… the latest updates and announcements for special education and more in Scottsdale, Arizona

Please join SEPAC of Scottsdale and Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) Assistive Technology staff for a presentation of the latest technology that could benefit your child.  Also, demonstrations will be provided by the assistive technology team.

Wednesday January 18, 2012

6:30-8pm

Mohave Distric Annex

Meeting Room B

5520 No 86th St.

Scottdale, AZ 85250

Please note that Mohave Middle School is under construction and the new District Annex building is entered from 86th St. by the front of the school.

Sponsored by the Special Ministries at Scottsdale Bible Church, this Special Needs Community Carnival is FREE on Friday, November 18th from 6-9pm.  They’ll have games, concessions, entertainment, prizes, a sports tickets raffle and more.  The half-time show will highlight The Stunt Dudes BMX Action Sports and Comedy, Magic and Balloon Sculptures.

Friend and families of individuals with special needs are all welcome at this carnival that provides a fun and safe environment for families.

Scottsdale Bible Campus

7601 E. Shea Blvd.

Scottsdale, AZ

www.sbcsm.com or 480-824-7267

Scottsdale Highlands Church’s “In His Image” program for individuals with special needs is providing this great program.  Check it out!

On December 3rd, from 2:00- 5:00pm, we are hosting a Christmas party for individuals with special needs throughout the community.  Families and caregivers will be able to enjoy several hours of respite time while their loved one with special needs participates in Christmas activities with a “buddy”.  Activities will include caroling, arts and crafts, snack time, games, bounce house and pictures with Santa. The party is free and open to the community. We would love to have your child attend!

All of our buddies are background checked and serving under the direction and a state certified special education teacher.    Please e-mail Missy Farrington, missyf@highlandschurch.org with any questions you may have and to make your reservation.  Merry Christmas!

**Please use the forward to a friend button at the bottom of the page to invite anyone you know who might be interested in attending our party!

In His Image is a program dedicated to serving the needs of individuals with special needs and their families in our community.

For more information about this event and other exciting recreational opportunities through the Phoenix Adaptive Recreation Program go to www.phoenix.gov/parks/adaptiverec

All-Access Summit Challenge
Still Time to Register
November 5th

The Phoenix Summit Challenge is a non-competitive hiking event that embraces various ages, abilities, and fitness levels to challenge an individual’s mind and body while enhancing the quality of life and promoting healthy outdoor recreation. We challenge participants with and without disabilities along with their families to join us on the barrier-free and challenge trails of the Phoenix Mountain Preserves and desert parks. This is a family friendly event with three courses to choose from.

Come on your own or join the adaptive recreation staff for a fun filled day outside while challenging yourself.

Even though this has already started, you can join in.  Just email Missy Farrington as indicated below.  Have fun!

The special needs ministry at Highlands Church is thrilled to announce our new (FREE!) Music Therapy program starting October 14th.

Come join us for a fun afternoon of music making, great sensory input, and fun.  Kids with special needs, ages 2 to 11, will get an opportunity to play instruments and interact with peers, and parents will learn techniques to provide sensory support at home.  Skills addressed through neurologic music therapy include communication, motor, and socialization all while maintaining a safe and fun group environment. (parent or caregiver will need to stay with their child)

Jenna Anderson is a Board Certified Music Therapist.  She has worked as a neurologic music therapist in the Valley for seven years.  Currently, Jenna is the owner of Therapy Foundations, serving individuals with neurologic impairments and providing support to their families.

The session will run from 4:15-5:00pm and will meet twice a month.  Reservations will be required. E-mail Missy Farrington with any questions or to make your reservation, missyf@highlandschurch.org.

For our teens and adults, Get fit with our Special Needs ministry’s Zumba class twice a month on Friday at 4:00- 4:45pm in the Rockhouse. This Zumba class is a calorie-burning dance fitness-party that is adapted to create a slower pace, but still with all the fitness benefits and in a safe, fun and loving community.  The next Zumba class will be October 14th.

Rosie Herrera is a certified Zumba instructor with experience working with students with special needs as a parent of a daughter with special needs.

Please share this information with Spanish speaking families you know who may benefit from this program.

Join our School Community Specialists and SEPAC of Scottsdale for an IEP informational meeting specifically designed for our Spanish speaking parents.  The program, funded by the English Immersion Studies Title III Title I Parent Education series, features Felisa Flys, a Spanish speaking patient advocate at the Children’s Rehabilitative Services with over 20 years of experience in advocacy.

November 2, 2011 from 6:30pm-8pm

Paiute Neighborhood Center Building 9 (cafeteria)

6535 E. Osborn Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

For more information  contact:

ANLC ~ Rosita Pinedo ~ 480-484-7513

Arcadia ~ Sonia Otero Hanley ~ 480-484-6308

Hohokam ~ Lily Saldana ~ 480-484-1806

Navajo ~ Elizabeth Kloehr ~ 480-484-2619

Tavan ~ Claudia Hernandez ~  480-484-3522

Tonalea ~ Laura Race ~ 480-484-3618

Yavapai ~ Mariela Duarte ~ 480- 484-3800

To RSVP, please contact your school community specialist.

We apologize for the inconvenience, but several notices posted a couple of days ago never got sent to your emails.  So, while I’m figuring out the problem, please go to www.sepacs.org and check out the recent notices.  Thanks for your patience and understanding…….Pam Murphy

ASU Phoenix is hosting an art show entitled “Inclusive Communities.”  This is to honor and share understanding of people with physical, emotional and mental challenges.  It is in the UCENT (University Center) building in downtown Phoenix near 2nd St. and Fillmore, weekdays only.  The address is 411 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004.  For more information go to http://asunews.asu.edu/20110926_411gallery.

So sorry for the late notice, but…….

STARS (Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services) has a free workshop Wednesday at 5:30pm for families of individuals with developmental disabilities who are under 22 years of age/ in high school about transition to adult life.  For more information go to http://starscommunityworkshop.eventbrite.com