Special Education
Program and Department Overview
The Special Education Department of Cicero School District 99 provides programs that allow children with exceptional needs to obtain benefits from the curriculum and make continuous progress toward District learning expectations and Illinois State Standards.
The overall goal of the Special Education Department is to meet the individual and unique needs of each student and provide for them strategies, accommodations, and educational opportunities to help them become problem solvers, decision-makers, independent, productive citizens and lifelong learners.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides for a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for all individuals with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21. In order to meet the diverse educational needs of all of its students, the Special Education Department provides a continuum of instructional and support services that are considered when a child becomes eligible for special education services.
Students receive supportive instruction by a qualified special education teacher in collaboration with the student’s regular education teacher. Instructional sessions are provided either individually or in small groups in the regular education environment or in the resource room
Curriculum Info & Resources
Individual Education Plans (IEP)
Children with Disabilities who are in a general education classroom setting utilize the general education curriculum in reading, writing, math, social studies and science with accommodations and modifications as stated in their Individual Education Plans (IEP).
Children with Disabilities who are in a more restrictive classroom setting such as an Instructional Self Contained placement also access the general education curriculum in reading, writing, math, social studies and science with accommodations as stated in their Individual Education Plans (IEP).
Students in this placement follow a specialized pacing guide to support their learning needs.
Literacy Footprints
A small group guided reading program is also utilized in the general education and Instructional Self Contained placement to provide additional support for students who are learning to read.
Unique
An alternative curriculum utilized in our specialized programs called Accessible Instructional Program (AIP/AIPM) and Structured Programs (STR). These programs are for students with multiple needs and require additional support and structure throughout the school day. The Unique curriculum focuses on independent life skills and foundational skills in reading, writing and math.
SANDI Assesment
Utilized in the specialized programs to assess individualized skills and drive the annual IEP goals for each student.
Non-Public/Parochial Schools
For children enrolled in non-public/parochial schools: Cicero District 99 meets each year to discuss with the administration of local non-public/parochial schools the district referral procedures for students with suspected disabilities. Please contact the building administrator of the non-public/parochial school your child attends for information on referring your child for screening or evaluation.
If your child attends a non-public/parochial school outside of the boundaries of Cicero District 99 the school district that the non-public/parochial school is located in is responsible for evaluating and providing services for your child if they are eligible for special education services, contact your non-public/parochial school principal for information and procedures
Child Find
The State Of Illinois makes each school district responsible for actively seeking out and identifying all children from birth through 21 within the district, including children not enrolled in the public schools, who may be eligible for special education and related services.
Cicero School District 99 being an elementary school district serving children from age 3 through 15, recognizes this responsibility and provides a screening and evaluation program that assists in the identification of children suspected of having a disability that impacts educational performance.
For Homebound Requests
Additional Resources
AAC Devices in District 99
In Cicero District 99, educating the whole child makes all the difference.
And, for the District's Special Education Department, the educational goal remains the same — striving to meet the individual and unique needs of each student and provide for them strategies and educational opportunities to help them become problem solvers, decision makers and independent, productive citizens.
Hear how District 99 has incorporated augmentative and alternative communication devices, or AACs, into the classroom to help students with speech and language impairments better communicate with their teachers and peers!
For students communicating differently, District 99 provides technology that can support alternative ways for our students to find their voice and use it effectively and meaningfully. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) means communicating using sign language, gestures, writing, low-tech (e.g., picture exchange systems) and high-tech devices. AAC can support both expressive and receptive language/communication.
Contact Us
Director
Dr. Ella Farmer
📧 efarmer@cicd99.edu
Assistant Director
Richard Golminas
📧 rgolminas@cicd99.edu
Assistant Director
Lisa Wojcik
📧 lwojcik@cicd99.edu
Assistant Director
Megan O'Malley
📧 momalley@cicd99.edu
Curriculum & Compliance Coordinator
Kathryn Boaz
📧 kboaz@cicd99.edu
Program Supervisor
Bryan Martin
📧 bmartin@cicd99.edu
Interpreter
Margarita Gallegos
📧 mgallegos@cicd99.edu
Interpreter
Leticia Espana
📧 lespana@cicd99.edu
Interpreter
Pilly Lopez
📧 elopez@cicd99.edu
Interpreter
Laura Hernandez
📧 lhernandez3@cicd99.edu
Interpreter
Melida Satti
📧 msatti@cicd99.edu
Interpreter
Lynette Gallegos
📧 lgallegos@cicd99.edu
Interpreter
Daniela Cazares
📧 dcazares@cicd99.edu
Clerk
Melissa Hernandez
📧 mshernandez@cicd99.edu
Clerk
Lisette Rodriguez
📧 lrodriguez3@cicd99.edu
Clerk
Marlene Soto
📧 msoto3@cicd99.edu
Clerk
Diana Jurado
📧 djurado@cicd99.edu
Clerk
Irene Nateras
📧 inateras@cicd99.edu
Clerk
Mary Labudzik
📧 mlabudzik@cicd99.edu
District Instructional Coach
Sepideh Noekhah
📧 snoekhah@cicd99.edu