Exceptional Student Services (ESS)

The Colorado Department of Education’s school-based SWAAAC teams provide multidisciplinary Assistive Technology services to provide students with disabilities equal access to the curriculum and full participation in their education and classroom. Pueblo School District 60 is one of over 60 participating school districts across the state of Colorado

SWAAAC teams support learning by connecting students with disabilities to the tools and technology they need to achieve their full potential.

• SWAAAC.org

The main role of case managers/special education teachers is to provide instruction and support which facilitates the participation of students with disabilities in the regular classroom at each school. They are responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of students' Individual Education Program (IEP) plans.

District 60 has case managers/special education teachers in each of its schools.

The Colorado School Health Services Program is run by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and the Colorado Department of Education.

Benefits and Services include Audiology services, speech/language, nursing, occupational therapy, orientation, mobility and vision, personal care, physical therapy, psychology and counseling, social work, specialized transportation, and targeted case-management services.

Learn more about this program and how it's integrated into the District 60 Exceptional Student Services (ESS). 

The Student and Family Wellness Coordinator (Elementary Parent Resources Liaison) serves as one of the primary contracts between students, families, school staff, district personnel and other community service providers for the health and safety of students to reduce barriers to learning.

ESS Specialists coordinate the activities of teachers and support staff for school special education programs. As administrators, they provide leadership and utilize decision-making skills to oversee the instructional programs and offerings for an entire school, district, or system.

District 60's ESS Specialists:

At the core of an ESS student's instruction is the Individual Education Program (IEP).

An IEP is a written statement that is developed for each student who has been identified as having an education disability, requiring the need of special education services.

Development of a student's IEP includes is a multi-part process that is in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and, in Colorado, the Exceptional Children’s Education Act (ECEA).

Every IEP:

• Identifies why the student needs special education services
• Addresses the student's "unique" needs
• Addresses the student's difficulties
• Provides basis for determining goals and accommodations for the student.

An IEP must be reviewed at least once every 365 days.

The IEP process begins with a referral, followed by an IEP meeting to determine eligibility. If the student is eligible to receive special education services, an IEP is then developed.

For more details about the IEP process or to arrange a referral, you may contact your school or the District 60 Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Office at (719) 253-6024 or via e-mail at ess.admin@pueblod60.org . 

To review your child's eligibility, you may also consult the COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DISABILITY CATEGORIES AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.

Occupational therapists help with barriers that affect a student's emotional, social, and physical needs. To do this, they use everyday activities, exercises, and other therapies.

Occupational therapy helps kids play, improves their school performance, and aids their daily activities. Their services support academic achievement and social participation within all school routines, including the classroom, cafeteria, and recess time.

Paraprofessional Educators assist teacher(s) in the classroom, supervise students outside of the classroom, or provide administrative support for teaching.

Paraprofessional Educators are found in all District 60 schools.

The main goals of school-based physical therapy conducted by physical therapists are to improve strength, balance, coordination, and/or mobility.

They will address gross motor skills, the need for postural adaptations, and mobility concerns. They address fine motor, visual motor, sensory motor, and activities of daily living, along with safety and adaptive equipment.

Operating at the school level, school nurses provide the following services:

• Perform hearing, vision and other health screenings.
  Treat students and staff as needed.
• Develop care plans for students with ongoing conditions.
• Consult with teachers, school administrators and other school staff regarding student care.
• Administer medication.
• Provide students with basic health services throughout the school day.
• School nurses also manage students who have chronic health conditions and students with disabilities.

School psychologists work with individual students and groups of students to deal with behavioral problems, academic difficulties, disabilities, and other issues.

They also work with teachers and parents to develop techniques to deal with home and classroom behavior.

To learn more about the work school psychologists do in District 60. 

Speech-language pathologists help kids with all types of language and communication issues and are key part of the special education team.

They may work with kids one-on-one or in small groups, or they may co-teach lessons with the classroom teacher. Speech/Language pathologists also observe, screen and evaluate children from Birth to 21 as requested.

The speech/language team (SLP's, SLPA's) provide services consultation to classroom teachers/families and/or weekly therapy sessions through an Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Therapy is provided in the areas of articulation/phonology, receptive and expressive language, voice, fluency and functional social communication. Feeding/swallowing issues are addressed as needed.

Augmentative/alternative/multimodal communication therapy is provided through training in the use of sign language, picture communication or assistive devices if warranted.