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Student Services

K-12 Student Services coordinates the following areas within the K-12 Education Department:

  • Counseling
  • Health & Safety
  • Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
  • Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports
  • Section 504
  • Foreign Student Exchange Programs

Health & Medical

In the Kennewick School District, we're committed to creating a healthy and safe learning and working environment for our students, staff members and families.

Learn more about:

Counseling

Kennewick school counselors provide universal learning supports for all students and are often positioned to be the first school-employed professionals to recognize and address students’ social and emotional, career, and academic needs.

 

Schools follow these policies and procedures regarding guidance and counseling:

INSTRUCTION Policy 2140: Guidance and Counseling
INSTRUCTION Procedure 2140: Guidance and Counseling

 

In compliance with SSB 5030, Kennewick School District has a Comprehensive School Counseling Program Framework and Transition PlanComprehensive School Counseling Plan Resolution and Comprehensive School Counseling Program

Systems of Support

MTSS is a framework for enhancing the implementation of evidence-based practices to achieve important outcomes for every student. The MTSS framework builds on a public health approach that focuses on organizing the efforts of adults within systems to be more effective. MTSS helps to ensure students benefit from nurturing environments and equitable access to instruction and supports that are differentiated to meet their unique needs.

Image showing a summary of key metrics and business information for KD MTS.

Read more about MTSS

PBIS is an evidence-based, tiered framework for supporting students’ behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health. When implemented with fidelity, PBIS improves social emotional competence, academic success, and school climate. It also improves teacher health and wellbeing. It is a way to create positive, predictable, equitable and safe learning environments where everyone thrives. 

Read more about PBIS

  • MTSS is a framework for enhancing the implementation of evidence-based practices to achieve important outcomes for every student. The MTSS framework builds on a public health approach that focuses on organizing the efforts of adults within systems to be more effective. MTSS helps to ensure students benefit from nurturing environments and equitable access to instruction and supports that are differentiated to meet their unique needs.

    Image showing a summary of key metrics and business information for KD MTS.

    Read more about MTSS

  • PBIS is an evidence-based, tiered framework for supporting students’ behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health. When implemented with fidelity, PBIS improves social emotional competence, academic success, and school climate. It also improves teacher health and wellbeing. It is a way to create positive, predictable, equitable and safe learning environments where everyone thrives. 

    Read more about PBIS

Section 504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, commonly called “Section 504,” is a federal law that protects students from discrimination based on disability. Section 504 assures that students with disabilities have educational opportunities and benefits equal to those provided to students without disabilities. To be eligible, a student must have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.

Parents & legal guardians have the right to be informed by the school district of your rights under Section 504. This is a notice of yours and your child’s rights under Section 504 and the rights you have if you disagree with the school district’s decisions.

  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, commonly called “Section 504,” is a federal law that protects students from discrimination based on disability. Section 504 assures that students with disabilities have educational opportunities and benefits equal to those provided to students without disabilities. To be eligible, a student must have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.

    Definition of 504

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) is a federal civil rights law that is designed to eliminate disability discrimination in programs and activities that receive Federal funds. Since all public school districts receive federal funds, all public school districts must comply with Section 504. Under Section 504, denying a disabled student a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) constitutes discrimination. (See discrimination complaint form in Title IX section.)

    Student Rights

    Any school-aged student who has a mental of physical impairment that substantially limits one of more major life activities qualifies under Section 504. Physical or mental impairment means any physiological or psychological disorder or condition.  The definition of physical or mental impairment under Section 504 is broad. It includes students with life-threatening health conditions (conditions that will put a student in danger of death during the school day if a medication or treatment order and/or nursing plan is not in place), and is not limited to any specific diseases or categories of medical conditions. Addiction to drugs or alcohol may be a physical or mental impairment that may result in a student being eligible for Section 504. A temporary impairment which has an expected duration of six months or less is a disability under Section 504 if it is severe enough that it substantially limits a major life activity.

    A physical or mental impairment substantially limits a major life activity for a student if the impairment substantially limits the student’s ability to perform a major life activity as compared to the student’s non-disabled age/grade peers. There is no single formula or scale that measures substantial limitation. An impairment need not prevent, or significantly or severely restrict, a student in performing a major life activity to be considered substantially limiting.

    Major Life Activities

    Major life activities include functions such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, eating, sleeping, standing, lifting, bending, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, immune system function, neurological function, brain function, respiratory function, circulatory function, endocrine function, and/or reproductive functions. The ability to participate in and benefit from school is a major life activity for a school-aged student. The above list of major life activities is not exhaustive.

    Mitigating Measures

    Mitigating measures used by a disabled student to manage his or her impairment or lessen the impact of his or her impairment (medication, medical devices, related aids, and/or service, etc.) must be disregarded when determining whether a student’s impairment constitutes a disability under Section 504.

