SEPACS Update
October 10, 2006
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Greetings!
We had a great turn out for our first Open House and have posted minutes of that meeting on our web site.

Representatives from the AZ Dept. of Education Parent Information Network, City of Scottsdale Police Department Smart Card Program, Special Olympics, METDEsk Estate Planning for Special Kids, and the Twice Exceptional group shared information.

Margaret Corcoran-Smith, President of SEPACS, gave an update on the incorporation and non-profit filing status for SEPACS. Special thanks to the many attendees who contributed financially that night. Up to this point, the Board of Directors have been supporting the start-up of the organization, and with the contributions, we received at our meeting we can move forward with creating a long-term, sustainable organization that serves our educational community of kids with special needs and their families.

A photo of two women was found after the Open House. Please contact Dru at 480-513-7012 or Dru@DruBloomfield.com to reclaim.

Dr. Katz, President, Landmark College, will speak on strategies that work to turn around poor academic performance in gifted students with learning disabilities, including the roles and benefits of various assistive technologies. This talk will be useful for parents of students who struggle with organization and study skills, for parents of 2E students and for parents of students challenged with learning disabilities or AD/HD.

October 17 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale

For more information click here or contact Laura Holgate, 480- 451-6895, 2eparents@yahoo.com.

$5 per family, educators attend free.
The parent friendly Self-Advocacy Guide on Arizona Special Education Law for Parents of Children with Disabilities is for parents of children with disabilities. It is intended to help parents understand Arizona special education laws and procedures so they can obtain the most appropriate special education services for their children.
Two options for toy shopping that take into account developmental differences:

National Lekotek Center

Toys R Us
A capital override will be on the ballot November 7th for SUSD. This override would provide the Scottsdale School district annual funding of $11,880,000 per year over seven years for classroom technology upgrades, funding for basic core curriculum textbooks, playground improvements including safety padding underneath all of the play structures, infrastructure funding for music, fine arts and athletic programs, and classroom furnishings for all schools.

Funding related specifically to Special Education includes:
1. Adaptive Technology
2. ADA Surfacing and Accessibility for 5 elementary playgrounds
3. Special Education Teacher Materials K-12

Because of an expanding tax base and the fact that the district was able to negotiate better terms for its existing bonds, the SUSD overall property tax rate is not expected to increase over the current rate even if the override is approved.

You can view more information about this override at the SUSD web site. Details can be found in the links the mid-upper right hand corner. Additional information can also be found at YesToChildren.org.
Friday, October 27th
8:00 AM – Noon

Tempe Training Center,
1225 E. Broadway, Suite 190,
Tempe, AZ 85282

Training will cover:

- Basic Understanding of Hearing Loss
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Cultures
- Communication Tips and Techniques
- Mental Health and Deafness / Hearing Loss
- Technology in Phones and Alerting Devices
- Provided in Packet: Demographics, Resources, Website.

'No Cost!

TO REGISTER --- PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

- GO TO : WWW.VALUEOPTIONS.COM/ARIZONA
- GO TO “Calendar of Events”, then click on “Training”
- Click on 4th Quarter Calendar, then click on October 27th
- Registration form will be on that page. Simply follow the directions from there.

Who can Attend?

Family Members!! Family Support Partners!!

DD Specialists!! Case Managers, Clinical Liaisons, Therapists, Supervisors, DD Support Coordinators, Trainers, Educators, Unit Supervisors, and Any adult with Deafness or Hearing Loss.

REGISTER EARLY! THIS CLASS FILLS UP FAST!
A Workshop to
“GET YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW!”
A FUN AND INFORMAL Workshop to Get Organized!

November 11th, 2006
10:00 am to Noon

Mustang Library
10101 North 90th St
Scottsdale, AZ

Learn how to and actually organize your child's records, evaluations, IEP/504 plan, communications with the school, written notices, and more.

Saturday October 21, 2006

6:30 am Registration.
7:00 am Run begins!
8:00 am Walk begins!
9:00 am End

Walkers can stay at the zoo the entire day!
Have a fun time strolling around the zoo with your family and friends, seeing lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants, monkeys, bears, tortoises, and more!

Please direct comments, suggestions, and article ideas related to SEPACS and this newsletter to:


Dru Bloomfield
Special Education Parents Advisory Council of Scottsdale

phone: 480-513-7012