SEPAG Update:
Our last meeting of this school year was on June 5th at theBOE Offices. The meeting was requested by SEPAG (based on parent input) and held in collaboration with the Department of Special Services. The High School Transition Forum was facilitated by Mrs. Andrea Tomesko (Supervisor of Special Services) and members of the High School CST. A range of topics were covered, including; Block Scheduling, Class electives, Clubs/Athletics, graduation requirements and more. For more detail the presentation slides can be reviewed here. The June SPF SEPAG Meeting Minutes will be posted to the SEPAG site in the coming days and will give more detail inclusive of the Q&A portions of the presentation.
SPF Highlight:
SPF Summer Reading Hub- Visit the link for Summer reading and literacy assignments, recommendations, and resources for Elementary through High School readers.
Here's a List of Special Education related resources, events and updates going on this week as well throughout the Summer:
Monday, June 12th
- 10am-The Arc of NJ-Mondays with Michael: My Child Starts Kindergarten Next Year. 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, June 13th
- 9:30am-Kean University's Liberty Academic Center-Union County Mental Health Roundtable focusing on Children & Youth & Access to Behavioral Health Services
- 12:30pm- Center for Parent Information & Resources-Turning 18: What Happens Now? WAZE to Adulthood Webinar Series for Parents and Professionals. This webinar is for parents and professionals of transition-age youth with disabilities and will cover many of the "things to know" when approaching adulthood.
- 7pm-SPAN-Assistive Technology for Note Taking Support:Note taking is an essential skill for middle school, high school, and college students. For those with disabilities, note taking can be stressful, difficult, and frustrating. This webinar breaks down the note taking process and presents examples of assistive technology that support it.
Wednesday, June 14th
- 12pm-SPAN- Key Components of the IEP:A review of the essential components of an Individualized Education Plan.
Friday, June 16th
- 12pm-Center for Parent Information & Resources-Communication Skills Webinar. Communicating effectively with professionals that provide services to your child is key to obtaining and maintaining services.
Upcoming & Summer activities
Paint by the Park
Paint by the Pond
Sensory Friendly Summer Camp
- June-August 2023 NJDOE Office of Special Education-Summer Learning Institute
- June 20, 12 pm-AAC in the Cloud 2023: The Power of One
- July 8th, 7:30pm- Union County to Celebrate 33rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with a Night Out with the New York Red Bulls
- 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:
Summer Learning Literacy
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 their Summer Learning Series that support literacy enhancement and development throughout the Summer:
Also, check out our local Libraries for resources that support Summer reading:
In the News, Broadcasts and other updates:
Tools you can use:
- NJ DOE OSEP FAQs regarding ESY
- NJ OSE, Special Education Opportunities for Action, Learning and Collaboration:Miniseries on Supporting Students' Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Academic Well-Being and Success
- NJ DOE, OSE-Transition to Adult Life
At your Leisure:
- The Best Inclusive & Accessible Playgrounds in New Jersey
- NJ Special Needs Summer Camps
- 8 Summer Activities for Kids in Special Education
- Office of Special Education E-Learning Opportunities
Reading Nook:
As shared by the Fanwood Library: Read Together Be Together, where parents can find reading tips, book lists, and resources.
The information on this website/newsletter is for general informational purposes only. SPF-SEPAG makes no representation or warranty, express or implied. Your use of the information is solely at your own discretion. This website/newsletter may contain links to third party content that are not controlled or operated by the SPF SEPAG. Your use of third-party websites is at your own risk and subject to the terms and conditions of use for those websites.
