Board's goal is to help pupils cope with problems
BY TOYNETT HALL
Staff Writer

HOWELL - The Board of Education is looking to adopt a new system that will assist educators in addressing difficulties that may occur with a student's learning, behavior or health needs.

The policy would be in accordance with the New Jersey Administrative Code, which states that intervention and referral services shall be provided to pupils in general and special education programs.

According to Assistant Superinten-dent Susan Vonsover, the implementation of these new services "is a way for general and special educators to come together when a child has difficulty in school."

According to the administrative code, the purpose of the intervention and referral services is to "establish and implement a coordinated system in each school building for the planning and delivery of intervention and referral services that are designed to assist students who are experiencing learning, behavior or health difficulties."

In addition to aiding students, it will "assist staff who have difficulties in addressing students' learning, behavior or health needs."

Vonsover said the initiative will basically help educators identify issues that may occur in a student's life and to bring available resources to that student to resolve the problem. Resolutions may include "modifying the curriculum, helping a child to be more organized, or perhaps providing more time on tests," Vonsover said.

In other business, the policy committee of the Board of Education has modified the school district's attendance policy to make the wording less ambiguous.

According to Vonsover, "The wording in the attendance policy was vague. Teachers, nurses and parents were interpreting the policy differently."

The policy update now allows parents to make a phone call instead of sending a note, an adequate means of notification for when a child is absent.

"The school district must keep track of each student during school hours. If a child is absent we need to know why. We are eliminating the procedure of sending a note and making a phone call acceptable," Vonsover said.

According to Vonsover, the "terminology in the policy has now been strengthened so everyone will understand the message."