    Preschool Students

    Section 504 does not apply to pre-school students with disabilities enrolled in a district or federally funded pre-school. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that pre-school students with disabilities be provided FAPE. Pre-school students with disabilities or suspected disabilities most of the time are referred to the Special Education Department (SPED).

    Students with disabilities pursuant to Section 504 include students who are eligible for Special Education. The difference is that students who are eligible for Special Education are in need of specially designed instruction as a result of a disability that is impacting their ability to access education.

    School-Based Section 504 Team

    The 504 team makes decisions regarding the evaluation and/or placement, and accommodations for students under Section 504. The membership on a particular student’s Section 504 team will vary depending upon the needs of each student. The Section 504 team, which includes the building’s 504 coordinator, will make the initial decision, but the team is fluid and may change within the year or between school years as the student’s needs, building placement, and /or services change. A 504 team must consist of at least two people who are knowledgeable about the student, can interpret the meaning of the student’s current evaluation data, and have authority to make placement options. The Section 504 team determines the scope of evaluations and if students qualify for Section 504, develops the 504 plan, and makes Manifestation Determinations for purposes of disciplinary exclusion from school.

    Section 504 Building Coordinator

    The building coordinator is a certified staff member at each building who is designated to coordinate all Section 504 activities with the school and is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the Section 504 referral and evaluation process. In most cases, schools will designate staff members such as the school nurse, counselor, psychologist, or administrator as the Building Coordinator. Schools may have multiple coordinators if deemed necessary.

    District 504 Coordinator

    The district program coordinator is the Student Services director that oversees the district’s compliance with Section 504, provides all training related to Section 504, and works with District legal counsel.

    Annual Review

    Section 504 plans should be reviewed at least annually and revised if necessary. It is the building coordinator's responsibility to communicate the Section 504 accommodations to the student’s teachers. A student should be re-evaluated pursuant to Section 504, at least once every three (3) years or whenever needs change. It is also prudent to consider conducting a re-evaluation before or shortly after a student transitions from elementary school to middle school or from middle school to high school.

  • Your child has the right to:

    • Receive a free and appropriate public education.
    • Participate in and benefit from the district’s educational programs without discrimination.
    • Be provided an equal opportunity to participate in the district’s nonacademic and extracurricular activities.
    • Be educated with students who do not have disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate.
    • Be educated in facilities and receive services that are comparable to those provided to students without disabilities.
    • Receive accommodations and/or related aids and services to allow your child an equal opportunity to participate in school activities.
    • Receive educational and related aids and services without cost, except for those fees imposed on the parents of children without disabilities.
    • Receive special education services if needed.
  • Your child has the right to an evaluation before the school determines if he or she is eligible under Section 504. You have the right to:

    • Receive notice before the district takes any action regarding the identification, evaluation, and placement of your child.
    • Have evaluation and placement decisions made by a group of persons, often called a “504 team,” including persons who know your child, the meaning of the evaluation information, and the placement options available.
    • Have evaluation decisions based on a variety of sources, such as aptitude and achievement tests, teacher recommendations, physical conditions, medical records, and parental observations.
    • Refuse consent for the initial evaluation and initial placement of your child.

    If your child is eligible under Section 504, your child has a right to periodic re-evaluations, including re-evaluations before any significant change is made in your child’s placement.

  • If you disagree with the district’s decisions regarding your child’s identification, evaluation, educational program, or placement under Section 504, you may request mediation or an impartial due process hearing. You and your child have the right to take part in the hearing and have an attorney represent you. Hearing requests and other concerns can be made to your district’s Section 504 coordinator:

    Section 504 Coordinator:

    BJ Wilson
    K-12 Student Services Director
    1000 W. 4th Avenue
    Kennewick, WA 99336
    (509) 222-6488 | bj.wilson@ksd.org

    You have the right to file a complaint of discrimination with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), or to file a complaint in federal court. Generally, an OCR complaint may be filed within 180 calendar days of the act that you believe was discriminatory. The regional office is located at 915 Second Ave, Room 3310, Seattle, WA 98174-1099.

    Phone: (206) 607-1600 | TDD: (206) 607-1647
    Website: Click here.

Department Contacts

BJ Wilson
Director of K-12 Student Services,
Section 504 & Title IX Coordinator

(509) 222-6488
Email

Vanessa McCollum
Student Support & Behavior Coordinator
(509) 222-7047
Email

Samantha Griswold
K-12 Compliance & Data Analysis Assistant
(509) 222-6488
Email

Kim McDermott
Co-Nursing Lead
(509) 222-7503
Email

Katy Isley
Co-Nursing Lead
(509) 222-6603
Email