Here's a List of Special Education related resources, events and updates going on this week:
Monday, Mar. 20th
- 10am-The ARc of NJ: Speech Language Pathology in School Join every Monday at 10am on Facebook Live for a brief chat with Michael Pearson Jr., Director of Children's Advocacy at The Arc of New Jersey. Each week, Michael will discuss a topic related to special education and share helpful tips and resources for families. No registration is necessary, just visit the link above every Monday at 10am.
- Monday, Mar. 20th, 7pm, SPF SEPAG meeting at the Scotch Plains Public Library (lower level). This will be a Parent/Caregiver Only meeting.
Tuesday, Mar. 21st
- 2pm-The Arc of NJ-REPLAY: Money Management: Where Does Our Money Go and How Can We Make Better Decisions?
- 6pm-The Arc of NJ-An Overview of the College Internship Program (CIP)Join as Dan McManmon, President of the College Internship Program (CIP) talks about CIP. The College Internship Program (CIP) is a private young adult transition program for individuals 18-26 with Autism, ADHD, and other learning differences offering comprehensive and specialized services.
- 6:30pm-Span-Student-Led IEPs: A Path to Success: Encouraging students to use their voice early helps to build self advocacy skills. When students are involved in their IEP meetings they engage in self determination and can practice different decision-making methods in a safe environment. Parents and schools can work together to build these skills in youth/young adults with disabilities.
Wednesday, Mar. 22nd
- 6:30 pm-SPAN Preparing for Work After High School: Learn what should be in your students IEP to prepare for work after high school: contacting DVRS/DDD for assistance, job coach, community options and more.
- 7pm-BCSS Cape Center-So You've Become the Legal Guardian: Now What?-This workshop will focus on the responsibilities of the guardian, including topics such as: Preparing the Annual Report, Limits on Guardianship Powers and their Exercise, Designation of the Standby Guardian, Appointment of the Successor Guardian, Do's and Don'ts of Reporting.
Friday Mar. 24th
- 10am- Center for Parent Information and Resources Webinar: Peace, Love, Harmony… and the IFSP/IEP? Discuss how to use effective communication skills to develop a partnership with your child's IEP/IFSP team. Get tips for preparing for school meetings and how to be an effective member of the team. This training should be attended by families with a rising kindergartener.
- 1pm-The ARC of NJ Peace of Mind: Maintaining a Healthy Mindset. In this mindset talk, begin learning how to harness the power of positive thinking in order to empower yourself to focus on that which is within your control.
- 6pm Decoding Dyslexia-The State of Dyslexia – 10 Years Later ... Free NJ In-Person Event
March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is an opportunity to promote respect for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to increase awareness of the daily obstacles faced by these individuals and their families. This month is also a chance to provide understanding, encouragement and opportunities to help persons with developmental disabilities lead productive and fulfilling lives. Visit the following links: The ARC of NJ, NJCDD (The New Jersey Council On Developmental Disabilities), Best Buddies NJ, and NACDD (National Association of Councils on developmental Disabilities), for DD resources and to learn more about Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
Upcoming Events:
- Monday, March 27th, 10am-The ARC of NJ: Counseling in School
- Tuesday, March 28th, 7:30pm-Nettingham Middle School Ask the Superintendent . Submit questions via this form. Questions must be submitted by March 23rd.
- April is Autism Acceptance Month and World Autism Day is Apr. 2nd
- Saturday Apr. 1st, Autism Acceptance Celebration- See Union County Recreation programs for People with Special Needs for more info including registration dates.
- Sunday, Apr. 2nd-Laurie Berkner Live at the Union County Performing Arts Center at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway: Sensory Friendly "Queen of Kids' Music" Comes to the Union County Performing Arts Center
Future Events
- Tuesday, April 18, 6pm- SPAN: ALL Kids Belong: The Importance of LRE/Inclusion. This workshop will review the IEP process with specific focus on the Legal requirement of Least Restrictive Environment
- May 5th-7th- New York Metro Abilities Expo
- May 14th-20th-Special Education week in New Jersey
- Tuesday, June 20, 2023, 12:00 PM-AAC in the Cloud 2023: The Power of One
In the News and other updates:
- The Tri-State Consortium visited SPF School District this past week. Members of the SPF SEPAG participated in meetings virtually and in person to share feedback and gain understanding in discussing the District's Strategic Plan's goal; "Engage the Tri-State Consortium to assist in determining the extent to which we have effective supports in place in literacy instruction within our district's special education K-12 continuum to maximize student learning".
- N.J. high school student with autism opens first solo art exhibition
- The State of New Jersey Department of Education List of State-Imposed Special Education Rules, Regulations or Policies
Tools you can use:
- NJSLA testing will take place in May. The State of New Jersey Department of Education shared I Learn School Inc's, 4 Tips for students on how to deal with Anxiety during NJ State Testing.
At your Leisure:
- Learning Resource Center Central, NJDOE-Thriving with Learning & Thinking Differences - Understood: A playlist of short videos in which individuals share their experiences of thriving with learning or thinking differences.
- Mar 20th-26th RWJBH Opportunity Project: Restaurant Week Collaboration with Explore Millburn-Short Hills-As part of their Brain Injury Awareness Month initiative, Opportunity Project is joining forces with Explore Millburn-Short Hills and local merchants on a Restaurant Week Event to support individuals living with brain injuries.
