Welcome to Sunman-Dearborn Special Education!


  • The vision of Special Education at Sunman-Dearborn Community School Corporation is to provide an inclusive environment that proactively guides students on their individual paths to success, removes social barriers, fosters social and emotional learning, and promotes lifelong achievement through family and community engagement.

    The Office of Special Education is committed to upholding the mission and the vision of Sunman-Dearborn Community Schools. Our efforts are to ensure every student receives a quality and appropriate education. Under the leadership of Sunman-Dearborn Community School leaders and the direct leadership of Mrs. Kelly Roth, our staff is working toward creating a school environment that supports each student. The Office of Special Education staff works side by side with school personnel, sharing tools and practices that benefit each child. We look forward to working with families to help our students grow and succeed. 

                                                                         Child Find Procedure

    If you feel that your child might benefit from special education services:

    Federal and state law requires that local school districts “identify, locate and evaluate every child who may have a disability requiring special education services.” This is called Child Find. 

    If your child is between the ages of three to twenty-two and you suspect that he/she has a disability, you can make a request for your child to be tested. This is called a referral. 

    You may make a referral by informing your child’s school counselor (teacher or principal) that you would like your child evaluated.  

    From the date of your request, the school will have 10 school days in which to respond to you in one of two ways:

    • The school will decline to conduct an evaluation

      • You will be sent a Notice of Refusal, describing the information reviewed and the reasoning for declining the evaluation. You will be given a copy of your Parent’s Rights (Procedural Safeguards).

    • The school will proceed with an evaluation

      • You will be sent a Notice of Evaluation describing the information reviewed and why the decision was made to move forward. It will list the suspected disability and the assessment procedures. You will be given a copy of your Parent’s Rights (Procedural Safeguards).

    In most cases, your child will be evaluated and/or observed by various team members during the regular school day. Testing will be conducted in one on one sessions. You may be asked to complete some additional checklists. It is helpful if these completed forms are returned promptly.
    The school will have 50 school days from the date they receive your written consent to conduct all of the evaluations and have a meeting with you, called a case conference.

    A full description of your parental rights regarding special education processes is located in the Procedural Safeguards document you received when making a referral.

    There are thirteen disability categories recognized by Indiana and which could qualify a student for special education and related services: 

    • Autism Spectrum Disorder

    • Blind/Low Vision

    • Deaf/Hard of Hearing

    • Deaf/Blind

    • Developmental Delay (3-9)

    • Emotional Disability 

    • Intellectual Disability 

    • Language or Speech Impairment 

    • Multiple Disabilities 

    • Orthopedic Impairment 

    • Other Health Impairment 

    • Specific Learning Disability 

    • Traumatic Brain Injury 

  • Our team is here to assist you with answering any of your questions, and putting your mind at ease!

    Kelly Roth

    Kelly Roth

    Director of Student Services
    Patricia Bourquein

    Patricia Bourquein

    School Psychologist
    Alison Gandenberger

    Alison Gandenberger

    Behavioral Consultant
    Trisha Goldsmith

    Trisha Goldsmith

    Educational Consultant
    Daelle Woolwine

    Daelle Woolwine

    Early Childhood Educational Consultant
    Abby Ruwe

    Abby Ruwe

    Counselor
    Dr. Elaina Beach

    Dr. Elaina Beach

    Physical Therapist
    Emily Denning

    Emily Denning

    Administrative Assistant
    Maggie Tidwell

    Maggie Tidwell

    Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant
    Judy Hagedorn

    Judy Hagedorn

    Special Education Teacher- Non-Public Schools
    Laura Nagel

    Laura Nagel

    Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
    Lori Trimble

    Lori Trimble

    Teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
    Mindy Koehne

    Mindy Koehne

    Teacher for the Blind and Low Vision
    Andrea Engel-Dixon

    Andrea Engel-Dixon

    Occupational Therapist

  • pdf Notice of Parent Rights

    As the parent of a child who has or may have a disability, the state and federal laws give you certain rights – called procedural safeguards. If you would like a more detailed explanation of these rights, you should contact the principal of your child’s school, a school administrator, the special education director, or any of the resources listed on the last page of this notice of procedural safeguards, or notice of parent rights. 
     
