Monthly Archives: October 2016
West Essex SEPAC – Navigating The College Admissions Process for Special Needs Students. Nov. 8, 2016. 7- 9 P.M.
West Essex SEPAC has kindly invited Bloomfield Parents to attend this Workshop geared to helping parents of special needs students deal with their child’s college applications.
SEPAC Post-Meeting Report
Thank you to everyone that attended our Bloomfield SEPAC Meeting last night at Demarest School. The Meeting began with a special presentation to Brookdale Elementary School Educator, Mr. Jason Triano. Mr. Triano received the SEPAC Certificate of Appreciation for his dedicated, outstanding and ongoing contributions and support of our organization for many years. 
Next up, Bloomfield School District Director of Special Services, Ms. Linda Colucci presented a moving film about the VEST, Special Education Program in Bloomfield High School.
Bloomfield Schools Superintendent Salvatore Goncalves answered a series of questions about our schools including, grant funding, security, participation in extra-curricular activities for special needs students, anti-bullying measures, having your special needs child evaluated,The ESSA Act and Charter Schools.
Ms. Colucci described new technologies available in our schools, including the trial introduction of Chrome Books. Special Services Supervisor Keri Regina explained about parents working with the school to try to obtain permission to use special accommodations from the www.https://www.collegeboard.org/students-with-disabilities for PSAT and SAT Testing.
The Meeting closed with our usual session with The Marvelous Marble. 
Our SEPAC Parents gave thanks and praise for recent achievements by their kids and the Bloomfield Schools Staff. Thank you to all parents, Teachers and Administrators who came out to participate in our Meeting. Extra special thanks to Demarest Principal, Mary Todaro for the use and abuse of her School Library, her warm, gracious hospitality and her information about the STORIA Reading App.
Our next Meeting will be November 16, 2016 at Oakview Schools, with special emphasis on ABA Methods that Parents can learn to use with their child at home.
First Bloomfield SEPAC Meeting of the School Year, 10-19-16 at DEMAREST School! 7- 9 P.M.
Our Special Guest Speaker will be Bloomfield Schools Superintendent Salvatore L. Goncalves with Questions & Answers from Bloomfield Parents.
SPAN/START Presents: Developing a Special Education Parent Advisory Group, 10/18, in Waldwick, N.J.
The START Project, SPAN, and the
Waldwick SPAG
Present the workshop
Developing and Implementing an Effective SEPAG
This workshop is designed to have open conversation about developing or reorganizing a district Special Education Parent Advisory Group.
Anyone interested in understanding the function of an effective SEPAG or would like more information to run or start a group is welcome.
All school districts in New Jersey are required to “ensure that a special education parent advisory group is in place in the district to provide input to the district on issues concerning students with disabilities” (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-1.2h).
Date: Tuesday, October 18th, 2016
Time: 7pm
Location: Waldwick High School Little Theater
155 Wyckoff Ave., Waldwick, NJ
PRESENTER: Myriam Alizo, Parent Group Specialist, START Project (SPAN)
Parents and educators of children who are already receiving special education services and parents and educators of children who are having difficulty in school but may have not been determined to be eligible for special education services will benefit from this training.
To register go to: http://waldwickspag.eventbrite.com
Or RSVP: Carolyn Kedzierski at 201-445-3340
Empowered Families:
Educated, Engaged, Effective!
The START Project is a collaboration of the New Jersey Department of Education
Office of Special Education (NJOSE)and Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN)
Funded by IDEA Part B funds.
Office of Special Education (NJOSE)and Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN)
Funded by IDEA Part B funds.
SAT/ACT Workshop, 10/18/16 at West Essex High School in North Caldwell.
The kind folks of West Essex SEPAC have invited our Bloomfield Parents to a workshop about the SAT/ACT College Entrance Tests; the choices between the two, and also how these exams relate to Special Needs Students. October 18, 2016 from 7 – 9 P.M.at West Essex Highs School in North Caldwell. Please contact cathyedd@cs.com if you plan to attend.
Health Advocacy Workshop in Nutley, Dec. 15, 201. Presented by NJ SPAN.
Montclair State University is hosting ReelAbilities, A Film Festival Relating to those with Disabilities in November.
Press here for more information in the Film Festival and to Register for Tickets.
http://montclair.reelabilities.org/films-and-events/
(With Special thanks to Mr. Michael Heller for providing this information.)