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Pupil Personnel Services

Pupil Personnel Services (PPS)

The Pupil Personnel Services Department at St. Mary's School for the Deaf focuses on applying the latest audiological, medical, social, developmental and psychological knowledge to the learning, behavioral and growth characteristics of our Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and Functionally Deaf students. The Department has clinics that are equipped for specialized evaluations of our students, and prospective students. This Department coordinates the intake process and evaluations of new students entering St. Mary's School for the Deaf and provides a wide range of support services for all students.​​​

The Director of Pupil Personnel Services advocates for the best interest of your child while following the New York State Education Department's regulations. The director of PPS will attend as many meetings as possible and work with you, the Parents, the Local Education Agency School Districts and the State Education Department to meet your child's individual needs. 

 

 

A man wearing a white shirt and tie.Richard Szafranek
Director of Pupil Personnel Services
716-834-7200 x.169 (phone)
716-880-9426 (cell phone)
716-831-8678 (fax)

Madison (Maddie) Evans
Pupil Personnel Services Secretary
716-834-7200 x.148 (phone)

 

 

The director of Pupil Personnel Services is responsible for overseeing:

  • Counselors 
  • Department Secretary
  • Educational Diagnostician
  • Nurses (day, evening, overnight)
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Physical Therapist 
  • Psychologist 
  • Social Workers

Services Provided:

  • Adapted Physical Education
  • Audiology/Hearing Screenings; Newborn Screening/OAE/ABR, Hearing Aid/BAHA Troubleshooting, Cochlear Implant Mapping
  • Counseling/Play Therapy
  • Ears Nose Throat Consultations 
  • Educational Evaluations 
  • Mental Health/Case Review Team 
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Orientation/Mobility
  • Parent Education 
  • Physical Therapy
  • Psychological Evaluations 
  • Registered Nursing 
  • Social Workers
  • Speech & Language Pathologists
  • Transition Coordination 
  • Vision Therapy Services
  • Vocational Evaluations 

These support services are provided primarily for our students and their families on both a routine or referral basis. However, a limited number of outside referrals are accepted from local school districts, clinics and/or physicians. Diagnostic Audiology for infants is also emphasized at St. Mary's School for the Deaf. These hearing evaluations are provided for high-risk infants at no cost to their families. Referrals can be made by the Child's family or private medical doctor.

Tours

If you are interested in scheduling a tour of St. Mary's School for the Deaf, please contact Richard Szafranek, Director of Pupil Personnel Services.  We look forward to meeting you!

Admissions

There are many different ways to enroll in St. Mary’s School for the Deaf. Some students are referred through their local school district, physician, audiologist or their Early Intervention Program. Some families know of SMSD. These families tour the school and gather information to see if the resources at SMSD are appropriate to meet their child’s needs.

If a student is between the ages of 3 and 21, the student needs to be registered in their local school district. If the student is below the age of 3, the family should tour the SMSD campus to make an informed decision concerning enrollment. If the student meets the New York State requirements for admission the student receives Educational, Audiological, Psychological and Speech/Language assessments during the admission process. Then these evaluations are discussed with the local school district Committee on Special Education (CSE) and/or the student’s Early Intervention Team.

Then, at a Committee on Special Education meeting a team decision is made for admission to SMSD with appropriate services provided. If the student qualifies for the Deaf Infant Program, the St. Mary’s team makes a decision for placement and services.

St. Mary’s School for the Deaf continues to work collaboratively with all school districts and agencies throughout Western New York so that each student may reach his/her full potential. 

For more information about the admissions process or to apply to our school, please contact Richard Szafranek, Director of Pupil Personnel Services (716-834-7200 x169).

 

Download/View PPS Brochure