Welcome to the 2026-27 school year!     

Here is some important and helpful information regarding speech-language therapy services:

• This school year there are 3 speech-language pathologists working at Vassar Rd. School. We all work together to ensure our speech students get the services they need to be successful in class.

• The district operates on a 6-day cycle for related services and special areas. The first day when students are in attendance is a Day 1,  followed by the next day and numbers (2, 3, 4, 5) through 6, and then the cycle is repeated until the end of the school year. 

• Speech-language therapy will continue to follow the district's 3:1 Service Delivery model, in which there will be 3 cycles of direct speech therapy as per your child's IEP or RTI plan,  followed by 1 cycle of indirect therapy which will be scheduled as needed per student that cycle . Related services (speech, OT, PT) are provided as yearly services. The first indirect cycle will be September 8-15th.  Students are not seen directly by me during the indirect cycle with the exception of make-up sessions, observations,  and evaluations. Please do not be concerned if your child does not see me directly during indirect cycles. The first day of direct speech therapy services will be September 16th.

• Individual student speech schedules are currently being created for this school year. Please email me if you would like a copy of your child’s speech schedule.

• If your child is currently receiving RTI Tier 2 speech services,  he/she will be re-screened in September/October to determine continued eligibility for speech therapy in the new school year. Remember, to qualify for school-based RTI speech services a student needs to be identified as having a speech or language delay AND presents as an adverse impact on the student's academic learning. A consent form for screening will be sent home in September. In the meantime, please continue to encourage your child's speech and language development. There are links for ideas and suggestions for this above.

• IEP/RTI Progress Notes will be sent with each quarterly report card.

• The best way to reach me during the school day is by email. You can leave a voicemail message and I will return your call at the earliest convenience.

• If we have inclement weather and school is closed, then the following day that schools are open will be the cycle day that was missed and then continue the cycle days from there. For example; if a Monday, Day 1 is closed due to weather, then the next day that school reopens, let's say Tuesday, will become Day 1 and the cycle will continue from that point.  For early dismissal and delayed openings we retain the cycle day,  it does not change. You can always check the WCSD website for the current cycle day and information about school delays and cancellations. 

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me by email or phone. 

Sincerely,

Jamie Byrne

Jamie Byrne, M.S. CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist 

WCSD Speech Department Head T/C

Email: jamie.byrne@wcsdny.org 

Phone: 845-463-7860 x19006