New Meetings! April, May, June 2013

April 9, 2013 – Tuesday, 7-8:30pm - “Extended School Year: What is ESY, who is eligible and what are Georgetown’s Service Delivery Models?” with Dr. Donna Straight, Director of Special Education for Georgetown Public Schools. At the Penn Brook Library, 68 Elm St., Georgetown, MA May 7 2013– Tuesday, 7-8:30pm - "Dual Diagnosis in both Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health - What does this mean?” Dr. Katherine Canada, Chief of Admissions and Outreach for The Guild of Human Services will be our keynote speaker. She will be presenting on tips for parenting youth with DD/MH dual diagnoses and finding compassion and connections for them and the family members who love them. Dr. Canada is a Developmental Psychologist and she has dedicated her professional life to the fields of education and human services. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Butler University and her master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. At the Penn Brook Library, 68 Elm St., Georgetown, MA June 4, 2013 - Tuesday - 7-8:30pm - The Shining Star Awards & The Georgetown SEPAC’s Final Meeting - We would like to recognize Georgetown Educators, be they teachers, therapists, aides, support staff or administration, that have be exceptional in their support of our children and/or Special Education programs within the School District. If you would like to nominate someone, please send me an email by May 24th, along with a statement as to why they are exceptional. At the Penn Brook Library, 68 Elm St., Georgetown, MA.

2013 February & March SEPAC Meeting-Workshops

Next SEPAC Meeting on February 5th at 7:00 PM at the Penn Brook Library Dear All: We will not have a January meeting. However, we have two upcoming meetings that should prove to be beneficial to all our members: 1) Dr. Molly Cook will join us on February 5th to discuss “Practical Strategies for Strengthening Executive Function Skills.” 2) We will be co-hosting a Friends Project Presentation “Introduction to Friends” at the Newburyport High School on March 5th from 7-9 PM. Practical Strategies for Strengthening Executive Function Skills by Dr. Molly Cook: This presentation will help teachers, parents and school administrators alike to address and plan for students who have impairments in their executive functioning skill sets. What is executive functioning and why is it important? Executive functioning is the mental process that helps students apply past learning experiences to present situations, and involves activities such as planning, organizing, strategizing, paying attention to and remembering details. It also includes the ability to manage time and personal space. A leading expert in executive functions, Philip David Zelazo of the University of Minnesota, describes them as "the deliberate, goal-directed control of behavior." More importantly, strong executive functioning skills (creativity, flexibility, self-control, and discipline) have been shown to be predictive of school success (even more so than IQ tests). See e.g. Diamond, A. & Lee, K. Science 333(6045):959-964 (2011). Deficits in executive functioning can present as inability or difficulty in: · Making Plans · Organization · Keeping track of time/finishing work on time · Multitasking · Switching focus to different topics · Remembering past details · regulating speech or behavior How do executive functioning impairments present in a child? Does your child keep a messy room or have difficulty following instructions? Does your child have trouble paying attention, sitting still when peers do not or loses his/her possessions regularly? Does your child need to be nagged excessively to remember daily tasks or forget to turn in homework assignments? If you any yes to any of these questions, then you would benefit from Dr. Cook’s expertise. About Dr. Molly Cook: Dr. Cook is a licensed psychologist specializing in the assessment and treatment of childhood and adolescent learning disabilities and emotional disorders. In her practice, Dr. Cook provides neuropsychological evaluation for children and teenagers who present with symptoms of learning disorders, executive dysfunction, AD/HD, anxiety, depression, and social communication difficulties. Dr. Cook also provides therapeutic treatment, and she is especially excited to offer therapeutic tutoring, which is a hybrid treatment combining traditional psychotherapy and skill building. This service is especially useful for children who have organizational issues, difficulty with written expression, or problems learning and retaining information. Therapeutic tutoring combines practical and concrete skills-based intervention with psychotherapy, and allows a child to enhance areas of weakness and feel good at the same time. Dr. Cook has trained and worked in the Massachusetts area for almost a decade. Her training is diverse and has included a two-year fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at Neuropsychology and Education Services for Children and Adolescents (NESCA) under the supervision of Ann Helmus, PhD, a leading field expert. Dr. Cook has also trained at the Klarman Eating Disorder Center at McLean Hospital and at Franciscan Hospital for Children. Since 2005, Dr. Cook has held a position at Architects For Learning, a private practice in Needham, MA that specializes in the treatment of organizational and written expression disorders, and is run by Bonnie Singer, PhD. Through her work at AFL, Dr. Cook is EmPOWER and Brain Frame certified. Dr. Cook recently opened the North Shore Center for Neuropsychology in Marblehead, and her office is open for referrals. Her website is: http://www.northshoreneuropsychology.com For more information on executive functioning, please see: Executive Function Fact Sheet: http://www.ncld.org/ld-basics/ld-aamp-executive-functioning/basic-ef-facts/executive-function-fact-sheet Executive Functioning and Learning Disabilities: http://www.ncld.org/ld-basics/ld-aamp-executive-functioning/basic-ef-facts/executive-functioning-and-learning-disabilities March 5th - Introduction to Friends: Discussing Ways to Help Establish and Sustain Relationships Between People With and Without Disabilities by Jim Ross: This training is designed primarily for groups of parents (and other family members) and people with disabilities, although staff from support agencies may also find it helpful. An ideal group would be about 20 people, although we will present to smaller or larger audiences. The presentation includes discussion and resources on building relationships between people with disabilities and people without disabilities of all ages, but it can be revised to concentrate on “Kids”, “Transition-Aged Youth” or “Adults”, depending on the composition of the audience. The training is pretty informal and invites lots of audience participation (we’re learning from you, too!) and covers: · What do we mean by “Friend” in these modern times? · What are the benefits of friendships? Are there any specific benefits to be found in relationships between people with disabilities and people without disabilities? · What are some of the obstacles or challenges we may encounter that might make it difficult for people to make relationships? · How can we figure out where to put our limited time and energy if relationships and friendships are a priority for us? · What are some of the existing approaches—formal and informal—that have proved successful in helping people with and without disabilities become friends? · Where can we find more information related to “Relationships” and “Friendships”, including people we can contact who might be of further help? Please note that this is at the Newburyport High School!! We look forward to having interactive and informative discussions during both of these events! Shelby Walker, Chairperson Georgetown Special Education Parents Advisory Council

