District 31 provides a continuum of supportive services to students requiring additional assistance at school. The programs consist of varying levels of academic and behavioral support for all students whose educational performance is so discrepant from their peers due to academic or behavioral reasons that various levels of support and interventions are provided. Students are identified through a school-wide screening and individual record review. The Support Services team includes academic support and special education teachers, school psychologists, occupational and physical therapists, social workers, speech-language pathologists, teacher assistants and English Learner (EL) teachers.
System of Supports
District #31 employs a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) using a data-driven problem-solving process to maximize academic, social, and behavioral growth for all learners. MTSS aligns resources and supports for students receiving instruction (direction intervention) and for teachers and other staff who are delivering instructions (instructional coaching).
Students with Disabilities
District 31 complies with the provisions of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Article 14 of the Illinois School Code, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and their implementing regulations and provides a Free Appropriate Public Education, (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment to all eligible children. Special education and related services address the adverse effect(s) of the disability on a student’s education.
District 31 is a member of the Northern Suburban Special Education District (NSSED), which is a special education district comprised of other public school districts. NSSED works with District #31 to provide a continuum of services, programs, and accommodations for students with disabilities.
For further information regarding programs, identification, assessment, placement, and services for children with disabilities or how to request an evaluation for your child, contact Dr. Janine Gruhn, Director of Special Education at the District #31 Administrative Office at 847-313-4414..
Behavior Intervention
District 31 has policies and procedures, including rules for the use of isolated time out and physical restraint (105 ILCS 5/14-8.05(c), 10-20.33; 23 Ill. Admin. Code Sec. 1.280, 1.285). Any time a new policy is adopted by the Board of Education or an existing policy is amended by the Board of Education, that Board action is included within the Board Briefs completed within a week following the adoption, and the new/amended policies are available on the District website for public viewing. District #31 student behavior policies include the following:
Use of Isolated Time Out and Physical Restraint, Board Policy 7:013
For students with IEPs, a copy of the District's policies and procedures will be provided to the parents/guardians within 15 days after the policies and procedures have been adopted by the Board, or within 15 days after the Board has amended its policies and procedures, or at the time an IEP is first implemented for the student. At a student's annual review IEP meeting, the policies and procedures will be reviewed and a copy provided to the parents/guardians as well.
The District will provide written notice to the parents/guardians within 24 hours after any use of isolated time out or physical restraint (unless the parents/guardians have provided the District with a written waiver of this requirement for notification). The notice shall include the student's name, date of incident, description of the intervention used, and the name of a contact person with a telephone number to be called for further information.
Bus Conduct, Board Policy 7:015
Conduct Code for Participants in Extracurricular Activities, Board Policy 7:033
Expulsion Procedures, Board Policy 7:017
Misconduct by Students with Disabilities, Board Policy 7:020
Search and Seizure, Board Policy 7:002
Student Behavior, Board Policy 7:001
Suspension Procedures, Board Policy 7:018
Parents' Legal Protections When a District Seeks to Access Public Funds or Insurance
Parents of children with disabilities have legal protections when public agencies seek to access pubic benefits or insurance (e.g., Medicaid) to pay for services required under the IDEA (34 C.F.R. $ 300.154(d)(2). Prior to accessing these benefits and annually thereafter, parents must be notified of the following information:
Personally identifiable information may be disclosed.
Purpose of the disclosure (e.g., billing for services)
Agency to which disclosure will be made (e.g., Medicaid)
The following no-cost statements:
Parents may not be required to enroll in public benefits in order for their child to receive FAPE.
Parents may not be required to incur out-of-pocket expenses such as a deductible or co-pay.
A district may not use a child's benefits if that use would decrease lifetime coverage, increase premiums, result in the family paying for services that would otherwise be covered, or risk loss of eligibility for certain waivers.
Parents have the right to withdraw their consent at any time.
The withdrawal of consent or a refusal to consent does not relieve the district of its obligation to provide all required services at no cost to the parents.
Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind, or Visually Impaired Students
All students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired may be eligible to receive services from the Illinois School for the Deaf or the Illinois school for the Visually Impaired. The Illinois School for the Deaf provides services such as medical, audiological, vision, and speech services. The Illinois School for the Visually Impaired provides services in all academic areas, orientation and mobility, compensatory skills, such as Braille, and career education. More information regarding school services, admission criteria, and school contact information may be found at http://www.illinoisdeaf.org/ and http://www.isvi.net/. There are also schools other than the Illinois School for the Deaf and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired that provide similar services. Contact District #31's Director of Special Education, Mrs. Beth Parker, at the District's Administrative Office at 847-313-4414, about these services for your student.
English Learner (EL)
Language instruction in English is available to students who, due to limited English proficiency, are developing the necessary communication skills to be successful in school and our community. Students work on reading, writing, listening and speaking skills while learning the English language. Bilingual services are offered for students who meet the criteria recommended by the district and state guidelines. Parents will receive notification of their child's eligibility for bilingual education services and the services that will be provided as required by law.
Preschool Screenings
Preschool screenings are available to children from birth to five years old at the request of parents who have concerns about their development and/or to identify children ages 3-5 who may be eligible for special education and related services. These screening are by appointment only. The pre-school screening focuses on speech/language motor, socialization, and school readiness skills. Please contact Meghan Swift, Administrative Assistant for Support Services, at 847-313-4414. .
Homebound/Hospital Instruction
Home/hospital services are provided to a student when a licensed medical physician determines that the student, will or is anticipated, due to a medical condition, will be out of school for a minimum of two consecutive weeks of school (10 days) or more or on an ongoing intermittent basis. The goal of home/hospital instruction is to afford the student experiences equivalent to those afforded to other students at the same grade level and are designed to enable the student to return to the classroom. Thus, the substance or content of the instruction, generally academic, is to enable the student to remain synchronized with the other students in his or her class.
McKinney-Vento Homeless Students
As per Board Policy 6:00, Education of Homeless Children, each child of a homeless individual and each homeless youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, as provided to other children and youths. A homeless child is defined as provided in the federal McKinney Homeless Assistance Act as well as state law.
McKinney Vento Homeless Liaison:
Dr. Janine Gruhn
Email: jgruhn@district31.net
Phone: 847-313-4411
Alternative Learning Opportunity Programs
Per Non-Regulatory Guidance: Public Act 97-0495 (Regional Safe School and Alternative Learning Opportunity Programs), District 31 provides students with a free appropriate public education and fulfills all provisions of a student's IEP. The law defines "disruptive student" as "suspension or expulsion eligible students in any grades 6 through 12. Regional Safe School Programs (RSSPs) may serve District 31 students in 6th through 8th grades. Alternative Learning Opportunities (ALOP) programs serve District 31 students in 4th through 8th grade.