Sunday, December 19, 2010
New 2011 SEPAC Meeting Dates
Future 2011 dates include the 2nd Tuesday nights of each month: January 11th, Feb 8th, March 8th, April 12th, May 10th, June 14th.
Friday, December 10, 2010
The Cutting Edge: What’s new in the world of Special Education Research?
Find out (from the US Department of Education) at:
http://dww.ed.gov/site/ - Doing What Works – Research-based Education Practices Online - Doing What Works (DWW) is a website sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. The goal of DWW is to create an online library of resources that may help teachers, schools, districts, states and technical assistance providers implement research-based instructional practice.
http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/ - What Works Clearinghouse – US Department of Education –A central and trusted source of scientific evidence for what works in education, latest research studies.
http://www.rti4success.org - National Center on Response to Intervention (RTI), US Office of Special Education Programs, presentations on strategies for assessment & interventions.
http://dww.ed.gov/site/ - Doing What Works – Research-based Education Practices Online - Doing What Works (DWW) is a website sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. The goal of DWW is to create an online library of resources that may help teachers, schools, districts, states and technical assistance providers implement research-based instructional practice.
http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/ - What Works Clearinghouse – US Department of Education –A central and trusted source of scientific evidence for what works in education, latest research studies.
http://www.rti4success.org - National Center on Response to Intervention (RTI), US Office of Special Education Programs, presentations on strategies for assessment & interventions.
Georgetown PAC 2011 Meeting Schedule (tentative)
January 11, 2011 –
• Perley & Penn Brook Parents
o Pizza
o In depth program profile, modifications & accommodations
• Middle School and High School Parents
o Spagetti Dinner prepared by students
o In depth program profile, modifications & accommodations
February 8, 2011– Parents Rights Workshop and IDEA 2004
Referral, Evaluation, Timelines, Eligibility, IEP Development, Conflict Resolution Options
March 12, 2011 – An IEP for my child – Federation for Children with Special needs
- IEP & the General Curriculum
- Filling out each section of the IEP
- Accountability for progress
- Progress reporting
April 8, 2011 – Advocate Roundtable- The Role of an Advocate – Sue Terzakis
- Educates parents on resources, rights, processes
- Helps parents to make understand the evaluation process/testing
- IEP assistance/educational plan development
- Resolves conflicts & build positive relationships bet. Parents & schools
May 10, 2011 – Dr. Troy Carr, Psychologist
Role of a school psychologist and information on the assessment process, the importance of selecting the right tests. Social-emotional services, interventions and accommodations.
June 14, 2011 – Our Final Meeting & Staff Appreciation
- Introductions
o Staff, past experience, qualifications, current position/role
- Philosophy/Vision for Special Education Programs
- Program Development
o Where we have been, Where we are, Where we are going
- Communication
- Parent introductions/questions
- Parent Ideas for PAC
• Perley & Penn Brook Parents
o Pizza
o In depth program profile, modifications & accommodations
• Middle School and High School Parents
o Spagetti Dinner prepared by students
o In depth program profile, modifications & accommodations
February 8, 2011– Parents Rights Workshop and IDEA 2004
Referral, Evaluation, Timelines, Eligibility, IEP Development, Conflict Resolution Options
March 12, 2011 – An IEP for my child – Federation for Children with Special needs
- IEP & the General Curriculum
- Filling out each section of the IEP
- Accountability for progress
- Progress reporting
April 8, 2011 – Advocate Roundtable- The Role of an Advocate – Sue Terzakis
- Educates parents on resources, rights, processes
- Helps parents to make understand the evaluation process/testing
- IEP assistance/educational plan development
- Resolves conflicts & build positive relationships bet. Parents & schools
May 10, 2011 – Dr. Troy Carr, Psychologist
Role of a school psychologist and information on the assessment process, the importance of selecting the right tests. Social-emotional services, interventions and accommodations.
June 14, 2011 – Our Final Meeting & Staff Appreciation
- Introductions
o Staff, past experience, qualifications, current position/role
- Philosophy/Vision for Special Education Programs
- Program Development
o Where we have been, Where we are, Where we are going
- Communication
- Parent introductions/questions
- Parent Ideas for PAC
Monday, December 6, 2010
What is being a special parent like (an old favorite)?
