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East Campus
West Campus
Community Portal

Susan Voigt- Special Education Director East and West

Lee Moynihan- West Team Lead for Special Education/ 508-771-2780 x 435

Bryony Scudder- East Team Lead for Special Education/ 508-778-1782 x 514

Jackie Redmen- Administrative Assistant, Special Education East and West

The I.B. Program and Special Education

Sturgis takes great pride in making itself, and the I.B. Program, accessible to all students, even students with disabilities. Our dedicated staff has been recognized by the I.B. Program for their ability to overcome challenges and help students with disabilities find success in and out of the classroom. Sturgis achieves this by setting high expectations for all students and motivating students with disabilities to work harder and achieve more while fostering a feeling of inclusivity and community within the whole of the Sturgis community.

Special Education Referral and Evaluation

It is the responsibility of the Sturgis Charter Public School to identify any child who may have a disability, regardless of the severity of that disability.

It is also the responsibility of the Sturgis Charter Public Schools to evaluate those students to determine which are eligible for special education or related services under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) or 603 CMR 28 (Massachusetts Special Education Regulations). Please see DESE referral and evaluation regulations.

Parents who have a concern about their child’s development or have a suspicion about a possible disability may refer their child for an initial evaluation. Special words need not be used in making a referral for an initial evaluation. Upon receipt of such a request for an initial evaluation, the school district must send notice to the parent and must seek the parent’s consent to conduct an evaluation.

If you think your child should be evaluated to determine eligibility for special education services, you should make that request in writing to the principal of your child’s school. Include your child’s name, address and date of birth, as well as the parent’s name and telephone number and a brief description of your concerns.

If further questions please contact Sturgis Charter Public School Special Education Director, Susan Voigt. Email: svoigt@sturgischarterschool.org or call: (508) 778-1782 extension 513

Hear From Past Sturgis Special Education Community Members

It makes me feel really good about myself that I succeeded in such a hard program.”

Erin Linehan, 2018 Graduate

The thing about Sturgis that I’ve loved the most is the community.”

Johnny, 2016 Graduate

Everyone should have access to an I.B. education.”

Sam Watson, 2015 Graduate

Hear From Sturgis Faculty

By raising that bar, I think we see students with disabilities wanting to achieve and work harder. They no longer feel different; they’re just alongside all the other kids. I think they probably for the first time in a very long time feel part of something.”

Susan Lacombe-Voigt, Special Needs Coordinator, East

I graduated from Sturgis East in 2011 as a different person than when I entered the doors in the “pit” in 2007. Thanks to the “I.B. for All” approach at Sturgis, I had the opportunity to be challenged in my academic studies and pushed outside of my comfort zone as a student despite the learning challenges I faced every day. Now, as a faculty member at the East campus, I see how much work, attention, and detail goes into creating this inclusive environment we have here, and how much the faculty embrace the idea that all students can learn, we just need to meet the needs of each student. Here at Sturgis we recognize that student success is a complex idea and to measure the success for all students we must be flexible and creative. Our I.B. for All approach is an approach that does not limit or discourage students from the academic challenges they would like to take on despite some of their own personal learning challenges, instead, it empowers them and motivates them to see what is possible and help each students find out what they are capable of.”

Kayley Mead, Spanish Teacher, East

Resources

Have A Quick Question?

Fill out the adjacent form, and a member of the Sturgis staff will reach out as soon as possible to help answer it. You can also give us a call at the numbers located below during normal school hours.

Sturgis East Main Office: (508) 778-1782
Sturgis West Main Office: (508) 771-2780

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