SEPAG update:
The SPF SEPAG held our Monthly meeting on Monday, April 10th. The following topics were discussed:
- Dr. Rebimbas presented an in-depth overview of the Tri-State Consortium visit, followed by a Q&A period.
- A review of Autism Acceptance and the various activities going on at our schools to bring awareness.
- General discussion and Q&A on questions related to Special Services.
- A follow up discussion from the March meeting's outstanding items.
Please reference our meeting minutes, organized by meetings in each school year. (Access all meeting minutes.) *Minutes for the April meeting are pending.
SPF Highlight:
The Importance Of Play:A two-part workshop series for Preschool & Kindergarten Parents
Here's a List of Special Education related resources, events and updates going on this week:
Monday, Apr. 17th
- 10am-The ARC of NJ, Extended School Year (ESY). 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.
Tuesday, Apr. 18th
- 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.
Wednesday, Apr. 19th
- 12pm- SPAN, Key Components of the IEP. A review of the essential components of an Individualized Education Plan.
- 4pm-Scotch Plains Library- Read With a Therapy dog. Children are invited to practice their reading with a trained therapy animal at this program. This event will be held in the basement of the library. This program is for emerging readers who are in K-5th grade.
- 7pm- Span, Communication Strategies For an Inclusive Education. This workshop will provide strategies and tips for having more effective conversations around inclusive education in IEP meetings.
Thursday, Apr. 20th
- 1pm-2pm-The ARC of NJ Special Educations Webinar Series: Overview on ABA. Attendees will leave with a greater understanding of Applied Behavior Analysis.
- 1pm-Center For Parent Information and Resources-Effective Communication with the IEP Team. This workshop for parents who are familiar with the special education process will teach communication strategies to help you advocate for your child at IEP team meetings, with a goal of helping shape your child's special education services and supports. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A segment.
Friday, Apr. 21st
- 9am-1pm-ESCNJ Best Practices in Transitioning Planning Workshop. During this two presentation event, attendees will have the opportunity to gather information and contacts to help navigate the transition process to adult services.
- 10am- Center for Parent Information & Resources, Marvelous Math Apps-Are your kiddos frustrated by math? Are you looking for new ways to teach or practice concepts? Discussion will cover over a dozen math apps geared toward early math, elementary, middle and high school.
Upcoming:
- Monday, Apr. 24th, 10am-The ARC of NJ, Out of District Placement Pros and Cons
- Tuesday, Apr. 25th, 2pm- The ARC of NJ, Creating a Culture of Inclusion: Anti-Bullying Strategies for Self-Advocates and Supporters
- Wednesday, Apr. 26th, 6:30pm -SPAN, Section 504 and the American Disabilities Act
- Thursday, Apr. 27th, 7pm- SPAN, Using PBIS in School (Positive Behavior Intervention and Support)
- Friday, Apr. 28th, New Jersey Special Education Summit
- Wednesday, May 3rd, 4pm- RAFT School Based Youth Services- Pediatric Mental Health post COVID
- May 5th-7th- New York Metro Abilities Expo
- Sunday, May 7th-Turtle Back Zoo, SPARK for Autism Free day at the Zoo
- May 9th, 7pm-ASAH, Securing the Future for Your Child with special Needs: Financial and Estate Planning
- May 11th, 10am-12:30pm- RWJBH Children's Specialized Hospital, Navigating the Journey: A Medical Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Later Events
- May 14th-20th-Special Education Week in New Jersey
- May 18th, 6pm-8pm- RWJBH Children's Specialized Hospital, Parent Workshop on positive Behavior Change
- May 18th, 6:30pm-The ARC of NJ, Presentation: "I Used to Be Bullied for Having Autism: Here is When it Stopped," Autism advocate and internationally renowned speaker Dr. Kerry Magro will present "I Used to Be Bullied for Having Autism: Here is When it Stopped," at Warren Hills High School Auditorium
- June 9th, NJCIE Inclusion Leadership Conference
- Tuesday, June 20, 2023, 12:00 PM-AAC in the Cloud 2023: The Power of One
Monthly Themes:
April is Autism Acceptance Month
The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education designated April 2023 as National Acceptance Month; recognizing and commending both individuals living with autism and the parents and relatives of those individuals for their sacrifice and dedication.
This year's NJDOE theme is "Colors of My World". The theme encourages schools to take part in fostering ASD awareness to promote understanding and acceptance for individuals with ASD in their schools and surrounding communities. It also encourages schools to celebrate the diversity, and unique contributions individuals with ASD make daily in the classroom.
Here are some resources on Autism:
- SPARK-Autism advocacy for families of Color
- NJPSS (New Jersey Partnership for Student Success)- Supporting Students with Autism
Rowan University and the NJDOE Learning Resource Center share several Online Resources for Autism Acceptance Month. Here are a few:
- A nonspeaking valedictorian with autism gives her college’s commencement speech | NPR A news article putting the spotlight on Rollins College’s 2022 valedictorian, Elizabeth Bonker. Watch Bonker’s commencement speech and read about her experiences, heroes, and future plans.
- Autism friendly events in the community. Autism NJ- The Shillelagh Plunge for Autism
In the News, Broadcasts and other updates:
- Behavior Supports and Interventions Website Release – Office of Special Education-The New Jersey Department of Education’s Office of Special Education (OSE) is pleased to announce the launch of a new website, Behavior Supports and Interventions, which provides behavioral resources for schools and families. The website will be hosted on the Office of Special Education website under the Specialized Program’s Interventions, Supports and Initiatives tab.
- Murphy Administration Announces Additional Program Offering Free Air Filtration Purifiers to Help Improve Air Quality in Schools
Tools you can use:
NJCIE- Creating and using Social Stories
At your Leisure:
The Inclusion Think Tank-Episode 19: Staying the Course
Reading Nook
NJDOE Learning Resources Center, shares a curated list of resources for families and educators about autism and “how to promote acceptance in communities and schools”.
