The Exceptional Children Department offers services (e.g. speech, occupational therapy, resource, etc.) to eligible students identified under guidelines set forth in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Services are provided by highly qualified and licensed teachers and related services staff in the least restrictive environment.
IC Imagine Public Charter School follows all state and federal laws and guidelines governing the delivery of Exceptional Children’s services. For more information contact the principal at your child’s school or the Exceptional Children’s department at one of the email addresses listed below:
- Jamie Williams (jamiewilliams@icimagine.org) Lower School Principal
- Ellen Girardi (ellengirardi@icimagne.org) Lower School Principal
- Ryan Bell (ryanbell@icimagine.org) Middle School Principal
- Sherrod Laws (sherrodlaws@icimagine.org) Middle School Principal
- Nicole Morin (nicolemorin@icimagine.org) Upper School Principal
- Sean Vervain (seanvervain@icimagine.org) Upper School Principal
You can also contact these members of our support team with concerns or questions:
- Laura Marsden (lauramarsden@icimagine.org) Director of Student Services and Exceptional Children
- Amanda Bell (amandabell@icimagine.org) MTSS Behavioral Health Coordinator
- Kristin Buff (kristinbuff@icimagine.org) MTSS Academic Coordinator
- Kaitlin Kurtz (kaitlinkurtz@icimagine.org) School Psychologist
Exceptional Children (EC) Resources
- Exceptional Children Information from NCDPI
- Parent Rights Handbook
- Parent Rights Handbook (Spanish)
- ECAC: The Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC) has an amazing number of resources, including seminars, educational opportunities, as well as video tools
Section 504 Plans
Section 504 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination of students on the bases of a handicapping condition.
Section 504 is different from the Exceptional Children’s Program in that the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) has a defined list of disabilities that may qualify under IDEA. Section 504 is much broader in that it has no list. Each potentially qualifying disability must be assessed individually. A student qualifying to be served by Section 504 is one that has:
- a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities,
- a record of such impairment, or
- is regarded as having such an impairment.
Section 504 is enforced by the Office of Civil Rights. Please contact one of the following individuals with questions about 504 plans:
- Laura Marsden (lauramarsden@icimagine.org) Director of Student Services and Exceptional Children
- Ashlee Kinnaird (ashleekinnaird@icimagine.org) or Michael Holm (michaelholm@icimagine.org), Lower School Counselors
- Jesse Mitchell (jessemitchell@icimagine.org), Middle School Counselor
- Abbey Gelineau (abbeygelineau@icimagine.org) or Chelsea Lafferty (chelsealafferty@icimagine.org), Upper School Counselors
Child Find Process
What is Project Child Find? An effort coordinated by your local school system and the Exceptional Children Division, State Department of Public Instruction, to:
- Locate and identify children and youth ages birth through 21 with disabilities who are in need of special education and related services.
- Inform parents and/or guardians of the services available from their local school system and other state and community agencies.
NC SIP
IC Imagine is a North Carolina State Improvement Project (NCSIP) grant recipient and is proud to partner with NCSIP to improve instruction. This grant funding helps to support the implementation of instructional best practices to improve outcomes for all students, specifically those with disabilities.
Learn more on their website: https://www.ncsip.org/parents
