Special Education Services

Welcome to the Special Education Department

Welcome to the Special Education Department’s webpage which is under construction.  As programs and services are readjusted to best meet the needs of the students, the website will update the information.  It is our goal to include current information as well as links to services for our staff,  parents and community. 

The Glendale Elementary School District (GESD) provides a full continuum of services that address student needs from Pre-Kindergarten (age three through five) students to 8th grade. Students are identified through a process beginning with a Multidisciplinary Team (MET).  The team consists of the special education staff and the parents. The MET identifies children in suspect of having a disability. When a child is found eligible under an IDEA/Arizona disability category and in need of special education services, the team develops the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP). This plan includes services that are based on the findings of the MET and IEP.  

After the services are designated, the least restrictive environment is determined.  Currently, the Special Education Department is restructuring the continuum of services in order to improve the academic and social success of students.  The continuum includes a range from support in the general education classroom through a co-teaching model, to self-contained services.  GESD staff is dedicated to servicing students in the LRE (Least Restrictive Environment). GESD follows the IDEA 2004 and the ADE (Arizona Department of Education) Rules and Regulations that implement the IEP and that support FAPE (Free & Appropriate Public Education) for those students eligible to receive special education services.

The teachers and staff in the classroom have the greatest impact on providing the students with a quality education.  Glendale Elementary School District’s highly qualified special education staff is dedicated to providing services to enable students with disabilities to receive an excellent education.  

Please explore the Parent Resource page. There you will find many resources for you as a parent with a child with a disability. As always, if you should have any questions feel free to contact the Special Education Department.

-Kristen Hartsuff

Special Education Director

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Students, their parents and employees of the Glendale Elementary School District are hereby notified that this School District does not discriminate and is required by Title VI, VII, Title IX, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission or access to, treatment, or employment in, its services and activities.

Destruction of Records

Special Education records are destroyed five (5) years after as student has withdrawn, transferred, graduated, or been exited from special education services at the Glendale Elementary School District. This year we will be destroying the records of students who left the district or exited services in 2006. If you are a parent or student and need a copy of these records for any reason, e.g. social security benefits, please contact the Special Education Department at (623)237-7148 prior to April 30, 2011.

  Department Contacts

Kristen Hartsuff
Director
623-237-7148
khartsuff@gesd40.org

 Alan Hirsh
Glendale Success Academy
623-237-7159
ahirsh@gesd40.org 

Vi Todd
Preschool Specialist
623-237-7167
vtodd@gesd40.org

Lynne Roberts
Achievement Advisor
623-237-7251
lroberts@gesd40.org 

Breck Imel
Achievement Advisor
623-237-7249
bimel@gesd40.org

Debbie Dallmann
Administrative Secretary
623-237-7148
ddallmann@gesd40.org 

Dana Rempel
Records Specialist
623-237-7145
drempel@gesd40.org 

Helene Moore
Office Assistant
623-237-7165
hmoore@gesd40.org

Juana Hernandez
Preschool Secretary
623-237-7168
jhernandez@gesd40.org
 

Fax Numbers

Special Ed. 623-237-7294
Preschool   623-237-7211