| Ages 5-11, All Abilities. If your child, age 5 to 11, would like to participate in the program, please register through Darien Parks and Recreation. Two class options are available: 1:15 – 2:30 register here 1:15 – 4:00 register here From Grit Ninja:This class is for ninjas of all abilities, middle and high school buddies will provide extra support. We have worked hard to create an environment that is inclusive, values individualism and allows all ninjas to feel a sense of accomplishment regardless of the starting point. This unique athletic offering will help your child reach their goals and feel success on the ninja course! Please note: if your child requires special accommodations – no problem! Just let us know by emailing jgore@darienct.gov The Grit Ninja has packed up equipment and is ready to turn Cherry Lawn Park into a unique ninja warrior obstacle course! During each action packed day, aspiring ninjas will climb, swing, jump and run on our obstacles which include: Warped Wall. Our 12-foot adjustable warped wall is a ninja favorite! Get ready to beat that wall regardless of your age! Upper Body Rig. Our mobile rig can hold many ninja favorites including monkey bars, rings, pipe sliders, and other more challenging ninja holds. Rock wall. Ninjas will try to traverse across our rock wall on various custom climbing routes. Speed/Agility Course. Test your speed, agility, and balance as you try to make it through the speed course by jumping over, stepping on, and ducking under our Quad Steps, over/under hurdles, balance logs, stepping stones, and more! Parkour Stations. Test yourself as you try to get over our multi-sized vault boxes and make precision jumps. Other Swinging Obstacles. More upper body run in the form of rope swings, giant rings, and pipe sliders. Balance Games. Get ready for some friendly competition in our many “ninja balance games” including Balance Tic-tac-toe, Floor is Lava, and many more! Course Runs. Put all the skills together and try to get the fastest time you can! Ninjas will face new challenges each day! Our program is designed by The Grit Ninja’s professional coaches – many of whom have competed on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior. Our coaches will guide ninjas as they tackle our fun obstacles that build strength, coordination, agility, balance, problem-solving skills, self-confidence and, most importantly, GRIT! |
2020-2021 Educational Programs
Join hundreds of other parents, educators and doctors who have learned from these incredible experts!
Anxiety & Coping with COVID : 190 Views! Click HERE
Reading Progress and Dyslexia during the Pandemic: 156 Views! Click HERE
Post High School Planning: Helping Our Students Prepare for their Future and Find the Right Path*: 134 Views! Click HERE
A Conversation with CSDE Div. Dir. of Special Educ. & CPAC Co-Director: 86 Views! Click HERE
Neurodiversity in Schools: Creating a Culture of Belonging: 145 Views! Click HERE
Colleges with Support Services: 176 Views! Click HERE
Supporting Students with ADHD: 160 Views! Click HERE
The Role of Social Emotional Learning in Special Education: Click HERE
*Co-sponsored by SPED*NET Wilton, Wilton Public Schools, Wilton SEPTA and Darien SEPAC
The Role of Social Emotional Learning in Special Education
Webinar – Video now available
Thursday, May 20, 10 am – 11 am
Sponsored by Darien SEPAC
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst, Meghan Cave, and Attorney-at-Law, Michael Gilberg, will discuss the benefit of social emotional learning experiences in the classroom and the requirement to provide a social emotional curriculum in public schools. Their presentation will focus on prioritizing skills for instruction, the use of evidenced-based programming, progress monitoring and the legal perspective of COVID-19 compensatory services.
Michael Gilberg, Attorney-at-Law, has years of special education and disability rights/advocacy experience. Attorney Gilberg also has his own personal story as someone on the autism spectrum. His life experiences drive his desire to advocate for children with disabilities and their families.
Meghan Cave, M.Ed. BCBA LBA (CT) and Co-Founder & CEO of the Hangout Spot, has over fourteen years of experience providing special education and behavior analytic services. Meghan has co-authored publications in Autism Parenting Magazine and Behavioral Science in the 21st Century blog and serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Saint Joseph.
Supporting Students with ADHD
Attention & Behavior
Dr. David Anderson, The Child Mind Institute
Tuesday, April 27.
Noon – 1 PM, Webinar
PLEASE RSVP: https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rBe9dk3lRsWnIRBqRvlOQQ
With the difficult circumstances of the pandemic, constructively supporting students with ADHD is more important than ever. On Tuesday, April 27 from noon- 1 PM, Dr. David Anderson, Vice President of School and Community Programs and former Senior Director of the ADHD and Behavior Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute will present Supporting Students with ADHD: Attention and Behavior. Dr. Anderson will outline the signs and symptoms of ADHD, common ways kids and teens with ADHD have faced challenges during the pandemic, and outline effective strategies to manage ADHD symptoms and restore balance both at school and at home. Please RSVP at dariensepac@gmail.com
Dr. Anderson is a clinical psychologist who specializes in evaluating and treating children and adolescents with ADHD, behavior, anxiety, and mood disorders. Child Mind Institute school-based programs directed by Dr. Anderson have provided clinical interventions, social-emotional skill building, professional development, and workshops for more than 50,000 students, educators, and parents. Dr. Anderson frequently lectures and leads workshops on a variety of topics for parents, educators, and policymakers, and he has contributed to television and print media for organizations such as ABC, Time, CBS, Fox, CNN, NBC, the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, the New York Times, and NPR. Dr. Anderson received his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and his doctorate in clinical psychology from Columbia University.
The Child Mind Institute is an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders.
The program is co-sponsored by Darien SEPAC and Darien Library.
Colleges with Support Services: Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion – WEBINAR
Monday, March 15, 2021, 7 pm – 8:30 pm
Please RSVP: https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_G-5z3QPbRd24nMBJYXn7IA
Students with IEPs/504s and parents are invited to attend a panel discussion, which will include representatives from colleges and universities offering support services. The panel will share details about available academic, social, and living supports. Meghan Emanuelson, Director of Guidance, Darien High School, will moderate.
The program is co-sponsored by Darien Library, DHSPA, and Darien SEPAC. Panelists include:
Sacred Heart University
Kathy Radziunas
Director, Office of Student Accessibility
St. Lawrence University
Lyndsay Malcomb
Senior Associate Director of Admissions & Mid-Atlantic Regional Counselor
Syracuse University
Karen M. Toole
Coordinator
Academic Support | OnTrack at SU | Tutoring
Rutgers University
Erin G. Leuthold, MS Ed
Director, Office of Disability Services
New York University
Mary Liz McNamara, M.Ed., CRC
Associate Director, Moses Center for Student Accessibility
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