Forest Hills Public Schools
Student Services
(located at Northern Hills Middle School)
3775 Leonard NE Suite A
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Office Hours: M-F, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Phone: (616) 493-8660 Fax: (616) 493-8663
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Jann Van Airsdale, Director of Student Services
Fred Wisniewski, Director of Special Education
Sarah Castro, Special Education Coordinator
Annette Savage, Secretary
Cheryl Bauer, Special Education Registry Secretary
Welcome to the Student Services Office at Forest Hills Public Schools!
Student Services encompasses a continuum of programs and services for students who qualify for special education.
Parent Advisors for Special Education (PASE)
The Kent Intermediate School District (KISD) has a parent advisory committee that provides input related to the improvement of special education services within Kent County. Each local school district has PASE members appointed by their local school board and the KISD Board, who serve three-year terms. Forest Hills PASE members assist our special education administrators in disseminating information and educational opportunities available to parents. The PASE members can provide information and support from a parent’s point of view.
All meetings except where noted are held at the Kent ISD at the Educational Service Center (parking lot #11) in the Coldwater Room from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on the following dates:
- Monday, September 12: Parent Support Group Options
- Monday, October 17: Assistive Technology
- Monday, November 14: Transition Options & Wiki, Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS)
- Monday, January 23: Meeting at Celebration Cinema North Wave Room @ 6:30 p.m. New Brochure / Website Review Note change from previous schedule.
- Monday, March 12: Positive Behavior Support, Diploma vs. Certificate, Post-Secondary Options and Career Readiness Certificate
- Monday, May 14: Extra-Curricular Outside Activities, Planning for 2012-2013
Special Needs Advisory Council (SNAC)
Forest Hills parents of students with disabilities have the opportunity to meet periodically throughout the school year with special education administrators and staff. There is an educational component whereby parents are informed of new regulations or changes in special education. This group also provides feedback to the district regarding special education from a parent’s perspective. Getting parents together also gives them a sounding board and helps build their resource network.
Meeting schedule for the year:
- Monday, November 14 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center
- Monday, January 23 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Kent ISD at the Educational Service Center RESCHEDULED
- Monday, February 27 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at Kent ISD at the Education Service Center, Rogue Room
- Monday, March 12 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Kent ISD at the Educational Service Center (Common Core and Special Education — Terri Portice –Director of Teaching and Learning KISD)
- Monday, April 23 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center (Response to Instruction — Matt Hanichen — Principal at Orchard View)
Determination of a Specific Learning Disability
Forest Hills Public Schools identifies students under the eligibility of Specific Learning Disability by using a pattern of strengths and weaknesses. Click here for more information.
Section 504
Click here for Section 504 Procedure Manual
