Weekly Communication for the Week of September 8, 2025

Weekly Communication for the Week of September 8, 2025

Welcome Back to School

Welcome to your weekly source of information and support. We've compiled a list of events and resources to help parents and caregivers in the special education community in Union County and across New Jersey. The new executive board, elected at the end of last school year, includes the following members:

• Peter Falco as Co-President.
• Suzanne Schneider as Co-President
• Leilani Fevrier as Public Relations coordinator

The Executive Board can all be reached at: spfsepagk12@gmail.com

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Upcoming Events

Here are some of the workshops and support opportunities scheduled for the upcoming week:

• SPF-SEPAG Meeting (In-Person & Virtual)

  • Date: Monday, September 15, 2025

  • Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET

  • Location: Terrill Middle School

  • Virtual Link: https://meet.google.com/jxx-btgv-tuw

This meeting will serve as an introductory session for families to meet the new Director of Special Services, Ms. Marisa Stefani, along with other district leadership and staff.

• Breaking the Cycle: Addressing Chronic Absenteeism in Schools (Virtual)

  • Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025

  • Time: 11:00 AM

  • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breaking-the-cycle-addressing-chronic-absenteeism-in-schools-registration-1008443941977

  • Details: Hosted by the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, this webinar provides a solution-focused presentation on the impact of chronic absenteeism on student learning and success.

• Parent Circles: Big Emotions After School (Virtual)

  • Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025

  • Time: 10:00 AM

  • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-jersey-inclusive-child-care-present-parent-circles-tickets-1568272347809

  • Details: Join a space for real conversation and shared wisdom with other parents and caregivers of young children. This event is a project of the New Jersey Family Engagement Hub.

• Demystifying "New Math" for Families (Virtual)

  • Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025

  • Time: 2:00 PM

  • Link: https://www.passaicresourcenet.org/news-events/events/demystifying-new-math-for-families-how-centering-student-brilliance-builds-trusting-family-partnerships/

  • Details: This interactive webinar is designed to equip families with practical strategies to support math learning at home. It aims to help build trusting partnerships between families and schools.

• Look to the Future: Transition from School to Adult Life (Virtual)

  • Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025

  • Time: 3:30 PM PDT (6:30 PM EDT)

  • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/look-to-the-future-transition-from-school-to-adult-life-registration-1510850828499

  • Details: This workshop focuses on helping families plan for a student's transition to adult life after their formal education ends.

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Ongoing Programs & Resources

• The Arc of Union County: Offers ongoing recreation and leisure activities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  • Website: https://arcunion.org/

• Family Support Organization of Union County: This organization offers support groups and educational presentations on various topics.

  • Website: http://www.fso-union.org/

• NAMI NJ: Provides weekly support groups for adults who have family members with mental health conditions.

  • Website: https://www.naminj.org/

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Note: All information is based on publicly available data for the upcoming week. For the most up-to-date information, please check the event organizers' websites directly.