Catch up on Recent SEPAC Presentations!

Two of SEPAC’s most popular Spring events are now available online. Both events were co-sposored by the Darien Library and have been added to their special website called Darien Library TV.

http://darienlibrary.tv/categories/childrenslibrary.html

ADHD and Mood Disorders:
New Strategies & Treatments
Dr. Wachtel discussed medication options, treatments and strategies to help children who struggle with mood and attention. He covered school-based accommodations and strategies. Research has shown that parents and teachers need to foster a child’s focus to maximize their ability to learn. In addition, Dr. Wachtel addressed the benefits and risks of available treatments and when to commence or postpone treatment at various stages of a child’s life. A board certified psychiatrist, Dr. Wachtel is the author of The Attention Deficit Answer Book.

Meaningful Inclusion Benefits All Students by William Henderson, Ed.D.
Dr. Henderson is a nationally recognized inclusion expert and author of The Blind Advantage: How Going Blind Made me a Stronger Principal and How Including Children with Disabilities Made the School Better for Everyone. Dr. Henderson discussed approaches to develop a culture of inclusion, to provide instruction with universal design and specialized supports, and to build a community that collaborates and problem solves. He also highlighted how including students with disabilities can be a catalyst for improving teaching and learning for everyone.

Advertisements

From Darien Public Schools Special Education and Student Services Department:

Web Posting, Email Blast, Letter to Parents: Elementary SESS Scheduling (6-Day Scheduling)
(Revised Draft, 5/11/15)

For the 2015-16 school year, the Darien Public Schools will implement a consistent 6-day schedule across general education services and special education/related services.

To support effective implementation, the Interim Assistant Superintendent for SESS has presented the implementation plan to the Board of Education, and reviewed the plan with Principals and SESS Facilitators. Following these presentation/discussions:
• The Interim Assistant Superintendent reviewed the plan with Case Managers, teachers, and service providers at the Professional Development Program on Monday, April 6, 2015.
• The Interim Assistant Superintendent is sharing it with parents at school-based informational sessions that started on Tuesday, April 7, 2015.
• SESS Facilitators and Case Managers are in the process of preparing new IEP service delivery grids through IEP amendments, Annual Reviews, Triennial Evaluations, and other PPT’s starting on April 7, 2015.
• Elementary Principals will supervise the shift to the 6-day SESS schedule to start at the beginning of the 2015-16 school year.

Please refer questions and comments to the SESS Facilitators in the schools, and/or Deborah Farber, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Student Services.

Darien SEPAC December Update

Thank you to those parents who came out on a busy December evening to meet and engage with our Ombudsman, John Verre. Our meeting was taped by Darien’s Channel 79. We will update you with the air dates and times once they are available.

We covered several important topics, including a new communication initiative, made available to parents by the parents of SEPAC. The “Problem Solving Request Form” is available for parents in hard copy at our General Meetings and for submission online HERE

These forms are collected by the Co-Chairs of SEPAC and forwarded confidentially and directly to John Verre. It is important to note that this form serves as just one avenue for parents who have a question or concern to reach out to John and begin the process of “solving the problem.” This form and its implementation is a SEPAC initiative.

SEPAC has posted the State of Connecticut’s Dept. of Education Topic Brief on Extended School Year on our Resources page. HERE. This document lists the criteria for eligibility for ESY that John presented at our meeting.

SEPAC is committed to providing timely updates and information to parents of children with disabilities. Please bookmark our website to check back for important announcements and resources. You may also now follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

-Darien SEPAC