Columbia School District

Special Educaton and Student Services

Karen Caputo

Director of Special Education and Student Services

860-228-0585 x175

kcaputo@hwporter.org


Deborah Dupuis

Administrative Assistant to the Director of Student Services

860-228-0585 x 172   Office Fax: 860-228-8593 

ddupuis@hwporter.org 

Special Education and Student Services

The Student Services Department is committed to providing a continuum of specialized instruction, related services, and accommodations for students with disabilities that affords them the opportunity to meet the demands of the general education curriculum. 

Through the collaboration of special and general education teachers and related services staff, we provide individually designed instruction that addresses both academic and social emotional learning. 

We believe the most successful student outcomes will be the result of collaborative work between the student, parents and staff.

Special Education Teachers and Student Services Staff

Barry, Tim 

Grades 7–8 Special Education Teacher

tbarry@hwporter.org 


Guzman, Jennifer 

Grades K–4 Special Education Teacher

jguzman@hwporter.org 


Murdock, Misty

Physical Therapist, EASTCONN

MurdockM@hwporter.org 


Lapsis, Amy, (M.A. CCC-SLP)

Speech Language Pathologist

alapsis@hwporter.org    


Campbell, Kristin

Speech Language Pathologist

kcampbell@hwporter.org




Martin, Karen 

Grades 5–6 Special Education Teacher

kmartin@hwporter.org 


McLeish, Lorraine 

Specialized Resource Room

lmcleish@hwporter.org 



Polakowski, Corey, (MS)

School Counselor

228-9493 x180

cpolakowski@hwporter.org  


Rinaldi, Roserie 

Reading Teacher

rrinaldi@hwporter.org 



Bogdan,Karen

Counselor

860-228-0585 x157


Tattersall, Kim

Occupational Therapist

ktatersall@hwporter.org


Spear, Kristin, (LMSW)

School Social Worker     

860-228-0585 x181

kspear@hwporter.org 


Caputo, Karen

Director of Student Services

860-228-0585 x175

kcaputo@hwporter.org


The Columbia Public School District does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability (including, but not limited to, intellectual disability, past or present history of mental disorder, physical disability or learning disability), genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by Connecticut state and/or federal nondiscrimination laws.