It is the first priority of Student Services staff members to support the academic, organization and social-emotional development of students so they may be successful throughout their school careers and their entire lives. The Student Services Department assists families and school team members address the needs of students with a variety of special circumstances (see listings below).
Director of Student Services
Merritt F. Waters (Pictured at right; Bio at bottom)
Tel 440.427.6140
Fax 440.427.6110
mwaters@ofcs.net
Academic Services Secretary
Pam Manas
Tel 440.427.6530
pmanas@ofcs.net
School Psychological Services
Robin Scott @ Falls-Lenox Primary School
Tel 440.427.6530
rscott3@leeca.org 440.427.6432
Sherry Foulkes @ Fitch Intermediate & Olmsted Falls High School
Tel 440.427.6532
sfoulkes@ofcs.net
Shannon Goss @ Preschool & Olmsted Falls Middle School
Tel 440.427.6214
sgoss@ofcs.net
Special Education
~Evaluations and services for eligible students are provided as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 and the Operating Standards for Ohio Educational Agencies Serving Children with Disabilities
~Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams determine the necessary accommodations, supports and related services needed for a child to make adequate progress in the general education curriculum
Preschool Program/Early Entrance to Kindergarten
Melinda Brunner - Director, Early Childhood Center
Tel 440.427.6360 mbrunner@ofcs.net
~Monthly play-based preschool assessments are conducted
~A continuum of preschool special education services is available
Gifted/Talented
Margaret Morris - Coordinator
(Gifted Intervention Specialist at Olmsted Falls Intermediate School)
Tel 440.427.6572 pmorris@ofcs.net
In accordance with House Bill 282, the Olmsted Falls School District is distributing information regarding the identification of gifted students. We are providing information regarding the district’s identification procedures, policies and service plans. The following brochures and forms are available from OFSD:
Gifted Program Information for Parents
Assessment Instruments Used for Gifted Identification
Gifted Identification Referral Form
Student Acceleration Cover Letter
Student Acceleration Procedures
Student Acceleration Referral Form
Students Acceleration Flowchart
After reviewing the information available above, should you feel the student is a candidate for gifted identification, please complete the Referral Form and Permission for Assessment and return it to the Gifted Resource teacher at the student’s school by Friday of the third week in September for fall testing, or Friday of the third week in March for spring testing. The procedure may involve several tests being administered to the student and a significant amount of time out of the regular classroom.
Please note that identification, according to House Bill 282, does not necessarily mean placement in our gifted education program.
If you have any questions, please contact Peggy Morris, Gifted Education Coordinator, at (440) 427-6572.
English Language Learners
~Evaluations are conducted based on information provided on the Home Language Survey completed at the time of enrollment or upon referral by teachers/parents
~Support services are provided during the school day when warranted
Section 504
~Evaluations and accommodations are provided as needed for students with significant impairments through written plans in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
~Please contact your child’s School Counselor with questions
Home Instruction
~Evaluations and service plans are created as needed for students who are unable to attend school for a short period of time, usually due to a medical condition or injury
~Please contact your child’s School Counselor with questions
Homeless Students
~Every effort is made to remove barriers to the enrollment, attendance and success in school that homeless children may experience in accordance with The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act
~If you need further assistance, please contact your child’s Principal or call the
National Center for Homeless Education toll-free HelpLine: 1.800.308.2145
~For a link to A Parent's Guide to the Rights of Children & Youth Experiencing Homelessness, please click here.
Title I Federal Grant
~Title I is part of No Child Left Behind and provides funds to school buildings with a certain percentage of low income students
~Students who are failing or are at-risk of failing in reading and mathematics are identified and offered extra assistance before, during and/or after the regular school day
Student Services Coordinator Biographical Information
Merritt Waters became Student Services Coordinator for Olmsted Falls City Schools in August 2008 after serving as a School Psychologist in the district for four years. Prior to becoming a Bulldog, Mrs. Waters worked as a School Psychologist for Perkins (Sandusky) Local Schools for seven years.
Mrs. Waters has completed the requirements for a license in Educational Administration in Pupil Services through Ashland University; and is currently working on her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at Kent State University. She earned a Master of Education degree in Educational/School Psychology from John Carroll University in 1996 and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management and Psychology from Marietta College in 1993.
This year, Mrs. Waters is President of the Cleveland Association of School Psychologists, and she is a member of several professional organizations, including The National Association of School Psychologists, The Ohio School Psychologist Association, The Cleveland Association of School Psychologists, The Council for Exceptional Children and The Ohio Association of Pupil Services Administrators. In 2008, she was honored with the Distinguished Service Award from the Council for Exceptional Children (Region One).