Student Services

Mission The mission of the Department of Student Services is to ensure students are at the heart of our work in Teaching, Learning, and Accountability so that we meet the diverse needs of every student, PreK through 8th grade.  It is best expressed through our Inclusionary Principles on which the D41community came to a consensus in 2017 and continues through our Priority Goal #2 in the District 41 Strategic Plan 2022-2027.

Our District 41 Inclusionary Principles

• viewing every child as a general education student.
• developing a continuum of services that is driven by individual student strengths and needs.
• creating a culture that develops a sense of belonging for all diverse learners.
• assuring shared ownership by every educator for every student.
• respecting every student’s strengths and needs.
• presuming competence for each student.
• engaging in collaborative problem solving to develop, challenge, and accommodate all learners.

Department of Student Services

The Department supports our D41 students and families by working with the building administration, general and special education teachers, related services providers, and paraprofessionals to implement instructional strategies aligned with standards and curriculum to support students with a variety of educational needs. Support is provided for students who need support academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. Students receive support through the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) process to get them what they need when they need it.

Students who have a disability and continue to need a specific level of support may qualify for accommodations through Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or as a student who is eligible under one of the thirteen categories of disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004. All of our schools in Glen Ellyn District 41 have Student Services Teams within the building to consider and address the needs of your student(s), even if the student’s needs are not typically available through general education.
If you have a concern or specific question about your student’s educational (academic, social, emotional, or behavioral) needs, or if you think your child may be eligible for special education, please contact your student’s general education teacher, special education teacher, case manager, related service provider, or your student’s school's assistant principal. If you need to know who to contact in your student’s school (beyond your student’s classroom or general education teacher(s).
Staff Directories
 - Abraham Lincoln
 - Ben Franklin
 - Churchill
 - Forest Glen
 - Hadley
If you think your child may be eligible for special education, please contact your school's assistant principal.If you have specific questions about your child, please contact your child’s case manager or your school’s assistant principal. 

Additional Information about Department of Student Services and Requirements

On August 23, 2019, Governor Pritzker signed into law HB 3586. Legislation (HB3586) signed into law on August 23, 2019, ensures that a copy of your student’s related service log is provided to you at the Annual Review meeting or upon your request. Related service(s) may include: Social Work, Speech Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Orientation and Mobility, and/or Hearing Itinerant services as outlined in your child’s Individual Education Plan. The logs reflect services delivered within the school setting and will include the date, type of service (direct or consultative), and the amount of time the specific service was provided.

If you still have a question after working with your student’s building team and administration regarding your student’s educational needs, accommodations, or services provided under a Section 504 or Individualized Education Plan, or if you do not believe your concern(s) for your student(s) are being addressed accordingly, please feel free to contact:

• Laurel O’Brien, Director of Student Services at (630) 534-7232 or lobrien@d41.org
• Betsy Buckley, Special Education Coordinator at (630) 534-7400 or bbuckley@d41.org

Glen Ellyn District 41 is also a member of the Cooperative Association for Special Education DuPage (C.A.S.E.). Please Click to see the CASE website if you would like to see supports and services available to District 41 as a member district.