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Paradise Unified School District

Every Student Matters. Every Moment Counts.

Paradise Unified School District

Every Student Matters. Every Moment Counts.

Student Services

Portrait Dena Kapsalis

Dena Kapsalis - Director of Student Services

(530) 872-6400 x1238

Tristaka Parker - Administrative Assistant

(530) 872-6400 x1229

Welcome to the PUSD Student Services Department

Welcome to the PUSD Student Services Department

Using California's Multi-Tiered System of Support (CA MTSS) Framework Paradise Unified School District promotes and ensures equity, opportunity, inclusion, and access for all students. We do this by providing resources, assistance, current practices, and regional connections to all who support students. We, at Student Services, are a united team who are all trauma-informed and continuously learning research-based and progressive supports with emphasis on the Whole Child. We work authentically, empathetically, and collaboratively with all stakeholders within PUSD and Butte County. 
SELPA

SELPA

The Student Services Department works closely with our Butte County SELPA (Special Education Local Plan Area) that provides special education services in cooperation with school districts. The SELPA continues to ensure that eligible children, birth through age twenty-one, with handicaps have the opportunity to participate in programs and receive appropriate Special Education services. Programs and services are available for eligible pupils from infancy through age 22.
 
If the parent and the school agree that the child has a disability and requires special education services, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be designed to meet the child's needs. This will take place at a meeting attended by parents and the school personnel and may include others as appropriate.

The State Education Code calls for inclusion of the following elements in an IEP:
  • A summary of the assessment findings, including your child's strengths as well as needs.
  • A statement of goals and objectives, which the group suggests for your child.
  • A list of specific services that will be used to find out how well the plan is working (evaluation).
  • A recommendation for placement.
  • The starting date and frequency of services
For information on parents' rights and resources, please visit California Department of Education website.
Available Services

Available Services

Wellness and Safety - "Nurturing Strong Roots For Life"

Student and staff well-being is paramount to the success of Paradise Unified School District. Please our Wellness and Safety page to see all community resources and to take a virtual tour of our PUSD Health and Wellness Resource Center, which serves Paradise, Magalia, and Stirling City.
 

Adult Education

Paradise Adult School offers an array of programs and courses to complete your high school education. 
Please call Ridgeview High School at (530) 872-6422.
 

Special Education

If the parent and the school agree that the child has a disability and requires special education services, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be designed to meet the child's needs. This will take place at a meeting attended by parents and the school personnel and may include others as appropriate.

The State Education Code calls for inclusion of the following elements in an IEP:

  • A summary of the assessment findings, including your child's strengths as well as needs.
  • A statement of goals and objectives, which the group suggests for your child.
  • A list of specific services that will be used to find out how well the plan is working (evaluation).
  • A recommendation for placement.
  • The starting date and frequency of services

For information on parents' rights and resources, please visit California Department of Education website.

 

Homeless, Foster Youth, McKinney-Vento

While some foster youth are adopted into stable, loving homes, many more are placed into a series of temporary living situations, including short-term care, respite care, and group homes. This instability tends to severely impact student achievement. Homeless students are defined by the federal McKinney-Vento Act as youth who "lack a fixed, regular and adequate night time residence."
 

Child Welfare, Attendance, and SARB (Student Attendance Review Board)

In an effort to reduce chronic absenteeism and truancy, we work with all sites and at the district level through a multi-level approach. We use restorative justice practices while supporting families and students in addressing barriers to school attendance. 
 

Suspensions and Expulsions

The Governing Board desires to provide district students access to educational opportunities in an orderly school environment that protects their safety and security, ensures their welfare and well-being, and promotes their learning and development. The Board shall develop rules and regulations setting the standards of behavior expected of district students and the disciplinary processes and procedures for addressing violations of those standards, including suspension and/or expulsion.  
 
The grounds for suspension and expulsion and the procedures for considering, recommending and/or implementing suspension and expulsion shall be only those specified in law, in this policy, and in the accompanying administrative regulation.

Title IX and Non-Discrimination

Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Title IX states that:
 
"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." (20 U.S.C. §1681, et seq.)
 
Title IX applies to schools, local and state educational agencies, and other institutions that receive federal financial assistance from the U. S. Department of Education. 
 

eLearning, and Independent Study, Home Hospital

We offer a variety of programs through Paradise Unified School District.
 
eLearning - Online learning presents a unique opportunity for students seeking alternate pathways to a high school diploma. The goal of our WASC-accredited online charter high school is to address the diverse learning needs of our students in grades K-12 and offer a variety of opportunities to students on the Ridge.  Choose a full-time, part-time or blended learning model.  Located on Paradise High School campus.
 
Independent Study - Offered to grades K-12 and consistent with PUSD's course of study. This alternative instructional strategy offers the flexibility to meet individual student needs, interests, and styles of learning. Meet face-to-face with your teacher on a weekly basis while working from home on packet school work.  

Home Hospital - A student with a temporary disability which makes school attendance impossible or inadvisable shall receive individual instruction in the student's home or in a hospital or other residential health facility, excluding state hospitals. This instruction applies to students incurring a physical, mental or emotional disability after which they can reasonably be expected to return to regular day classes or an alternative education program without special intervention. It does not apply to students identified as individuals with exceptional needs pursuant to Education  Code 56026. (Education Code 48206.3)
Resources

Resources