WELCOME TO HOLLAND
c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved (Thank you for understanding, Emily!:) )
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss. But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.
c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved (Thank you for understanding, Emily!:) )
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss. But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.
Best Picks for MA SEPAC Websites...great sources of info!
Other Special Ed Advisory Council Websites with lots of great information!
www.absepac.org - Acton-Boxborough Special Education Parent Advisory Council
www.andoversepac.org - Andover SEPAC
www.brooklinesepac.org - Brookline SEPAC
www.concordspedpac.org - Concord SEPAC
www.concordspedpac.org/Pacs-in-Mass.html - Alphabetical listing--117 Mass SPED PAC sites
www.cohassetsepac.org - Cohasset Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
www.lexsepac.org - Lexington SEPAC
www.masspac.org - Massachusetts Association of Special Education Parent Advisory Councils
http://www.northandoverpublicschools.com/parent/naps_parent_advisory_council.cfm
www.ssepac.org - Sharon Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC)
www.westonpac.org - WestonPAC for Special Education
www.winspecialedpac.com - Winchester Special Education Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
www.absepac.org - Acton-Boxborough Special Education Parent Advisory Council
www.andoversepac.org - Andover SEPAC
www.brooklinesepac.org - Brookline SEPAC
www.concordspedpac.org - Concord SEPAC
www.concordspedpac.org/Pacs-in-Mass.html - Alphabetical listing--117 Mass SPED PAC sites
www.cohassetsepac.org - Cohasset Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
www.lexsepac.org - Lexington SEPAC
www.masspac.org - Massachusetts Association of Special Education Parent Advisory Councils
http://www.northandoverpublicschools.com/parent/naps_parent_advisory_council.cfm
www.ssepac.org - Sharon Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC)
www.westonpac.org - WestonPAC for Special Education
www.winspecialedpac.com - Winchester Special Education Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
A Parent Guide to Executive Function: Facts and Solutions
Wondering what Executive Function...deficits?....are all about?
See this amazing presentation from the Weston PAC, answers a lot of questions!
http://www.westonpac.org/uploads/downloads/WestonPAC-1.pdf
See this amazing presentation from the Weston PAC, answers a lot of questions!
http://www.westonpac.org/uploads/downloads/WestonPAC-1.pdf
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Georgetown SEPAC Brochure
Georgetown Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC)
Supporting the Community – visit us at www.georgetownsepac.blogspot.com
Welcome to the PAC!
Our mission: The Georgetown PAC serves as a resource and advisor to parents of children with special needs in Georgetown. We are dedicated to helping parents to take actions that will effectively benefit their children. We reach that goal by holding regular educational meetings or workshops on a variety of topics and by networking with each other. We also work closely with the Georgetown School District to identify areas of need and advise on how to improve the special education programs and services our children rely on. We act in an advisory role to the School Committee regarding Special Education issues.
Who we are: As a state mandated, system wide volunteer organization, our membership is open to parents (or guardians) of children with special needs, from preschool through high school, and anyone interested in special needs education in Georgetown. We are parents of children who each have unique conditions which affect how they learn in school; we share our experience and hope with each other. There are no dues or fees. The Georgetown PAC believes that informed parents are the best advocates for their children; therefore, we aim to help parents to become more informed.
What we do: All of us in the Georgetown PAC know how difficult it can be to learn that our child has a disability or struggles in a special way, more than their peers. We have found that it is helpful to explore the best solutions for our children in the company of others who have had similar experiences. At PAC meetings we seek to offer each other support, information, new ideas, & friendship. We also work together to build relationships with school administrators characterized by mutual respect, open dialog, and the common goal of helping our children.
Understanding the law: Special education is meant to meet the unique needs of a child that result from a disability, and to assure that students with disabilities receive all needed aids and services. Special education laws and regulations are meant to protect a student with disabilities and ensure that he or she gets the services and assistance that may be necessary to make effective progress. The laws and regulations are very complex. The Georgetown PAC seeks to facilitate a greater understanding of the key concepts of the law and how to be an effective participant in the special education process for parents.
Purpose of the PAC
1. The PAC fosters better understanding and communication between the staff, parents, administrators and the School Committee concerning all aspects of special education.
2. 2. The PAC serves as consultants, advisors and/or support persons to parents concerning all aspects of state and federal special education laws.
3. The PAC serves as advocates of equal educational opportunities for all children with special needs and their parents.
4. The PAC provides parental input into educational programs and policies
5. The PAC advises the School Committee on matters that pertain to the education, health and safety of students with special needs.
