A message from Mr. Ray M. Milke
Mr. Ray M. Milke Director of Student Support Services	Ray M. Milke was hired in October 2002 as interim Director of Special Eduation and in June 2003 became Director of Student Support Services. Mr. Milke is no stranger to Kiski. He served the district as a School Psychologist for the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit for several years before accepting an administrative position as Director of Student Support Services for the Ligonier Valley School District in 2000. Prior to his role as school psychologist for WIU-7/Kiski Mr. Milke worked as a Research Specialist at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). There, he performed neuropsychological evaluations and conducted various research projects. In 1998 he was published in the journal Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine and was the lead author for a research project published in 1999 by and for the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Before working at WPIC/UPMC Mr. Milke provided psychological and assessment services to various school districts as well as business and industry. Mr. Milke received his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and both his Master of Science and Education Degree and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from Duquesne University.
One universal truth is that all children can learn. However, not all children learn in the same way or at the same rate. Unfortunately many children must overcome some very challenging obstacles to learning presented in the form of physical, mental, social and emotional conditions. These "exceptionalities" can be overcome. The parent of an exceptional child should play an active role in providing for the child's education. But it is also the responsibility of federal, state and local education agencies to see to it that all exceptional children have the opportunity for a free and appropriate public education. Kiski Area school district provides a continuum of services for all exceptional students. By accessing programs and services contracted through the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit students may receive that free and appropriate education guaranteed by law. Classes and services are housed in our seven elementary and two secondary buildings, in the new intermediate unit operated Westmoreland Intermediate Unit School as well as a wide variety of "approved private schools" located throughout Western Pennsylvania. No matter which program is best suited to meet the individual child's needs, he/she can access an array of support services as needed that are staffed by expertly trained and caring professionals. In addition, the school district provides both itinerant and supportive intervention services designed to meet the mentally gifted child's need for either academic enrichment or acceleration. To qualify as an exceptional student a child must be of school age, must be in need of specially-designed instruction, and must meet eligibility criteria for mentally gifted and/or one or more of the following physical or mental disabilities, as set forth in Pennsylvania State Standards: autism/pervasive developmental disorder, blindness/visual impairment, deafness/hearing impairment, mental retardation, multihandicap, neurological impairment, other health impairment, physical disability, serious emotional disturbance, specific learning disability, speech/language impairment. The District engages in identification procedures to ensure that all students receive an appropriate educational program, consisting of special education and related services which are individualized to meet the educational needs of the student, and reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress, at no cost to the parents and in compliance with state and federal law. Various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis to identify students who may be eligible for special education programs and services. When screening results suggest that a student might be exceptional, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect that their child is exceptional may request an evaluation of their child at any time through a written request to the Director of Student Support Services, Kiski Area School District, 200 Poplar Street, Vandergrift, PA 15690. Services designed to meet the needs of exceptional students include the annual development of an Individualized Education Program. The extent of special education services and the location for the delivery of such services are determined by the IEP team and are based on the student's identified needs and abilities, chronological age and the level of intensity of the specified intervention. The District also provides related services, such as transportation, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, required to enable the student to benefit from the special program. Parents are invited and encouraged to participate with the school personnel in their child's evaluation and the development of their child's IEP.

Special Education Services
	Allegheny-Hyde Park Elementary Resource room learning support (2)
	Bell Avon Elementary Part-time learning support class (1) Resource room learning support (2) Full-time life skills support class (1)
	Mamont Elementary Part-time emotional support class (2) Full-time life skills support class (1)
	North Washington Elementary
	Vandergrift Elementary Part-time learning support class (3) Resource room learning support (2)
	All Elementary Buildings Itinerant learning support Itinerant gifted support Speech and language support All related services (i.e. physical therapy, occupational therapy) Visually impaired and hearing impaired support
	Kiski Area Intermediate Emotional support class (1) Part-time learning support (2) Resource room support (3) Gifted supportive intervention
	Kiski Area High School Full-time life skills support (1) Emotional support class (1) Resource room learning support (8) Gifted supportive intervention Itinerant learning support services (1)
	Northern Westmoreland Career and Technical Center Itinerant learning support services
	All Secondary Schools Speech and language support Visually impaired services Hearing impaired services All related services (i.e. physical therapy, occupational therapy)
In addition to the above listed classrooms and services housed in District operated buildings, services, as appropriate, are also provided at the Westmoreland Intermediate School, classes in various local districts through reciprocal agreements with Kiski Area, and various approved private schools.

Mrs. Nannette Farmar Reading/Title I Coordinator

Mrs. Farmar received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary and Kindergarten Education from the Pennsylvania State University. She then enrolled in the Administrative and Policy Studies graduate program at the University of Pittsburgh where she received her Elementary Principal's certificate and her M.Ed. in Administrative and Policy Studies. During her teaching career, Mrs. Farmar has taught at the kindergarten, second and fifth grade levels.