Student Services
GUSD's Student Services department is devoted to providing support services that will meet the needs of ALL students in our district. To ensure that students reach their maximum potential, the priority of this department is to provide services that address the whole child. These services include Special Education, Section 504, Health Services and Home Hospital Instruction.
Student Services is committed to providing the support needed to ensure every student achieves meaningful and challenging learning outcomes.
Student Services Responsibilities
- School Psychologists
- School Nurses
- Speech Language Pathologists
- Mental Health Counseling
- Adaptive Physical Education
- Occupational Therapists
- Behavioral Consultation serving students ages 3-22
- WorkAbility Program
- Transition Partnership Program
- Home / Hospital Instruction
- 504 Accommodation Plans
- Special Education Interdistrict Transfers
- Special Education Transportation
- Requests for Special Education files
- Post Secondary Special Education
- Visual Hearing Impairments
Phone: 669-205-4020
FAX: (408) 848-7161
Anna Pulido
Student Services Director
Marcy Huerta
Senior Staff Secretary
669-205-4020
Ashley Grant
Staff Secretary and Records Requests
669-205-4022
Sara Alcoran
Staff Secretary
669-205-4021
Special Education
Special education is instruction specially designed, at no cost to you, to meet your child's or youth's unique needs. Special education can include classroom instruction, home instruction, instruction in hospitals and institutions, or other settings. It can also include instruction in physical education and vocational education.
The federal law that supports special education and related services is called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Under IDEA, all eligible school-aged children and youth with disabilities are entitled to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
- Does your child need help?
- I think my child may need additional help in school
- Parent Rights in Special Education
- Helpful Links
Does your child need help?
Does your child need Special Education or Assessment for Special Education?
All children develop at different rates and in different ways. If you think that your child may have a disability, click here for more information.
I think my child may need additional help in school
To obtain a copy of your parent rights and procedural safeguards you may contact the Student Services Office at (669) 205-4020 or click here (English) / (Spanish) to download a copy.
Parent Rights in Special Education
To obtain a copy of your parent rights and procedural safeguards you may contact the Student Services Office at (669) 205-4020 or click here (English) / (Spanish) to download a copy.
Helpful Links
South East Consortium SELPA
The Gilroy Unified School District is a member of the South East Consortium SELPA (Special Education Local Plan Area), one of six SELPAS in Santa Clara County. The SE Consortium SELPA coordinates with 11 school districts and the Santa Clara County Office of Education to provide a continuum of programs and services for individuals with disabilities, from birth through 22 years of age.
The SELPA Community Advisory Committee (CAC) parent group provides support, information, training opportunities, and valuable resources for parents, guardians and the local community. The SE SELPA Office is located in Mt. Pleasant School District. For more information about the SELPA and the CAC please visit the SE SELPA website.
The SELPA Local Plan including the Annual Budget and Services Plans, Public Hearing Notices, and Executive Council Meeting agendas can be found here.
Section 504 Plans
The Section 504 Rehabilitation Act Program (Section 504) for enables a student with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities to receive accommodations and/or related services to ensure equal access to education. The Section 504 is basically civil rights legislation for persons with disabilities who meet the definition of disability in the Act. Public schools must provide for Section 504 because they receive Federal funding for various programs.
The Rehabilitation Act was passed as Public Law 93-112 in 1973, with the regulations going into effect in 1977. The primary areas that apply to public schools are those that focus on employment practices, program accessibility, and preschool, elementary and secondary education.
Any student who needs or is believed to need Section 504 accommodations and/or services because of a disability or suspected disability should be referred for evaluation for eligibility to the school's Student Success Team/504 Team.
If you have questions regarding Section 504 please contact your School Site Principal or the GUSD District Section 504 Coordinator at (669) 205-4016.
Home-Hospital Instruction
The Home & Hospital Instruction (HHI) Program (California Education Code Section 48206.3) serves students who incur a temporary disability, which makes attendance in the regular day classes or alternative education program impossible or inadvisable. Students with long term conditions will be referred to alternative placement by their school administrator.
Students enrolled in GUSD with a temporary disability, meaning a physical, mental or emotional disability and/or students who are currently residing in a health facility as requested by the treating physician. There is a minimum absence of three weeks for a student to qualify for HHI.
HHI takes place in the student’s home or hospital within the GUSD boundary. An adult must be in the home during instruction and must provide a safe and secure environment for the teacher and student.
HHI is offered for up to five hours a week. One hour of instruction is equal to one full day of attendance at the student’s home school site. Instruction Contracts are signed to designate dates and times of instruction during each HHI initial meeting of teacher and family. No instruction is offered on Sundays or school holidays.
HHI maintains a continuity of instruction for a student who is unable to attend their regular school day. A credentialed teacher who matches the educational needs of the student is assigned to the student to ensure a smooth transition back to school when they are able to return.
Please click below to request Home-Hospital Instruction for your student.
• Parent Information (English and Spanish)
• Application Process (English and Spanish)
• Release of Information (English)
• Release of Information (Spanish)
Health Services
GUSD School Nurses are registered nurses with a state of California School Nurse Credential. They are: health experts; educators; case managers; advisors on behavioral strategies and interventions; participants in school site teams that support student wellness; and liaisons between the school, the family and the community. School district nurses focus on prevention, early detection and management of health and behavioral concerns at school sites.
Each school has a health clerk to assist the school nurse with immunization requirements, provide assistance for students who are ill or injured when school nurse is not on site, dispense medication in conjunction with established District Policy.
What do School Nurses do?
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Provide expert guidance on managing chronic health and behavioral concerns
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Manage acute illnesses and injuries and train school staff regarding best practices of first aid and medication administration
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Support school sites in the development of disaster, emergency and crisis plans and participate in crisis response intervention
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Identify and refer students and families to community agencies and serve as a liaison between school sites, families and these agencies
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Coordinate school-wide health awareness activities and events
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Provide health education to students, staff and families on topics including substance abuse prevention, violence prevention, asthma, and nutrition
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Case manage students with health and behavioral issues
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Follow-up vision and hearing screening referrals ( e.g. obtaining eyeglasses and hearing devices)
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Facilitate and coordinate educational support groups.
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Build and facilitate effective student support structures, including the Student Success Team, and Student Attendance Review Team
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Precept undergraduate and graduate nursing students
For more information on services provided by School District Nurses, please contact the School District Nurse at your school site or the GUSD Health Office at (669) 205-4023.
Cindy Spangler
Health Services Secretary
(669) 205-4023