SEPAG UPDATE:
The next SEPAG meeting will be on May 6, 2024 at the BOE offices. The nomination period ended on 4/8 for the SEPAG Exec Board elections. Updates and announcements on the election will be shared at the May 6th meeting. Meeting information can be viewed here on the SEPAG site.
We are always looking for parents who may be interested in joining the SEPAG. Being a School Liaison is one way to participate. 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 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.
SPF K12 Highlights & Information
TapInto Scotch Plains/Fanwood-Softball: Scotch Plains-Fanwood Wins Two Games at Autism Awareness Tournament, Improves to 4-2
SPECIAL EDUCATION RELATED RESOURCES AND EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEK:
Monday, Apr. 22nd
10am-The Arc of NJ- Mondays With Michael (FB live)-The ADA in 10 Minutes. Mondays with Michael is a Facebook Live series that addresses individual topics related to special education. Episodes feature a 10-15 minute discussion with The Arc of New Jersey's Director of Children's Advocacy, Michael Pearson Jr.
Tuesday, Apr. 23rd
1pm-Center for Parent Information and Resources-Thriving and Healthy Kids: We All Have a Role to Play in Promoting Positive Childhood Experiences Webinar
Wednesday, Apr. 24th
4:15pm- Scotch Plains Public 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.
6:30pm-SPAN-Essential Components of the IEP. This interactive workshop provides participants with a description of the essential components of an Individualized Education Plan.
7pm-SPAN-Helping Your Child Finish the School Year Strong. Join to learn what families can do to ensure student success in the final weeks of the school year
Thursday, Apr. 25th
6:30pm-All Kids Belong: The Importance of LRE/Inclusion. The presentation will provide an overview of the IEP process, describes the legal requirements for Least Restrictive Environment.
UPCOMING & ONGOING EVENTS:
Apr. 30th, 1pm-Center for Parent Information and Resources-Webinar - Collaboration: Schools and Families Partnering for Success
May 6th, 10am-The Arc of NJ-Summer Camp Options and Assistance
May 7th, 10am-Children's Specialized Hospital-Navigating the Journey: A Medical Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders - Children's Specialized Hospital
May 14th, 10am-Children's Specialized Hospital-Navigating the Journey: Recreation Therapy and Community Connections
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 of Autism Acceptance and National Poetry Month (amongst others) for the month of April. During the month of April, the LRC moves beyond #AutismAwareness and celebrate #AutismAcceptance by recognizing and embracing #Neurodiversity.
A nonspeaking valedictorian with autism gives her college's commencement speech | NPR - A news article putting the spotlight on Rollins College's 2022 valedictorian, Elizabeth Bonker. Watch Bonker's commencement speech and read about her experiences, heroes, and future plans.
Rowan University Center for Neurodiversity aims to situate neurodiversity in its DEI initiatives and to value the neurodiversity culture. For more information on programming, research and resources, please visit go.rowan.edu/neurodiversity
April is also National Poetry Month
Amanda Gorman, Youth Poet Laureate, has speech and auditory processing issues - A biographical article by Understood on Amanda Gorman, describing her experiences in school and her journey to becoming the nation's first Youth Poet Laureate in 2017.
The Poetry Learning Lab | Poetry Foundation - Curated resources for children, teens, adults, and educators, including poems, videos, articles, featured poets, podcasts, poem guides, and more!
Poems at Home - Reading Rockets briefly explains the benefits of sharing poetry with your children, along with how to plan a family poetry! Also available in Spanish
Favorite Poem Project | Boston University - Short videos of Americans reading a poem they love and explaining its significance in their lives.
IN THE NEWS, BROADCASTS AND UPDATES:
NJDOE-Speech-Language Services Eligibility
TapInto Scotch Plains/Fanwood
RESOURCES & TOOLS YOU CAN USE:
NJDOE Office of Special Education-IEP Development and Resources
NJDOE Office of Special Education-Inclusive Education Practices
AT YOUR LEISURE:
NJCIE-Episode 42: The Possibility of Inclusion: Part 2. On today's episode, I welcome Vikas back for part 2 of our conversation. Vikas is a parent advocate, and as we continue our conversation Vikas shares what advice he has for schools and for parents who are on this inclusive education Journey.
Autism New Jersey-New Law Enhances School Emergency Planning Requirements for Students with Disabilities
NJDOE Office of Special Education-Wandering and Elopement
READING NOOK:
ASAN (Autistic Self Advocacy Network)-Don't Mourn for Us-by Jim Sinclair
Goodreads.com I Am Not a Label: "34 disabled artists, thinkers, athletes and activists from past and present by Cerrie Burnell. Short illustrated biographies of people who have faced unique challenges and are trailblazers, innovators, advocates, and artists and legends in their fields".
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.
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