    A copy of this Notice must be given to parents once each year and upon: 
    • Initial referral or parent’s request for evaluation 
    • Filing of the first complaint during the school year 
    • Filing of the first due process hearing during the school year 
    • The date the school decides to take disciplinary action that constitutes a change of placement, including removal to an interim alternative educational setting for weapons, drugs, or serious bodily injury
    • Parent’s request.

        • Summer Camp

          Below are summer camps in Indiana for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.  Click on the link to be taken to the website for more details.  

          2024 Summer Camp Opportunities:

          Indiana Deaf Camp, June 25 – 30th, 2024 is dedicated to empowering Deaf, hard-of-hearing families and communities through educational, social, spiritual, physical, and personal development. Camp is open to ages 4- 17. Registration is now open!  http://indeafcamps.org/

          Camp Willard is also open for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students entering 3rd – 8th grade during the 2024 – 2025 school year. https://www.deafhoosiers.com/post/camp-willard-summer-2024

          Hear Indiana's 2024 Listening and Spoken Language Camp  JUNE 9–14, 2024 Registration for the 2024 Listening and Spoken Language Camp is open! Camp is open to ages 8 – 18. https://www.hearindiana.org/camp/

          _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

          If you are concerned that your child is not meeting their developmental milestones, the following resources can help you understand what steps should be taken in order to begin the special education testing process. 
           




          Developmental Disability Services provides wonderful opportunities for individuals and families to connect with community resources and support the goals of individuals with disabilities.  


          A Transition happens when a student who receives special education services exits school and enters adult life. This is a gradual process that takes teamwork and planning over time. You are invited to view our Transition Manual to assist in guiding you through this process. 


          Please click the link below for Social-Emotional and Behavioral Resources for the Home.

          Click below for resources and activities to get your child moving at home.

          pdf Activities for the Home

          The IDOE recently shared the fourth video of a series designed to help parents. We hope you find this video helpful in working with your students at home. Please use the link below to view the video.          

        • The Speech and Language Pathologists of Sunman-Dearborn Community Schools have created a website filled with resources and helpful tools. Please check out their website below!

          Speech & Language Services

        Special Education


        The vision of Special Education at Sunman-Dearborn Community School Corporation is to provide an inclusive environment that proactively guides students on their individual paths to success, removes social barriers, fosters social and emotional learning, and promotes lifelong achievement through family and community engagement.

        The Office of Special Education is committed to upholding the mission and the vision of Sunman-Dearborn Community Schools. Our efforts are to ensure every student receives a quality and appropriate education. Under the leadership of Sunman-Dearborn Community School leaders and the direct leadership of Mrs. Kelly Roth, our staff is working toward creating a school environment that supports each student. The Office of Special Education staff works side by side with school personnel, sharing tools and practices that benefit each child. We look forward to working with families to help our students grow and succeed. 

                                                                             Child Find Procedure

        If you feel that your child might benefit from special education services:

        Federal and state law requires that local school districts “identify, locate and evaluate every child who may have a disability requiring special education services.” This is called Child Find. 

        If your child is between the ages of three to twenty-two and you suspect that he/she has a disability, you can make a request for your child to be tested. This is called a referral. 

        You may make a referral by informing your child’s school counselor (teacher or principal) that you would like your child evaluated.  

        From the date of your request, the school will have 10 school days in which to respond to you in one of two ways:

        • The school will decline to conduct an evaluation

          • You will be sent a Notice of Refusal, describing the information reviewed and the reasoning for declining the evaluation. You will be given a copy of your Parent’s Rights (Procedural Safeguards).

        • The school will proceed with an evaluation

          • You will be sent a Notice of Evaluation describing the information reviewed and why the decision was made to move forward. It will list the suspected disability and the assessment procedures. You will be given a copy of your Parent’s Rights (Procedural Safeguards).