6. The PAC meets regularly with school officials for planning, development, and evaluation of the School Committee’s special education programs.
7 The PAC participates in the development and review of the special education programs(s) before submission to the state.
8 The PAC provides training and support for parents and other interested parties in all areas of special education.
PAC Board of Directors – Co-Chairs
Dianne Newton (Treasurer)…………………………………………………………………..978-352-2155
Pam Lundquist………………………………………………………………………………………978-352-5407
Rights Under 603 CMR 28.00 & Federal 504
1. You are an EQUAL member of the TEAM. Be confident of your abilities and your rights.
2. You have the right to equal participation in the developing and writing of your child’s IEP.
3. You have the right to accept or reject a proposed IEP within 30 school days.
4. You have the right to request special education services.
5. You have the right to an independent evaluation.
6. You have the right to have your child educated with his/her peers in the Least Restrictive Environment.
7. You have the right to request and receive all evaluation results at least two (2) days prior to a TEAM meeting.
8. You have the right to hire and advocate or an attorney.
Supporting the Community – visit us at www.georgetownsepac.blogspot.com
Welcome to the PAC!
Our mission: The Georgetown PAC serves as a resource and advisor to parents of children with special needs in Georgetown. We are dedicated to helping parents to take actions that will effectively benefit their children. We reach that goal by holding regular educational meetings or workshops on a variety of topics and by networking with each other. We also work closely with the Georgetown School District to identify areas of need and advise on how to improve the special education programs and services our children rely on. We act in an advisory role to the School Committee regarding Special Education issues.
Who we are: As a state mandated, system wide volunteer organization, our membership is open to parents (or guardians) of children with special needs, from preschool through high school, and anyone interested in special needs education in Georgetown. We are parents of children who each have unique conditions which affect how they learn in school; we share our experience and hope with each other. There are no dues or fees. The Georgetown PAC believes that informed parents are the best advocates for their children; therefore, we aim to help parents to become more informed.
What we do: All of us in the Georgetown PAC know how difficult it can be to learn that our child has a disability or struggles in a special way, more than their peers. We have found that it is helpful to explore the best solutions for our children in the company of others who have had similar experiences. At PAC meetings we seek to offer each other support, information, new ideas, & friendship. We also work together to build relationships with school administrators characterized by mutual respect, open dialog, and the common goal of helping our children.
Understanding the law: Special education is meant to meet the unique needs of a child that result from a disability, and to assure that students with disabilities receive all needed aids and services. Special education laws and regulations are meant to protect a student with disabilities and ensure that he or she gets the services and assistance that may be necessary to make effective progress. The laws and regulations are very complex. The Georgetown PAC seeks to facilitate a greater understanding of the key concepts of the law and how to be an effective participant in the special education process for parents.
Purpose of the PAC
1. The PAC fosters better understanding and communication between the staff, parents, administrators and the School Committee concerning all aspects of special education.
2. 2. The PAC serves as consultants, advisors and/or support persons to parents concerning all aspects of state and federal special education laws.
3. The PAC serves as advocates of equal educational opportunities for all children with special needs and their parents.
4. The PAC provides parental input into educational programs and policies
5. The PAC advises the School Committee on matters that pertain to the education, health and safety of students with special needs.
6. The PAC meets regularly with school officials for planning, development, and evaluation of the School Committee’s special education programs.
7 The PAC participates in the development and review of the special education programs(s) before submission to the state.
8 The PAC provides training and support for parents and other interested parties in all areas of special education.
PAC Board of Directors – Co-Chairs
Dianne Newton (Treasurer)…………………………………………………………………..978-352-2155
Pam Lundquist………………………………………………………………………………………978-352-5407
Rights Under 603 CMR 28.00 & Federal 504
1. You are an EQUAL member of the TEAM. Be confident of your abilities and your rights.
2. You have the right to equal participation in the developing and writing of your child’s IEP.
3. You have the right to accept or reject a proposed IEP within 30 school days.
4. You have the right to request special education services.
5. You have the right to an independent evaluation.
6. You have the right to have your child educated with his/her peers in the Least Restrictive Environment.
7. You have the right to request and receive all evaluation results at least two (2) days prior to a TEAM meeting.
8. You have the right to hire and advocate or an attorney.
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