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A District That Celebrates

You are here: Home / District Departments / Special Services

Special Services

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Special Services

welcome to special_services_web banner

Kathleen Gesumaria
Assistant Superintendent
Special Services 

e:  kgesumar@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762-5600 x1841

All questions/concerns regarding your child’s program should be directed toward the child study team case manager. If you do not receive a satisfactory response please call the Department of Special Services at 973-762-5600 x1840 where you will be directed to the appropriate administrator.

Special Education Audit

  • Special Education Audit - Letter To Families
  • Special Education Audit - PDF
  • Special Education Audit - Survey for families

News & Communications

  2024-2025

  • Special Education Audit from Bryant, Gemza, Keenoy, and Kozlik

  2023-2024

  • Now What? A workshop on the transition to college for students with IEPs and 504s

  Other Items

  • Special Services:  October Department Newsletter (10/2)
  • COVID-19 SCHOOL-AGE TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR WORKING FAMILIES - English (9/22)
  • COVID-19 SCHOOL-AGE TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR WORKING FAMILIES - Spanish (9/22)
  • 2020 -2021 Special Services Supplemental Guide: Virtual Instruction Guidebook for Families (9/2)
  • Special Services:  Distance Learning Update (5/20)
  • Special Education and Preschool Programs - School Closing Information Regarding COVID 19 (3/15)
  • Student Services Update - December 2019
  • Student Services Letter - Transportation to OOD Schools - December 2019
  • Student Services Letter To Parents - September 2019
  • Student Services Referral Process

Services Offered

Support Services available to students with disabilities include:

  • Child Study Teams
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Instructional Aide Support
  • Transitional Services
  • Behavioral Intervention Services
  • Counseling Services

Important Links

  • New Jersey Administrative Code Title 6A Chapter 14
  • Parental Rights in Special Education (PRISE)

District Homeless Education Liaison

  • The Assistant Superintendent of Special Services serves as the district liaison. Contact information can be found below.
  • NJ McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program
    • McKinney Vento Homeless Education - South Orange and Maplewood Family Resource Guide

Department Contacts

Name Title / Position Email Telephone
Ms. Kathleen GesumariaAssistant Superintendent Special Serviceskgesumar@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us(973) 762 - 5600 x1841
Ms. Christina PunturieriSupervisor of Special Education: K - 8cpunturi@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us(973) 762 - 5600 x 1842
Ms. Susan EllisSupervisor of Special Education: K - 8shellis@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us(973) 762 - 5600 x 1838
Mr. Timothy FranklinSupervisor of Special Education: 9 -12+tfrankli@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us(973) 762 - 5600 x 1145
Ms. Lisa PadulaDepartment Secretarylpadula@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us(973) 762 - 5600 x 1220
Ms. Nosimot NichollsDepartment Secretarynnicholl@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us(973) 762 - 5600 x 1846
Ms. Felicia China-RichardsonPreschool Program Secretaryfchina@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us(973) 762 - 5600 x 1826
Ms. Shyrissa PleasantDepartment Secretaryspleasan@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us(973) 762 - 5600 x 1845

South Orange-Maplewood
School District

South Orange-Maplewood School District

Address &
Contact Info

525 Academy Street
Maplewood, NJ 07040

Main Office: (973) 762-5600

District Title IX Information

Dr. Kevin Gilbert
Asst., Supt., Access & Equity
District Title IX Coordinator
525 Academy Street
Maplewood, NJ 07040
e: kgilbert@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext. 1859

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB)

Dr. Kevin Gilbert
Asst., Supt., Access & Equity
District HIB Coordinator
e: kgilbert@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext. 1859

Ms. Robin Curry
Confidential Secretary to the Asst. Supt., Access & Equity
e: rcurry@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext. 1822

More HIB Information

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Site Credits

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Website Accessibility

The South Orange & Maplewood School District is committed to making our content accessible to all members of the public, including those with disabilities. This includes parents, students, employees, and all others associated with our district. If you need assistance in accessing materials on the district website or you would like to provide feedback or file a complaint about the website, please email the webmaster.

Our Mission

The mission of the South Orange Maplewood School District is to empower and inspire each student to explore and imagine, to pursue personal passions, and to collectively create a better future by creating a learner-centered environment through multiple pathways; re-imagined structures, systems and supports; innovative teaching; partnering with families; and maximizing community expertise and resources.

525 Academy Street, Maplewood, New Jersey 07040 • Ph:(973) 762-5600
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