At HUUSD, we are dedicated to ensuring our students are prepared with the skills necessary to become successful learners as they progress to graduation and beyond. Our educational support staff provide a range of services to eligible students designed to meet their individual needs, from classroom support by the teacher to one-on-one sessions. We are committed to delivering comprehensive programs that target the needs of all of our students.
Special Education entitles eligible children to a free appropriate public education beginning as early as the child’s third birthday and can be provided to those eligible through 21 years of age.
Age 3-5 Services: Essential Early Education (EEE)
Age 6-21 Services: Special Education & Related Services - Students are identified as being in need of special education services if they meet the following:
An individualized education program (IEP) is designed for students eligible for special education to provide a free and appropriate public education without charge to the parent or student.
Students are eligible for special education services after they have been determined eligible under Vermont State Regulations.
Special education regulations entitle families to specific rights in regards to their child’s education. More information can be found here on the State of Vermont Agency on Education site.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects people with disabilities from discrimination in any program or activity receiving federal funding. Students with disabilities that substantially limit a major life activity such as learning, working, hearing, speaking, etc. may require an individual accommodation plan or specific services to ensure access to education and school sponsored activities.
For more information on 504, link to the Vermont Department of Education Website.
The terminology used in special services can often be confusing. The Glossary of Terms and Acronyms is a partial list of terms members of student support teams are likely to encounter.
The schools comprising the Harwood Unified Union School District (Fayston Elementary School, Moretown Elementary School, Waitsfield Elementary School, Warren Elementary School, Brookside Primary School, Crossett Brook Middle School, and Harwood Union Middle/High School) have designated the following personally identifiable information as directory information under the Family Rights and Privacy Act:
Directory information may be released to members of the public and newspapers at the discretion of the school administration. Parents and guardians of students attending schools in the Harwood Unified Union School District and students who are 18 years of age or older have the right to refuse to allow the release of any or all of this information. Photos, videos, and information about school activities will be released for school use, to school and school district websites, to local newspapers, and to community television. Parents, guardians, and students 18 years of age or older who do not wish to have their child or themselves included in such releases and/or do not want any or all of the above information released must notify the school principal in writing by September 30, 2022.
The Harwood Unified Union School District is interested in locating pre-school age children (birth-5 years) who may have developmental delay in the areas of speech/language, social adjustment, adaptive behavior, self-care, gross/fine motor coordination, and/or cognitive development AND any school-age children who have handicaps who are not currently enrolled in school. All children are entitled to receive an education, regardless of handicap, at public expense. It is possible that the Harwood Unified Union School District may not be aware of all children residing in our towns who may have handicapping conditions eligible for services. If you know of a child living in the towns of Duxbury, Fayston, Moretown, Waitsfield, Warren or Waterbury who might be eligible for educational services and is not in school, please contact Jon Berliner, Director of Student Support Services, HUUSD, 340 Mad River Park, Suite 7, Waitsfield, VT 05673 or call (802) 583-7946.
In compliance with Section 504 Act of 1973, the Harwood Unified Union School District provides this notice to all employees, beneficiaries, and the citizens who reside in the member towns of Duxbury, Fayston, Moretown, Waitsfield, Warren and Waterbury.
In compliance with federal requirements under the Protection of Student Rights Act (PPRA), this is to provide parents with notice of specific parental rights of request with regard to the following:
Policies and procedures are available at all schools in the Harwood Unified Union School District or at the School District office, 340 Mad River Park, Suite 7, Waitsfield, VT 05673.
