SEPAG UPDATE:
The November 13th SEPAG meeting centered on the topic of collaboration. Guest Speaker Mr. Justin Fiory, Principal of School One Elementary School, shared the importance of collaboration between parents/caregivers (of students receiving Special Education and Related Services) and Schools. Mr. Fiory shared his personal experience and connection to Special Education. He also discussed amongst other things, some ideas and actions that will be taken at School One to continue to collaborate with SEPAG Liaisons and the staff at School One. We look forward to seeing those exciting initiatives come to fruition! Meeting details will be shared in the upcoming days in the Meeting Minutes section on our website.
The December SEPAG Meeting will be a parent/caregiver meeting that will be held in the lower level of the Scotch Plains Library. The format will be open discussion which will allow for sharing information. This will be helpful as we continue to share ongoing themes and establish new themes, in efforts to raise awareness of systemic issues.
As we continue to gather feedback, this form can be used ahead of our meeting to communicate topics and information so that we can prepare for our discussion. Feel free to share with any other parents/caregivers that may find this communication useful. Case specific information should be shared with your Child's case manager.
We are looking for parents who may be interested in being a School Liaison. It's a volunteer, unelected role, which focuses on communication and gathering input. Liaisons represent one of the public schools in the district in which they have at least one child receiving special services.
Some responsibilities of the SPF SEPAG School Liaison are:
Serve as a point person for special education-related matters for their designated school.
Meet with the principal of their designated school at least twice per year to discuss the SPF SEPAG's priorities.
Report special education-related matters trending at their designated schools to the SPF SEPAG Co-Presidents, Secretary, and Public Relations Officer.
Attend SPF SEPAG general meetings providing the parental input they've gathered.
A full listing of the role of SEPAG School Liaison can be found in the SPF SEPAG Bylaws.
If you are interested or know someone who may be, contact us at SPFsepagk12@gmail.com.
SPFK12 HIGHLIGHTS:
Dictionary Day at Evergreen Elementary- On November 15th, "Members of the Fanwood-Scotch Plains Rotary Club visited each classroom to deliver dictionaries to our students and talked about all the ways dictionaries can be used."
Veteran's Day at Brunner Elementary- "Our students were so happy to meet actively serving members of our military as well as children of veterans and even a member of the FBI! Thank you all for your service!"
Flashback- The Fanscotian:The Back to School Night Club Showcase Glittered, but It Did Not Shine
SPECIAL EDUCATION RELATED RESOURCES AND EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEK.
Monday, Nov. 20th
10am-The Arc of NJ- Mondays With Michael (FB live)-Transition Assessments and Services. Mondays with Michael is a Facebook Live series that addresses individual topics related to special education. Episodes take place every Monday at 10am during the school year and feature a 10-15 minute discussion with The Arc of New Jersey's Director of Children's Advocacy, Michael Pearson Jr.
Tuesday, Nov. 21st
12pm-SPAN-Look to the Future: Transition from school to adult life. This workshop will provide information for you and your student on the transition from school to adult life.
UPCOMING & ONGOING EVENTS:
Nov. 27th, 7pm- The Arc of NJ- HOW SERIES: Planning For Transition: Why It Is Vital For Your Student's Future
Nov. 28th, 7pm-Terrill Middle School-Ask The Superintendent. A conversation with Dr. Mast, the SPF Board of Education, and members of the school district.
Nov. 28, 7pm-SPAN-Section 504 and the American Disabilities Act
Nov. 29th, 4pm-Scotch Plains Library-Paw Buddies. 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.
Nov. 29th, 5:30pm-Center for Parent Information & Resources-Effective Communication with the IEP Team. This workshop is for parents who are familiar with the special education process. It 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.
Nov. 30th, 7pm- The Winston School of Short Hills- Experience Dyslexia: A Speaker Series
Nov. 30th, 12pm-SPAN-Student-Led IEPs: A Path to Success
Dec. 4th, 12pm-SPAN-The Changing Role of Families & Youth During Transition
Dec. 6th, 5:30pm-Center for Parent Information & Resources-Resolving Disputes Through the Special Education Process
Dec. 19th, 6:30pm- Children's Specialized Hospital-What is the Purpose & Function of a Behavior? Using simple techniques of ABA therapy.
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 November theme of National Family Engagement Month & National Parental Involvement Day:
12 Teacher Terms Demystified - NAEYC-Short explanations and examples of terms that you may hear teachers use when talking about your young child's education.
Family Engagement Support-A compilation of resources curated by Achievement Network to support your school's family engagement strategy in the following areas: setting up two-way communication, sharing grade-level expectations, demystifying assessment data, providing meaningful math and literacy experiences at home, and supporting families holistically.
Family Guides to Support Learning
College Programs for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Scholarship Opportunities - The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute-Provides information about college programs in New Jersey and scholarship opportunities that are designed specifically for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Special Education and Your Child: FAQs for Multilingual Families - Colorín Colorado-This resource highlights the beginning process of special education, your role as a family, and language concerns. Available in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Diné (Navajo), French, Haitian Creole, Hmong, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
NJ DOE- Community Based Family Resources
- Family Resource Network
- NJ Parent Link Resource Center
- New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD)
IN THE NEWS, BROADCASTS AND UPDATES:
NJDOE-Office of Special Education Online Resources:
Individualized Education Program (IEP) Toolkit, Topics 1-3
Understanding the IDEA and FAPE in Relation to Functional Skills
Fanwoodnj.org- Simulated Crash Drives "Good Decisions" Message
TOOLS YOU CAN USE:
SPAN Literacy
Recognizing Reading Problems-Learning to read is a challenge for many kids, but most can become good readers if they get the right help. Parents have an important job in recognizing when a child is struggling and knowing how to find help. This tip sheet from Reading Rockets will help you know what to look for.
Signs of a Reading Problem-Does your child have a reading problem? This info sheet goes even more in depth to help you identify some of the signs that your child may be a struggling reader. You'll also find possible causes of reading difficulties as well as reasons this may not be a reading problem.
When to Call Your Child's Teacher-Some parents are reluctant to contact their child's teacher. Don't be! A quick conversation or e-mail exchange can solve simple misunderstandings, or make it clear that a longer, more formal conversation is needed.
NJDOE Office of Special Education- Assistive Technology Resources
NJDOE Office of Special Education- Transition Toolkit:The New Jersey Transition Toolkit is
designed to assist school staff and students with disabilities and their families in their efforts to prepare students with disabilities for entry into a successful adult life after high school.
READING NOOK:
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.
