Tahlequah Public Schools is excited to participate in the State Special Olympics events again this year. These events are the highlight of the school year for many students, staff, and parents. Tahlequah will host the Area Special Olympics games again on April 20, 2024, with several area schools participating. Thank you to Kent Davis for supporting Special Olympics and volunteering to coordinate this endeavor. The event will be held at the Tahlequah High School Track beginning at 10:00 am. Coaches for TPS students include Allison Collins, Tasha Hix, Melissa Moore, Leslie Dodge, Kayli Deaton, Mandi Jordan, Sierra DeMoss, and Candace Lane. We look forward to welcoming the athletes and the excitement surrounding our local event. Tahlequah Public Schools will travel to Stillwater on May 15th to participate in the State Special Olympics 3-day event. Check out Tahlequah Schools Special Olympics Facebook page to follow the activities. More information about the state games and precaution guidelines can be found at www.sook.org.
Tahlequah Public Schools provides services for students with special needs under the categories of Developmental Delays, Intellectual Disabilities, Multiple Disabilities, Autism, Other Health Impairments, Specific Learning Disabilities, Speech-Language Impairment, Emotional Disturbances, Deaf-Blindness, Traumatic Brain Injury, Hearing Impairment, Orthopedic Impairments and Visual Impairment. Tahlequah Public Schools currently serves 811 students eligible for special education services. TPS employs 33 full-time special education teachers, two part-time special education teachers, 8 speech and language pathologists who maintain their Certificate of Clinical Competence, one full-time district Psychometrist/Psychologist and 38 special-care paraprofessionals. Special Education related services include speech therapy services and occupational therapy or physical therapy services through a contract with an outside agency. Our goal is to provide the most appropriate education for our children to help them reach their goals.
Tahlequah Public Schools offer special education services to qualifying students with special learning needs. Services are provided and designed to meet the individual needs of the student as written in their individualized educational program. Services are available for children, birth to 3 years old through Oklahoma Sooner Start programs and public schools begin providing services at the age of three. If you have questions or need more information, please contact your child’s school counselor, or contact Nikki Molloy, Director of Special Services at 918-458-4100.
Once a student is determined eligible for special education services, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is written by a team including staff and parents. An IEP lists current information about that specific child. The document provides the educational team with information about the student’s academic goals for the coming year and measurable objectives designed to help reach that goal. Parents and guardians are important participants of the IEP writing process, and their input is crucial to understanding the concerns and desires for their child’s educational planning. The IEP also notes supports and services a student will need to master skills.
Tahlequah truly works to remove obstacles to achieve results for all students.
Written by: Melissa Dotson, Special Education Coordinator