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Mamaroneck-Larchmont SEPTA E-News |
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Special EDition E-Newsletter |
May 17, 2011 |
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Dear SEPTA Members & Friends,
SEPTA, along with the other PTAs, have held meetings and voted to endorse the school budget, which was recently adopted by the Board of Education. The budget reflects not only the lowest tax increase in over 40 years but also the District's commitment and hard work to maintain general and special education programs, student support services and staff. Please see this important information about the budget - click here. More information to come. The community votes on the budget TODAY, Tuesday, May 17th - we hope you will "Vote Yes" and support the budget. Vote till 9pm at your local elementary school.
Please see our news below and join us at our last "SEPTA Talks" this Thursday at 9:00a.m. at the Nautilus Diner.
Cecilia Absher and Sam Jensen,
ctabsher@att.net or samjjensen@yahoo.com
SEPTA Co-Presidents |
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Septa Talks - With Treats!
Last one for this school year! This Thursday, May 19th at 9:00a.m. at Nautilus Diner. Do you have a child with any needs or about which you have concerns? Whether your child receives special education or not, you are welcome to join us for an informal chat about any questions or concerns that you may have regarding your child. Seasoned SEPTA parents will be there to talk parent-to-parent, share experiences and provide some ideas. We hope to see you at the Nautilus Diner on Thursday, May 19th at 9:00a.m. 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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The District Adopts Policies Aimed at Preventing Bullying and Harassment of Students - Including Behavior Based Upon a Student's Disability
- Anti-bullying & Harassment Policy (click here for Policy 116) - Prohibits bullying or harassment at school or that creates a hostile environment at school - including Internet/ cyber postings and off-campus activities that affect a child at school.
- Anti-Harassment Policy (click here for Policy 120) - The District recognizes its responsibility to provide an environment free of harassment - this includes communication or conduct by staff or students based upon a child's disability, among other things, that interferes with a student's academic endeavors or adversely affects the educational opportunities and benefits provided by the district.
The District will provide staff training and create or enhance anti-bullying and tolerance programs.
The U.S. Department of Education and Office of Civil Rights (OCR)have developed guidance about bullying and harassment, which highlights responsibilities of schools and rights of students and parents. To access the guidance, click here. A summary of the key points may be found here. Notably after the National School Boards Association objected to the OCR guidance claiming it expanding school district's obligations and potential liability, OCR issued a follow-up letter focusing on the circumstances in which harassment may result in Districts being liable for damages or loss of federal funding - see the recent OCR letter here. |
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New York State Education Dept News - Response to Intervention and Local Diplomas; Teacher Evaluation System
Two new policy memoranda from the Office of Special Education have been posted to their website.
In addition, the Regents voted on Monday to revise the teacher evaluation system - much of it to take effect for next year. Under the plan, teachers, tenured or not, will be evaluated by school districts to determine their effectiveness. Under the Regents newly adopted rules, districts may base up to 40% of the evaluation on state assessments and may include locally developed measures of performance. School principals will also have new evaluation measures. See the article in today's Journal News and see Governor Cuomo's comments to the Regents here. |
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SEPTA Awards Staff Grants
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Some of the 2011 SEPTA Grantees |
Each year SEPTA provides grants to faculty of the school district to enable them to acquire materials or technology or to provide special events that enhance the educational experiences of students with disabilities, and in many cases, which also benefit students without disabilities. This year SEPTA awarded grants to staff from a number of our schools and the grants related to a range of areas, such as literacy, playground games and technology such as iPads. To see the grants SEPTA awarded, click here. SEPTA applauds the dedication, creativity and commitment of our staff and is grateful to be able to support staff with these grants. |
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Community & Regional Events:
View many Hudson Valley events and important information from Westchester Institute for Human Development. NEW May Events Newsletter
Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 · 12:30 p.m. - SPECIAL EDUCATION IN NEW YORK STATE: CURRENT ISSUES --Don't miss this opportunity to hear first-hand from Dr. Rebecca H. Cort, Associate Commissioner of NYSED on these important issues followed by a Q&A session. To register: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5-18Registration Location: Westchester Institutefor Human Development
Cedarwood Hall, Valhalla, NY 10595. For info, call: 914-493-7665.
Wednesday, May 18th - 7:30 p.m. Assistive Technology & Augmentative Communication ...yes, that includes the iPad! Presented by Marcie L. Klebanoff, M.A., ATP, Assistive Technology & AAC Specialist.
The potential of technology to help children with disabilities is tremendous. Assistive technology (AT) can help children be more self-sufficient at home and in school, communicate with friends and family, get out into the community, and as they grow older, find employment. Come and learn: What is Assistive Technology (AT) & Augmentative Communication (AAC). Discover the range of technology available from low-tech to high-tech. Is it appropriate for your child? How AT can increase your child's ability to access and participate more fully in their curriculum. How AT can increase your child's potential to learn. The impact AT can have in all areas of your child's life. Sponsored by Scarsdale CH.I.L.D. Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 @ 7:30 p.m. Fox Meadow School - 2nd Floor Multi-Purpose Room
Tuseday, May 24th - 7:30p.m. New Rochelle High School Library - Transition Planning for Students with IEP's: What Happens After High School. New Rochelle SEPTA sponsors this program which is especially relevant for middle school & high school parents. Presented by: Greg Lau Transition Coordinator for the New Rochelle School District. Greg will speak about transition planning for college bound students and accessing adult services among other topics. 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.Karen Millman - Parent and Transition Specialist for the Hudson Valley Special Education Parent Center (HVSEPC) at the Westchester Institute forHuman Development (WIHD). Karen will discuss transition planning from the "parent perspective" and steps that parents can take to be proactive partners in the process.
Sunday, June 5th --Sociable Kidz presents 1st Annual Special Needs -Kidz Fair FREE ADMISSION www.skkidzfair.com The expo will be fun day for all who attend. We will showcase different services and products for special needs children of all ages. There will be raffles, hands-on activities, sports, games, prizes, entertainment, food and a whole lot more. Radisson Hotel New Rochelle, One Radisson Plaza. |
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