        In most cases, your child will be evaluated and/or observed by various team members during the regular school day. Testing will be conducted in one on one sessions. You may be asked to complete some additional checklists. It is helpful if these completed forms are returned promptly.
        The school will have 50 school days from the date they receive your written consent to conduct all of the evaluations and have a meeting with you, called a case conference.

        A full description of your parental rights regarding special education processes is located in the Procedural Safeguards document you received when making a referral.

        There are thirteen disability categories recognized by Indiana and which could qualify a student for special education and related services: 

        • Autism Spectrum Disorder

        • Blind/Low Vision

        • Deaf/Hard of Hearing

        • Deaf/Blind

        • Developmental Delay (3-9)

        • Emotional Disability 

        • Intellectual Disability 

        • Language or Speech Impairment 

        • Multiple Disabilities 

        • Orthopedic Impairment 

        • Other Health Impairment 

        • Specific Learning Disability 

        • Traumatic Brain Injury 

        Read more

        Meet our Staff

        Our team is here to assist you with answering any of your questions, and putting your mind at ease!

        Kelly Roth

        Kelly Roth

        Director of Student Services
        Patricia Bourquein

        Patricia Bourquein

        School Psychologist
        Alison Gandenberger

        Alison Gandenberger

        Behavioral Consultant
        Trisha Goldsmith

        Trisha Goldsmith

        Educational Consultant
        Daelle Woolwine

        Daelle Woolwine

        Early Childhood Educational Consultant
        Abby Ruwe

        Abby Ruwe

        Counselor
        Dr. Elaina Beach

        Dr. Elaina Beach

        Physical Therapist
        Emily Denning

        Emily Denning

        Administrative Assistant
        Maggie Tidwell

        Maggie Tidwell

        Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant
        Judy Hagedorn

        Judy Hagedorn

        Special Education Teacher- Non-Public Schools
        Laura Nagel

        Laura Nagel

        Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
        Lori Trimble

        Lori Trimble

        Teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
        Mindy Koehne

        Mindy Koehne

        Teacher for the Blind and Low Vision
        Andrea Engel-Dixon

        Andrea Engel-Dixon

        Occupational Therapist

        Read more

        Notice of Parent Rights

        pdf Notice of Parent Rights

        As the parent of a child who has or may have a disability, the state and federal laws give you certain rights – called procedural safeguards. If you would like a more detailed explanation of these rights, you should contact the principal of your child’s school, a school administrator, the special education director, or any of the resources listed on the last page of this notice of procedural safeguards, or notice of parent rights. 
         
        A copy of this Notice must be given to parents once each year and upon: 
        • Initial referral or parent’s request for evaluation 
        • Filing of the first complaint during the school year 
        • Filing of the first due process hearing during the school year 
        • The date the school decides to take disciplinary action that constitutes a change of placement, including removal to an interim alternative educational setting for weapons, drugs, or serious bodily injury
        • Parent’s request.

              Read more

              Parent Resources

              Summer Camp

              Below are summer camps in Indiana for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.  Click on the link to be taken to the website for more details.  

              2024 Summer Camp Opportunities:

              Indiana Deaf Camp, June 25 – 30th, 2024 is dedicated to empowering Deaf, hard-of-hearing families and communities through educational, social, spiritual, physical, and personal development. Camp is open to ages 4- 17. Registration is now open!  http://indeafcamps.org/

              Camp Willard is also open for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students entering 3rd – 8th grade during the 2024 – 2025 school year. https://www.deafhoosiers.com/post/camp-willard-summer-2024

              Hear Indiana's 2024 Listening and Spoken Language Camp  JUNE 9–14, 2024 Registration for the 2024 Listening and Spoken Language Camp is open! Camp is open to ages 8 – 18. https://www.hearindiana.org/camp/

              _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

              If you are concerned that your child is not meeting their developmental milestones, the following resources can help you understand what steps should be taken in order to begin the special education testing process. 
               




