When it comes to running a school district, there is a need for a wide variety of specialized skills and services. In an effort to increase transparency and demystify some of the work we do, Reynoldsburg City Schools is proud to begin the Department Showcase series.
For this first edition, we will dive into the Department of Diverse Learners and Whole Child Supports (DLWCS).
What is the DLWCS and what does it do?
This department provides the services and supports that students need for success at school. Special education, whole child supports, and language acquisition are primary services within the department. Each of these areas has services and functions within them to meet the vast needs of our students to #blossomintheburg .
Special Education:
The special education administrative team is responsible for the development and coordination of high-quality programs to ensure that all students with disabilities receive appropriate services and support in their least restrictive environment. They also provide training and technical assistance to all staff including intervention specialists, general education teachers, related service providers, administrators, and support service professionals on various special education-related topics.
Ensuring compliance by the District with all local, state and Federal laws and regulations relating to students with disabilities as well as those suspected of having a disability is a significant responsibility of this team as well.
Whole Child Supports:
The whole child administrative team concentrates on reducing barriers to
student success by developing and coordinating high-quality programs and supports for all students across our District. Such programming includes but is not limited to provision of professional development, monitoring metrics, guidance, strategies and support to buildings in the areas of: school climate, social, emotional, mental health, positive behavior intervention supports (PBIS), House Bill 410 attendance, and social work services. This programming works to ensure that all students receive appropriate intervention and support when needed.
Ensuring compliance by the District with all local, state and Federal laws and regulations relating to the whole child programming and creation and implementation of 504 Plans (civil rights documents) is a significant responsibility of this role as well.
Other Department Areas:
DLWCS also coordinates services for students who qualify as English Language Learners. Reynoldsburg City Schools is home to over 1,300 English learners speaking more than 50 different languages. Our Language Acquisition Coordinator coordinates these services District-wide to provide various levels of services to this group of students with diverse gifts, educational needs, backgrounds, languages, and goals.
Other service areas and supports within our department include but are not limited to nursing services, foster care liaison and homeless services, coordination of community partnerships such as Nationwide Children’s Hospital Clinic, discipline monitoring District-wide as well as the function and process of expulsions when significant discipline warrants such, completion of annual reporting to the Dept. of Education & Workforce in areas such as PBIS, restraint and seclusion, and bullying.
DLWCS also coordinates the Caring Closet to provide crisis support and basic needs resources such as clothing, personal hygiene needs, and school supplies.
Reynoldsburg City Schools also has a Preschool in which daily operation and employment of teachers is in partnership with the ESCCO. This is located at RHS’ Livingston Campus.
Enjoyed learning more about this department — make sure to check back later for the second half of the series, a ‘Day in the Life’ segment with someone from the department!