SEPACS Presents a Focus on Special Education with

• Dr. Catalani, Superintendent of Scottsdale Unified School District
• Katy Cavanagh, Assistant Superintendent
• Lois Healey, Director of Special Education

This is a great opportunity to welcome Dr. Catalani to the District and hear his views on Special Education, while providing  him with insight into Special Education from your family’s perspective.

Date & Time:  Wednesday, October 21st, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Location:  Mohave District Annex, Room 202, 8505 E. Valley View Road, Scottsdale 85250-6768. (Coming from the west, the building is just past the ball fields, with a small parking lot in front of it. )

Special Education Training for Parents

Disability Empowerment Center of Arizona

Conference Hall 1

5025 East Washington Street

Phoenix, Arizona

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

or

6:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m.

Details: Special Education Training for Parents

Lois Healey, Special Education Director for the Scottsdale Unified School District send me the SARRC Training Schedule for Fall 2009 quite some time ago and asked me to share.  There are some excellent classes offered so you may want to check them out!

I’ve pulled out just a couple overviews to give you an idea of the types of training available.

• Sleep Issues  – This training focuses on quality of life issues involving sleep concerns. Families will develop an understanding of how to assess a sleep related problem and develop an appropriate intervention to establish good bedtime habits with their child so the entire family has restful nights.
• Desensitization Intervention for Sensory and Medical Issues – This training will provide an overview of systematic desensitization strategies in relation to reducing anxiety in individuals of any age with ASD to sensory stimuli such as vacuums and haircuts as well medical issues related to doctor visits. This training will also include video examples and tips on how to provide intervention.
• Decreasing Problem Behaviors & Increasing Appropriate Social Skills – Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) are essential to identifying the reasons behind difficult behaviors and to the development of effective behavior support plans. This presentation will detail information regarding the use of interviews, observation techniques, and data collection procedures necessary for effective assessments. Practice exercises will also be conducted to assist participants in the development and implementation of behavior support strategies.

SARRC Training Schedule – FALL 2009

Please mark your calendars with the meetings we have planned for the 2009-2010 school year:

• October 21st – Superintendent Dr. Catalani
• November 14th – Sibling Panel
• December – No meeting
• January 20th – IEP Panel
• February ** – Advocacy Panel
• March ** – Camp Fair
• April ** – Social Skills Workshop

** Dates to be announced.

When you get your upcoming election notice in the mail, you will see that in addition to many others, SEPAC of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Supporters of the Gifted, and the Scottsdale Parent Council endorse the continuation of the Scottsdale Unified School District’s K-3 Override, which will be determined on November 3, 2009.

The Scottsdale Parent Council has provided the following information for getting the word out on this important election:

Dear Parents and Friends of the SUSD Community -

I wanted to share with you this important message from Yes to Children, the campaign organization that supports the renewal of the SUSD K-3 Override. I hope you will join with me and all the board members of Scottsdale Parent Council in supporting this vital work.

Sincerely,
Anna-Marie Mars
President – Scottsdale Parent Council

Dear Parents and Supporters of Scottsdale schools,

The campaign season is in full swing! Yes to Children Committee members have been busy attending Back to School nights and parent group meetings throughout the district to share the message about the renewal of the SUSD K-3 Override with our parent community.

The effort to reach voters in our community will only be successful if we have parent volunteers like you at every campus to help us reach the voters in your school’s attendance area. We need to reach as many voters as possible with the message that renewing this almost 3.5 million dollars in funding, which is used to lower class sizes and provide academic support, is critical to maintaining strong public schools in our community.

Please continue reading to see the many ways you can help:

Volunteer to help with Neighbor to Neighbor contact. Yes to Children is a grassroots organization that depends on parents like you to join the effort and lend a hand. You are the most effective advocates for quality public schools with your friends and neighbors! Volunteer to walk your neighborhood or make phone calls to voters in your community by emailing Anna-Marie Mars, our Volunteer Coordinator. Please be sure to include the schools(s) your children attend in the reponse.

Donate to the effort. Simply log on to www.yestochildren.org and click the “Donate Now” button for secure online donations. Fundraising is harder than ever due to Arizona’s current economic conditions so make your voice count and help us raise the funds necessary to reach persuadable voters in the SUSD attendance area. We are asking everyone to give to their ability, no donation is too small and your generosity is much appreciated!

Place a sign in your yard. To request a sign, log on to the website and click the “I want to help” button or simply email Jeff Winkler.

Host a Neighborhood Event. Email Anna-Marie for more information.

Spread the word! Make the Override renewal a part of your conversation at the water cooler, Starbuck’s or while watching your kids play after school sports.

If you have questions or comments contact: Anna-Marie Mars at marshome@msn.com (480.231.0816) or Jeff Winkler at landshark94920@cox.net (602-618-7032)

Or go to: http://www.yestochildren.org  

WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT! TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR OUR KIDS!