Understanding the Special Education Evaluation Process

Navigating the special education evaluation process can feel overwhelming. This video, led by Director of Special Education Ms. Jillian Brodhead, is part 1 of a 2-part series and provides an overview of the evaluation process and important timelines at Saucon Valley School District. It's designed to help families understand what to expect, what happens at each step and how parents and guardians can participate efficiently and effectively along the way.

Part 1:

 

 

Saucon Valley school counselors support students and families across academic, career and social-emotional development. Counselors work with students through individual meetings, small groups, classroom lessons and collaboration with families and outside agencies when needed.

Families and students may meet with counselors for support with topics such as organization, goal setting, relationships, coping skills, anxiety, stress management and life transitions.

Meet the Counseling Team

Our counseling teams at the elementary, middle and high school levels partner closely with students and families to support development, well-being and academic success.

How School Counselors Support Students

• Short-term individual counseling support
• Small group counseling opportunities
• Social-emotional learning and skill development
• Academic planning and organizational skill support
• Family communication and collaboration
• Connection to community-based supports when needed

Families are encouraged to reach out to their child’s school counselor with questions or concerns at any time during the school year. You can find detailed contact information and other resources here.

School Health Services

School health services support student well-being by ensuring all state-mandated health requirements, physical exams and immunizations are completed. School nurses partner with families, healthcare providers and school staff to manage student health conditions, administer necessary medications and maintain a safe and healthy learning environment.

To keep all students safe and compliant with state guidelines, families must provide updated immunization records, required medical and dental physical forms, and individualized healthcare plans prior to the start of the school year or upon entering specific grade levels.

 

Supporting student mental health and wellness is a shared priority across Saucon Valley School District. Our student support team works collaboratively to help students build coping skills, emotional awareness, and strategies for managing stress and anxiety.

The following resources feature District Social Worker Ms. Jessy Severino and School Counselor Ms. Angela Pflug, who partner with students, families and staff to support overall student well-being.

Mental Health & Wellness Resources

Helpful Resources & Links

The resources below provide additional information and tools to help families support student mental health and emotional wellness.

If you have concerns about your child’s mental health or well-being, we encourage you to reach out to your child’s school counseling or student support team. Contact information can be found under the Counselors section.

School psychologists support students by helping schools understand how students learn, think and develop socially and emotionally. They partner with families, teachers, and student support teams to help identify barriers to learning and determine what supports may help students succeed.

One important role of the school psychologist is conducting evaluations and assessments to help determine if a student may require specially designed instruction or services through special education. School psychologists are part of the multidisciplinary team that reviews data, evaluation results and student needs when determining eligibility for services.

Understanding Executive Functioning

In this video, School Psychologist Mrs. Randi McCullough explains executive functioning skills and how they impact student learning, organization, planning and task completion.

Contact Mrs. McCullough

If you have questions about school psychology services, evaluations or student learning supports, you may contact:

Mrs. Randi McCullough
School Psychologist
randi.mccullough@svpanthers.org

Saucon Valley is committed to supporting strong reading skills for all students. Our reading specialists work closely with students, teachers and families to monitor progress and provide interventions when needed.

Learn About DIBELS, Home Connect & Reading Support

How DIBELS Supports Students

• Measures early literacy skills like phonemic awareness, fluency and comprehension.
• Helps reading specialists identify students who need additional support.
• Guides targeted interventions to strengthen specific reading skills.
• Allows teachers and families to track reading growth over time.
• Supports communication with parents about student progress and next steps.

How Families Can Support Reading at Home

• Read with your child daily and discuss the story.
• Encourage practice with sight words and fluency exercises.
• Ask questions that promote comprehension and critical thinking.
• Celebrate reading progress and effort to build confidence.
• Communicate with your child's teacher or reading specialist if you have questions.

Acadience Math: Unlocking Student Progress

Join K-4 Math Specialist Mrs. Davison for a quick guide to Acadience Math at Saucon Valley Elementary School. Learn how we use this research-based screening tool to build early number sense, monitor growth, and provide tailored support for your child.

What You'll Learn in This Video:

• What is Acadience Math? A quick, 1-on-1 check-up assessing key early numeracy skills like Number Identification, Missing Numbers, and Computation.

• Why We Use It: Helps teachers spot challenges early, customize small-group instruction, and track student progress over time.

• Understanding Your Parent Report: Simple tips for reading your child's Math Composite Score, color-coded benchmark levels, and individual skill breakdowns.

• Actionable Next Steps: How teachers and parents use this data together to guide, encourage, and support every learner.

 

 

Preparing for Senior Year & the Common Application

Ms. Katie Fisher shares what rising seniors should know about the Common Application and outlines important steps to complete over the summer to stay on track for the college application process.

Providing nutritious, balanced meals is a top priority for the Saucon Valley School District Food Service Department. Our team works hard to offer high-quality breakfast, lunch, and special celebration options that help students stay energized and ready to learn throughout the school day and all year long.

Below, you will find essential information regarding daily meal programs, menu guidelines, online payment tools, and classroom birthday basket orders for the school year.

Food Services & Meal Programs

Classroom Birthday Baskets (Grades K–4)

Make your child's special day memorable and hassle-free with Classroom Birthday Baskets delivered directly to K–4 classrooms. Baskets include a birthday sticker for every student, a birthday certificate for your child, and your choice of treat package ($2.50 per student):

• Package One: Whole grain mini chocolate chip cookies, choice of Vanilla Ice Cream or Fruit Icy, and choice of Apple Juice or Fruit Punch.
• Package Two (Allergen-Conscious): Choice of Gluten-Free Smartfood Popcorn or Rice Krispies Treat, choice of Fresh Apple Slices or Fruit Icy, and choice of Apple Juice or Fruit Punch.

Important Birthday Basket Guidelines: Orders strictly require two (2) weeks' notice and full payment by cash or check (payable to SVSD Cafeteria). Payments cannot be deducted from standard lunch accounts, and orders cannot be processed if the student has a negative lunch balance.

Helpful Links & Resources

Use the links below to access food service information, daily building menus, meal applications, and online account management.

If you have questions about food services, meal accounts, or dietary accommodations, please contact Food Services Director Nakeshia Downer at Nakeshia.Downer@svpanthers.org

Student Safety and Awareness

Saucon Valley School District is committed to keeping students safe, informed, and prepared. This section provides high-level information about substance awareness, emergency preparedness and important contacts within the district.

The Student Assistance Program (SAP) provides a continuum of care for students as they grow. Whether building a foundation of resilience in elementary school or navigating the complex risks of adolescence in high school, these resources are designed to empower parents with the tools they need.

Saucon Valley School District uses ParentSquare for school-to-home communication. ParentSquare helps families stay informed, engaged and connected to their child’s school through one easy-to-use platform.

Understanding ParentSquare