Student Support Services

UPDATED 504 FORMS
504 Reminders
504 Form Instructions
504 Parent Rights Form
Form 1 - Invitation Form for Students with Medical Conditions
Form 2 - 504 Meeting Invitation Form
Form 3 - Consent for Evaluation
Form 4 - Eligibility Form
Form 5 - 504 Accommodation Determination
Form 6 - Accommodation Plan
Form 7 - Consent for Re-Evaluation
Form 8 - Notice of Section 504 MDR
Form 9 - Manifestation Determination Review
Form 10 - Parental Refusal Revocation of Consent
Form 11 - Discontinuation of Services Notification
 504 Students Referred to Alternative School Placements
504 Review of Testing Accommodations
504 Accountability Form
Release of Information: Exchange Form 
5 Key Changes Since ADAAA 2008
504 Best Practices  

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Homebound
Homebound Contract
504 Homebound Educational Services

Homebound Packet

It is the mission of Iredell-Statesville Schools to rigorously challenge all students to achieve their academic potential and to lead productive and rewarding lives. We will achieve this mission with the support of parents, staff, and the community. Iredell-Statesville Schools believes that every student can learn and deserves rich classroom instruction. The district realizes that some circumstances arise where homebound instruction is necessary in place of attending regular school. With that being said, many studies have been performed on school attendance and student achievement, and the results are not surprising "...student test performance is better when class attendance is better and students with better attendance demonstrate more knowledge of the course materials" (Ledman and Kamuche, 2002).

It needs to be recognized that the student will get the best education while being at school and not at home. The homebound program is one way Iredell-Statesville Schools is attempting to meet the educational needs of all its students. If a student is expected to miss school no more than (2) two weeks (high school) or (4) four weeks (elementary or middle school), the school site should manage assignments, this would not be considered homebound. The expectation is for students, that would be eligible, to receive homebound on an "as needed basis". If a student is expected to miss more than the allotted time, she/he would be eligible for homebound services by completing the appropriate referral form. If the student is a student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), please contact the Coordinator of Disability Services at ADR. If homebound services will last more than 12 weeks, a new homebound referral form will need to be completed upon re-evaluation by the supervising physician. The school team will review the continued need for homebound every 30 days. If the student has an IEP, the IEP Team will review the need for continued homebound services through the IEP process. Information that is needed to enroll your student in the homebound program is found in the Homebound Packet. Please make sure that all forms are complete or delays in the processing may occur.

To download the entire packet, click below.Homebound PacketTo view or download particular forms, see the individual links below.

HB Form 1 Homebound Service Instruction
HB Form 2 Parent Authorization for Homebound Services Instruction
HB Form 3 Physicians Referral for Homebound Services Instruction
HB Form 4 Physicians Referral for OBGYN Diagnosis
HB Form 5 Psychiatrists Referral for Homebound Services Instruction
HB Form 6 Homebound Teacher
HB Form 7 Class Assignments From HB Teacher
HB Form 8 Survival Guide for Teachers
HB Form 9 Summary of Progress NOT FOR Exceptional Children with an IEP
HB Form 10 Teachers of Homebound Students
HB Form 11 Home Visit Record Attendance Log
HB Form 12 Homebound Review

MTSS is a multi-tiered framework which promotes school improvement through engaging, research-based academic and behavioral practices. NC MTSS employs a systems approach using data-driven problem-solving to maximize growth for all. ISS has a continually growing model of support for behavior which includes research-based best practice solutions. 

For district behavior support please contact Jessica Smith at jessica_mack@iss.k12.nc.us 

Behavior Resources

MTSS Wiki- for MTSS Behavior Documents

Behavior Referral

Social Work Referral

Bullying Safety Plan
Death of a Student
Grant Process
Information Release and Exchange Form
Medically Fragile Criteria
Medically Fragile Form
Notification of Long Term Suspension English Version - Spanish Version
SAP Evaluation Instrument
Social Worker Job Description
Truancy Court Process
Counselor/SAP Referral Form

Perfect Attendance Process

1. Data Managers will pull Perfect Attendance list by June 20.

2. Each Data Manager will contact their school photography vendor and fax/email their Perfect Attendance List

3. School Photography Vendor will match the list with student pictures and create student card. This card will contain the student name, Iredell Statesville Schools, student picture and school year.