Upcoming Workshops in Reading, MA

Monday, December 3, 2012 at 7:00 PM Reading Memorial High School Endslow Performing Arts Center.
 62 Oakland Rd, Reading, MA
 01857 Nationally recognized ADD expert, Dr. Ned Hallowell, will speak in Reading about Finding The Buried Treasure in ADD and Other Learning Disabilities.
 
Monday, DECEMBER 3
at 7:00 PM. 
Doors open at 6:30.
Dr. Hallowell's goal is to help people master the power of ADD while avoiding its pitfalls. 
 Admission is $10 pp/$15 per family, and includes a raffle ticket for a private 30-minute consult with Dr. Hallowell in his Sudbury office, a $450 value. 
 
 Hosted by Understanding Disabilities
UD@reading.k12.ma.us
This program is supported by grants from the Harpley Foundation, the Reading Education Foundation, and a private donor. *********************************************************************** Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 7:00 PM Walter S. Parker Middle School Auditorium 45 Temple St., Reading, MA 01857 Presenter: Sarah Ward MS, CCC/SLP Director of the Center of Executive Function Skill Development, Lincoln, MA Back by Popular Demand…This presentation was attended by over 200 people last May and received high reviews. This not to be missed workshop remains free to all parents thanks to the generosity of the Lynnfield and Reading Special Education Departments. • Does your child complete his/her homework and forget to turn it in? • Do you find yourself driving back to school to pick up a book or work your child forgot to bring home? • Do you find yourself saying, "If my child could be more organized, life would be so much easier for him/her?" Then come join an encore presentation of Practical Executive Function Strategies for Home and School Learn strategies to teach your child to efficiently manage his/her own tasks, time, space and materials (while keeping emotions in check!) Sarah Ward, an award winning, national expert on Executive Function Skills, will present a two-hour workshop for parents to teach children the skills of goal setting, carrying out organized steps and modifying a plan to complete a task successfully! Participants will learn how to help students of all ages to initiate, persist and pace themselves, even if the task is difficult or boring. She will provide everyday strategies to help students learn to estimate time for tasks, sense the passage of time and break down the steps for nightly homework and long term projects. Sarah Ward www.cognitiveconnectionstherapy.com Please feel free to contact the Reading PAC via email at: readingpac@gmail.com for additional info.

