Family Opportunities
Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PPAL) offers ongoing support and training. Below are a sampling of current offerings. Visit their website for a complete listing.

Coffee and Conversations
Fridays 9:30-11:30am
(In-person)
Milford Town Library
To connect, learn from, and support other parents raising children with social, emotional, or mental health needs.

Parent Support Group - Families of K-8th graders
Wednesdays 11:30am-1:30pm (VIRTUAL)

Special Education
Special education services throughout the district address the needs of identified learners with disabilities between the ages of three and twenty-two, who require specialized instruction to support access to the curriculum. A wide range of services are provided to meet the individual needs of students, from academic intervention to related services in areas such as counseling, speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy. Availability of therapeutic services for students requiring special education intervention in the realm of social, emotional and adjustment areas is present at all schools and levels.

The Mendon-Upton Regional School District recognizes the importance of Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) outlined in the IDEA and substantiated by decades of research that show that the more normative the environment the better the outcomes for children. Strong collaboration with regular education staff provides services to students in the most inclusive manner which benefits all students within the class setting. By providing consultation, collaboration and professional development opportunities to regular and special education staff across the district, it allows for joint efforts in the provision of special education services in the most appropriate inclusive setting.

Staff works closely with families in assuring the services needed are identified and provided to students in accordance with applicable mandates. In addition, the Mendon-Upton Regional School District’s Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) meets regularly across the context of the school year. SEPAC meetings provide a forum for parents to share relevant information and create a network of support. SEPAC contact information and meeting schedule can be found on the district’s website.

District Contacts

Jennifer D'Angelo
Director of Student Support Services
jdangelo@mursd.org
(508) 634-1581

Meagan Brazil-Sheehan
Nipmuc High School
mbrazilsheehan@mursd.org
(508) 529-2135

Lauren Pokornicki
Miscoe Hill Middle School
lpokornicki@mursd.org
(508) 634-1592

Amy Curry
HP Clough Elementary School
Memorial Elementary School
acurry@mursd.org
(508) 634-1580 (HP Clough)
(508) 529-1020 (Memorial)

Programs and Services

Special education programs and services in the Mendon-Upton Regional School District are designed to meet the specific needs of students with disabilities in the least restrictive setting. The Mendon-Upton Regional School District offers several programs to meet the needs of students with disabilities and provides related services both within and outside the general education classroom. The professional staff that delivers special education services are certified and trained to work with a wide range of students with specific disabilities. When the nature and/or severity of the student’s disability is such that the neighborhood school programs/services would not meet the student’s needs, consideration is given to district-wide programs, and then to collaborative and out-of-district placements.

Through IEP team meetings, families and school staff participate in determining and making all decisions regarding special education services.

Early Education Program

The Mendon-Upton Regional School District offers an Integrated Early Education Program that provides a structured learning environment for children both with and without disabilities. The Integrated Early Education Program provides identification, educational and support services for preschool age children. The curriculum provides developmentally appropriate instruction for young learners including cross-curricular activities, focus on socio-emotional development, and preparation for kindergarten and beyond. Children with disabilities are provided additional support and specialized instruction as directed by their Individualized Education Programs. A comprehensive range of services is provided by the Early Education staff as well as related service providers including speech language therapist, occupational therapist, and physical therapist as needed in an integrated service learning approach. The district works collaboratively with early intervention programs to ensure eligible students are ready to receive specialized instruction and/or related services starting on their third birthday.

For questions regarding our Early Education Program please contact Jackie Wheelock, Early Education Coordinator at jwheelock@mursd.org or visit our Early Education page.