Ayer Shirley Regional School District

The goal of the ASRSD Special Education and Student Services office is to collaborate with parents, staff, and administration to provide comprehensive services that support student access to the curriculum and support the development of the whole child.

The Office of Special Education and Student Services provides support services to all students in the Ayer Shirley Regional School District community. Services include Special Education Services (academic, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech, and language therapy), School Counselors and School Psychologists, Health, English Learners (EL), and Early Childhood.

Each school has a variety of programs that meet the needs of students. These programs include full inclusion, partial inclusion, and substantially separate programs. Two Team Chairpersons conduct team meetings, oversee the completion and implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and serve as technical support to all staff in addressing special education concerns.

Nurses are on duty during the full school day in each school to meet the needs of students attending that school.

The counseling staff provides individual and group counseling with students as well as support to administrators in working with staff and parents. In addition, they work with school staff to provide social skills and self-management training opportunities for students in all grades. The focus is to help students develop a sense of self, develop confidence in their ability to interact positively with others, manage conflict in appropriate ways, and make positive choices.

English Learners (EL) are supported by trained staff to acquire the level of English required to be academically successful in the community.