Confidentiality of Information

The SDs, IUs, and CS’s maintain records concerning all children enrolled in the school, including students with disabilities. All records are maintained in the strictest confidentiality. Your consent, or consent of an eligible child who has reached the age of majority under State law, must be obtained before personally identifiable information is released, except as permitted under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The age of majority in Pennsylvania is 21. Each participating agency must protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable information at collection, storage, disclosure, and destruction stages. One official at each participating agency must assume responsibility for ensuring the confidentiality of any personally identifiable information. Each participating agency must maintain, for public inspection, a current listing of the names and positions of those employees within the agency who have access to personally identifiable information. Uninterrupted Scholars Act, which became law in January 2013, allows a district to disclose education records of a student to an agency caseworker or representative from the state or a local child welfare agency or to a tribal authority if that person is determined to have a right to access and the agency/tribal authority is legally responsible for the student’s care and protection.

For additional information related to student records, the parent can refer to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

This notice is only a summary of the Special Education services, evaluation and screening activities, and rights and protections pertaining to children with disabilities, children thought to be disabled, and their parents. For more information or to request evaluation or screening of a public or private school child, contact the responsible school entity listed below. For preschool age children, information, screenings and evaluations requested may be obtained by contacting the Intermediate Unit (570-876-9268).

Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit 19

Abington Heights/Ms. Elizabeth Shivock (570)585-8278 Blue Ridge/Ms. Gail Wnorowski (570)465-3141 Carbondale Area/Dr. Angela Gatto (570)282-4500 Dunmore/Ms. Frances Loughney (570)207-9590 Elk Lake/Ms. Pamela Staats (570)278-1106 Forest City Regional/Ms. Donna Potis (570)785-2444 Lackawanna Trail/Ms. Amie Talarico (570)945-5184 Lakeland/Ms. Margot Parsons (570)254-9485 Mid Valley/Ms. Debra Demming (570)307-2165 Montrose Area/Ms. Kelly Jo Riker (570)278-6219 Mountain View/Dr. Patricia Pasierb (570)434-8537 North Pocono/Dr. Donna Carey (570)842-3957 Old Forge/Ms. Michelle Hopkins (570)457-6721 Riverside/Mr. Michael Cole (570)562-2121 Scranton City/Ms. Mary Ann Cartegna (570)348-3695 Susquehanna Community/Ms. Joni Miller (570)853-4921 Valley View/Mr. Jeremy Pichnay (570)876-4110 Wallenpaupack Area/Ms. Tanya Carrelle (570)226-4557 Wayne Highlands/Ms. Amanda Kerna (570)253-3402 Western Wayne/Ms. Cynthia LaRosa (570)937-3192

NEIU 19/Ms. Kelly Dickey (570)876-9215 NEIU 19 Early Intervention/Ms. Colleen Penzone (570)876-9268 NEIU 19 Non-Public/Ms. Eliza Vagni (570)876-9220

Fell Charter School/Ms. Mary Jo Walsh (570)282-5199 Howard Gardner MI Charter School/ Ms. Maria Rozaieski (570)941-4100

The school entity or charter school will not discriminate in employment, educational programs, or activities based on race, color, national origin, age, sex, handicap, creed, marital status or because a person is a disabled veteran or a veteran of the Vietnam war. No preschool, elementary or secondary school pupil enrolled in a school district, Intermediate Unit, or charter school program shall be denied equal opportunity to participate in age and program appropriate instruction or activities due to race, color, handicap, creed, national origin, marital status or financial hardship.