SEPAG Update:
We are pleased to share the SPF Special Education Parent Advisory Group Brochure with you.
We've listened to parent feedback and responded, as this brochure will serve as a means for parents and caregivers to access helpful resources, especially for those that may be new to Special Education, IEPs, 504s and the processes within. It is a best practice used by many SEPAGs and will also aid in bringing awareness of the SPF SEPAG.
The last SPF SEPAG meeting for the 2022-2023 school year will be on Monday, June 5th at the Board of Education Offices at 512 Cedar St., Scotch Plains. The meeting will also be accessible virtually, via Google meet. Meeting topics and details will be shared in the coming days.
SPF Highlight:
Nettingham Middle school shared in their morning announcements on May 19th:
Here's a List of Special Education related resources, events and updates going on this week as well as during the month of June:
Tuesday, May 30th
- 3pm- Center for Parent Information & Resources- Math Talk:Engaging Families and Creating Opportunities for Math Everywhere!
Wednesday, May 31st
- 6pm- The ARC of NJ, Multi-State Guardianships: What every guardian should know before crossing the state line: Learn how to transfer your guardianship to a different state permanently, and how to ensure you can act as guardian when you are in a different state temporarily under the UAGPPJA.
Thursday, June 1st
- 12pm & 7pm-SPAN-Sand, Sun and Stories: How to Make Summer Reading Fun!:Families will learn simple strategies they can do at home to prevent the "summer slide." Part of our Let's Read Together literacy series
Upcoming:
- Monday, June 5th-The ARC of NJ, 1pm-Special Education Webinar Series: An Overview of the New Jersey Department of Education's Transition Toolkit
- Tuesday, June 6th-Union County Special Needs Events- Ceramics
- Tuesday, June 6th-1pm- The Arc of NJ-Special Education Webinar Series: An Overview of the New Jersey Department of Education's Transition Toolkit
- Wednesday, June 7th, 12pm-SPAN-Basic Rights in Special Education
- Wednesday, June 7th, 1pm-Learning Resource Center- Centering Neurodiversity: Elements of Inclusive Classrooms that Honor Students with Sensory, Movement and Communication Differences
- Thursday, June 8th, SPAN- Using Positive Behavior Intervention and Support in School
- Thursday, June 8th-Children's Specialized Hospital:Understand Your Child's IEP
- Friday, June 9th, NJCIE Inclusion Leadership Conference
Later Events
- June-August 2023 NJDOE Office of Special Education-Summer Learning Institute
- June 13th- Union County Special Needs Events- Ceramics
- June 14th, 12pm-SPAN- Key Components of the IEP
- June 20, 12 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:
Wrapping up May-Mental Health Awareness Month
The Learning Resource Center (LRC) Network is a project of the New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education funded through IDEA Part B funds. The materials and resources at the LRC's are provided to support the education of students with disabilities, helping them to succeed and to achieve in the least restrictive environment. LRC shares several resources that are available in support of Mental Health Awareness Month. Here are a couple:
- Webinars | National Center for School Mental Health - Free webinars to promote high-quality, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive school mental health supports and services. Recordings and pdfs of past webinars are available as well.
- Mental Health Month | NAMI - Browse resources for engagement during Mental Health Awareness Month, such as awareness information, social media images and graphics, an event guide with suggested activity descriptions, advocacy tools, and personal stories from people experiencing mental health conditions
In the News, Broadcasts and other updates:
- Parental Rights in Special Education (PRISE)-Revised Parental Rights in Special Education (PRISE) - May 2023
- For Educators: NJDOE Speech and Language Community of Practice
- Governor Murphy Announces Additional Investment of Over $5.5 Million for Statewide School Security Initiative
Tools you can use:
At your Leisure:
- NJCIE: Tips for Developing Helping Your Child Develop Self-Advocacy Skills
- NJ Partnership for Student Success: Ensuring Equity to Close Achievement Gaps
Reading Nook:
The Learning Resource Center:
