• Welcome from Dr. Pogonelski

  • Special Education 25-26 Department Goals

• CTSEDS Parent Portal Information

• Community Opportunities

• District Calendar

Welcome From Dr. Pogonelski

Dear Community, 

I am excited to welcome you to the very first issue of our Special Education Newsletter! I officially began my role as Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Student Services on July 1, 2025, and it has been a wonderful first few months. Since joining the district, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many of you during our August Meet and Greet, at Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meetings, and at several PTA events. Each interaction has reinforced what a warm, engaged, and student-centered community this is. 

This newsletter is the start of something simple but meaningful. My hope is that it becomes a place where families can find information, inspiration, and connection. Each issue will feature updates on our special education programs, highlight community resources and extracurricular opportunities outside of the district, and share tools and information that families can use to support their children at home and at school. I also plan to spotlight some of the amazing work happening in our classrooms and celebrate the achievements of our students and staff. 

This October, I also had the opportunity to present special education performance data and share our department goals (see below) for the 2025–2026 school year at each of the Board of Education meetings. I look forward to keeping you informed as we work toward these goals together throughout the year.

As we move through the school year, my focus is on building strong partnerships with families. The success of our students depends on open communication, mutual trust, and shared commitment between home and school. I believe that when we work together with compassion, curiosity, and respect, we create the best possible outcomes for all learners. 

I welcome your feedback, questions, and suggestions as we shape this newsletter together. If there are topics you’d like to learn more about, resources you’ve found helpful, or stories you think should be shared, please reach out. Your voice is an important part of this ongoing conversation. 

Thank you for welcoming me into this incredible community. I look forward to getting to know more families and continuing to collaborate to support every student’s growth, independence, and success.

Best,

Dr. Meghan Pogonelski

Special Education 2025-2026 Department Goals

1. Asset Mapping of Current Resources 

2. Trend Walkthroughs in Special Education Classrooms 

3. IEP Goals/Objectives through GoAlbook. 

   • Mapping to Grade Level standards and Assessments

4. Special Education Strategic Plan

   • 5 Priorities

     1. Leadership & Systems

     2. Communication & Family Engagement

     3. Learning Environment & Special Programs 

     4. Operations

     5. Promote High Expectations

5. 18-22 Aged Program

   • Finding Partners and increasing experiences for students. 

   • Investigate timing based on cohort groups

CTSEDS Parent Portal Information

District Happenings

Community Opportunities

Information shared in this section is about local opportunities. While the district is sharing this information, it is not a district-sponsored event, and the district would not provide any costs associated with it.

If you are aware of any community activities and events happening, please share them with me so I can include them in upcoming newsletters.

Dr. Meghan Pogonelski

Assistant Superintendent for Special Education & Student Services

mpogonelski@er9.org

203-261-2513