Frequently asked Questions & Answers
Q. My child is receiving special education services already but is still having academic problems in school. Who do I contact to discuss services for my child?
A. Concerns about your child’s special education services can best be handled through a meeting with your child’s special education teacher and other service providers. Pupil Appraisal staff assigned to your child's school are also there to assist. Contact Sherelle Guidry, the IEP Coordinator if your concerns cannot be resolved at the school level. 985-652-9250.
Q. My child receives special education services already but is still having behavior problems in school or at home. What can I do to receive help for my child?
A. Concerns about your child’s behavior can best be handled through a meeting with your child’s special education teacher and other service providers. Pupil Appraisal staff assigned to your child's school are also there to assist. They can also link you to community supports. Contact Desiree Bennett, the Behavior and Compliance Coordinator if your concerns cannot be resolved at the school level. 985-652-9250.
Q. I do not understand the services on my child’s IEP. Who do I contact to explain these services?
A. Concerns about your child’s special education services can best be handled through a meeting with your child’s special education teacher and other service providers. Pupil Appraisal staff assigned to your child's school are also there to assist. Contact Sherelle Guidry, the IEP Coordinator if your concerns cannot be resolved at the school level. 985-652-9250.
Q. I am dissatisfied with my child’s special education services. Who do I contact about my concerns?
A. Contact Desiree Bennett, the early contact resolution person at 985-652-9250 to discuss concerns and resolutions. You can also refer to the Louisiana Educational Rights of Children with Disabilities Handbook.
https://1.cdn.edl.io/HCggWDIaWspWGAkRN5ILuwWhQjGt49hbN0y05zIyXbThnr5k.pdf
Q. My child is currently in school and is having academic and/or behavior problems. How do I get him/her evaluated?
A. Students are screened through the Response to Intervention Process (RTI) at the school level. Students who are identified as potentially needing additional assistance are referred for evaluation through the School Building Level Committee (SBLC) at your child’s school. Contact Cherisse Steib at 985-652-9250 for more information about the evaluation process. As a parent, you can refer your child to the SBLC team to address your concerns.
Q. I am relocating to St. John Parish and I plan to send my child who has special needs to the St. John Public Schools. What kind of records do I need to bring with me?
A. When moving to St. John Parish from another parish or state it is helpful to bring your child’s current IEP and evaluation to the St. John Special Education Office, located at 538 West 2nd St, Laplace, LA 70068. If you do not have these records we will request them from your child’s previous school. Contact Sherelle Guidry or Lisa Millet at 985-652-9250 for additional information.
Q. My child is under the age of three and I think he/she is having learning, behavior, or speech problems. Who should I contact to have him/her evaluated.
A. Children from Birth to 2.9 years of age are evaluated through the Early Steps Program. Information about this program can be found at https://www.louisianabelieves.com/docs/default-source/early-childhood/brochure---early-childhood-transition-process---english-version.pdf?sfvrsn=5 You can contact the Early Steps Supervisor at 985-447-6550 for more information.
Q. My child is between the ages of 3-5 and is currently not in school. He/She is having learning, speech, or behavior problems at home. What do I do?
A. Parents who have concerns about their preschool child’s development, speech/language, social/behavioral, or motor skills may have their child screened at one of the developmental screening clinics conducted by our child search personal to determine if an evaluation is needed. To schedule an appointment for your child, contact Lisa Millet at 985-652-9250.
Q. My child is 3 years old and has been identified as a student with special needs. How do I get him/her in school?
A. Three-year-old children are provided services in their most natural setting. This may include the home, daycare, or school setting. Service location is determined by the IEP team at your child’s IEP meeting.
Q. My child is a four-year-old and has been identified as a student with special needs. How do I get him/her in school?
A. Four-year-old children are provided services in their least restrictive setting. This may include the home, daycare, or school setting. Service location is determined by the IEP team at your child’s IEP meeting. Special education placement does not guarantee acceptance into the Universal PK-4 programs. Contact Venus Simms at 985-652-9250 for more information. Parents may apply for one of our PK-4 programs through the Central Office located at 118 West 10th Street, Reserve, LA 70084. 985-536-1106.
Q. How do I obtain special education records for my child?
A. Special Education records can be obtained by visiting, The St. John Parish Special Education Office located at 538 West 2nd St, Laplace, LA 70068. The record’s fee is .25 cents per page. Please have cash available. Individuals eighteen or older must request their own records.
Q. What special transportation services does St. John provide?
A. Special transportation services are available if your child has a disability that would prevent him/her from riding a regular bus. If special transportation is needed, Desiree Bennett will help facilitate these services. She can be contacted at 985-652-9250.
Q. Who do I contact to get homebound services for my child?
A. Short term homebound services, up to a 12-week duration, are granted when a medical restriction is received from a licensed physician. Contact Dr. Stacey Spies or Sherelle Guidry at 985-652-9250 to discuss homebound services.
Q. What are the requirements for the Louisiana Alternate Assessment Program?
A. The requirement for the program can be found at https://www.louisianabelieves.com/docs/default-source/assessment/alternate-assessment-eligibility-faq-for-iep-teams.pdf?sfvrsn=6 Contact Alison Cupit at 985-652-9250 for more information.
Q. I received my child’s gifted/talented evaluation in the mail today. Who can I talk to about this evaluation?
A. All questions regarding Gifted/Talented should be directed to Sherelle Guidry, the IEP Coordinator if your concerns cannot be resolved at the school level. 985-652-9250.
Q. I am sending my child to a private school in St. John Parish. What kind of services will he/she receive?
A. Services in the private schools are negotiated between St. John School District and the private schools each year. Currently we only provide speech services in private schools. Some private schools have elected to provide special education academic services under their own program. For additional information please contact Dr. Stacey Spies at 985-652-9250.
Q. How do I know if my child qualifies for a 504 Plan?
A. 504 questions can be answered by contacting the 504 Chairperson at your child’s school. You can also access 504 information at https://www.louisianabelieves.com/docs/default-source/students-with-disabilities/section-504-overview-and-the-individaul-accommodation-plan-august-2016.pdf?sfvrsn=6 Pebbles Delaneuville is the 504 Facilitator for the St. John School System. She can be contacted at 985-652-9250.
Q. How do I contact the Special Education Director?
A. The Special Education Department has two directors. Please contact Drenean F. Brown, Director of Special Education for academic/instruction or Dr. Stacey Spies, Director of Compliance and Special Services for compliance, IEPs and related services. You may call 985-652-9250 to make an appointment between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.