SPF-SEPAG COMMUNICATION FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 25th
SEPAG UPDATE:
The Scotch Plains Fanwood Board of Education held its 2nd meeting of the school year on Wednesday 9/20, where the board shared its’ Opening of Schools Presentation. BOE SEPAG Liaison Amy Borfoff, gave her Liaison report and highlighted some of the work being done by the Special Education Advisory Group. Dr. Rebimbas also discussed how the Department of Special Services has used feedback gathered from parents, by SEPAG.
The meeting can be viewed here. The SEPAG BOE Liaison report starts at the 1:06:52 mark.
The upcoming SEPAG Meeting on 10/16/23 at 7PM ET will be focused on the role of the Liaisons and to gather your feedback in planning for this upcoming school year. At this meeting the SEPAG will review and approve the 2022-23 EOY Report as well as the proposed 2023-24 meeting theme plan. The meeting will also focus on work being done by current members for this school year and will provide an opportunity for parents and guardians who have an interest in joining to ask questions and see what the SEPAG is like. We look forward to your presence in person at the BOE office at 512 Cedar St. SP, orvirtually via this link. Your input is vital and as we continue to seek Parent/Caregiver feedback, please use this form to share any feedback you may have.
Remember that all things SEPAG including meeting dates, meeting minutes and other helpful resource can be found on our website. We continue to seek parent feedback and that can be shared via our parent information form here. Please share with anyone that you think this may be useful to. We look forward to a productive and collaborative year!
SPF HIGHLIGHTS:
Fingerprints of Kindness-Terrill Middle School- Students wrote messages of kindness and assembled them in the shape of fingerprints
Local Teen Running an Adaptive Lacrosse Clinic
“Hi, My name is Elissa and I am in 10th grade at SPF High School. I have been playing lacrosse since kindergarten and am currently the varsity goalie at the high school. Over the summer I worked with USA lacrosse and our town lacrosse program, James Seymour, to begin the first adaptive lacrosse program in Scotch Plains/Fanwood. With their help and support I will be able to help all children experience the sport that I love. I will be running the clinics, with the help of my mom who is a special education teacher, at the high school on October 8, 15, and 29 from 4-5PM. Here is the link to sign up if anyone is interested. It is a program for all ages starting in kindergarten. If you have any questions please reach out: elissalac07@gmail.com
I am also looking for buddies for the players that sign up. If interested please reach out”. Scotch Plains Fanwood Lacrosse Club
SPECIAL EDUCATION RELATED RESOURCES AND EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEK:
Monday, Sept. 25th
3pm-SPAN-Tools and Strategies for Independent Living Advocates Mentoring Families of Children with Disabilities-Join this webinar to hear from a panel with lived experience about how families and CILs can collaborate to support the self-determination, empowerment, and independent living goals of youth preparing for and experiencing transition.
Tuesday, Sept. 26th
1pm Center for Parent Information-White House Forum on Disability Rights for the, 50th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
7:30pm-Center for Parent Information- Understanding Special Education : Part 1: IDEA, the Big Picture. Participants will gain an overall understanding of special education, the steps in the special education process, and how to request an educational evaluation.
Wednesday, Sept. 27th
12pm-SPAN- From Measurable Goals To Making Progress. Strategies to create IEPs with measurable annual goals as well as the required information regarding student progress.
4pm- Scotch Plains Library- Paw Buddies. Children are invited to practice their reading with a trained therapy animal at this program.
Thursday, Sept. 28th
SPF Middle Schools Back to School Night- Single session day (dismissal 12:20pm). See BTS memo for Nettingham MS
6:30pm-SPAN-Student-Led Ieps: A Path To Success
7pm-Decoding Dyslexia-Back to School for Parents: A Virtual Literacy Boot Camp Series
Saturday, Sept. 30th
1pm-Union county recreation for people with disabilities-Barn Dance-for Special needs Individuals.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Oct. 5th, 12pm-SPAN-Basic Rights in Special Education
Oct. 5th, 6:30pm- RWJBarnabas-Protecting Your Child from Illegal Informal Removals-Children's Specialized Hospital
Oct. 10th, 7pm-SPAN-The IEP and Assistive Technology: What Are Your Rights?
October 11th, 6:30pm- RWJBarnabas-Building Positive Relationships with your Special Education Team and School District
October 13th- The College of New Jersey- Educators Briefing
Oct. 18th & Dec. 6th-Learning Resource Center-Building Mathematical Routines
October 26th, 10am-RWJBarnabas-A Medical Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders
MONTHLY THEMES:
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 these resources as a part of it’s Back to School theme for the month of September:
IN THE NEWS, BROADCASTS AND UPDATES:
NJDOE-Guidance for Graduation Requirements by Content Area for Students with Disabilities
TOOLS YOU CAN USE:
NJ DOE- Youth Mental Health Resources
NJ OSE-Guidance for Graduation Requirements by Content Area for Students with Disabilities
AT YOUR LEISURE:
Kean University Restorative Justice Project
READING NOOK:
Leaders Around Me: Autobiographies of Autistics who Type, Point, and Spell to Communicate