4. School Photography Vendor will return Perfect Attendance Cards to each school by July 15.

5. The District will send a Connect Ed to students that the Perfect Attendance Cards are available for pick up at each school after August 1.

6. Cards that are not picked up will be distributed the first week of school.

7. If a students Picture is not on the School Picture Vendor CD, the School Picture Vendor will make a card without the picture.

8. Students will be allowed to use Perfect Attendance Cards at sports events at any ISS School as well as any Art and Theater event within I-SS

FAQ’s

Tardies/Lates:

To be eligible for Perfect Attendance, a student can have no more than the following number of tardies/lates:

Elementary/Middle: no more than 10 lates or early dismissals

High School: Must be present at least ½ of the school day every day

Replacement Cards:

Replacement cards will be $5. Student Services will make replacement cards and have them available upon request from schools. Schools will collect $5 from the student. Supply a receipt, and place a label on the card with the student’s name.

Stealing/Tampering with a Perfect Attendance Card:

If a student is caught stealing or tampering with a perfect attendance card, the gatekeeper will confiscate the card, and send the card to Student Services. Student Services will notify the school that the child attends.

Seniors:

If a Senior achieved Perfect Attendance, they will still receive a Perfect Attendance Card. You can either mail their cards to the home address or provide notification that the card is available for pick up at the school.

6th Grade/9th Grade Students:

Perfect Attendance Cards will be distributed from the last school attended. If a child received Perfect Attendance in 5th grade, the Elementary School last attended will send that card to the feeder middle school if it hasn’t been picked up by the start of school

Transfer Students:

For students who transfer to ISS in the middle of the school year, they must have perfect attendance in ISS and perfect attendance must be verified with the previous school.

Student Assistance Program (SAP)

• The Student Assistance Program is a counseling intervention that provides additional support to students that are having emotional, behavioral, social, or substance related difficulties.
• The goal of the program is to help staff, students, and parents identify when students may be struggling and in need of assistance, and refer them to the SAP Staff. It is based on the idea that the earlier problems are identified and dealt with, it improves the outcome of the situation.
• All ISS middle schools and high schools have an SAP Counselor on staff. 
• Students may be referred by ISS staff, parents, or students themselves.
• Once a student is referred to SAP, the counselor will gather information about the problem by meeting with the student, talking with the parent, or gathering information from the referral source and determine what supports the student needs.

Supports provided by SAP:

• 1:1 Counseling services (Brief evidence based).
• Psycho-educational groups.
• Education/Prevention for substance related issues in conjunction with board policies(Alcohol, Tobacco, and other drugs).
• Mediation services for resolving ongoing peer conflict.
• Support to parents/families with concerns about the student.
• Referral and coordination of services to community health professionals when needed.
• All services provided by SAP counselors are free of charge, and available to all students.

Counselor/SAP Referral Form

Meet our SAPs:

East Iredell Middle School
Mrs. Emily Murphy graduated from Winthrop University with a Masters Degree in Social Work and Western Carolina University with her Bachelors in Social Work. She has previously worked as a school social worker with our district the past year and a half. Prior to the school setting she worked as a client service specialist at the Child Advocacy Center in Charlotte. She is currently pursuing her LCSW and completing her hours in a private practice setting. You may contact Mrs. Murphy by phone at 704-872-4666 or by email at emily_nesbitt@iss.k12.nc.us.

Lakeshore Middle School
Mrs. Cassie Houf graduated from the University of Missouri with a Masters Degree in Social Work with an emphasis in trauma focused clinical interventions. She has worked in social services settings since 2012 providing services to clients experiencing domestic violence, homelessness, grief and loss, and multiple other adversities. She has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2017 working in a clinical setting providing trauma informed crisis intervention and supportive counseling. You may contact Mrs. Houf by phone at (704)799-0187 or by email at cassie_houf@iss.k12.nc.us.

