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!

Meet our Staff

      Kelly Roth, Director of Student Services

      Patricia Bourquein, School Psychologist

     Alison Gandenberger, Behavioral Consultant

      Trisha Goldsmith, Educational Consultant

      Daelle Woolwine, Early Childhood Educational Consultant

      Abby Ruwe, Counselor

      Dr. Elaina Beach, Physical Therapist

      Emily Denning, Administrative Assistant 

       Jamie Callaway, Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant

      Judy Hagedorn, Special Education Teacher- Non-Public Schools

      Laura Nagel, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

      Lori Trimble, Teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

       Mindy Koehne, Teacher for the Blind and Low Vision

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.

2022 Summer Camp Opportunities for DHH Students:

Camp Willard- July 20-29, 2022. Camp Willard is a nine-day recreational camping experience available to Indiana deaf and hard of hearing students entering 3rd-8th grade during the 2022-2023 school year. 

Indiana Deaf Camp- June 26-July 1, 2022. Indiana Deaf Camp is dedicated to empowering deaf, hard of hearing, their families and communities through educational, social, spiritual, physical, and personal development. Registration is now open!

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

• pdf IDOE Evaluation Flowchart

• pdf IDOE Early Childhood Special Education Overview

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. 

• pdf Transition Manual

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

• pdf Social Emotional and Behavioral Resources

Click below for resoures 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.          

• Working with your child at home

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