Special Education

Middle School Program

Student Disability: Learning, Behavioral, Emotional and Developmental Disabilities

Student Age: 10 to 14

The Middle School Program provides experiences of growth and independence in a non-categorical setting that is geared to meeting student-specific needs. A multidisciplinary team develops strategies to meet the goals and objectives of each students' Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Some younger students concentrate primarily on academics, following the New York State learning standards for each subject. Others work to develop life skills and build personal independence. Many elder students  experience differentiated scheduling in their academic classes. The middle school program also includes ninth-grade students who are expected to pursue a secondary program leading to a high school diploma.

The Seaman Neck Middle School can be found in a Levittown school district building located in Seaford. The Eagle Avenue Middle School is located in the West Hempstead school district. For the most part, these two middle schools offer a similar educational experience, although each middle school also offers some unique programs for selected students. Each middle school provides for students with a variety of educational needs. The classroom curriculum for our traditional middle school program includes reading, language arts, math, science, social studies and health, adapted to cognitive levels and learning styles. Students in this program are also involved in activities that enhance their community awareness.

Skills needed for appropriate social and emotional behaviors are integrated into the activities that encourage students to interact with their teacher and peers, and build critical thought processes and independence. In the Learning Center, computers and audiovisual devices are used to reinforce the classroom curriculum. Music and art activities are used to reinforce the classroom curriculum. Music and art activities are designed to help students express their creativity. The chorus offers several different opportunities for the students to perform. The art program allows students to work with various media. Physical education provides a variety of individual and team sports as well as challenging activities through "Project Adventure."

The Middle School Program also offers these unique opportunities for learning:

• Speech Collaborative: The Speech Collaborative program is an open classroom setting with 2 9: 1: 2 classes. Team teaching is provided by a special education teacher and a speech teacher. Students in this program benefit from individual, large and small group instruction with speech and language remediation integrated in all curriculum content areas throughout the instructional day.
   

• OHI Program:  The OHI Program (Other Health Impairments) provides small class ratios (6: 1: 1) for students with more intense needs (Aspergers Syndrome, Tourette Syndrome and additional disabilities). Students in this program are placed based on individual functioning levels and social/emotional needs. The instructional team is provided additional support through a consulting psychiatrist, where strategies and parent support are provided as needed.

Contact:

Rob Lombardi, Principal
Lisa Maniscalco, Assistant Principal
Eagle Avenue Middle School
307 Eagle Avenue
West Hempstead, NY 11552
Phone: (516) 483-7300

Christine Mack, Principal
Sandy Tedesco, Assistant Principal
Seaman Neck Middle School
Crestline Place
Seaford, NY 11783
Phone: (516) 719-6000