Woodland Heights Middle School
Mrs. Sipperly joined Iredell Statesville Schools in December 2006. She worked as a School Social Worker for 5 years and then transitioned to working as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for a military contractor with the Army, Air Force and Marines. Mrs. Sipperly came back to ISS in September 2016 as a Student Assistant Person in a shared position between East Middle and Brawley Middle and then between Brawley Middle and Lakeshore Middle School. Mrs. Sipperly graduated from Florida State University with both her bachelors and masters degrees in Social Work, with a concentration in School Social Work. Mrs. Sipperly is licensed in both NY and NC to provide private therapy to adults and children. Please contact Mrs. Sipperly at Lesa_sipperly@iss.k12.nc.us. 

North Iredell Middle School
Ms. Kim Swofford has been with Iredell Statesville Schools since 1998. She previously worked at NIHS, but more recently joined the NIMS family. She coached track for 6 years and served as the athletic first responder for 5 years.  Ms. Swofford received her Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Appalachian State University, and is a state certified school social worker. Prior to coming to Iredell Statesville Schools, Ms. Swofford worked in adolescent mental health services for 9 years and served as a Guardian ad Litem for the 23rd judicial court district. You may contact Ms. Swofford at North Iredell Middle School, 704-876-4802 or kjswofford@iss.k12.nc.us.

Third Creek Middle School
Ms. Lanise White graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University in 2009 with a degree in Early Child Development and Family Consumer Science. She started her teaching career in 2011 in Rowan-Salisbury School system as a Teacher Assistant for 1st and 2nd grade. She joined Iredell-Statesville School system in 2015 as a EC Teacher Assistant and later moved position as a Bookkeeper in 2016. In 2016 she went back to school to get her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Capella University graduating in 2019. In 2020 she moved to Third Creek Middle(Old Statesville Middle) as the new SAP counselor. You may contact Ms. White by email at Lanise_white@iss.k12.nc.us or by phone at 704-872-2135.

Troutman Middle School
Mrs. Sherri Brinskelle is in her fifth year at Troutman Middle School as their SAP. She comes to Troutman with 22 years of clinical experience with previous licensure in two states.  She received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from New York University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Anthropology with a Concentration in Social Work from The College of Staten Island. You may contact Mrs. Brinskelle at sherri_brinskelle@iss.k12.nc.us or by phone at 704-528-5137.

West Iredell Middle School
Mrs. Nissa Ziglar joined Iredell-Statesville Schools in January 2019. She worked as a School Social Worker at the elementary and secondary levels for Guilford County Schools for 14 years prior to moving to Iredell County. While with GC's, Mrs. Ziglar was an integral member of the Autism Team and her individual schools' EC teams assessing students across the district who had been referred for evaluation. Mrs. Ziglar also worked as a medical social worker at High Point Regional Hospital for 10 years with notable experience working with patients in the area of orthopedics, pediatrics, psychiatry, and cancer. Mrs. Ziglar received her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from the University of NC at Greensboro in 1996 and her Advanced Master's Degree in 2008 from the joint program of Social Work at NC A&T State University and the University of NC at Greensboro. You may contact Mrs. Ziglar at West Iredell Middle School at 704-873-2887 or at nissa_ziglar@iss.k12.nc.us.

Lake Norman High School
Ms. Stephanie Elsass has been with Iredell Statesville Schools since 2013. She is a Licenced Marriage and Family Therapist as well as a Licenced Clinical Counselor. Her Bachelor’s degree is from Miami University in Ohio and her Master’s Degree is from California State University. Ms. Elsass can be contacted at 704-799-8555 t  the Lake Norman HighSchool Guidance office or by email at stephanie_elsass@iss.k12.nc.us.

North Iredell High School
Mr. Paul Veach entered the ISS district in 2006 as a SAP counselor.  He has over 25 years of experience in the fields of marriage and family therapy, substance abuse counseling, trauma recovery, and school counseling. Mr. Veach earned his Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of Dayton (1994), completed certification for chemical addictions at Appalachian State University (2004), completed certification for Clinical Supervision through the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (2005), and completed his post masters certification for Trauma/Disaster Relief Counseling at Northcentral University (2018).  Mr. Veach completed his undergraduate education at Mt. Vernon University where he double majored in Psychology and Business Administration.  He is currently licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Chemical Addictions Specialist (LCAS), and School Counselor in the state of North Carolina.  Mr. Veach can be reached at 704-876-4191 or by email at  pveach@iss.k12.nc.us

