Support Services

SCHOOL PYCHOLOGIST

Dr. Magdalena Murawska-Krol

My name is Dr. Krol and I am the school psychologist at P.S. 233. My main role is to work with students who receive special education services. I evaluate students who are struggling academically to determine whether their difficulties are due to a disability. For students receiving special education services, I assess their appropriateness and effectiveness (whether at the request of a parent, teacher, or as mandated every three years). I work with teachers and related service providers to determine whether students’ academic needs are being met, and if any changes need to be made to their IEPs.

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I respond to students who are struggling to manage their emotions. I help students and teachers understand and process difficult situations, so everyone can learn in a safe, understanding, and welcoming environment. 

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I also counsel students individually or in groups. We work on life skills such as conflict resolution, perspective-taking, and emotional regulation, as well as consequential thinking and planning for the future. 

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Feel free to contact me more information about the special education referral process and the supports we offer,

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY

Keisha Cox

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (OT)

Yeva Budiyanskiy

My name is Yeva Budiyanskiy and I am the Occupational Therapist at P.S. 233. Occupational therapy is designed to maintain, improve, or restore function of students in all education-related activities, including neuro-musculoskeletal function; motor function including fine motor, oral motor, and visual motor integration; sensory and perceptual function; cognitive, and psycho-social function. Activities foster independence in daily living skills and school participation in various settings including the classroom, bathroom, cafeteria, and playground. I work with students individually in a pull-out program.

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Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER

Jacqueline Nathan-Azueta

My name is Jacqueline Nathan-Azueta, and I am the School Social Worker at P.S. 233. I conduct social histories with parents of students who are undergoing evaluations. This includes getting important information regarding their child's  developmental history.  I also provide parents with information about special education procedures and laws.  I assist in developing behavior plans to support students who may be struggling to manage their behavior in school. I make referrals of students and families for professional mental health services, and advocate for them to get any community resources to which they may be entitled.

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Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION 

(APE)

Rosa Roman-Mendez

My name is Rosa Roman-Mendez, and I am a certified Physical Education teacher. Any student at P.S. 233 who requires APE has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that outlines their needs. Many students with physical challenges can be in a regular PE class, sometimes with support or changes to the activities and equipment so that they can succeed. Others may need PE in a smaller setting. In Adapted Physical Education (APE), I modify or change activities, games, and sports so that all students can take part safely.

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Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

“I have always believed that the single most important task we have as a nation is to make sure our young people can go as far as their dreams and hard work will take them."

President Barack Obama

PHYSICAL THERAPY (PT)

Karen Lewis

My name is Karen Lewis, and I am the Physical Therapist at PS 233. I am responsible for treating students with physical disabilities. My goal is to help students access the academic environment and participate to the maximum extent possible in educational activities. I recommend adaptive equipment and environmental accommodations.

If a teacher suspects a student is having any physical difficulties within the school environment (for example, walking up and down stairs, tripping and falling when walking or running), that student may be referred for a PT screening. We can then implement pre-referral strategies. If deemed necessary a full evaluation can be done. A parent can also submit a request if they notice that their child is having difficulties with balance, coordination, and gross motor skills.  A student must have an IEP in order to receive PT services.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. 

CLERICAL ASSOCIATE

Cherese Alston

My name is Cherese Alston, and I am the School Family Worker at P.S. 233. I am proud to be a member of the P.S. 233 family since 2003.  I assist the school psychologist and social worker in processing the paperwork required for evaluations and IEP meetings.  I oversee the day-to-day office paperwork, reach out to parents and teachers to schedule IEP meetings, and create files for new students. I do not work directly with students, but offer parents information and support concerning all aspects of the special education enrollment process.

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Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

IEP TEACHER

Tanya D'Esposito

My name is Tanya D’Esposito.  I am the IEP Teacher at P.S. 233.  I am a licensed K-12 Special Education teacher. I feel very lucky to have worked at our incredible school since 1998. 

I provide reading support to 1st and 2nd grade students, English Language Learners (ELLs), and students with IEPs who are are struggling with early reading skills. I utilize the SPIRE Reading Intervention program, based on the Orton Gillingham approach to reading instruction. SPIRE is an intensive, multi-sensory reading intervention that integrates phonological awareness, phonics, spelling, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and handwriting. I conduct benchmark screenings at the outset of the program, and I work with groups of no more than 6 students. Generally, we meet 4 times per week in a pull-out program.  I monitor student progress using DIBELS reading assessment.

Additionally, I teach students one-to-one with the Great Leaps reading program.  Great Leaps offers targeted intervention to students struggling with phonics, comprehension and fluency. We meet 3-5 times per week for 15 minute sessions.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

My name is Shelly Ann Nesbitt and I am the School Social Worker at P.S 233. My primary role is to provide counseling and social-emotional support to students. I also engage families in understanding how to appropriately support students with social-emotional needs, developmental milestones, and those who are struggling with behavior management. I collaborate with community agencies to provide professional development for teachers to enhance their knowledge of social-emotional and behavioral needs.  I also support teachers in developing and implementing interventions to decrease classroom disruptions using practices such as crisis management, restorative justice, peer mediation, positive self-image building,  positive social skills, conflict resolution, character building, and individual and group counseling. I will provide information pertaining to community resources, referrals to community-based organizations, and education about mental health and behavioral concerns. Mostly, I am here to support the PS 233 family and community!

SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER

Shelly Ann Nesbitt