Additional settings for Safari Browser.
Student Services Home
Welcome to Student Services
The Student Services Office is dedicated to supporting every learner with compassion, expertise, and high expectations. We work to ensure equitable access to comprehensive services for students from early childhood through age 22 by using local, state, and federal resources responsibly and thoughtfully. Through research-based practices, collaboration, and data-informed decision-making, we provide a continuum of supports that honors the diverse strengths and needs of our students, including special education, Section 504, Child Find, and McKinney-Vento services. Our mission is to nurture growth, celebrate progress, and guide meaningful transitions so that every student is empowered to become an independent, lifelong learner and a valued member of their community.
Special Education Outreach
Recognizing and respecting the various individual styles and rates of development of children, the Wayland Public Schools and its student support teams assists parents in understanding their student’s development and in identifying and special education needs that he/she might be experiencing.
If you are a Wayland resident and have concerns about your child’s cognitive and academic development or speech and language, fine and gross motor skills, and social and emotional development, please contact the Special Education Administrator at your child’s school, listed below. The Wayland Public Schools is available to meet and consult with parents regarding their child’s development and work with you to determine next steps.
The School district welcomes any questions and discussions with parents at any time during the school year.
Claypit Hill School - Naomi O'Brien: 508-358-3855
Happy Hollow School - Debbie Dixson: 508-358-8641
Loker School - Debbie Dixson: 508-358-8601
Wayland Middle School - Rebecca Speicher: 508-358-3801
Wayland High School - Mykayla Cohen: 508-358-3735
Concerned about your preschooler’s development?
The Wayland Public Schools offer a free screening for children ages 2 years 9 months – 5. These screenings are used to identify children who may need specialized services to support learning in the areas of speech and language, motor or cognitive development. In accordance with the law, the Wayland Public Schools will conduct screenings of children throughout the school year.
Under federal and state special education regulations, the Wayland Public Schools have a duty to locate, identify, refer, evaluate and if eligible, provide a free and appropriate public education to students with disabilities that reside in Wayland.
If you have concerns about your child’s development, you are encouraged to have your child screened. Screenings take place at The Children’s Way Preschool at 41 Cochituate Road in Wayland and take approximately 30 minutes.
Once screenings are completed and the Preschool Team has reviewed the findings, you will be contacted with the results and any recommendations for next steps.
If you would like to schedule a screening or discuss concerns you may have regarding your child’s development please click this link to contact Patricia Toohig Nardone, Director of The Children's Way or call (508) 358-7072.
Child Find: Identification & Referral
Under federal and state special education regulations, Wayland Public Schools has a duty to locate, identify, refer, evaluate and, if eligible, provide a free, appropriate public education to students with disabilities who reside in the town of Wayland. For parents or guardians of children ages 3-21 years of age who have a disability or developmental delay, and who would like more information, please contact Ronnie Kessler, Director of Student Services and Child Find Coordinator, at 508-358-3756.
Under federal and state special education regulations, Wayland Public Schools has a duty to locate, identify, refer, evaluate and, if eligible, provide a free, appropriate public education to students with disabilities who reside in the town of Wayland. For parents or guardians of children ages 3-21 years of age who have a disability or developmental delay, and who would like more information, please contact Ronnie Kessler, Director of Student Services and Child Find Coordinator, at 508-358-3756.
Physical Restraint
The Wayland Public Schools complies with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regulations governing the use of restraint, which can be found at 603 CMR 46.00 et seq. According to their terms, the Regulations apply not only at school but also at school-sponsored events and activities, whether or not on school property. Additional information including a copy of the regulations can be obtained from the Director of Student Support Services Office or obtained at the DESE website physical restraint page.