McAuliffe Elementary 

Preschool - 4th grade

CALL Program (Language Based Learning Disabilities)

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program (DHH)

Vision In Education (VIE)

Special Education Team

Evaluation Team Chairperson (ETC) - Ashley Sears

Psychologist - Caitlin Culhane

Special Education Social Worker - Rachael Pelleter

Speech Language Pathologist - (SLP) - Marilyn Jonas

Speech Language Pathologist - (SLP) Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Michael Dormer

Occupational Therapist - (OT) - Linda McElhinney

Physical Therapist - (PT) - Carol O’Neil

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teacher - (TOD) - Gina Tonelli

Vision Teacher - Michael Nagle

Behavior Specialist- (BCBA) Heather Frugoli 

CALL Program

Language Based Learning Disabilities:

The mission of the Lowell Public Schools CALL Program is to educate students with language based learning disabilities so that they can achieve academically, socially and emotionally. Our program accomplishes this goal by customizing educational programs tailored to the individual needs of the student. These programs provide students with language-based learning disabilities with a multi-modal, multi-sensory, systematic approach to instruction in reading, writing and math. We educate the whole student by working collaboratively with building based and support staff as well as student's families. 

Program Description

The CALL Program provides students with specialized, explicit, structured, multi sensory instruction, as well as on-going guided practice aimed at remediating their specific areas of weakness. Each classroom is staffed with a highly qualified teacher providing students with rigorous academic instruction. Classroom supports include full time paraprofessionals, special education social workers, and speech and language therapists. The program is also supported by the building-based special education team, which includes a School Psychologist and an Evaluation Team Chairperson. The foundation of the program is built upon research-based curriculum and teaching techniques that are geared toward students who, after being provided systematic and tiered instruction, continue to demonstrate significant difficulties in the understanding and use of spoken and written language. Language based learning disabilities are a common cause of student's academic struggles because weak language skills impede comprehension and communication, which are the foundations for most school activities. 

Deaf & Hard of Hearing Program

Mission Statement: The mission of the Lowell Public Schools Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program (DHH) is to educate the student with hearing loss in a rich, language focused approach so the student can achieve academically, socially and emotionally. Our program accomplishes this goal by providing customized educational programs that meet the needs of the individual student. We educate the whole student by working collaboratively with general education staff, support personnel, specialists, medical providers, as well as students' families. 

Program Description

The DHH Program provides students with specialized, explicit instruction in the communication method of the parent's choice (oral, sign, or combination of oral and sign). Instruction is provided in a small group setting by the Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TOD) and Speech and Language Pathologist. Support is also provided in the general education setting. ASL interpreter services are utilized to access instruction in the general education setting when appropriate. DHH teachers, speech language pathologists, verbal educators and ASL interpreters work collaboratively with the general education staff to support best practices for hearing impaired students. 

DHH staff assist teachers with implementing accommodations, modifying curriculum when needed,  previewing vocabulary to ensure language of instruction is appropriate, and promote appropriate use of amplification equipment. Staff collaborate and consult with Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists, audiologists, and cochlear implant specialists. Staff provide and maintain personal sound field FM amplification systems, hearing aid batteries, and loaner aides. 

VIE Vision in Education Program

Mission Statement: The mission of the Lowell Public Schools Vision Program is to educate students who are blind or visually impaired so that they can achieve academically, socially and emotionally. Our program accomplishes this goal by providing customized educational programs that meet the needs of the individual student. We educate the whole student by working collaboratively with general education staff, support personnel, specialists, medical providers, as well as students' families. 

Program Description: The Vision Program provides students with specialized, explicit, structured and multi sensory instruction based on the individual needs of the student. Each student receives a Functional Vision Assessment and a Learning Media Assessment by a Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired (CTVI). These assessments help determine the appropriate literacy media and the best instructional medium for the student such as braille, print, dual media, auditory, tactile, or some combination. The CTVI works with the general education staff to support best practices and to provide accommodations and recommendations to modify curriculum when needed. The students receive the same core curriculum training but a special focus is placed on the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), The ECC is the body of knowledge and skills that are needed by students with visual impairments due to their unique disability-specific needs.