Boonton Township School District

Special Programs 2011-2012
Extended Instructional Support (EIS)
Rockaway Valley School offers an ongoing extended instructional support (EIS) program to students in
Kindergarten through Grade 8 requiring this service. These students receive special individualized
instruction in specific areas of reading, math and language arts. Children may be placed in the program if
they fall below established district level standards and/or meet other criteria, such as teacher
recommendations.
Pupils attend these classes individually and/or in small groups. The degree of need and the number of
EIS classes offered to each child are considered when arranging the schedule and may be adjusted up or
down as the year progresses.
The program is diagnostic and remedial in nature. Students are given instruction in the specific academic
areas in which they have shown difficulties on the standardized tests, in their regular classes or in the
pullout setting. Program instructors communicate regularly with class teachers to ascertain current needs
and strengths. Mrs. Johnson is our EIS Supervisor.
Reading Specialist
Students needing additional instructional support in reading may be referred to our reading specialist,
Mrs. Schneider. After a skill assessment, she may work with a child individually or in a small group. Our
reading specialist also serves as a reading coach for our classroom teachers, providing workshops,
reference materials and modeling teaching strategies.
Speech and Language Therapy
Students needing speech services are discovered through teacher and parent referrals throughout the
year. After parental notification, the child is evaluated to see if he/she is eligible for speech correction.
Once this is determined, an Individualized Educational Plan is developed in regard to delayed or deficient
language, articulation, dysfluency and/or voice. Speech classes are held in individual and small group
settings. The speech program utilizes current and creative clinical methods based on scientific principles
and the needs of the individual child. Mrs. Bouroult is our speech teacher.
Enrichment Program
Enrichment activities are provided for all RVS students with a focus on exposing them to a wide variety of
disciplines (fields of study), visual and performing arts, global issues, etc. In addition, a talented pool of
students is identified based on standardized test scores, teacher recommendations, performance, grade
reports and individual student interest and needs. In-class enrichment, mentoring and special workshops
are examples of instructional approaches that reach the advanced learners. Ms. Merkelbach is our
enrichment instructor.
Special Education
Rockaway Valley School offers a full range of services for those students identified as having special
needs. The district employs a complete Child Study Team (CST) consisting of a Learning Disabilities
Teacher Consultant (LDTC), School Psychologist, Social Worker and Speech Correctionist. Together
with staff and parents our child study team evaluates, plans for and monitors any and all district students
requiring their expertise.
Children experiencing difficulties academically, socially or emotionally may be referred to the Child Study
Team by parents, the Intervention and Referral Services Committee and/or an individual teacher.
Working very closely with the parents of a referred child, the CST assesses each referral on a case-bycase
basis and develops recommendations and strategies for addressing the needs of the child. If it is
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