SEPAG MEETING:
The next SEPAG meeting will be on April 8th at 7pm at the Board of Education Office at 512 Cedar Street, Scotch Plains.
We welcome Parents/Caregivers to come in person and engage with the SEPAG. Meeting topics will cover the SEPAG Executive Board nomination and election process, the SPF District's actions for Autism Acceptance, as well as a recap of the March meeting. For those that are unable to make it in person, please join via Google meet here.
For all SEPAG meeting dates and topics visit the meeting information tab on the SEPAG site.
Prior meetings' Minutes can be found on our website here for your viewing.
SEPAG UPDATE:
The SPF SEPAG will be meeting with Dr. Mast and Dr. Rebimbas this month to go over feedback we have received at SEPAG meetings, as well as our Parent/Caregiver only meeting held in March. We are still gathering information and feedback for this meeting, and would like to hear from you by filling out our Satisfaction Survey. The survey is anonymous, and feedback will be shared with administration with the strictest of confidence. Please take a moment to fill it out by Monday. We thank you in advance for sharing your experience with us.
SEPAG EXECUTIVE BOARD NOMINATIONS:
On April 1st, an email from the District was sent to parents/caregivers of students receiving services to communicate that the SPF SEPAG is conducting nominations for its Executive Board. The SPF SEPAG Executive Board consists of 2 Co-Presidents, a Secretary, and a Public Relations Chair. A nomination period will extend through April 8th. We kindly ask that you submit your nominations through the google form linked in the email. Please include full names and positions for which you are nominating your nominee. We welcome you to submit nominees for one or all positions. Please note that the nomination period will end at 5:00 PM on April 8th, and elections will be open at our May meeting on May 6, 2024, at the BOE offices. Location details and links can be found on the SPF SEPAG website.
SPF K12 Highlights & Information
School One celebrates neurodiversity. This bulletin board is in the main lobby of School One. It highlights several notable people with disabilities.
SPECIAL EDUCATION RELATED RESOURCES AND EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEK:
Monday, Apr. 8th
Various Dates-Union County Recreation Programs for People With Disabilities
7pm-SPF SEPAG Meeting at the BOE Offices
Tuesday, Apr. 9th
12pm-SPAN-Paperwork for Families.Want to be better prepared for that next meeting at school? Join us for this hands-on workshop to finally get those papers organized so you can more effectively advocate for your child.
1pm-The Center for Parent Information and Resources-Play with Me! How Games and Playtime Can Help Your Child Learn Math. Join for an engaging session to learn how games, puzzles and playtime can be opportunities to promote children's math learning.
Wednesday, Apr. 10th- SPF Schools will be closed
5:30pm-The Center for Parent Information and Resources-Resolving Disputes Through The Special Education Process
UPCOMING & ONGOING EVENTS:
Apr. 18th, 6:30pm-The Calais School Transition Fair
Apr. 20th, 10am-Union County Autism Celebration
Apr. 24th,6:30pm-SPAN-Essential Components of the IEP
Apr. 24th, 7pm-SPAN-Helping Your Child Finish the School Year Strong
Apr. 25th, 6:30pm-All Kids Belong: The Importance of LRE/Inclusion
May 6th, 10am-The Arc of NJ-Summer Camp Options and Assistance
May 7th, 10an-Children's Specialized Hospital-Navigating the Journey: A Medical Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders - Children's Specialized Hospital
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. The following information is a selection of some of the resources and information shared by the LRC as they highlight Awareness Themes for the month of April. During the month of April, the LRC moves beyond #AutismAwareness and celebrate #AutismAcceptance by recognizing and embracing #Neurodiversity.
April Is Autism Acceptance Month, Not Autism Awareness Month - April is known for spring, flowers, and Autism Acceptance Month. Yet, autism rights groups are asking schools and the media to focus on the inclusion and acceptance of those with different neurologies. This starts with the small, but significant, change from Autism Awareness to Autism Acceptance Language matters.
Welcome to the Autistic Community - This website features a book by ASAN for autistic people who want to learn what being autistic means and non-autistic people who want to learn how to support autistic people. Read online or download for free.
Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) - A nonprofit organization run by and for autistic individuals that fights for disability rights and empowers the autistic community to amplify their voices through policy and legal advocacy, educational resources, advocacy tools, and leadership training. Learn more about the importance of Identity-First Language.
NJ DOE Office of Special Education Autism in New Jersey Resources
Center for Disease Control Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network
Parents of Autistic Children (POAC
IN THE NEWS, BROADCASTS AND UPDATES:
NJDOE-Solar Eclipse Guidance
NJDOE-Release of the 2022-2023 School Performance Reports
TapInto Scotch Plains Fanwood-Scotch Plains-Fanwood SPFK12 District Unveils 2024-25 Budget
TapInto Scotch Plains/Fanwood-SPFK12 District Names New Principal for Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School
RESOURCES & TOOLS YOU CAN USE:
NJDOE- Office of Special Education Resources
NJDOE-Autism Program Quality Indicators -Revised
Fanwood Memorial Library-The Monica Reiss Autism Resources Collection
AT YOUR LEISURE:
Kicksaddict-Foot Locker x Sesame Street x Crocs for "Be Seen" Campaign in Honor of World Autism Day
Sesame Workshop-Sesame Workshop Launches New Resources in Celebration of Autism Acceptance Month
DisabilityScoop-White House Embraces Autism 'Acceptance' Over 'Awareness'
NJCIE- The Inclusion Think Tank Podcast Episode 41: The Possibility of Inclusion. A parent advocate shares his family's story of working toward inclusion in his daughter's school district.
READING NOOK:
McGinn School Librarian-Mr. Lohn Reads Since We're Friends: An Autism Picture Book
Speech Bubbles 1, by Melissa Palmer
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.
