Special Services

Welcome to the Seth Boyden PTA Special Services page. This page is designed to help families navigate the special services system within our district and specifically at Seth Boyden. This page includes some very helpful links and important people to contact.

Everyone’s journey with special services takes different paths, but please know there are many people at Seth Boyden and in the district who want to help you find your way. The district site for special services is also an important resource.

How to Begin

As a reminder, the first step should always be to speak with your classroom teacher about any concerns you have. A good second step is to speak with Principal Shannon Glander, who can begin the Intervention and Referral Process and can work with the teacher to set up proper interventions and modifications for the classroom. After a period of time, if these interventions are not working, then it will be determined if the child needs to proceed into a 504 plan.

Another option is for the child to move into the child study team testing process to determine if the child qualifies for an IEP. For a comprehensive step-by-step guide of how to navigate the special services process, please refer to the Special Services Resource Packet. This packet also includes district contacts, the differences between an IEP and a 504, frequently asked questions and other support resources.

Parents’ legal rights can be found in a document called PRISE (Parental Rights in Special Services). You can find this document on the New Jersey Special Services page in English here, and in other languages here.

People to Contact at Seth Boyden

• Ms. Glander, Principal // sglander@somsd.k12.nj.us
• Ms. Jordan, Social Worker // zjordan@somsd.k12.nj.us
• Nicole Osher, School Psychologist // nosher@somsd.k12.nj.us
• Roger Oliver, Child Study Team // (973) 378-5209 Ext.6624, Roliver@somsd.k12.nj.us
• Colleen Powers, Child Study Team Social Worker // (973) 378-5221, Ext.7313 // Cpowers@somsd.k12.nj.us
• Katie Tichacek Kaplan, Special Ed PTO Liaison // SpEdLiason@gmail.com
• Your classroom teacher

Support and Advocacy

Sign up for the SEPAC Email list​ and ​email The Parenting Center​ to be added to their e-blast. They will update you on all the meetings for the groups listed below!

SEPAC​ (Special Education Parent Advisory Committee): This group meets a few times a year and is designed to provide opportunities for parents and community members to offer input to their district’s special services programs.

The Parenting Center of the School District of Maplewood and South Orange. ​The Parenting Center offers many workshops throughout the year and is a great resource to our community.

SOMA 2e (twice exceptional):​ This Facebook group supports the achievement of gifted students with special needs and their families.