Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year!
As we gear up for the new school year, we want to extend a warm welcome to new and returning families in AB. We are excited for the year ahead and look forward to collaborating with you to support your students. Our dedicated team of educators is committed to providing the best possible learning experience for your child and your input is important to your student's success. This letter will provide you with important school and staffing information, as well a connection to our Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), with whom we collaborate closely to support families.
Staffing Updates
We are thrilled to announce that Dan Mazur is AB’s new Assistant Director of Special Education. Dan joins us from Hopkinton Public Schools, where he worked for over 20 years as a special education teacher, Team Chair and Extended School Year Coordinator. Dan started in July and spent time in our ESY programs, meeting teachers and students, as well as connecting with families moving into the district. Dan’s primary responsibilities will be at the elementary level, supporting our schools and specialized programs.
In addition, we have the following staff joining our department:
Rachael Fusco has transitioned to the Special Education Coordinator position at the Conant and Merriam Schools this year.
Sarah Turner and Susan Root will be interim Co-Special Education Coordinators at ABRHS this year.
Anna Christiansen Blanchard School Teacher, Pathways Program
Laurie Furtado Blanchard School Teacher, Learning Center
Makenzie Kozar Blanchard School SLP
Kaitlyn Brophy Conant School Teacher, Connections Program
Katie Antalek Douglas School Teacher, LAB Program
Elizabeth Sullivan Douglas School Teacher, Learning Center
Emily Teager Douglas School School Psychologist
Gabrielle Lyons McCarthy Towne Counselor/Compass Program
Sara Schwalbert McCarthy Towne Compass Program
Mariah Robillard Merriam School Teacher, Learning Center
William Kubik RJG Counselor/Compass Program
Samantha Murray ABRHS Teacher, ODP
Ashley Collette ABRHS SLP, Long term sub
New IEP: Learning and Sharing
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has updated its Individualized Education Program (IEP) for the first time in over 20 years! The forms have changed
significantly, and our staff will be learning about the new format and content changes throughout the school year. If you would like to see what the new forms look like, you can visit DESE’s site here. Acton-Boxborough will be implementing the new forms beginning September, 2024 as required by the state. However, staff have expressed interest in trying out the new forms beginning in April, 2024 for a few of their students. We will let you know if we are able to do this once the training has been completed. We look forward to collaborating with SEPAC and holding parent information meetings about the new forms later in the fall.
Who to Contact and How to Connect
Team meetings will continue to be held both virtually and in-person, based on parent preference. Your liaisons will be in communication with you when scheduling meetings.
If you have questions about your student’s IEP or services, please contact your school’s Special Education Coordinator. Their contact information is listed below:
CHECP: Joe Gibowicz [email protected]
Blanchard: Kelly Morrissey [email protected]
Conant: Rachael Fusco [email protected]
Douglas: Tara Kirousis [email protected]
Gates: Tara Kirousis [email protected]
McT: Kristie Barry-Ayres [email protected]
Merriam: Rachael Fusco [email protected]
RJ Gray: Maureen Lin [email protected]
ABRHS: Sarah Turner [email protected]
Susan Root [email protected]
Out of District:Matt Kidder [email protected]
Acton-Boxborough SEPAC
We look forward to another collaborative year with Acton-Boxborough SEPAC. Co-Chairs Amanda Bailey and Abe Gutierrez have shared meeting dates for the 2023-2024 school year and they can be found here. You can also contact them at [email protected]. Please note that Special Education Coordinators will be joining the first SEPAC meeting in September. We are excited to welcome your students back to school very soon. Please reach out to us or your coordinator if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Jennifer Truslow Dan Mazur
Director of Special Education Assistant Director of Special Education
[email protected] [email protected]