Office of Student Services
Dr. Salvatore Dossena
Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Technology
Phone: 516-992-7293
Email: sdossena@merrick.k12.ny.us
Student Services
In addition to its full instructional program, Merrick provides extensive support services to assist meeting the needs of our students. The Director of Student Services supervises these programs which include special education classes, resource room services, placement of students with disabling conditions, psychological services, English as a New Language, speech and hearing services, testing, social work services and health services. The Committee on Special Education oversees the program of each child receiving special education services, ages 5-12. Parents who believe that their child requires special education services should discuss their concerns with the classroom teacher or the school psychologist who can guide them through the CSE referral process.
If you have any questions concerning special education support services for a pre-school aged student, please call or email:
Debra Yanover
516-992-7295
dyanover@merrick.k12.ny.us
Vivian Terranova
516-992-7293
vterranova@merrick.k12.ny.us
The Office of Student Services supports with a multitude of essential student-oriented services that are consistently integrated in the day-to-day instructional program of the school district:
- School age special education services
- Committee on Special Education (CSE)
- Pre-school special education services
- Committee on Pre-School Special Ed (CPSE)
- English as a new language students (ENL)
- Speech and Language Services
- Psychological Services
- Social Work services
- Occupational & Physical Therapy Services
- Psychiatric Services
- Nursing and Medical services
Committee on Pre-School Special Education
The Committee on Preschool Special Education oversees the identification and provision of services to children who require special education services prior to their entry into kindergarten for students ages 3-5. Eligibility is based on the results of a multi-disciplinary evaluation that is at no direct cost to the family. The local school district's Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) determines eligibility, recommends appropriate special education and/or related services and creates an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each eligible child. The New York State Education Department (NYSED) administers, through local school districts, the Preschool Special Education Programs for preschool students with disabilities, 3 to 5 years of age. The Nassau County Department of Health contracts with providers and pays for these services along with NYSED.
Helpful Links:
If you have any questions concerning special education support services for a pre-school aged student, please call or email:
Lisa Licato
CPSE – Office of Student Services
516-992-7294
llicato@merrick.k12.ny.us
Child Find
Consistent with Part 200 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, please notify the Student Services Office at 992-7293 if you have a child up to 12 years old with a suspected disability who may require special education services. All information is kept confidential.