SEPAG Update:
The next SEPAG meeting will be on Monday, May 8th at 7pm at the BOE offices. There is also the option to join the meeting via Google Meet. We look forward to the meeting which will be facilitated by the SPF Department of Special Services. DOSS will lead a discussion on Middle School, focusing on topics specific to Special Education and Related Services, as students progress and transition from grades 4 to 5 and grades 5 to 6.
SPF Highlight:
As also featured in the Superintendent's April Newsletter; Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Seniors Earn Gold at Special Olympics
Here's a List of Special Education related resources, events and updates going on this week:
Sunday, Apr. 30th
- 3pm & 5pm-The Center for Creativity at the Rialto (Westfield) Autism Awareness Month Event: Rocco Up Film Screening and Talk
Monday, May 1st
- 10am-The ARC of NJ, College Programs in New Jersey. Join every Monday at 10am on Facebook Live for a brief (10-15 min) 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, May 2nd
- 2pm- The ARC of NJ, Webinar: Financial Literacy
Wednesday, May 3rd
- 6pm-The ARC of NJ-HOW SERIES: Planning for Transition: Why It Is Vital For Your Student's Future And SSI and Medicaid
- Through May 7th -New York Metro Abilities Expo
Upcoming: ( A couple of additions are included here. Most are the same from last week's communication)
- NJSLA SPFSpring Testing Schedule
- Sunday, May 7th-Turtle Back Zoo, SPARK for Autism Free day at the Zoo
- Monday, May 8th, 10am-The ARC of NJ, Creating a Summer Plan
- Tuesday, May 9th, 7pm-ASAH, Securing the Future for Your Child with special Needs: Financial and Estate Planning
- Wednesday, May 10th,1pm- NJDOE shares The US Department office of Special Education Programs Expect, Engage, Empower: Successful Transitions for All!
- May 11th, 10am-12:30pm- RWJBH Children's Specialized Hospital, Navigating the Journey: A Medical Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders
- 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
Later Events
- May 24th, 6:30pm-Children's Specialized Hospital, Parent Workshop on Health and Wellness
- May 31st, 7:30pm- SPAN, Staying Connected as a Couple While Raising a Neurodivergent Child
- June-August 2023 NJDOE Office of Special Education-Summer Learning Institute
- June 9th, NJCIE Inclusion Leadership Conference
- Tuesday, June 20, 2023, 12:00 PM-AAC in the Cloud 2023: The Power of One
- July 10 – 22, 2023-A Westside Experiment Young Actors Laboratory-IRT is a grassroots laboratory for independent theater and performance in New York City, providing space and support to a new generation of artists.
Monthly Themes:
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May 7th-13th is Children's Mental Health Week- See resources from Parent Professional Advocacy League as shared by SPAN.
Rowan University and its Learning Resource Center share several resources that are available in support of Mental Health Awareness Month. Here are a couple:
- ADHD and Depression-Understood provides three quick tips for parents and teachers, a brief overview of the relationship between ADHD and depression, and resources to dive deeper.
- Preventing Suicide in Youth: What Parents Need to Know | InfoAboutKids-A brief overview of suicide and mental health, including a debunking of related myths, signs to look for, tips for talking to youth, and resources to help.
NJDOE Office of Special Education - Mental Health Support for Students with Disabilities
May 14th -20th is Special Education Week in New Jersey. Governor's Special Education Week Proclamation (Pending)
In the News, Broadcasts and other updates:
Tools you can use:
- Center for Parent Information & Resources-Suggestions for Involving Students in Selecting and Implementing Accommodations
- Scotch Plains and Fanwood Libraries-Libraries and Autism
- State of NJ Parent Link- The Early Childhood, Parenting and Professional Resource Center
- Remember that NJSLA testing begins this week. Here's a useful tool from New Jersey Assessment Resources Center-NJSLA practice Tests. A practice test for each grade and subject is available to familiarize yourself with the kinds of items, tools and format used for the tests.
At your Leisure:
The Inclusion Think Tank-Episode 7: Inclusive Education, a Former General Ed Teacher's Perspective
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