The arrival of Spring marks a very busy time for Tahlequah Public Schools. One of the most anticipated events this time of year is the Special Olympics Summer Games. Special Olympics is an international, non-profit organization founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver that provides sports training and competition to individuals with intellectual disabilities. The very first Special Olympics Games were held in 1968 in Chicago and Oklahoma’s first games were the following year. This year’s state games will be held on the campus of Oklahoma State University on May 14 – 16. To compete at the state games in May, special athletes must participate in an area qualifying meet. The Cherokee County Area games will be held at the Tahlequah Public Schools track on April 26th. Special Olympics coaches for TPS are Allison Collins, Tasha Hix, Melissa Moore, Leslie Dodge, Kayli Deaton, Mandi Jordan, Candace Lane, and Cody Frusher. For more information, please follow the Tahlequah Schools Special Olympics Facebook page, or go to 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 860 students eligible for special education services. TPS employs 36 special education teachers, 8 speech and language pathologists, one full-time district 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.
The special education staff at Tahlequah Public Schools is continuously working to remove obstacles to achieve results for all students.
Written by: Melissa Dotson, SPED Coordinator