Welcome to Wyoming Public Schools….
The Student Services department contributes to the mission and vision of Wyoming Public Schools by providing a continuum of supports to students eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the McKenny-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Additionally, expertise of student services staff is utilized for advancement of system-wide social, behavioral and academic improvements, and to connect families with community based resources.
Student Services Core Values
Contact Information
Wyoming Public Schools
3575 Gladiola AV. SW.
Wyoming, MI 49519
(616) 530-7550
fax: (616) 249-7647
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), public schools have a responsibility to identify and support students with disabilities. This identification responsibility is commonly referred to as “child find.” In Michigan, which adheres to both the federal IDEA and the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE), child find means schools must seek out and evaluate individuals aged birth to 26-years-old suspected of having disabilities. Parents may also request a special education evaluation if they believe their child could meet educational disability criteria. Ultimately, special education programs and services are provided to eligible students with disabilities who have been evaluated in a manner consistent with IDEA and MARSE.
The Michigan Department of Education requires school boards to adopt and disseminate an approved evaluation model for identifying students with specific learning disabilities (LD). To determine eligibility for LD the Wyoming Public Schools utilizes an evaluative model commonly referred to as pattern of strengths and weaknesses (PSW). The PSW model involves two main components. The first component is to review the student’s response to targeted interventions in the general education setting. Prior to considering LD eligibility it should be clear that intensive general education interventions were attempted but unsuccessful in correcting the academic delay(s). The second component is to review existing data and administer assessments in an effort to determine if a pattern of strengths and weaknesses can be identified. Consistent with Kent Intermediate School District PSW Guidelines, the initial eligibility determination team must identify at least four areas of weakness within a single LD category and three areas of strength in a separate LD category in order for eligibility to be considered. The specific categories of LD eligibility as defined by the State of Michigan (Rule 340.1713) are: Basic Reading Skills, Reading Fluency, Reading Comprehension, Math Calculations, Math Problem Solving, Written Expression, Oral Expression, and Listening Comprehension.
Resource Program
The resource program supports growth in the general education curriculum by providing specialized instruction in targeted academic areas.
Programs for Students with Cognitive Impairments
Students requiring a functional life skills curriculum are supported through district programs for students with mild or moderate cognitive impairments.
Early Childhood Special Education
Preschool students who are eligible for special education are supported through the district’s early childhood special education program.
Regional and Center Programs
Wyoming Public Schools cooperates regionally and at the county level to provide programs for students whose needs cannot be met within the traditional school setting or district.
Teacher Consultant Service
Special education staff consult with general education teachers for the purpose of advancing academic growth in core content areas.
Speech and Language Service
Eligible students receive instruction by speech/language pathologists to improve expressive language, receptive language, fluency and/or articulation.
Social Work Service
School social work addresses social, emotional and/or behavioral needs of students in the educational setting.
Occupational Therapy Service
Sensory and/or fine motor needs with identified educational impact are addressed directly or consultatively by occupational therapists.
Additional Services
In collaboration with Kent Intermediate School District physical therapy, visual impairment services, and deaf and hard of hearing support are provided to eligible students.
The Kent Intermediate School District (KISD) maintains a Parent Advisors for Special Education (PASE) committee. This committee provides input on special education program and service provision within Kent County. PASE is comprised of parents of children with disabilities from each of the local KISD school districts. All PASE representatives are volunteers who must be approved by their local boards of education. For more information on PASE click here: http://www.kentisd.org/instructional-services/special-education/services/pase-/ [KISD PASE].
To connect with a Wyoming Public Schools PASE representative, please contact the Student Services office: (616) 530-7525.
A Parent’s Guide to Navigating the IEP Process – English | Spanish
Special Education Parent Handbook with Procedural Safeguards
Special Education Parent Handbook with Procedural Safeguards – Spanish
MARSE Rules Supplemented with IDEA
http://www.kentisd.org/instructional-services/special-education/ (Kent ISD Special Education)
http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-6530_6598—,00.html (Michigan Office of Special Education)
http://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/ (Michigan Alliance for Families)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal law intended to remove discrimination on the basis of disability from any and all organizations receiving federal funds. With regards to public school systems, Section 504 requires schools to seek out, evaluate and determine eligibility for students whose disabilities who might require educational accommodations. Section 504, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are the three federal laws that address students with disabilities in schools. While the laws share many similarities, there are also a number of differences. For additional information review the links below and/or contact the Student Services office: (616) 530-7525.
Section 504 Notice of Rights and Procedural Safeguards
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (MV Act) ensures educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness. The MV Act defines homelessness as lacking a “fixed, regular, and adequate” nighttime residence. Students who have lost their housing due to economic hardship or disaster are covered under the MV Act.
Students may be eligible for services if they are:
If you believe your child may qualify for services under the MV Act, please contact your local WPS school or the Director of Student Services: (616) 530-7525.
Additional information may be found at:
Enrollment Information
Get your child off to a great start right in your own neighborhood. Preschools close to home involve your child in skill-building activities with other children, laying the foundation for educational success. Your child explores his unique interests at his own pace with the encouragement of experienced, caring teachers. Eligibility: Children must meet preschool guidelines.
Program Goals
1) Teach basic readiness skills in langauge arts and arithmetic
2) Provide a stimulating environment for learning
3) Develop your child’s senses, muscles, curiosity, mental and creative abilities
4) Instill basic skills necessary to get along with other children
5) Reinforce values already taught at home to enable children to be increasingly responsible for themselves and their behavior
Our Programs 2023-2024
There are 3 preschool programs located within two Wyoming Public School buildings. The Early Childhood Special Education Preschool is operated by Wyoming Public Schools. The other two programs, Great Start Readiness and Head Start, utilize WPS classrooms but are run separately. Additional program information is provided below.
Early Childhood Special Special Education
Eligible students aged three to five with individualized education programs may be supported through a continuum of ECSE program options. All Wyoming Public Schools ECSE classrooms and related services are located at the Huntington Woods Early Childhood Center. For more information, or if you suspect your child may qualify as a student with a disability, please call the Student Services Office: (616) 530-7525.
Great Start Readiness Program
The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) is a state funded preschool program for qualifying four-year-old children. The program requires children to be age four by September 1. Kent Intermediate School District oversees GSRP classrooms in 18 school districts, and several community based organizations around Kent County. GSRP classrooms are located in Huntington Woods Early Childhood Center and the former Rogers Lane Elementary School. For more information on GSRP, including enrollment information, please call (616) 447-2409 or click here:
http://www.kentisd.org/instructional-services/early-childhood/great-start-readiness-preschool/
Head Start
Head Start is a federally funded preschool option for eligible families with three and four year old children. Head Start classrooms are located in the Huntington Woods Early Childhood Center and the former Rogers Lane Elementary School. Additional information can be obtained by calling Head Start at one of the numbers below and/or by visiting their website.
Head Start at Huntington Woods: (616) 735-5340
Head Start at Rogers Lane: (616) 532-4229
Head Start enrollment and general information: (616) 453-4145
There are occasions when supports outside of WPS and the families we serve help us achieve the district vision and mission. The following list (non-exhaustive) includes agencies whose support for students could help their overall performance in school.
Early On Kent County http://www.kentisd.org/instructional-services/early-childhood/early-on/
Dispute Resolution Center http://drcwm.org/
Kent County Health Department https://www.accesskent.com/Health/
Kent Intermediate School District www.kentisd.org
Network 180 https://www.network180.org/en/
Salvation Army http://grandrapids.satruck.org/
United Way http://www.hwmuw.org/
Kent County Autism Network http://www.kentisd.org/instructional-services/special-education/services/kent-can/
