PS 77-The NYC Laboratory School for Gifted Education

1700 Third Avenue New York, NY 10128

(212) 427-2798 Fax (212) 423-0634 Dr. Mara Koetke, Principal August 20, 2012 Dear Parents of Class 2-203, As many of you may be aware, The New York City Department of Education is engaged in special education reform. In June, Chancellor Walcott wrote a letter to all families, in which he stated, Our goal is to ensure our students with disabilities are fully embraced in their community schools and participate in a wide range of classroom and school-wide activities with the appropriate support. Students with disabilities will continue to be provided wit the services they need as stated in their Individualized Education Programs, and at the same time, they will have increased access to the same curriculum and be challenged to reach the same high expectations as their non-disabled peers. At PS 77, The Lower Lab School we are embracing this opportunity as one of equitableness and increased resources for all of our students. As such, 2-203 will be co-taught by Allison Haimeck, the current second grade teacher who is certified in Gifted and Talented Education, and Lindsey Kubera, a special educator previously teaching in our self contained program. These two outstanding educators bring the expertise necessary to service the needs of all of our students, including our twice exceptional students, those demonstrating characteristics of giftedness and learning disabilities, and several students formerly part of the primary grades self-contained program. Throughout the spring and summer, these teachers have collaborated, met regularly with administration, and attended professional development from the renowned GoldMansour and Rutherford consulting firm on strategies to build a diverse, and inclusive classroom. We feel very prepared to make this reform successful here at Lower Lab not only for those who receive special education services but also those without disabilities. I would like to take this opportunity to remind all parents that beyond a moral imperative, it is the law that students have access to the least restrictive educational environment as appropriate. Research has shown students with special needs who spend less time in so-called self-contained special education classrooms have higher attendance, higher test scores, fewer behavioral problems, and higher graduation rates. Additionally, all of our student can benefit from being in a classroom that is co-taught. This allows for greater differentiation for those students demonstrating need as well as those students demonstrating strength in various aspects of the curriculum. On Monday, September 10th at 8:30 am in the cafeteria we will be hosting a parent coffee for parents of students in class 203. During the coffee, Ms. Allison Haimeck and Ms. Lindsey Kubera will present various models of co-teaching they plan to implement in the classroom this year, as well as share some examples of adaptive materials, and how content, process, and/or product will be differentiated to address the needs of all students in the class. There will also be an opportunity for a question and answer session with the administration. Currently, the class will also have the added benefit of a Teacher Assistant and may, if necessary, include the addition of a paraprofessional. I am pleased to offer this level of support to all of our children and the opportunity to participate in an inclusive classroom. I look forward to our meeting on September 10th, and as always, please feel free to reach out to me with any concerns. Sincerely, Dr. Mara Koetke, Principal Nancy Cabrero. Assistant Principal