How to Schedule an Appointment with Rebecca Burns, Readington's Director of Pupil Services

What Rebecca Burns does and when you might need to meet with her

Rebecca Burns holds the position of Director of Pupil Services for Readington Township Schools in New Jersey. This role oversees student support services — including special education, counseling, attendance, health services, and programs for students with disabilities. If your child attends a Readington school and you have questions about special education services, an IEP (Individualized Education Program), 504 plans, counseling referrals, or other student support needs, Burns's office is where those conversations happen.

The Director of Pupil Services is also the point of contact for parents navigating the special education referral process, requesting evaluations, or appealing decisions about your child's services. Many appointments with this office are scheduled by the school itself — a teacher or counselor might refer your child and contact you to set up a meeting — but you can also request a meeting directly if you have concerns about your student's support or services.

Key Takeaways

• Rebecca Burns oversees special education, counseling, health services, and student support programs at Readington Township Schools.
• Contact the Readington Township Schools main office or the pupil services department directly to request an appointment rather than trying to reach Burns individually.
• Bring any relevant documents to your appointment: current report cards, teacher notes, medical records, or previous evaluations if your meeting concerns special education or a health issue.
• School-initiated meetings about special education or student concerns are often scheduled by the school and communicated to you in writing with a proposed date and time.

How to request an appointment with the pupil services office

You do not call or email Rebecca Burns directly. Instead, contact Readington Township Schools through their main office phone line or website. Ask to speak with someone in the Pupil Services Department or request an appointment with the Director of Pupil Services. The office staff will either schedule you with Burns or direct you to the appropriate staff member depending on your concern.

If your request is urgent — for example, your child is in crisis or you believe they are unsafe — tell the office staff that when you call. Schools have protocols for same-day or next-day response to urgent matters. For routine concerns like discussing special education services or scheduling an evaluation, expect to wait several days to a week for an appointment slot.

You can also request a meeting in writing by sending an email to the main school office or the pupil services email address if one is listed on the district website. Written requests create a record and are useful if you are beginning a formal special education process.

What to bring and how to prepare

Gather any documents related to your concern before the appointment. If you are meeting about special education or a suspected learning disability, bring report cards, standardized test scores, teacher feedback, and any outside evaluations (psychological, speech, occupational therapy, medical). If the meeting concerns behavior or attendance, bring documentation of the specific incidents or patterns you want to discuss.

Write down the main points you want to cover and any questions you have. If this is your first conversation about special education services, you may want to ask what the referral and evaluation process looks like, how long it takes, and what happens next. Bring a notebook or use your phone to take notes during the meeting so you have a record of what was discussed and any next steps.

If you believe you will need support during the meeting — because English is not your first language, because you have a disability, or because you want a witness — ask the school in advance whether they can provide an interpreter or whether you can bring a support person. Schools are required to make reasonable accommodations for parents.

What happens during the appointment

The meeting will likely focus on understanding your concern and gathering information. If you initiated the meeting, you will explain what prompted it — for example, you think your child needs an evaluation, or you are concerned about their mental health support. The pupil services staff will ask questions about your child's history, current performance, and any outside services they receive.

If the school initiated the meeting, they will present their observations and explain why they believe your child may need additional support or services. They will discuss next steps, which might include a formal referral for special education evaluation, a counseling referral, or a plan to monitor your child's progress with classroom interventions first.

At the end of the meeting, you should leave with a clear understanding of what will happen next, who will do it, and when. If the school is recommending an evaluation, ask for the timeline and what you need to do. If they are proposing services, ask how they will be delivered and how progress will be measured. Request written confirmation of any decisions or plans discussed.

Understanding special education timelines

If your meeting leads to a referral for special education evaluation, the school has specific legal timelines to follow. New Jersey requires schools to complete an initial evaluation within 20 school days of receiving written consent from a parent. If the school finds your child has a disability that affects their education, they must hold an IEP meeting within 10 school days of completing the evaluation.

These timelines are legal requirements, not suggestions. If the school misses them, you have the right to file a complaint with the New Jersey Department of Education. Keep copies of all written communication — emails, letters, consent forms — so you have a record of when things were submitted and when responses were due.

If you disagree with the school's decision

If the school declines to evaluate your child or proposes services you believe are insufficient, you have options. You can request a meeting with the school to discuss your concerns and ask them to reconsider. You can also request an independent educational evaluation (IEE) at public expense if you disagree with the school's evaluation.

If you cannot reach agreement with the school, you can file a due process complaint with the New Jersey Department of Education's Office of Special Education. This is a formal process, and many parents work with a special education advocate or attorney. The state also offers free mediation services to help parents and schools resolve disagreements without going to a hearing.

Contact information and resources

Start by contacting Readington Township Schools' main office. The district website should list the phone number, mailing address, and email for the pupil services department. If you cannot find the information online, call the main school number and ask for the pupil services office or the Director of Pupil Services.

For questions about special education rights and processes in New Jersey, contact the New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education. They can explain your rights, help you understand timelines, and direct you to free resources like parent training and information centers. The state also maintains a list of special education advocates and mediators if you need support navigating a disagreement with the school.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring someone with me to the appointment?

Yes. You can bring a spouse, family member, friend, advocate, or attorney. Tell the school in advance if you are bringing someone so they are prepared. Schools cannot prevent you from having a support person present, though they may ask that the meeting stay focused on your child's needs.

What if I need an interpreter?

Schools are required to provide interpreters for parents who speak languages other than English. Request this when you schedule the appointment, and give the school at least a few days' notice so they can arrange it. Do not rely on your child to interpret during a meeting about their own services.

How long does a special education evaluation take?

The school has 20 school days from the date you sign consent to complete the evaluation. In practice, scheduling all the testing can take longer. Ask the school for a timeline when you consent, and ask them to confirm in writing when the evaluation will be finished and when the IEP meeting will be held.

What if the school says my child does not need special education?

The school must give you a written explanation of why they found your child ineligible. You can request an independent evaluation at public expense if you disagree. You can also ask about a 504 plan, which provides accommodations even if your child does not may have access to for special education under IDEA.

Can I record the meeting?

New Jersey law allows you to record meetings with the school if you give notice beforehand. Tell the school when you schedule the appointment that you plan to record. Some schools may ask you to provide a copy of the recording, so be prepared for that request.