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Mamaroneck-Larchmont SEPTA E-News |
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Special EDition E-Newsletter |
April 1, 2011 |
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Join SEPTA! Support SEPTA | |
Please join SEPTA and we appreciate your support. Your donations help us help others!
Click here for our form. |
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Dear SEPTA Members & Friends,
In our weekly newsletter we have lots of information and some new resources to share with you. In this issue we debut the "Question of the Week" and highlight several pieces that are "In the News." Also, there are a number of upcoming programs in the community that may be of interest.
Did you miss a newsletter? An archive of previous newsletters is available on the SEPTA website under "Newsletters/E-News".
Cecilia Absher and Sam Jensen,
ctabsher@att.net or samjjensen@yahoo.com
SEPTA Co-Presidents
SEPTA's Mission: Recognizing that students have a broad range of learning styles and abilities, SEPTA works to promote a quality learning experience for all children. SEPTA aims to promote a better understanding of children's learning differences and to be a helpful resource for all parents.
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Preparing for Your Elementary School Teacher's Conference
If you are a parent of a elementary school child, chances are that you will have a conferences with yourchild's teacher in April - conference dates are April 6, 13 and 27. We have written some suggestions about how to get the most out of your teacher's conference - it is typically 20 minutes so thinking about it and planning ahead of time is very important. Click here
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Here's a Fantastic Quote We Spotted in a Hommocks Classroom:
"If he cannot learn the way we teach, we had better teach the way he can learn." Robert Buck |
SEPTA Talks: Please join us for another informal chat about concerns and
ideas that you may have regarding your child! Seasoned SEPTA members will
be there to share experiences and provide some ideas for all parents -
General and Special Education. We hope to see you at the Nautilus Diner on
Thursday, April 14th at 9:00 am. Coffee and treats are on us. Bring a
friend! For more information, contact Suzanne Prigoda (thefun4@aol.com) or
Amy Lieberman (dashdoar@gmail.com)
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Question of the Week
From Mam'k Mom: Our son is having some difficulties in school so we had him evaluated privately by a psychologist. The evaluation report indicates that he has a learning disability and AD/HD. We gave the report to school personnel months ago. We had expected him to start receiving special education services. What should we do?
Dear Mam'k Mom: In order for a child to receive special education services a specific formal process must be followed. A parent, teacher or other staff member must refer the child to the Committee on Special Education and request an evaluation. A parent's request must be made in writing. Here is a sample letter requesting an evaluation. The school district may agree to conduct an evaluation, which would include reviewing any private evaluation provided by the parents, or if it believes there is no basis for an evaluation, it may deny the request. (Parents have due process rights in the event of a denial.) If the district agrees to conduct an evaluation, it then has 60 days to complete the evaluation process and, through the Committee on Special Education, to determine whether the child is eligible to receive special education. Learn more by reading the Special Education Handbook.
Please note that nothing in this answer is intended to address the merits of whether your son should be classified to receive special education.
If you have a question, feel free to email us - we'll do our best to give you some guidance. Also, we believe parents should always raise their concerns with their child's teacher(s) and the school psychologist or administrator.
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In the News:
- Congress to Consider IDEA Costs to Parents. Currently parents must pay for expert witness fees in due process cases - even if they win. Many cannot afford to bear the costs - is it fair? Please click here for article.
- New York State Education Dept - Questions and Answers about IEP development using the new forms - many questions are answered. Click here
- New Resources at LD.org - Learn about assistive technology and about rights you have if your child struggles in school - click here.
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Join Septa's Board for 2011-12!
SEPTA is a dynamic partnership of parents, teachers and other staff - all dedicated to helping children with differences or special needs succeed!! We are underway planning for next year and anticipate having a number of open positions on our Board. We work collaboratively, exude passion and make a real difference. Learn more about opportunities on the SEPTA board for 2011-12. Contact Amy Lieberman - dashdoar@gmail.com or 552-1568, Amy Kass - amysuekass@yahoo.com or 834-3752 or Kathleen Reale at kftwins@yahoo.com or 777-2907. |
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Protecting Children (and their Parents) from Environmental Toxins
Speaker: Dr. Maida P. Galvez -The Children's Health Center, Mount Sinai Medical School
Monday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. Hommocks Middle School Auditorium (Free)
BPA & Phthalates:
They're in your plastic containers and baby bottles; in your cosmetics and the linings of your canned goods. Europe, California, and Suffolk County have banned these chemicals. What do they know that we don't?