              Developmental Disability Services provides wonderful opportunities for individuals and families to connect with community resources and support the goals of individuals with disabilities.  


              A Transition happens when a student who receives special education services exits school and enters adult life. This is a gradual process that takes teamwork and planning over time. You are invited to view our Transition Manual to assist in guiding you through this process. 


              Please click the link below for Social-Emotional and Behavioral Resources for the Home.

              Click below for resources and activities to get your child moving at home.

              pdf Activities for the Home

              The IDOE recently shared the fourth video of a series designed to help parents. We hope you find this video helpful in working with your students at home. Please use the link below to view the video.          

              Read more

              Speech and Language

              The Speech and Language Pathologists of Sunman-Dearborn Community Schools have created a website filled with resources and helpful tools. Please check out their website below!

              Speech & Language Services

              Read more


              Contact Information:


              Special Education Office 
              Attn: Emily Denning
              925 N. Meridian St
              Sunman, IN 47041
              812-623-2291

              • Counselor/Social Worker (Ext. 13906)

                afruwe@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

              • Educational Consultant (ext 13905)

                amgandenberger@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

              • Occupational Therapy (ext 13912)

                amengel-dixon@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

              • Educational Consultant (ext 13903)

                dawoolwine@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

              • Physical Therapist

                ebeach@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

              • Administrative Assistant (ext 13902)

                eadenning@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

              • Non-Public Teacher of Record (St Nicholas)

                jahagedorn@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

              • Director of Student Services (ext 10905)

                knroth@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

              • Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (ext 13914)

                lenagel@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

              • Teacher for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing(ext 13907)

                latrimble@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

              • Speech/Language Pathologist Assistant (ext 13908)

                mmtidwell@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

              • Blind/Low Vision (ext 13913)

                mkoehne@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

              • School Psychologist (ext 13901)

                pabourquein@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

              • Educational Consultant (ext 13904)

                tsgoldsmith@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

              Vision

              Reflecting on our core values of stewardship, data-driven, collaboration, shared leadership, and commitment, the vision of Sunman-Dearborn Community Schools is:

              Surpassing Expectations and Inspiring Excellence in Every Student, Every Day



              Mission

              Our mission is to provide a safe, innovative, and challenging environment designed to prepare students for their futures through Stewardship, Data-Driven Decision Making, Collaboration, Shared Leadership, and Commitment.
              SuperChat

              Listen to the latest episode of the Superintendent's Podcast Internet Show, called SuperChat with Gary Puckett by clicking on the FlyPod image below.


              flypod2
               
                • Admin. Office

                  Sunman-Dearborn Community Schools
                  1 Trojan Place, Suite B
                  St. Leon, IN 47012

                  Tel: 812-623-2291
                  Fax: 812-623-3341
                  Dr. Andrew Jackson, Superintendent

                  High School

                  East Central High School
                  1 Trojan Place, Suite A
                  St. Leon, IN 47012

                  Tel: 812-576-4811
                  Fax: 812-576-2047
                  Tom Black, Principal

                  Middle School

                  East Central Middle School
                  8356 Schuman Road
                  St. Leon, IN 47012

                  Tel: 812-576-3500
                  Fax: 812-576-3506
                  Chad Swinney, Principal

                • Elementary Schools

                  Bright Elementary
                  22593 Stateline Road
                  Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

                  Tel: 812-637-4600
                  Fax: 812-637-4606
                  Michael Collier, Principal

                  North Dearborn Elementary
                  27650 Sawmill Road
                  West Harrison, IN 47060

                  Tel: 812-576-1900
                  Fax: 812-576-1901
                  Jeff Bond, Principal

                  Sunman Elementary
                  925 North Meridian St.
                  Sunman, IN  47041

                  Tel: 812-623-2235
                  Toll Free:  888-645-5717
                  Fax:  812-623-4330
                  Pamela Dixon, Principal
              • Location