Special education is a program that provides specially designed instruction (SDI) to address the unique needs of students. This instruction provides students with an education that will prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living. All students must be evaluated to determine if they are eligible for and in need of SDI before they can receive support through the special education program. Special education is provided at no cost to parents and this includes the related services a student needs to access their educational program.
Links to information about Special Education services, policy, procedures, and department staff are below. Please contact the Special Education Secretary at (509) 937-2616 for additional assistance, documents, inquiries, or language assistance.
SERVICES:
Valley Early Learning Center (Preschool)
- academic and behavioral intervention
- speech and language pathology services
- occupational therapy
- physical therapy
- school psychology services
Valley School (K-8)
- academic and behavioral intervention
- speech and language pathology services
- occupational therapy
- physical therapy
- school psychology services
Paideia High School
- academic and behavioral intervention
- speech and language pathology services
- occupational therapy
- physical therapy
- school psychology services
Columbia Virtual Academy
- academic intervention*
- speech and language pathology services*
*Special education instruction is provided by special education teachers, speech therapists, and para-educators during video chat sessions in a home-based learning program. Our video-chat approach typically allows CVA staff to address academic and speech needs. The special education team reviews special education information for students considering CVA to determine if their unique needs can be met appropriately from a distance.
REFERRALS
If, at any time, you believe your student may need special education, you may contact your student’s teacher, special education staff, school psychologist, or principal. You can also contact the special education department below to request that your student be evaluated for special education.
CHILD FIND
If, at any time, you believe your student may need special education, you may contact your student’s teacher, special education staff, school psychologist, or principal. You can also contact the special education department below to request that your student be evaluated for special education.
The district conducts Child Find activities for the purpose of locating, evaluating and identifying children residing within district boundaries with a suspected disability who are not currently receiving special education and related services. Early identification and intervention helps children become more independent and achieve at higher levels.
CONTACTS:
General Information or Record Requests:
Caitie Klemish
Special Education Secretary
Phone: (509) 937-2616
Fax: (509) 651-7728
Caitie.Klemish@valleysd.org
Interim Special Education Director/
School Psychologist:
Katherine Blair, Ed.S., NCSP
(509) 937-2678
Katherine.Blair@valleysd.org
Special Education Teachers:
Becky Bylund
Teacher - Valley School
(509) 937-2413
Becky.Bylund@valleyk8.org
Pamela Harrison
Teacher - Valley School
(509) 937-2670
Pamela.Harrison@valleyk8.org
Karen Spencer
Teacher - Columbia Virtual Academy
(509) 563-4114
Karen.Spencer@cva.org
Cindy Court Zmuda
Teacher - Columbia Virtual Academy
(509) 563-2607
Cindy.Zmuda@cva.org
Speech Language Pathologist:
Shawna Jamison
Valley School & Columbia Virtual Academy
(509) 999-8572
Shawna.Jamison@cva.org
RESOURCES:
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