There are simple things you can do to protect your family. Dr. Galvez can tell you how!
From the Mount Sinai Children's Environmental Health Center, a world authority on the growing effects of environmental toxins on our children's mental and physical health, comes Dr. Maida P. Galvez, a pediatrician, professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and a leading researcher in how pervasive chemicals in our households are endangering children and babies in utero. Asthma, learning disabilities, ADHD, lower I.Q., the rise of childhood cancer, early puberty: if you are concerned about these issues, this is a talk you won't want to miss!
Sponsored by SEPTA, the Village of Larchmont Committee on the Environment, Town of Mamaroneck, Village of Mamaroneck, Village of Larchmont, Chatsworth Avenue PTA & Sheldrake Environmental Center |
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Community & Regional Events:
View many events and information in the Hudson Valley. Click here for the newsletter
Sunday, April 3rd - Navigating the Spectrum and The Westchester County Dept of Community Mental Health are proud to sponsor the Fifth Annual Autism Information Fair.
Parents, therapists, educators, health care professionals and anyone who cares about a child on the spectrum are invited to join us for a day of education and empowerment. Connect with families affected by autism spectrum disorders and network with knowledgeable and encouraging professionals. Learn about Interventions, Services and Supports available for all ages, from toddlers to adults. Free Admission - Families Welcome.
Sunday April 3rd from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Westchester County Center - 198 Central Avenue
White Plains, NY. Contact events@navigatingthespectrum.org
Sunday, April 3 · 9:30-11:30am - Westchester Jewish Center, Mamaroneck
"Understanding the IEP, becoming effective partners in the CSE process and more..."
Phyllis Zigman Conley, New Direction Educational Consulting. Phyllis Zigman Conley currently runs New Direction Educational Consulting. She recently retired from working as Director of Pupil Personnel Services for Dobbs Ferry Schools where she designed, implemented,and supervised a comprehensive model of inclusive services for students with disabilities K-12. Ms. Conley worked as Assistant Director of Special Education for the Greenwich Connecticut Board of Education where she provided leadership in program and curriculum development, instructional strategies, staff development, and overall management of the Special Education department. As a Coordinator for SETRC she designed and delivered training and technical assistance to regular and special education teachers and parents from 34 districts in Westchester County. To RSVP, contact Aleza Kulp 914-698-2966 or educdir@wjcenter.org
Tuesday, April 12, 2011 7:30 p.m. Scarsdale's C.H.I.L.D. - "Transition Planning for Students with IEP's:From Secondary to Post-Secondary" Presented by: Karen Millman- Parent and Transition Specialist for the Hudson Valley Special Education Parent Center (HVSEPC) at the Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD). Karen will discuss transition planning from the "parent perspective" and steps that parents can take to be proactive partners in the process. Kit Craft- Regional Special Education Transition Specialist, Lower Hudson Special Education Technical Assistance and Support Center Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES. Kit will elaborate on the components of the IEP as they relate to transition planning. Where: Fox Meadow School, 2nd Floor - Multipurpose Room
April 14th -Helping Parents and School Districts Become More Effective Partners -Special Education Mediation: A Collaborative Option for Resolving Disputes. Nyack Library 9:30-12:30. Click Here for the flyer
SAVE THE DATE! Wednesday, May 18, 2011 12:30pm -- Rebecca Cort, NYSED: Issues Pertaining to the IEP Diploma and Graduation Requirements at Westchester Institute for Human Development. Don't miss this opportunity to hear first-hand from the Associate Commissioner for Special Education for NYSED on these important issues. Registration information coming shortly.
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