Pupil Services

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Pupil Services

Tara Zbin
Executive Director
440-356-6006


In accordance with R.C. 3313.48 and Board Policy 8210, the Board of Education hereby gives notice that it will hold a public hearing prior to its Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting on September 24, 2026 at 4:30 p.m., to provide an opportunity for public review and comment on the Rocky River City School District's proposed use of federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B funds for the upcoming project year. Parents, community members, and the general public are invited to offer input or ask questions regarding these allocations. 

The Pupil Services Department encompasses the various supports that are provided to students. 

The Office of Pupil Services coordinates district-wide identification and intervention efforts including compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. 

Tara Zbin is the foster care liaison along with the homeless liaison
             Foster Family Navigators for each building are the following:
             Erin Pontikos - Goldwood Primary School
             Melissa Liberatore - Kensington Intermediate School
             Colleen Roemer - Rocky River Middle School
             Sarah Blatnik - Rocky River High School 

Please contact the Pupil Services Department if you have questions concerning:
  • Coordination of Intervention and Identification         
  • Special Education
  • 504’s
  • EL / English Language Learners
  • Foster Care
  • Gifted
  • Home Education 
  • Homelessness
  • Counseling
  • Enrollment
  • Registration
  • Residency
  • Preschool 
  • Bright Beginnings 
  • Transcript Requests
  • Student Records


SEARCH FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES UNDERWAY

In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004, The Rocky River City School District is participating in Child Find efforts to locate, evaluate, and identify all children from birth through 21 years of age with disabilities, regardless of their situations, who have significant, individual needs and require intensive interventions through special education and related services.

A disability, in this instance, means such conditions as autism, deaf/blindness, multiple disabilities, deafness/hearing impairment, orthopedic impairment, visual impairment/blindness, specific learning disabilities, preschoolers with a disability, emotional disturbance, cognitive disabilities, speech and language impairments, orthopedic and other health impairments or traumatic brain injury.

Although many school-aged disabled children are identified and currently being served by the Rocky River City School District, preschool children ages 3-5, with disabilities may be unidentified because parents may not be aware that programs and services are now available through the public school. Community members can help us with this important effort. If you know of a child in our district with a disability that is not presently attending school or receiving services from another agency, please contact Tara Zbin, Executive Director of Pupil Services at 440-356-6006.

In addition and in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment of 2008, Rocky River City School District is participating in Child Find efforts to locate, evaluate, and identify all children with a disability. In this instance, a student with a disability who has a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits a major life activity who may, because of disability, needs or is believed to need special education, related services or aids, or accommodations/modifications. If a parent or guardian suspects that a child may be eligible under this federal definition, please contact Tara Zbin, District Compliance Officer.




PBIS Logo
PBIS- Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports  
 
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports, also called Positive Behavior Supports (PBS), is a broad range of systemic and individualized strategies for achieving important social and learning outcomes in school communities while preventing problem behavior. The key attributes of PBIS include preventive activities, data-based decision making, and a problem solving orientation (Horner, 2000; Lewis & Sugai, 1999; Sugai et.al., 2000; Weigle, 1997). 
 
 
 
 

Resources

Links

Child Find

If your child has special considerations such as, but not limited to, medical needs, allergies, social emotional needs, cultural needs, accessibility needs, language needs, etc. please contact the building principal who will ensure these needs are accommodated for during PTA sponsored and school related events.  

Pupil Services Staff

Board of Education
 
Ms. Lisa Bruening
Pupil Services Supervisor   
Beach Preschool Administrator
440.356.6006

Mrs. Theresa Holby
Executive Secretary
440.356.6006
[email protected]
 

Fax: 440-815-2448

School Psychologists

Mr. Luke Borsody
Beach and Goldwood (Preschool-Kindergarten)

Mr. Matt Kromer
Goldwood and Kensington (Grades 1-4)
440.356.6733
[email protected] 

Mrs. Heidi Cartwright
Kensington and Rocky River Middle School (Grades 5-8)
440.356.6756  
 
Mrs. Stacy Kozar-Kocsis
Rocky River High School
440.356.6007
[email protected] 

Building Learning Resource Coordinators
 
Mrs. Daniea Beard
Beach: Rocky River Early Childhood Center

Mrs. Tara Young
Goldwood
 
Mrs. Angela Bowman
Kensington 

Mrs. Shannon Hanigosky

RRMS
[email protected]

Mrs. Karyn Bernhardt
RRHS

Mrs. Kelly Rafferty
RRHS (Transition Services)
[email protected]

Gifted

Mrs. Meredith Muccio
Coordinator
[email protected]

Mrs. Wendy Raffin
[email protected] 

ELL/ English Language Learners
 
Ms. Anglea Wetula
Goldwood 
[email protected] 
 
Mrs. Dayna Keil
Coordinator/Kensington

Ms. Grace Anderson
RRMS

Mrs. Nichole Reid
RRHS

Federal Grants

Parents, and general public, including individuals with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities,  have the opportunity for comment regarding the district's use of IDEA Part B funds.  Please contact our office with input. 
© 2026. Rocky River City School District. All Rights Reserved.
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