What We Do
Rapid City Area Schools conducts specific activities for the purposes of locating, evaluating and identifying students ages birth to 21 with suspected disabilities and who reside within the district’s boundaries. This includes students attending private schools. Statistics from the “Disability and American Families:”, US Census Bureau Report , one out of 9 children under the age of 18 in the US today receive special education services. Early identification of disabilities assists parents, students and schools in the design of appropriate educational services.​

CHILDFIND 

CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT?

If your child is a preschooler…

If your child is a preschooler and you have concerns about your child’s development, Rapid City Area Schools offers a developmental screening. This screening is for preschool children ages 3-4. If your child turns 5 after September 1, he/she is considered to be a preschooler.  If your child turns 5 on or before September 1, he/she is Kindergarten eligible, by state law, and is not considered to be a preschooler. This screening will provide information to parents in several school-related development areas. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of this FREE service. Vision, hearing and motor coordination screening is provided, as well as information on how well your child is doing with language, learning and behavior skills. ChildFind screenings are held monthly during the academic year, and takes about an hour. Screenings by appointment only. Call the Office of the Special Services Manager 605-394-1813, for more details.

 

PRESCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES

 

KINDERGARTEN SCREENING

For kindergarten screening, please bring your child, your child’s certified birth certificate, immunization records, social security card, and proof of your residence to your home attendance area.  After scanning, these documents will be returned to you.  If you have not done so, please complete the online registration. If you do not have a computer, ask for assistance on the day of the screening. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) need to attend with their student(s).  Dates and times TBD for each school year. Kindergarten registration information for the 23-24 school year. 

 

South Dakota Statewide Family Engagement Center

If your child is in school or school age…

If your child is in school or of school age, and you believe a disability may impair his or her educational performance, you will be provided further information so you can decide whether to formally refer your child for a special education evaluation. It doesn’t matter if your child attends a public school or a private school as long as it is in the Rapid City Area Schools attendance area.  Call your home school for more information .

Annual Parent Notification

Rapid City Area Schools is required by law to annually notify parents of students with disabilities currently in attendance of their rights under IDEA, ARSD and FERPA guidelines. This notification is done at the annual IEP meeting. The parent or eligible student has a right to 1) inspect and review the student’s educational records, 2) request the amendment of student’s education records to ensure that they are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the students privacy or other rights, 3) consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that the Act and ARSD regulations authorize disclosure without content, 4)  file with the U.S. Department of Education a complaint and 5) obtain a copy of the district policy. The public may inspect documents relating to the policy, funding application, the comprehensive plan, evaluations or reports derived under funds application, the comprehensive plan, evaluations or reports derived under funds acquired from IDEA, Part B. These documents are available at the Rapid City Education Center, Office of Special Services, 625 9th Street, Suite 717, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the regularly scheduled school day.

 

Todd Christensen
Interim Director of Special Services
Dr. Keyra Comer
Special Services Program Manager
ChildFind Contacts
Name Title Email
Tessa Burke Special Education Early Childhood Email Tessa
Stacey Currie Speech/Language Pathologist Email Stacey
Jennifer Wright Substitute Email Jennifer