SEPAC Update
Special Education Parents Advisory Council
August 5, 2007
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Start Smart -- First day of school is Monday, August 13th.
Visit the SUSD web site for school district details details and links to your child's school web site. Also, you can check the calendar for early release dates.

Important phone numbers to know are:

Jan Brusca - 480-484-5085
Special Education Coordinator - Preschool and Elementary Self- Contained Programs

Dr. Barbara McLoone - 480-484- 5083
Special Education Coordinator - Elementary Resource Programs

Calli Greenbaum - 480-484-5079 Special Education
Coordinator - Middle School and High School Programs

Transportation:
Jo Ann Nagy - 480-484-8555, Special Needs Supervisor
Diane Watson - 480-484- 8556, Special Needs Coordinator
Have your kids come beat the heat and join the Scottsdale Bobcats in the pool this summer. Improve their swimming skills, get some great exercise, meet some new people and compete in both East Valley and State Special Olympics competitions.

Season starts: Tuesday, 8/7 and runs through 10/6.
Location: Chaparral Pool, 5401 N. Hayden
Age Brackets: Juniors 8-17 and Adults 18+ years.

To register:
  1. Go online to www.scottsdaleaz.gov
  2. Touch tone phone 480-312-2025, or
  3. Call leisure education at 480-312-7957
Potential Special Olympic Aquatics Athletes must be able to swim the length of the pool. This is NOT swimming lessons, but a weekly practice to refine the skills of our athletes. The athlete must have a current physical on file with Parks and Recreation. A copy of the Special Olympic Physical Form can be found on the state Special Olympics web site. The athlete must be willing to commit to practices, the East Valley Special Olympic and State Special Olympic competitions. If the athlete falls below 80% attendance, they will be able to attend competitions but not able to compete.
Several people have forwarded the following video link to me and have indicated that the content is general in nature, so I hope you will find it helpful as we start a new school year.

From www.autismspeaks.org:

"Developing a Great IEP, with Gary Mayerson, the latest in Autism Speaks' instructional video series, is now available at autismspeaks.org. The free 12-minute video provides important information for parents who are encountering the IEP process for the first time, as well as tips for parents who have been through the process before."
The Seventh Annual Transition Conference Planning Committee is pleased to announce the availability of scholarships for youth and family members to attend this year's Transition Conference. The Conference is scheduled for September 17 & 18, 2007 and will be held at the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort in Scottsdale Arizona. In order to be eligible for a scholarship award the youth/young adult applicant must have a documented disability or the applicant must be a family member of a youth with a disability. The applicant must also complete the attached Scholarship Application form according to the instructions and returned by the deadline of September 7, 2007.

For additional information please contact Jeannette Zemeida at (602) 542-3855 or email Jeannette.Zemeida@azed.gov.
The board met over the summer and we have put together a proposed schedule for the 2007-2008 year. The speakers have not been contacted yet, so the schedule is subject to refinement. At the same time, it's important to you to know what we are planning, and to give us feedback, if we overlooked an important topic.

September: Social, board elections, Special Olympics
October: Q&A with SUSD Special Education Dept.
November: A family therapist panel
January: IEP workshop
February: Transitioning (all levels: Panda to Elementary to Middle School to High School to after High School)
March: Camps and programs for summer
April: Legal issues, such as guardianship, special needs trust.

We are also searching for a central meeting location that will be convenient for parents in all parts of the district. If you have contacts with any organization that may allow a group of 20-50 to meet on a monthly basis for the school year, please contact Shauna Mattson at (480) 661-0471 or shauna@sepacs.org.
 
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