• Intervention and

    Referral Services

    (I&RS)                                                        

     

    Lore Elementary School 

      

    When might a teacher request an I&RS review? 
     
    A teacher routinely differentiates instruction to address a child’s needs in the classroom. The teacher requests services of the I&RS Committee when a particular child continues to have difficulties despite these efforts.

    What kind of needs are reviewed by the I&RS? 
     
    When a child experiences difficulties that affect his or her academic progress, exhibits behavior that interferes with learning, or is chronically absent, the teacher may request support from the I&RS Team. Student difficulties may include problems responding to written or verbal information, organizing, focusing, and/or completing work without constant teacher intervention. 
     
    How does I&RS help a teacher and student? 
     
    I&RS supports the teachers and students by developing an Intervention Action Plan that may provide alternative strategies, programs, and/or assessments. The interventions are designed to support the student in achieving success within the regular education program.
     
    How are parents informed?
     
    The teacher discusses his or her concerns with the child’s parents/guardians prior to requesting an I&RS review. Once the teacher has requested an I&RS review for the child, the I&RS committee will meet to brainstorm ideas for an educational action plan. Following the I&RS committee meeting, the classroom teacher will brief the parents with the results. The parents will then be invited to meet with the IR&S committee and the classroom teacher to provide input in the development of the action plan. When the action plan is complete, the parents will receive a copy of the plan that has been developed.
     
    What happens during an I&RS meeting with the teacher? 
     
    Following a teacher’s submission of an I&RS request to the Guidance Counselor, the teacher is invited to discuss the problem with the I&RS Committee at a meeting scheduled during the school day. At that time, the teacher describes the student and the challenge. He or she will identify both successful and unsuccessful strategies used, as well as current efforts. Alternative means of intervention and new approaches are suggested. A plan of action is developed specifying the goals, strategies to be used, and the individuals responsible for each action. A time line is established for implementing the plan and assessing its effectiveness.

    How is follow-up provided? 
     
    The action plan is monitored by the classroom teacher and the I&RS Committee. At a time specified within the plan, the teacher meets with I&RS committee once again to report on its success. If the child’s needs are not being met by the initial plan, additional interventions may be suggested and modifications made to the plan.
     
     
    Is this the same as referral for Special Education? NO 
     
    I&RS recommends actions intended to help resolve the challenge identified to prevent referral to the Child Study Team. If the actions taken and resources used are not adequate and the problem still remains, the child’s needs may suggest referral to the Child Study Team. Parents will participate in the decision as to whether a Child Study Team evaluation will be done.

    Who serves on the Lore School’s I&RS Committee?

    Permanent members of the Committee include the Principal, Assistant Principal, Guidance Counselor, School Nurse, Teachers, Early Intervention Specialists, and CST members.

    2022-2023 Members include: 

    Principal:

    Kelly Kawalek
    (609) 538-9800 x6102
    kkawalek@ewingboe.org
     
     

    Guidance Counselor:

    Kaitlyn Feeny
    (609) 538-9800 X6110
    kfeeny@ewingboe.org
     
     
    Dean of Students:
    Christine Meekins
    (609) 538-9800, ext. 6106
    cmeekins@ewingboe.org 
     
     

    Early Intervention Specialists:

    Beth Bedard - Language Arts
    (609) 538-9800, ext. 6100
    bbedard@ewingboe.org
     
    Yvonne Colt - Math
    (609) 538-9800, ext. 6100
    yrussoniellocolt@ewingboe.org 
     
    Rachel Gehret - Math   
    (609) 538-9800 x8616
    rgehret@ewingboe.org 
                                 
    Janean Neilson - Language Arts
    (609) 538-9800 x6100
     
     
    CST Members:
    Shari Barkin
    (609) 538-9800 X6182
    sbarkin@ewingboe.org

    Kaili Mack
    (609) 538-9800 X6181
    kamack@ewingboe.org  
     
     
    Nurse:
    Christine Sobey
    (609)538-9800 x6125
    csobey@ewingboe.org