Monthly Archives: October 2016

Bloomfield SEPAC 8:30 pm on October 24, 2016  

Montclair SEPAC Meeting 10-25-16

From  the kind folks at Montclair SEPAC:

Our first general meeting of the 2016-2017 school year will be held this Tuesday, October 25th at 7:30pm in the Bullock school library (55 Washington Street).  Our speaker, Paula Lieb, Esq. is a senior consultant and CEO emeritus of NJCIE.  She has vast experience working with parents and school districts around best practices for children with special needs.  Paula will join us for a presentation on learning to communicate your child’s needs with the school district in an effective and collaborative manner.  In addition, Dr. Ted Kozlik, the interim director of special services, will be at the meeting to meet families and briefly address the group.  We hope you can join us!

Please be advised, we are unable to offer babysitting services at this meeting.  Tuesday’s meeting is for adults and older students (high school age and older) only.  Please contact us at montclairsepac@gmail.com with any questions.  

Bloomfield SEPAC 5:09 pm on October 20, 2016  

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. jasonwith-brookers

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. 20140918_094943_resized

   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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bloomfield SEPAC 8:40 am on October 13, 2016  

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.
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.
Bloomfield SEPAC 9:21 am on October 4, 2016  

Brain Injury Alliance of NJ -Fall Family Conference. Oct. 15, 2016

The Brain Injury Alliance of NJ (the Alliance) will be hosting its 3rd Annual Fall Family Conference on Saturday, October 15, 2016, from 8:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M. (Registration begins at 7:30 A.M.) at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick, NJ.  The Family Conference assists individuals with brain injury, families and caregivers enhance their quality of life by providing a forum for them to socialize and network with peers, while participating in workshops that will inform and educate.

 Workshop topics include:

Special Education and Advocacy

Yoga for Health and Happiness

Nutrition for Brain Health

Caregivers Workshop

 New this year is our “Social Lounge”, which was developed to encourage socialization and interaction in a safe and protected environment, while caregivers have the opportunity to attend an exclusive workshop on caregiving.  The Social Lounge will also allow individuals to enjoy activities, and healthy snacks in a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere.

Registration is limited, so anyone who is interested in attending is encouraged to register as soon as possible by going online to register at http://bianj.org/fall-family-conference/