Student Support Services

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community Members:

My name is Stacey Theophelis and I am honored and thrilled to be named the Executive Director of Clarkston Community Schools.

I am a graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. in Audiology and Speech Sciences as well as graduate of Wayne State University with my M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology.  Upon completion of my degrees, I also obtained my teaching certificate with the State of Michigan. I then began my career in 2001 with Birmingham Public Schools as a Speech-Language Pathologist at both elementary and secondary levels.  After 11 years, I became the Child Find Coordinator and birth-3 SLP for the District.  After completing my education through Grand Valley State University in Special Education Administration and obtaining my Principal Certification, I moved into the role of a Special Education Administrator with Birmingham Public Schools.  Most recently, I was a Special Education Administrator with Novi Community School District.

Personally, I currently reside in Commerce Township with my husband, Peter, our two sons, George (12) and Nicholas (11), and our Golden Retriever named Bella.  

I thank my predecessor, Ms. Kathy Christopher,  for her career of dedication to the families and students in Clarkston.  In the spirit of the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, I am honored that the baton has now been passed as we continue to move forward together as a community of parents, educators, and staff in support of the learning and growth of all students.

Sincerely,
Stacey Theophelis

August 29, 2021

As the new Executive Director of Student Support Services for Clarkston Community Schools, I would like welcome you and your student to the 2021-2022 School Year with Clarkston Community Schools!

The night before school begins is always an exciting time as both students and educators look forward to what is to come.  The adventures and learning that are about take place makes this night like no other during the year.

As we embark on the 2021-2022 School Year, we have much learning to do as we navigate this time of excitement and time of the unknown.  While we do not know how this school year will transpire, what I do know if that our staff are ready and waiting to teach and support your children!  We will continue to work with you as partners in supporting you and your student no matter what curves in the road are placed before us.

Specially Designed Instruction (IDEA)

Special Education Team Roles (MDE)

IEP Fact Sheet (MDE)

Initial Evaluation Fact Sheet (MDE)

Special Education Process Fact Sheet (MDE)

Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE - Updated June 21, 2021)

Procedural Safeguards (MDE)

Michigan Alliance for Families

Mediation and Dispute Resolutions (MDE)

Parent Resources (MDE)

Early On & Early Intervention Services in Clarkston

Child Find Fact Sheet (MDE)

Early On Michigan

Determination of Eligibility for Michigan Mandatory Special Education for Infants and Toddlers, Birth to Age Three Introduction (MDE)

SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITY (SLD)

Each local education agency and public school academy in Michigan is required to publicly post the process used to determine the existence of a Specific Learning Disability.

Consistent with this requirement, Clarkston Community Schools reports the following:

For determinations of a SLD, a Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses (PSW) is used for students in kindergarten through 12th grade across all areas including: Oral Expression, Listening Comprehension, Written Expression, Reading Comprehension, Reading Fluency, Math Calculation, and Math Problem Solving.

It is noted that regardless of the process used, all schools must follow all of the regulatory requirements in the IDEA, the MARSE, and Michigan laws, policies and procedures for special education.
 

WHAT IS A SLD?

A Specific Learning Disability is "a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations, including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and development aphasia that adversely affects a student's educational performance. A SLD does not include learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities; mental retardation; emotional disturbance; or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage." (34 CFR 300.8(c)(10)).
 

WHAT IS A PSW PROCESS?

Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses is a process that is used to determine if a student has a SLD. This process involves the collection of data to determine the following:

The student does not achieve adequately for the student's age or to meet State-approved grade-level standards in one or more of the areas identified at 34 CFR 300.309(a)(l)(i) when provided with learning experiences and instruction appropriate for the student's age or State-approved grade-level standards.

The student exhibits a pattern of strengths and weaknesses in performance, achievement, or both, relative to age, State-approved grade-level standards, or intellectual development, that is determined by the Multi-disciplinary Evaluation Team (MET) to be relevant to the identification of a SLD, using appropriate assessments, consistent with the IDEA Evaluation Procedures and Additional Requirements for Evaluations and Reevaluations.Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services (2010).

A student must be evaluated for special education and determined eligible in order to receive special education programs and services.

A multidisciplinary evaluation team (MET) evaluates students for suspected disabilities. The MET includes specialists with knowledge of the suspected disabilities. The Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) outline the specialists needed for each suspected disability.

Evaluation Teams and Roles (MDE)

Initial Evaluation for Special Education (MDE)

Guidance for Timeline for Initial Evaluations

Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE - Updated June 21, 2021)

Clarkston Community Schools works collaboratively with the Oakland Schools Special Populations Department and other districts within Oakland County when student needs are not able to be addressed through programming located in the district.

All programs for students with disabilities in Oakland County are designed and operated by local districts, including center programs for students with the most significant needs.

Decisions regarding placement of students is individualized.  For questions regarding center-based programming options, contact the special education department at (248) 623-8080.

Stacey Theophelis
Executive Director of Student Support Services
astheophelis@clarkston.k12.mi.us
(248) 623-8080

Leigh McFarland
Supervisor of Student Support Services
lrmcfarland@clarkston.k12.mi.us
(248) 623-8080

Katie LaMay
Supervisor of Student Support Services
kllamay@clarkston.k12.mi.us
(248) 623-8080

In Process of Updating

In Process of Updating

In Process of Updating

In Process of Updating