Special Education
Overview
Special education is specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. The School District of La Crosse offers many special education services for children from early childhood (age 3 years) to age 21.
An Introduction to Special Education
Special Education in Plain Language
Related Services and Therapies
Contact Information
Aimee Zabrowski
Director of Student Services
Phone: (608) 789-7655
Fax: (608) 789-7976
Jennifer Mitchell
Administrative Assistant
Phone: (608) 789-7688
Fax: (608) 789-7976
Greg Fenton
Supervisor of Special Education
Phone: (608) 789-8472
Fax: (608) 789-7976
Jess Van Buren
Administrative Assistant
Phone: (608) 789-7678
Fax: (608) 789-7976
School Program Coordinators
Transition Program
Hello! I am the Transition Coordinator for the School District of La Crosse. The transition from high school to life after graduation can be stressful for students with special needs and their parents. One of the joys of my job is getting to know these incredible young adults and their parents as I help guide them through this process.
Transition planning is a team effort. Collaboration between students, parents, teachers, guidance counselors and a variety of community agencies is vital for success. As a team we create a proactive plan to set students up for a successful, productive future. My goal is to help students with disabilities maximize opportunities and minimize barriers in the areas of employment, post secondary education or independent living. This is facilitated through the development of Post Secondary Transition Plans.
Sam Bingen
Hogan Administrative Center
608-789-8941
Resources:
La Crosse County Youth to Adult Transition Resources
Early Childhood/4K Programs
The School District of La Crosse provides a continuum of service options to meet the needs of 3-5 year old children with special education needs. Children are evaluated to determine if they meet one of the state’s eligibility criteria. Special education and related services may provide consultation to staff, direct services to the child, training related to the disability, and other services that are identified in the child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Service options range from self-contained classrooms (children with special needs only), team taught classrooms with Head Start and 4 year old Preschool, and/or school based speech services. In addition, itinerant services can be provided (as determined by the IEP team) where we provide speech, early childhood teacher support, and/or occupational therapy in the child’s natural environment. Itinerant sites include Child First, Coulee Children’s Center, Congregational preschool, Head Start, 4 year old Preschool sites, Red Balloon, YMCA and UW-L daycare.
District Office
608-789-7621
School Psychologists
School psychologists help children and youth succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students that strengthen connections between home and school.
- Stephanie Bowman - Summitt Elementary & North Woods Elementary
- Ericka Check - Hintgen Elementary & State Road Elementary
- Kylah Frederixon - Hamilton Elementary/SOTA I & Early Childhood (North)
- Leisa Hanson-Fergot – Longfellow Middle & Private Schools (Elementary)
- Cassie Mitchell - Northside Elementary & Coulee Montessori
- Zach Noethe Wolford - Central High & CRVA
- Ken Ortery – Logan High School & Private Schools (Secondary)
- Erin Schreiner - Southern Bluffs Elementary & Early Childhood (South)
- Andrea Schwarz - Logan Middle & Polytechnic
- Kaylin Zukowski - Emerson Elementary & Spence Elementary