Special Education

Manhasset Union Free School District

Allison Rushforth, Executive Director of Special Education Programs and Services 267-7671, Stewart Grabelsky, Assistant Director of Secondary Special Education 267-7672,   Gary LaFemina, Assistant Director of Preschool & Elementary Special Education 267-7679.

We recognize and respect that our students are part of a community of diverse learners.  Our priority is to maximize student outcomes and ensure that each student develops to his/her highest potential.  The practices of the Manhasset Special Education Department are overseen by the Board of Education and are regulated by state and federal laws. This requires that individual student needs must drive programs, supports and services in “the least restrictive environment”.    We recognize that the continued partnership among administration, faculty and families is integral to our success.

As a courtesy to Manhasset Parents, below are Special Education Links that will provide you with important information.

This letter below provides information for you to be aware of if you are a resident of this school district and you have placed, or are considering placing, your child who has a disability or is suspectedof having a disability in a nonpublic school for which you would be paying tuition. The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and State law require the school district where the nonpublic school is located to assume responsibility to provide special educationservices for your child. The following information is important for you to know:

• If you place your child in a nonpublic school and wish your child to receive special education services while enrolled in that school, you must request those services in writing no later than June 1 before the school year in which services are to be provided. If your child is first identified as a student with a disability after June 1 and before April 1 of the current school year, you may submit your request within 30 days after your child is first identified.

Please note: Click on the link below for more information

For information on PASE, Parent Association for Special Education, click here.

For information on SEPTA, Special Education Parent Teacher Association, click here.

Click Here for Letter to Non-Public School Parents with Children Needing Special Education Services

• About Our Kids
• American Speech Language and Hearing Association
• Autism Speaks
• Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder 
• Kids Health
• LD Online 
• Learning Disabilities Association of America
• National Association of Parents and Children in Special Education 
• National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
• Parent to Parent of New York State--Connecting/Supporting Families, Individuals with Special Needs
• Regulations of the Commissioner on Education (Part 200) Children with Disabilities
• Vocational and Educational Services for Children with Disabilities, NYSED
• Tourette's Syndrome Association
• New York State Office of Mental Health 
• New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities 
• Specializing In Information for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 
• Alexander Graham Bell Association