Kara Saldierna Director of Special Education
Fax: (531) 299-0386 kara.saldierna@ops.org
If you have concerns regarding the
development of your child who is
between the ages of birth to 5 years old,
please call the Early Childhood Referral Line
at 531-299-0242 to discuss your concerns.
The Behavior Skills Program serves students in grades K-12. This program focuses interventions on the social, emotional and behavioral needs of students while providing instruction to support the students' participation and progress in the general curriculum. Behavior intervention plans are individualized to meet the needs of each student. Students are integrated into general education classrooms whenever possible. This program is available at 9 elementary schools, all middle and high schools, and at the alternative programs.
Service Delivery Model:
Curriculum:
Points of discussion at the intake conference:
Program Contact:
Kylee Starmer-Wilson
BSP Supervisor
Phone: 402-557-2427
Kylee.Starmer-Wilson@ops.org
Program Description:
The Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program provides educational opportunities to 3-5 year olds as they grow and develop. When students in our district need extra support to help them become successful in school, the ECSE program provides services to students with a verified disability.
Service delivery may vary depending upon the disability and severity of needs. Our students can receive services in a Pre-Kindergarten, Head Start, Inclusionary, or Early Childhood Special Education classrooms. Other students receive building level services at their neighborhood school. The Omaha Public Schools has classrooms that are half day and full day programs that meet 5 days a week. We have Early Childhood programs that support our Special Education students in 46 Elementary Schools.
In the Omaha Public Schools we use The Creative Curriculum for Preschool as a framework for the classroom. It is a set of 38 objectives that are divided into 10 areas of development and learning:
The Creative Curriculum is an early childhood curriculum that focuses on:
Assessment: All students in Early Childhood are assessed on 38 Creative Curriculum objectives using Teaching Strategies Gold. It is an online system that teachers use to complete checkpoints 3 times per year: Fall, Winter, and Spring. The information gained will be used for future planning of developmentally appropriate activities for the students in the classroom. All children with an IEP will receive quarterly updates on their progress through Quarterly IEP Progress Reports.
Role Model Opportunities: The Early Childhood Special Education Program (ECSE) is looking for role models. The ECSE classroom is designed to service 3-5 year old children who have a verified disability. Children who qualify for the ECSE classes have disabilities that may include speech/language, cognition, orthopedic, behavior, vision, hearing and special health problems. The classroom is staffed with an Early Childhood Special Education teacher and two paraprofessionals. Classes will include children with disabilities, and 2-3 peer models.
Students who are role models should display age-appropriate cognition, motor development, language, and behavior. There is no cost for children enrolled in the ECSE program. Children must be 3 years old by July 31st and participate in a screen process. Parents are expected to provide transportation for their children and complete all district enrollment requirements. The ECSE classroom is a half-day program that meets 5 days a week. Students must be able to attend all 5 days. If you are interested in your preschool child being considered as a role model for the ECSE classroom, please contact the secretary for the ECSE program at 531-299-9519.
Do you have concerns about the way your child is developing?
If you have concerns about your child’s development, the Omaha Public Schools will provide a free evaluation. To make a referral for an evaluation for a child who is birth to 5 years old, please contact the referral line at 531-299-0242.
Program Contacts:
Felicia Tweedy
ECSE Supervisor
Supports schools North of Blondo
Phone: 531-299-9519
Felicia.Tweedy@ops.org
Carrie Baden
ECSE Lead Teacher
Supports schools South of Blondo
Phone: 531-299-9698
Carrie.Baden@ops.org
The Hearing Impaired Program serves students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Signing Exact English (SEE II) is the communication system used for instruction and as visual support for other students. Students participate in the general education curriculum with the support of sign language interpreters. Students also receive enhanced vocabulary and language development instruction. This program is provided in two elementary schools, one middle and one high school.
The Multihandicapped Program serves students with multiple disabilities, ages 5-21 years, in an environment that supports students’ medical and sensory needs. The instructional program addresses the cognitive, communication, community, motor, self-help, social skills and prevocational domains. Opportunities are provided to participate in activities with non-disabled peers.
This program is located at J.P. Lord School https://jplord.ops.org/HOME/tabid/36/Default.aspx).
Laura Mac-Holmes
J.P. Lord Principal
Phone: 402-554-6771
Laura.Mac-Holmes@ops.org
Robin Quinn
ACP Supervisor
Phone: 402-557-2447
Robin.Quinn@ops.org
The Resource Program serves students with disabilities in grades K-12. Special education staff provide interventions, accommodations to support the students’ participation and progress in the general curriculum. Students in this program may have a variety of disabilities. This program is provided in all OPS schools.
Valerie Carritt
Resource Supervisor for Bancroft, Benson West, Edison, Florence, Harrison, Jackson, Highland, Oak Valley, McMillan, North High
Phone: 402-557-2540
Valerie.Carritt@ops.org
Abbie Schmidt
Resource Supervisor for Fontenelle, Fullerton, Miller Park, Minne Lusa, Mount View, Pawnee, Rose Hill, Skinner, Marrs, South High
Phone: 402-557-2435
Abigial.Schmidt@ops.org
Liz McGuire
Resource Supervisor for Adams, Conestoga, Kellom, Liberty, Sunny Slope, Wilson,
Non-Public Schools, Bryan Middle, Bryan High
Phone: 402-557-2539
Elizabeth.Mcguire@ops.org
Michelle Gaither
Resource Supervisor for Columbian, Masters, Pinewood, Ponca, Prairie Wind, Saddlebrook, Saratoga, Springville, Standing Bear, King, Chandler View, Buffet Middle, Lewis & Clark,
Phone: 402-557-2485
Michelle.Gaither@ops.org
Adia Brightman
Resource Supervisor for Beals, Catlin, Boyd, Dundee, Franklin, Kennedy, Wakonda, Walnut Hill, Monroe, King Science Technology Magnet, Benson High
Phone: 402-557-2657
Adia.Brightman@ops.org
Chris Pereira
Resource Supervisor for Druid Hill, Field Club, Gilder, Joslyn, Picotte, Washington, Gateway, Hale, Morton, Northwest
Phone: 402-557-2419
Christine.Pereira@ops.org
Alissa Jangulo
Resource Supervisor for Ashland Park Robbins, Belle Ryan, Castelar, Crestridge, Gomez, Jefferson, Spring Lake, Western Hills, Norris, Central High
Phone: 402-557-2643
Alissa.Jangulo@ops.org
Melissa Prante
Resource Supervisor for Belvedere, Central Park, Dodge, Hartman, Lothrop, Sherman, Beveridge, Davis, Burke
Phone: 402-557-2417
Melissa.Prante@ops.org
Services Delivery Model:
See the Transition Page website at:
https://district.ops.org/DEPARTMENTS/CurriculumInstructionandAssessment/SpecialEducation/TransitionProgram.aspx
Program Contact
Shana Frodyma
Transition Supervisor
Phone: 402-557-2543
Shana.Frodyma@ops.org
Related services, as determined by the IEP team, are provided for every program at every school. Related Services are coorective, developmental and other supportive services required to assit a child with a disability to benefit from special education. Included are:
Program Description: The Alternate Curriculum Program serves students with cognitive disabilities in grades K-12 who require instruction focused on functional academic, social and vocational training. Students participate in this program because of the severity of their disabilities and the amount of support required to meet their individual needs. Students also participate in integrative classes and activities with their general education peers as appropriate. This program is provided in 16 elementary schools, 11 middle and 6 high schools.
Phone: 531-299-9483
The Omaha Public Schools provides hearing tests through the Audiological department. If you have concerns for your child's hearing and you are interested in a hearing test for your child, please call Liz Vazquez at 531-299-9399 to schedule.