Information for Families

Committee on Special Education and Committee on Preschool Special Education Meetings:

During this school year Homer Schools will continue to hold all appropriate Committee on Special Education (CSE) and Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) meetings.

Out of caution for the health of the Homer School community, all meetings will be held via Google Hangouts Meets. This site is HIPAA compliant and provides staff and families a safe secure opportunity to participate both virtually using a link or app; or by teleconference using the provided phone number and PIN. Meeting information will be provided to families in the following ways:

  • Written Letter - You will continue to recieve your usual meeting invitation which will include the date, time, membership, virtual meeting link, teleconference phone number and PIN.

  • Calendar Invitations - Students in grades 3-12 will receive a meeting invitation on their school calendar. This will include the virtual meeting link and teleconference phone number and PIN.

  • Parent Square - Depending on your available contact information and communication choices, families will receive a text message alerting them of an email message. This email message will include the meeting date, virtual meeting link, teleconference phone number with PIN, and the following link which provides a resource regarding how to access the virtual meeting:

In addition, to try and help with the flow of the meeting and to help you know what to expect, we have developed a virtual meeting agenda for you to have as a resource. This should help with letting you know what to expect during this meeting.


Special Education and Section 504 Services:

Please be assured that the District is in compliance with federal guidance as to implementation of education and related services to all of its classified and 504 students as set forth under their respective IEP and 504 plans. The District continues to provide educational opportunities to its general education students and students with disabilities. Each student with a disability is being provided with his or her special education and related services identified in the student’s IEP or 504 plan. The United States Department of Education (USDOE) understands that during this national emergency schools will not be able provide all services in the same manner as they are typically provided. The IDEA allows for the flexibility in determining how to meet the individual needs of students with disabilities and the determination of how FAPE is to be provided. Please stay in contact with your child's case manager with questions regarding services as well as any successes or challenges you and your child may be experiencing with current models of service.


School Social Work

Message from Our Team

School social work services maintain and enhance the mental, emotional, behavioral, cognitive and social functioning of student learners. Homer Schools will continue to provide social work services throughout these challenging times. Below is each building's social worker and their contact information. Each building has included a link to different age appropriate activities that you can review and utilize as you see fit. These activities including through the links on this page can be used to supplement skills and to have access to services that some of your children may have qualified for through the Committee on Special Education (CSE) or the Section 504 Committee. These pages will be continuously reviewed and updated. Additionally, we are including a link to a folder of community resources. Please review as you see fit and contact the social worker appropriate to your child's building level attendance for questions and concerns.

We will be available Monday-Friday 8 am - 3:30pm through email or phone.


Additional Community Resources

Occupational and Physical Therapy Services

Message from Our Team

Homer Distance Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) Services have fun with your kids! Our therapists incorporate humor and games to make therapy sessions more engaging. Therapy at home can be done in a similar way so that the kids (and parents) won’t think of it as another thing they “have” to do. Students can be playing games, performing chores or engaging in schoolwork all while incorporating therapeutic activities. That’s what is great about OT and PT! In the event of home learning, you can continue with activities our team is sending home specific to your child's needs per their IEP or 504 Plan, as well as continued participation in online teletherapy sessions. We have also included links for additional Occupational and Physical therapy activities. These pages will be continuously reviewed and updated as needed.

We will be available Monday-Friday 8 am - 3:30pm through email or phone.

Matt Hartl, COTA

  • mhartl@homercentral.org

  • 607-749-1240 ext. 2944

Bernadette Belton, OTR/L

  • bbelton@homercentral.org

  • 607-749-1240 ext. 2141

Talia Cruz, OTR/L

Occupational Therapy Activities / Information

Dr. Carrie Finn, PT,DPT

Speech Language Pathology Services

Message from Our Team

Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) who work in the public school evaluate, diagnose, and treat individuals with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. SLPs provide services to students in the special education population, as well as the general population of the school. Below, we have listed each speech language pathologist for the district. We have also provided links and activities you can use to maintain skills at home, along with helpful information and resources designated to each building level. These pages will be continuously reviewed and updated. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us Monday-Friday 830 am - 3:30pm through email or phone.

Homer Elementary - Hannah Cochran, MS, CCC-SLP

Homer Junior High (Grades 6-8) - Ashley Vormwald, MS, SLP

Homer Intermediate School - Victoria Thornton, MS, CCC-SLP

Homer Elementary & High School - Rachel Parker, MS, CCC-SLP

Homer Elementary & Intermediate - Breanne Teeter, MS, CCC-SLP


Psychology Department

Message from Our Team

School psychologists are members of school teams that support students' abilities to learn and teachers' abilities to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections among home, school, and the community. We will continue to be available to support families. If you have questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to the psychologist that is applicable to your child's school attendance.

We will be available Monday-Friday 8 am - 3:30pm through email or phone.

Homer High School - Steven Richardson, MS/CAS

Homer Junior High School - Melissa Brown, MS/CAS

Homer Intermediate School - Lori Schmidt, MS/CAS

Homer Elementary School - Jaclyn Davis, MS/CAS

  • jdavis@homercentral.org

  • 607-749-1250, ext. 1125