Georgetown SEPAC Spring 2013 Meeting Schedule

Georgetown Special Education Parents Advisory Council 2013 Meeting Schedule First Tuesday of the month in the Penn Brook School Library (68 Elm Street) from 7 to 8:30pm February 5, 2013: Parent Night Resource Share – What has worked for you? March 5, 2013: Executive Functioning and Study Skills – Speaker TBS April 9, 2013: Behavioral Strategies and Social Skills – Speaker TBS * 2nd Tuesday due to scheduling conflict May 7, 2013: Post-Secondary Transition Guidance – Speaker TBS June 4, 2013: Year End Wrap-up and the Shining Star Awards

Aug 9th, 2012 WorkShop Kioko Center, based on work of Ross Greene

Kioko Center , Pediatric OT / Speech and Tutoring Services 820 Turnpike Street, Suite 104 North Andover, MA 01845 Drop in – No registration needed – FREE PARENT GROUP Thursday, August 9 , 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. THINK:KIDS (based on the work of Ross Greene) Leader : Beth Edelstein , OTL , M.ED. Outreach and Support – Mass. General Hospital See website for more info: www.thinkkids.org

College Success Workshop for Senior students

Information has come in regarding the following: (Georgetown SEPAC does not endorse this workshop, we are simply passing information along) College Success Boot Camp Coming to NESCA August 13 – 14th Co-Sponsored by Thinking Outside the Classroom and College Solutions, in Cooperation with NESCA (Neuropsychology & Education Services for Children & Adolescents) Thinking Outside the Classroom offers in-home coaching for students with particular academic challenges, broader executive function issues or who simply want to reach their full potential both in the classroom and beyond. They are the group to which we and others on our staff have turned when our own children needed help with executive functioning. College Solutions assists students with their college searches, applications, essays, determination of eligibility for financial aid and preparation of all forms. Their objective is to make the experience as positive, stress-free and successful as possible. They have many years of experience in personally matching students to colleges that are perfect fits for them. Together, they are bringing their highly-regarded College Success Bootcamp to NESCA in a new, two-session format, on Monday and Tuesday evenings, August 13 -14th. When: 1st Session: 6:30 - 9:30pm Monday, August 13 2nd Session: 6:30 - 9:30pm Tuesday, August 14 Where: NESCA, 55 Chapel Street, 2nd Floor, Newton, MA Cost: $400 per person; enrollment limited to 12! This 6-hour, highly-interactive course is suitable for anyone eager to succeed at the college level, whether going for the first time or returning to campus in September. The program's principal instructor will be Michele Hearn, M.Ed., CAS, senior coach and director of adult and college coaching for Thinking Outside the Classroom. A veteran administrator at College of the Holy Cross, counselor and career consultant, she is also a guidance counselor licensed by the State of Massachusetts and participant in the New England Association for College Admission Counseling's Summer Institute. Her co-facilitator will be Stella Habib, a graduate of the program currently enrolled in McGill University in Montreal. A rising senior, she is majoring in General Management with a concentration in International Business and a minor in Communication Studies. Due to her passion for languages and intercultural communication, Stella chose to attend school in Montreal for its diverse culture and bilingual atmosphere. Stella's current languages are English, Greek, French, and Spanish. Her experience and academic skills fall across a broad spectrum. Questions? mhearn@thinkingoutsidetheclassroom.com. For additional information and to register, please call NESCA at 617-658-9800, or email nesca@nesca-newton.com.

