Department of Pupil Services/Special Education

Welcome to the North Plainfield School District Department of Special Services

The Special Services Department believes that all students can and must have an opportunity to reach their potential. It is the intent of the Special Education Department to take the necessary measures through specialized programming, services, and support to meet the needs of individual students and to ensure that they receive an appropriate educational experience regardless of disability.

North Plainfield School District has certified and highly qualified special education faculty, administrators, Child Study Team members, and related service providers to provide ongoing support to students who have been identified as needing special education services. The Special Education Department strives to pursue an active partnership with parents and the community through ongoing collaboration with the Special Education Parent Teacher Organization.

North Plainfield Public Schools provides a range of special education programs and services to our students who have Individual Education Programs (IEPs). Based on IEP recommendations, students with disabilities have access to many learning environments in our schools and specialized programs outside of the district. This includes in-class support, resource centers, self-contained classrooms including Autism, Language and Learning Disabled (LLD) and Multiple Disabilities (MD), as well as both Preschool Disabled (PSD) and integrated preschool classroom. In addition to special education programs, North Plainfield Public Schools also provides related services such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, behavioral supports, and counseling. All of these services are provided based on IEP recommendations.

Resources

Special Education Programs

North Plainfield offers a comprehensive program of special education services to meet the needs of all identified children with disabilities Preschool through Grade 12. Child Study Team members and parents work together to plan an appropriate program for each individual child. Program offerings include In-Class Resource (ICR), Out of Class Resource (OCR) and Self-Contained (S/C) Multiply Disabled classes. At the preschool level, the district offers a half-day 3-year-old preschool program and a full-day 4-year-old program for students identified as preschool disabled, a full-day 4-year-old preschool integrated class, as well as a preschool disabled program for children with Autism.

Students in grades k-12 who receive in-class resource (ICR) are placed in the mainstream but have a certified special education teacher in the classroom with them. The general education teacher is responsible for the content, while the special education teacher provides modifications for the classified student(s) and may provide alternative instructional procedures for the purpose of addressing all learners. The two classroom teachers are encouraged to follow a co-teaching model of instruction. The general education teacher and the special education teacher are expected to collaborate on the grades, progress, and needs of classified students.

Pull-out replacement (OCR) programs offer instruction in small group settings with certified special education teachers who are highly qualified in the subject area. Instruction offers modifications and adaptations to the general education curriculum.

Programming by School Class Type

East End Elementary Preschool Disabled and Preschool Integrated Programs
West End Autistic Program/ABA Programs
Stony Brook Multiply Disabled Program
Somerset School Language/Learning Disabled Program
Middle School Resource Program
Middle School Multiple Disabilities Program
High School Resource Program
High School Pathways & Vista programs
Harrison School Behavioral Disabilities Program

How to Request an Evaluation

If you are a North Plainfield resident, and would like to request that your child be evaluated by the Child Study Team, you may do so by submitting a letter of request to the Department of Special Services via mail or fax:

North Plainfield Public Schools
Department of Special Services
20 Harrison Avenue
North Plainfield, NJ 07060

(or)

Fax: 908-769-6116

Please include the following information:

Your child's full name and date of birth
An explanation of why you would like your child evaluated
Any example or detail of your concerns that would assist us in composing the appropriate evaluation team
Your contact information including address, phone number and email
Submission of letter with original signature

Project Child Find

Do you know a preschool or a school-aged child who may have a disability or who could benefit from a special education program or services? For information about a free referral, assessments, and the eligibility requirements to receive special education, please contact the school principal or the Department of Special Services.

John Tarnofsky
Director of Special Services
North Plainfield School District
20 Harrison Ave
North Plainfield, NJ 07060
Telephone: 908 769-6090 ext. 2142

Click here for more information

Parent Preparation for IEP Meeting

Disposal of Student Records

The Department for Student Services will proceed with the disposal of special education records of all students born in 1992 or before and who were classified as eligible for special education and related services and/or eligible for speech and language services.

If you would like to request your records before they are destroyed, you must complete the request form, sign it and send it to:

John Tarnofsky
Director of Student Services
20 Harrison Ave
North Plainfield, NJ 07060

Phone: (908) 769-6090

Administration:

Director of Special Services
John Tarnofsky
john_tarnofsky@nplainfield.org
Ext. 2142

Supervisor
Nancy Schreck
nancyanne_schreck@nplainfield.org
Ext. 2104

Secretarial Staff

Administrative Assistant to the Director of Special Services
Johanna Gilmore
johanna_gilmore@nplainfield.org
Ext. 2142

Administrative Assistant to Nancy Schreck and prek-6 CST Administrative Assistant
Deysi Aldas
deysi_aldas@nplainfield.org
Ext 2104

SEMI Coordinator and 7-12 grade CST Administrative Assistant
Taneesa Peter
taneesa_jackson@nplainfield.org
Ext. 2103