Section 504
Bridget Murphy
Nicole Duffy
Section 504 is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education (ED).
Section 504 provides: “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
The Section 504 regulations require a school district to provide a “free appropriate public education” (FAPE) to each qualified student with a disability who is in the school district’s jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability. Under Section 504, FAPE consists of the provision of regular or special education and related aids and services designed to meet the student’s individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of nondisabled students are met.
At the elementary and secondary school level, determining whether a child is a qualified disabled student under Section 504 begins with the evaluation process. Parents of students who have a disability but do not qualify for special education services under IDEA can request a Section 504 hearing by contacting the Section 504 coordinator in their child’s school.
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On behalf of the Plainedge Board of Education and Central Administration, we wish our community members, staff members, and their families who are observing Yom Kippur an easy fast.
Please note that schools will be closed on Thursday, October 2, 2025 and will reopen on Friday, October 3, 2025.
📧 Have you checked your email yet? This month’s Plainedge Now is live!
Inside, you’ll find:
✨ Updates from our schools
🎉 Highlights of student and staff achievements
📅 Upcoming events you won’t want to miss
💡 Important reminders and community news
Stay connected and informed! ❤️ #PlainedgePride #Plainedge #Education #PlainedgeProud #WEARE
Congratulations to Allison Younghans, Savannah Speicher, Ava Nitsch, Michela Netto, Dylan Fella, and Jaxson Torres on being recognized as part of Newsday’s Top 100 Long Island Athletes in their respective sports for 2025!
#weareplainedge #plainedge #athletics #weare #plainedgepride #community #sports
Congratulations to Plainedge High School students Khloe Hong and Anthony Pravata on earning National Merit Commendations! This prestigious recognition is awarded by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) to students who achieve exceptional scores on the PSAT/NMSQT. Commended Students, who rank among the top 2–3% of all test-takers nationwide, receive a Letter of Commendation in honor of their academic excellence.
Plainedge High School Principal, Lauren Iocco, PHS Guidance Counselors Michael Cipriano and Joseph Como, Interim Superintendent Carol Muscarella, along with the rest of the Plainedge community, are proud to celebrate this outstanding achievement and the hard work of these remarkable students.
#weareplainedge #plainedgeproud #community #education #weare #plainedgepride #phs
We would like to wish those celebrating a Happy Rosh Hashanah. May this New Year bring you health and happiness. Please note that schools will be closed on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 and Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
We look forward to seeing everyone back on Thursday, September 25, 2025
Today, we welcomed back the incredible Class of 1975 for a special guided tour of Plainedge High School!
It was a heartwarming day full of memories, laughter, and stories as past met present in the halls they once called home.
#PlainedgePride #ClassOf75 #weareplainedge #plainedgeproud #Weare
The Plainedge Adult Continuing Education fall program is open for registration! Looking to learn something new this fall? Whether you`re brushing up on skills, exploring a hobby, or just trying something fun, Plainedge Adult Education has a class for you! Visit bit.ly/FallAdultEducation2025
#weareplainedge #plainedgepride #education #adulteducation
Interim Superintendent Carol Muscarella spent the morning at John H. West Elementary School, visiting classrooms, speaking with students, and observing the incredible teaching and learning happening throughout the building.
#weareplainedge #plainedgepride #jhw #learning #education
Mrs. Carol Muscarella Returns to Plainedge as Interim Superintendent:
The Board of Education is pleased to welcome Mrs. Carol Muscarella as Interim Superintendent of Plainedge Schools. As many of you know, Mrs. Muscarella is a deeply respected leader with a long history of service to the Plainedge School District. Her deep love for its students, faculty, staff, and community is why she answered the call to serve once again. We are confident that her experience and dedicated leadership will provide stability and guidance during this transitional period.
Kindly find Mrs. Muscarella`s letter reintroducing herself to the community as she temporarily pauses her well-deserved retirement to serve Plainedge.
A little dot can spark big ideas! 🔴🟠🟡🟢🔵🟣Plainedge Elementary Schools celebrated International Dot Day and its message of creativity, courage, and community through unique experiences in each grade level. #MakeYourMark #DotDay #plainedgepride #community #education #together #plainedgeproud #weareplainedge