Shining Star Winners

The Georgetown SEPAC Congratulates Our Shining Star Award Winners June 11th, 2012 – The Georgetown Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) was pleased this year to offer the Shining Star Award for Georgetown School District employees who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in teaching, reaching out to, and inspiring our children with special needs over this last school year. In short, this award is for those who are making an outstanding difference. The 2012 Shining Star Award winners were announced at the Georgetown SEPAC’s last meeting for this school year, on Monday evening, June 11th, 2012. The award winners were selected by the special education parents of Georgetown, who were all invited to submit a description of how particular Georgetown School employees have helped their children. Nominations were then reviewed by SEPAC officers. With this award, parents had an opportunity to show their sincere appreciation of the Georgetown school staff’s excellence in teaching, hard work, and caring that helps build solid relationships with our children every day. How do our stellar teachers in Georgetown shine? How do they make such an impact in our children’s lives? These were some of the comments were made by grateful parents this year about different outstanding teachers in the Georgetown Schools. • She is my hero. I absolutely adore her, and will be forever grateful. She has been able to build a rapport with my son who has trust issues and gets him excited about school. Last year she got him an internship which led to a job, which he loves. This year he was struggling, not wanting to stay in school and she is the one that got him up, got him going, got him back. Now he has caught up to his peers academically. She is not just a teacher, she is an excellent mentor, confidant, friend, and champion to him. • Without his help and encouragement my son would have had another lost year. Now he is doing much better. • She has been extremely helpful this year with our family. She knows exactly how to phrase situations, her documentation is right on target, and as a family of an IEP child, I feel she really rallies for us. My son really loves to practice his math with her. She keeps me well informed about how my son is doing on a regular basis. • He goes above and beyond for the kids and he truly cares. • She has made a huge difference in my son’s education. Every day, my son looks forward to working with her; and I believe he works harder because of her. She is kind, considerate, understands my son while keeping him on track and taking no nonsense from him; and she keeps an open line of communication with me (and that makes me feel that she really does care so much about my son and our family - she is also proud of all of his accomplishments, whether they are big or small). • She has a wonderful way of inspiring creativity in all children and provides a wonderful outlet for my son. It is the part of his week he takes the most pride in and loves to talk about. She is an amazing teacher and we are blessed to have her teaching our children in Georgetown. • He takes a real interest, offers practical advice and help. • She has been extraordinary with my son, transitioning him to the general Ed class 100 percent of the time. She has a wonderful way with the kids- she is structured yet flexible. She has quite a few special ed kids this year, but you would never know it. The class is always under control yet the kids have fun. Current SEPAC Chairperson Pam Lundquist extended a sincere congratulations to this year's Shining Star Award recipients, who are: - Ms. Lisa Mosquera, Middle School Compass Teacher - Ms. Dawn Rezendes, Penn Brook Art Teacher “The efforts of Ms. Mosquera and Ms. Rezendes have stood out to special education parents as extraordinary and noteworthy. They have both been extremely helpful to many students this year.” Lundquist said. “We want to thank all of our teachers for understanding how important it is at school to reach out, notice children's strengths, build strong personal relationships with kids so that they can feel comfortable asking for help, sharing their thoughts, feeling valued for who they are, as well as for their hard work.” “We want to always remember to support, recognize and appreciate those special teachers who, seeing our precious diamonds in the rough, are able to help our children to realize their dignity, their strengths, their abilities, their gifts. Because every child has them.” “We hope that all of our dedicated teachers know that we appreciate everything that they do, and the Georgetown SEPAC looks forward to being able to offer Shining Star Awards to other deserving teachers in the future.” After the award ceremony, the Georgetown SEPAC parents present all approved a new parent to assume the Chairperson position beginning in the fall, Ms. Shelby Walker. Ms. Walker has four children in the Georgetown Public Schools, and she enthusiastically accepted the position. Superintendent Carol Jacobs was on hand to extend congratulations to the winners. She also addressed the parents on the state and direction of special education programs for the year. "We look forward to welcoming our new Director of Special Education, Donna Straight, who will be starting her new position on July 1st," Ms. Jacobs affirmed. The Georgetown SEPAC serves as a resource and advisor to parents of children with special needs in Georgetown. The group is dedicated to helping parents to take actions that will effectively benefit their children. It reaches that goal by holding regular educational meetings or workshops on a variety of topics and by helping parents network with each other. The SEPAC also works closely with the Georgetown School District to identify areas of need and advise on how to improve the special education programs and services that children with special needs rely on. It acts in an advisory role through the SEPAC Chairperson to the School Committee regarding Special Education issues. By Pam Lundquist, Georgetown SEPAC, Chairperson