
Welcome to Community Transitions
Community Transitions (CT) is a Special Education program within Bellingham Public Schools that serves students through the age of 21. Students often encounter a new set of adult challenges which require different responses as they leave the high school setting. CT provides a full continuum of services intended to prepare students with mild to severe disabilities for a successful transition to independent living, employment and/or post secondary training. Supports are individualized based on the student’s need. Staff, parents and the adult students work as a team to create and nurture partnerships with adult services, college staff and businesses in the local community to identify the best place to maximize each individual student’s potential for success.
To be eligible, a student should:
- Not have taken their high school diploma.
- Be able to be enrolled in Bellingham Public Schools.
- Be supported by an Individual Education Program (IEP) and still need specially designed instruction.
- Be recommended to participate by the IEP Team.
Curriculum/Courses
- Developing relationships
- Applied academics
- Independent living
- Leisure/recreation
- Job skills
- Goal setting/self-determination
- Vocational experience
- Transition support
- Portfolio development
- GradPoint
Program Information:
2020 CT Graduation
2020 CT Graduation Delivery Slideshow
2020 CT Slideshow
2020 CT Talent Show
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string(11816) "Bellingham Public Schools proudly serves students with disabilities birth through age 21. We strive to give all our students love, care and great teaching. We build skills that allow each student to discover and develop a passion, contribute to our community and live a fulfilling, productive life.
What is Special Education?
Special Education is specialized instruction for students age Birth to 21 who qualify according to the laws and regulations outlined by state and federal government. A student may qualify for services in one of the areas as identified by the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The following definitions are from the U.S. Department of Education website.
Getting Started
The district participates in
"child find" - awareness and screening activities for the purpose of locating, identifying and evaluating children who are suspected of having disabilities and who may be in need of special education services. A student may also be referred for a special education evaluation by any source, including parents. The referral is to be made in writing and submitted to the building principal or designee.
The Special Education Process
- Referral and Identification
- Assessment
- Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- IEP Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Special Education Programs
Our district has a variety of programs to support families of students with special needs:
- Birth to 2: Bellingham schools partners with community agencies to provide early intervention services through the Department of Early Learning (DEL) Early Supports for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program. Children ages Birth to Two who have delays in their development or have a physical or mental condition that is known to cause a delay in development may be eligible for early intervention services. These services are provided in a child’s natural environment which may include in their home or childcare program.
- Preschool: Early childhood preschool programs provide a language-based curriculum to students ages 3-4 with developmental delays. Preschool programs are based in the following locations:
- Alderwood Elementary
- Birchwood Elementary
- Cordata Elementary
- Geneva Elementary
- Happy Valley Elementary
- Northern Heights Elementary
- Sunnyland Elementary
- Sehome High School
- Resource: programs provide direct, integrated, and/or consultative services to students with mild to moderate disabilities in general education. Resource programs are based in every elementary, middle and high school.
- Life Skills: Life Skills programs provide a functional academic and skill domain curriculum, with supported integration in general education and opportunities for community-based instruction to students with moderate to severe developmental disabilities. Life Skills programs are based in the following locations:
- Carl Cozier Elementary
- Columbia Elementary
- Cordata Elementary
- Wade King Elementary
- Fairhaven Middle
- Kulshan Middle
- Shuksan Middle
- Bellingham High
- Sehome High
- Squalicum HIgh
- EBD (Emotionally/Behaviorally Disabled) BRIDGES: The "BRIDGES" programs provide an academic curriculum within a structured behavior management system, with integration or mainstreaming in general education, to students with moderate to severe behavioral disabilities. EBD programs are based in the following locations:
- Parkview Elementary
- Lowell Elementary
- Whatcom Middle
- Squalicum High
- Community Transitions: The Community Transitions post-high school program provides transition classes, supported and independent vocational experiences, and linkages to adult services for students ages 18-21 with mild, moderate, or severe disabilities.
- Itinerant Services: Itinerant services provide instruction and support to students who need:
- Physical Therapy
- Assistive Technology
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech Language Therapy
- Sign Language
- Aural Rehab Management
- Braille
- Diagnostic-Psychological intervention
- Autism Consultation
- Out of District Placements: For students who need intensive services, the Bellingham Public Schools contracts with other providers including:
- Northwest ESD 189 - Whatcom Discovery
State and Federal Resources
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction - Special Education (OSPI)
Washington State Resources for Parents of Children and Youth with Disabilities
Resources
Continuing Education Opportunities
Special Education Office Staff
Director: Mike Haberman, (360) 676-6458
Secretary: Deanna Bannerman (360) 676-6458
Assistant Director: Bethany Verner (360) 676-6458
Secretary: Joy Rawls (360) 676-6470 ext. 2042
Program Secretaries:
Coleen Aylen: (360) 676-6470 ext. 4408
Vickie Tapparo: (360) 676-6470 ext. 6833
Julie Webster: (360) 676-6517
Special Education Records Requests
Please fax requests to 360-676-2692 or email BPS.Spedrecords@BellinghamSchools.org"
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