South Iredell High School
Mrs. Kelly Rife joined Iredell-Statesville Schools in 1998 as a SAP Counselor.  She has 27 years of counseling experience and is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC, 1994) and a Licensed School Counselor (2002) in North Carolina.  She received her Master’s Degree in Counseling from East Tennessee State, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from University of North Carolina at Asheville.  You may contact Mrs. Rife by email krife@iss.k12.nc.us  or by phone 704-528-6697 ext. 1421

Statesville High School
Mr. Ketwan Graham earned his Associates Degree in Human Services from Mitchell Community College in 2011, a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services from Gardner Webb in 2013 and his Masters in Social Work from The University of Southern California in 2015. He has been the SAP Counselor for Statesville High School since January 2016. Mr. Graham has 14 years of experience working in mental health, therapeutic and counseling settings. You may contact Mr. Graham by email ketwan_graham@iss.k12.nc.us or by phone 704-873-3491 ext. 1314

Statesville High School
Mrs. Sarah Williams has worked with Iredell-Statesville Schools since 2013. She has a Master of Arts Degree in Mental Health Counseling, as well as an Education Specialist (Ed.S.). She is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), a Licensed School Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC). Mrs. Williams can be reached via email at sarah_williams@iss.k12.nc.us or by phone at (704) 873-3491 ext. 1315.

West Iredell High School
Mrs. Kathryn Buff joined Iredell Statesville Schools in January 2020 as a SAP Counselor. She has 20 years of experience as a School Counselor. She earned a Master of Arts in Community Counseling with concentrations in Substance Abuse and Marriage and Family Counseling from Appalachian State University.  She obtained her certification in School Counseling from Appalachian State as well.  She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from UNC-Asheville.  Mrs. Buff can be reached via email at kathryn_buff@iss.k12.nc.us or by phone at (704) 873-2181.

District Substance Use Coordinator
Mrs. Michelle Wigley joined the Iredell Statesville School District in January 2020.  She has 12 years of experience working with people who have struggled with alcohol and substance use concerns as well as mental health needs.  Her Bachelor’s Degree is from the University at Albany in Psychology and Criminal Justice. She earned her Masters of Arts (MA) in Counseling and Community Psychology from Sage Colleges located in Albany, NY.  She is a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS) and is working towards certification as a Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS).  Mrs. Wigley can be reached via email at michelle_wigley@iss.k12.nc.us or by phone at (980)434-6899.

Bully Safety Plan

New Threat Assessment Protocol from Dewey G. Cornell & University of Virginia

Transient or Substantive Threat

Threat Assessment Decision Tree

Full Virginia Threat Assessment Guidelines VSTAG

Form to complete when completing a Threat Assessment:

New Threat Assessment Protocol

MTSS Attendance & Truancy Process Checklist

SSET Materials

School Based Therapy Referral Link:

Referral Link

For Crisis/Threat Assessments- please contact Jeanna on the Hotline.  Jeanna will then immediately reach out to the Crisis therapist to alert them to the crisis and arrange for the crisis worker to go to the school. Below are the contact numbers. Remember this is for students at Tier 3. 

O (704) 832-2217 | F 1-844-226-8856

C (704) 437-9585 | Toll Free: 844-226-8855

As the substance use coordinator for Iredell Statesville School District I will be offering substance abuse assessments to students at no cost in accordance with the 5-day reduction policy. I received my Master’s in Counseling and Community Psychology with a certificate in Forensic psychology.  I am currently a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS) in the state of North Carolina.   Along with assessments, I can also provide community referrals for treatment, consultation, program implementation, training and education, as well as any additional assistance that a student may need in regards to substance use.

In order to refer a student for an assessment please complete the SAS Referral Form and have the student and their parent and/or guardian to sign the release of information. This is an option available for students if they choose or they can elect an independent substance use provider. Students will be responsible for transportation to the Pressly School to complete the assessment.

Please feel free to contact me at michelle_wigley@iss.k12.nc.us if more information or guidance is needed.

SAS Assessment Referral Packet

SA 5 Day Policy Guide

Find help in our area here: 

https://www.help.org/drug-and-alcohol-rehab-centers-in-north-carolina/ 
http://daciredell.org/resources/

SEL/Mental Health Plan