Student Services Department

Judi Mentzer, Counselor
jmentzer@csschools.net
Main Phone: (269) 746-2300
Fax: (269) 746-4142

Homeless Liaison:

McKinney-Vento Act, enacted in 1987 eliminates barriers in public schools so that homeless children and youth can enroll in school and receive successful educational opportunities.

Health & Immunization:

Climax-Scotts Community Schools works directly with the Kalamazoo County Health Department to make our community a healthier place to reside. Our District follows required State of Michigan guidelines to communicate with both the Health Department and maintain accurate and up-to-date student health and immunization records.

Suspension & Expulsion (Discipline):

The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility to provide all students with an environment conducive to the development of their maximum learning potential. District policies and school handbooks have rules and regulations which are necessary to govern the conduct of students under the supervision of school personnel. All rules and regulations are published in appropriate building student handbooks.

Section 504:
Climax-Scotts Community Schools makes reasonable accommodations to allow students an opportunity to successfully participate in school-related activities. Food Allergies: Students with life-threatening food allergies are protected under Federal Law (Section 504). The school district works collaboratively with families to develop food allergy plans to meet the unique and individual needs of students with a food allergy.

School Safety:

Climax-Scotts Community Schools has developed a district-wide Emergency Management Plan to help prepare all employees to effectively respond to an array of emergency situations that could occur within our district.

Social Security/Disability:

Student Services provides supporting documentation to the Department of Human Services regarding Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for students with disability. The goal of Social Security or Supplemental Security Income is to ensure that students with disabilities are able to maintain independence. To find out more about how to apply for benefits or the Social Security Administration's definition of disability please visit the Disability Determination Web Site at: http://dds.its.state.nc.us/

Kindergarten Roundup:

If you have a resident child, age 5 on or before December 1, 2010, you may enroll in Kindergarten at any time throughout the school year. The enrollment process begins by contacting the elementary building secretary where your child will attend. We encourage parents/guardians to attend an annual Kindergarten Roundup at any of our elementary buildings.

Special Education Department

Molly Fisher, School Psychologist and
Special Education Supervisor

mfisher@csschools.net
Main Phone: (269) 746-2351
Fax: (269) 746-4142

In Michigan, programs and services are available for identified students with disabilities from birth to age 26. Special Education provides specifically designed instruction, at no cost to parents, to meet unique educational needs of students who are found eligible under one of the areas of disability recognized under The Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education. Programs and services include classroom instruction, consultation, ancillary support, and adaptive supplies and materials designed to meet the identified educational goals of students.

Climax-Scotts Community Schools offers a full continuum of services to identified students. A vast majority of students receive educational support in their home school with assistance from a teacher or other ancillary service provider. There are special education services available at all school buildings in our district. Students who require more support than is available at their neighborhood school may attend a program classroom at designated schools within the district or at one of our County center programs. All placement and programming decisions are made at the Individual Education Planning Student Assistance Team (S.A.T.) meeting.

The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility to provide all students with an enviornment conducive to the development of their maximum learning potential. District policies and school handbooks have rules and regulations which are necessary to govern the conduct of students under the supervision of school personnel. All rules and regulations are published in appropriate building student handbooks.

Parent Advisory Committee

Parents have a defined role in the planning of county-wide special education services for their children. Each local board of education within the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency nominates a member to serve on the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC).

The Committee acts in an advisory capacity to Kalamazoo RESA and is charged with cooperatively developing the county-wide plan for special education programs and services. We represent each impairment area, and we welcome input from other parents.

The committee meets on the third Tuesday of every month (except June, July, August and December) from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 at the Kalamazoo RESA Service Center. For further information please contact Molly Fisher, Special Education Supervisor at (269) 746-2351. The direct web link for the PAC is: