OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICES

dr. murdica

Dr. Perri Murdica

Director of Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services
Email: murdicape@watertownps.org
860-945-4821

sean

Sean Blaney

Coordinator of Special Education (Secondary)
Email: blaneyse@watertownps.org
860-945-4621

rose

Mindi Davidson

Administrative Assistant of Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services
Email: davidsonmi@watertownps.org
860-945-4823

cecily

Cecily Edwards

Coordinator of Special Education (Elementary)
Email: edwardsce@watertownps.org
860-945-4822

rose

Rose Rizvani

Administrative Assistant of Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services
Email: rizvaniro@watertownps.org
860-945-4824

PARENT RESOURCES

Community Resources

Supports In Our Schools

In Middle School and High School, a School Counselor is a good place to start for many questions.

In all grades, a Social Worker is a good person to contact with questions about matters both inside and outside of the classroom, like social-emotional, community or home concerns.

Likewise, School Psychologists support learners in all grades. However, school psychologists usually support learners whose IEPs mandate their support.

Attached is a list of all of our support teams in our schools and our local social-emotional resources in our local community. Please note that this is not intended to be a comprehensive list of service providers nor does the Watertown School District endorse any particular provider.

2024 Watertown Community Resources

SPECIAL EDUCATION AND PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICES

The Department of Student Services and Special Education is committed to a high standard of educational outcomes for students with disabilities. We offer a continuum of services to meet the individual needs of students, ages 3-22, identified as needing special education. Through the collaboration of special education teachers, general education teachers, and related services staff we provide research-based individually designed instruction to maximize engagement in the general education curriculum. Our goal is to assist students in reaching their highest academic, personal, and social potential.

CORE BELIEF

Watertown Student Services is committed to the belief that all children are capable of attaining educational achievement that will prepare them to lead productive lives and be responsible citizens. To this end students will demonstrate diligence and effort in a learning environment that is responsive to individual student academic and social-emotional needs through skilled professional instruction and enriching opportunities for positive youth development.

STUDENT SERVICES GOALS

SYSTEMS: Develop and document procedures and practices to ensure high-quality programming and service delivery.

TEACHING & LEARNING: The district will enhance the instructional program for all students receiving special education services and individualized health care plans.

COMMUNICATION: The Office of Student Services will expand communication with all educational stakeholders around policy, process and procedure.

CULTURE: Through ongoing and collaborative analysis of student academic, social-emotional and wellness data the district will use results to inform our decisions about instruction, resources, and program development.