Welcome to Student Services!
Welcome Back!
We are thrilled to kick off the 2025–26 school year!
Last spring, with support from Oakland Schools, our department conducted a self-assessment and comprehensive review of our strengths and areas for growth. This process examined our special education systems at both the departmental and classroom level, parent engagement, and alignment with the five core educational practices.
We are proud of our successes in meeting children where they are, fostering strong home/school partnerships, thinking creatively, rebuilding our Parent Advisory Committee (PAC), and maintaining strong IEP compliance. Our staff consistently advocates for presuming competence, promotes independence and achievement—both academically and socially—and actively works to reduce disability-related stigma and ableism.
Like every department, we also identified areas for growth. One area was expanding our continuum of special education services within the Clawson community. Over the past year, I met with each school team, reviewed our continuum of supports, and conducted a financial review to ensure students receive a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment.
As a result, we are excited to launch two new programs this fall:
- Elementary ASD-focused resource room
- Secondary cognitively impaired (CI) program
Summer Work
This summer, many staff members worked with me and Sarah McGovern, ASD Supervisor, to prepare for the new year.
Secondary RR STRIVE Workgroup
Special thanks to Steve Lemke and Meagan Wander for helping align curricular resources for Strive. We are reviewing additional reading and writing materials and making structural changes that allow for more Specially Designed Instruction and alignment across middle and high school.
ASD Center/Resource Room & CI Programs
A dedicated group of staff—Cait O'Meara, Carrie Jones, Lindsay Ballard, Debbie Durant, Katie Adolph-Blake, Alyssa Kozlowski, and Sheila Brallier—worked on aligning pacing guides, curricular materials, and grading practices for students using the Essential Elements. We also began the development process for implementing report cards for these students, explored collaboration opportunities with Birmingham’s Integrated Center program, and purchased new curricular resources to support our learners.
Staffing Updates
Much of our summer was also dedicated to hiring. Please join us in welcoming new and transitioning staff members:
New to CPS
- CES ASD Teacher – Holly Watson
- CES ASD Para – Meagan Brown
- CES ASD - Louie Alkasmikha
- CES RR Teachers – Laurie Hoffman and Phoebe Klinski
- CMS RR Teacher – Jamie Skylis
- CMS ASD Para – Derek Custer
- CHS ASD Paras – Ana Bureau and Carey Shields
- CES School Social Worker – Annika Wilson
New Roles
- CES Resource Room ASD Teacher – Alyssa Kozlowski
- CES RR Para – Josie Fowler
- CMS/CHS CI Teacher – Sheila Brallier
- CMS ASD - Veronica Alverson-Hartley
- ASD Program School Social Worker – Katie Adolph-Blake
- District Behavior Specialist – Sabina Colombeau
We are still hiring! Openings include one CES ASD para, one CES RR para, and one para for the secondary CI program. Please spread the word.
New IEP Scheduling Process
This year, we are improving how we schedule IEP meetings. During Professional Development week, we will set tentative IEP dates for all students.
This change will:
- Reduce time spent coordinating by email
- Ensure all necessary staff can attend
- Allow us to arrange substitutes when needed
Once dates are set, you will receive a “Save the Date” letter. Please mark it on your calendar. If the date truly does not work for your family, contact your child’s Primary Case Manager as soon as possible to reschedule. An official IEP invitation will follow 10–14 days before the meeting.
Stay Connected
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at rebecca.anders@clawsonschools.org. Be sure to check the rest of our newsletter for additional resources!
Warm regards,
Rebecca Anders, Ed.S.
Director of Special Education
MDE Personal CurriculumResources
- ARC of Oakland County
- Autism Alliance of Michigan
- Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
- Community Housing Network
- Down Syndrome Guild of SE Michigan
- Easter Seals Michigan | MORC
- Gesher Human Services
- International Association of Dyslexia
- Michigan Council for Exceptional Children
- Michigan Department of Education
- Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS)
- National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
- New Horizons Rehabilitation Services, Inc.
- New Oakland Family Centers
- Oakland Community Health Network
- Oakland Family Services
- Oakland Schools
- On My Own of Michigan
- OU Cares
- Statewide Autism Resources and Training (START)
- Summer Camps & Scholarships
- United Cerebral Palsy
Child Find
Child Find is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) that requires states to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities who are in need of early intervention or special education services. To receive Early Intervention Programming or Special Education, children must meet eligibility guidelines according to the IDEA. If you suspect your child has a disability affecting his or her school performance, please notify your child's teacher, counselor, principal, or Rebecca Anders, Director of Special Education at rebecca.anders@clawsonschools.org or 248.655.4415.
Student Services Department
101 Phillips Ave.
Clawson, MI 48017
Project Find's purpose is to identify children and youth from birth to 26 years of age who have physical, social emotional, speech & language or cognitive impairments that may affect their educational performance.
