping the student. CCS typically uses an intervention period of approximately six weeks when appropriate.
If the interventions are successful, the school may continue using the supports that are helping the student.
If the student continues to struggle despite the interventions, the student’s team reviews the information collected and determines appropriate next steps, which may include a special education evaluation.
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A special education evaluation is a comprehensive process used to determine whether a student has a disability and qualifies for special education services. Parents may request a special education evaluation at any time by contacting Gena Jacobson, District Special Education Manager. When a request is made, CCS reviews the available information and follows applicable state and federal special education procedures to determine the next steps.
Interventions may provide important information about a student’s needs and response to support, but they do not prevent an evaluation from occurring when an evaluation is otherwise warranted.
If an evaluation moves forward, parent or guardian consent is required before the evaluation begins.
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Crosslake Community Schools is committed to finding, evaluating, and serving every student who may have a disability and need special education or related services. This includes students in our in-person PreK–8 program and our statewide online K–12 program. It also includes students who are highly mobile, experiencing homelessness, or in foster care.
Signs a child may need extra support include ongoing trouble with learning, reading, writing, or math; speech or language; hearing or vision; attention, behavior, or social-emotional skills; movement or coordination; or health needs that affect learning.
If you have a concern, please reach out. You can ask for an evaluation at any time. Evaluations are free to families, and nothing happens without your written permission. Talking with us does not automatically mean your child will receive special education. It means we'll work with you to figure out what your child needs.
Contact: Gena Jacobson, gjacobson@crosslakekids.org
Children birth to age 3: Contact Help Me Grow by visiting their website or calling 1-866-693-4769.
Children ages 3 to 5 not yet in Kindergarten: Contact us if your child attends our PreK program, or contact your resident school district.
Students not enrolled at CCS (including private school or homeschooled students): Contact your resident school district, or the district where the private school is located.Crosslake Community Schools does not discriminate on the basis of disability. Information shared with us is kept confidential under federal and state privacy laws.
