Email: serecords@rrps.net
Business: 505-896-0667 x51182
Fax: 505-994-4609
Jerry Reeder, Executive Director of Special Services (Child Find/SSPS)
Business: 505-896-0667 x51141
Email: Jerry.Reeder@rrps.net
Christie Polanco, Director of Special Services (Elementary Schools) Deaf and Hard of Hearing Programs and Gifted Education district-wide
Business: 505-896-0667 x51211
Email: Christie.Polanco@rrps.net
Angelica Cuevas-Duran, Director of Special Services (Middle Schools) and Ancillary Services, Assistive Technology, & Medicaid
Business: 505-896-0667 x51166
Email: Angelica.Duran@rrps.net
Antoinette Nieto, Director of Special Services (High Schools) and Section 504 Compliance Officer
Business: 505-896-0667 x51211
Email: Antoinette.Nieto@rrps.net
Eric Wheeler, Special Services 504/IEP Compliance Manager
Business: 505-896-0667 x51276
Email: Eric.Wheeler@rrps.net
Adriana Lopez, Ph.D., Lead School Psychologist
Business: 505-896-0667 x51236
Email: Adriana.Lopez@rrps.net
Tourette Syndrome Resource for RRPS. Dr. Lopez is available to attend EDT/IEP meetings for students suspected of or known to have a Tic Disorder or Tourette Syndrome.
Department Fax
Business Fax: 505-994-4609
NM Public Education Department (PED)
https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/
UNM Center for Development and Disability
http://cdd.unm.edu/
Special Olympics New Mexico
http://sonm.org/
Cerebral Palsy Guidance
https://www.cerebralpalsyguidance.com
Click any shaded bar below for more information on our program types.
Below are some of the continuum of alternative placement options offered for students in Rio Rancho. Also, you can visit a school web page to see more specific descriptions of the programs offered there.
High School Tiered Transition Programs
Students must earn graduation requirements for the number of credits required in the district, pass all sections of the current graduation exit exam, and meet/surpass IEP goals and objectives.
Conditional Certificate of Transition:
Students in 12th grade who have completed four years of high school and continue to have educational and/or transition needs; may be granted a Conditional Certificate of Transition (which may allow participation in graduation activities with peers) in the form of a Continuing IEP [C-IEP] (student continues to have educational and transition needs and is attending school {½ or more of minimum course requirements for public school students}) or Transition IEP [T-IEP] (student continues to have transition needs, however, is attending less than ½ the minimum course requirements).
If the student has met graduation requirements (not on a Standard Graduation Option) they may be granted a Conditional Certificate of Transition in the form of a Graduated-Continuing IEP [GC-IEP] or Graduated-Transition IEP [GT-IEP] (as indicated above). This Conditional Certificate of Transition is not a program of study and does not end a student’s right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
RIO RANCHO HIGH SCHOOL Student To Employment Program (STEP)
STEP is a continuum of a secondary transition education program for students who are 18-22 years of age, who have completed 4 years of high school and who have a Conditional Certificate of Transition (Grades 12+). The vision for STEP is Self-Advocacy, Teamwork, Encouragement, and Potential.
Requirements: 18-22 years of age; completion of 4 years of HS, continued education/transition needs.
V. SUE CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL:
Building Our Lifetime Transition (BOLT)
BOLT is a continuum of a secondary transition education program for students who are 18-22 years of age, who have completed 4 years of high school and who have a Conditional Certificate of Transition (Grades 12+). BOLT provides comprehensive transition services to high school students with exceptional needs through a student-centered approach. Collaboration occurs between student, family, school, community, and outside agencies. Planning is individualized through the IEP (Individual Education Plan) process and focuses on: vocational exploration, development, and instruction; community access; personal management skill development; functional academics and literacy; and self care and self-determination instruction. Students have equal access to all school-based and co-curricular activities and participate in meaningful inclusive activities.
Requirements: 18-22 years of age; completion of 4 years of HS, continued education/transition needs.
Project SEARCH High School Transition Program
The Project SEARCH High School Transition Program is a one-year internship program for students with intellectual / developmental disabilities. It is targeted for young adults, ages 18 to 21 years of age who have completed all required graduation criteria (academic coursework and assessment) and whose goal is competitive integrated employment. The Project SEARCH school-to-work internship program gives young adults with disabilities the opportunity to learn marketable job skills to help them gain competitive integrated employment.
Project SEARCH Goal and Referral Process
Project SEARCH Program Criteria
Ben Vigil, Project SEARCH Instructor
Rio Rancho Public Schools/Rust Medical Center
Email: Benjamin.Vigil@rrps.net
