everychild.onevoice. That’s the tag line of National PTA’s new image campaign. I attended the campaign’s kick off at the National PTA convention in Baltimore this summer. At first glance it appears that they forgot 15% of the children in this country qualify for Special Education. I spoke to out-going National PTA President Ginny Markel about this, only to find out that National PTA had given this issue a great deal of thought. It turns out that 2 of the children in the ads have Multiple Sclerosis and a third is wearing a ‘Medic Alert’ bracelet. So when you hear that phrase in the coming months you can be assured that the PTA is concerned about every child.

Just as the National PTA is changing to meet the needs of today’s parents so is SEPTA changing. Last year we awarded a scholarship to a graduating special education student, he’ll be attending a program for automotive technology this fall. This year we are planning on hosting more speakers on special ed issues, just look on page x for a preview of some of the workshops. Also you can expect to find a lot more information on our website. The most recent addition is the districts 'Corrective Action Plan / Needs Assessment" for our Special Education program. In the near future the website will include information on the Child Study teams and the Special Ed Teacher.

I would like to encourage all parents to join and support SEPTA, we are here to help you help your children.

So if there is topic you would like us to cover, or some other way that we can help, or if anyone would like to help out on any of our committees. Please let us know.

Bill Sellar

As you may be aware of the District of South River will be entering the second half of the Self-Assessment Process this year. During this school year, the State Monitoring Team from the N.J. Dept. of Special Education will be in residence with in the South River Public Schools for one week to complete their assessment of the Special Education Department. During this time they will review the district’s compliance with special education laws and policies and once again, there will be a public forum meeting. This public forum meeting will be run by the N.J. Dept. of Special Education not by the school district. They will be asking you to comment on all aspects of dealings with the Sept. of Special Education in the course of your child’s education while enrolled in the South River Public Schools system. It is very important that you, as a parent and advocate for your child’s education, attend and give voice to you and your child’s experiences. Your child’s educational goals and achievements start with your involvement in their education. Remember you have the right to (1) ask questions, (2) it is important that you as your child’s advocate participate in your child’s annual I.E.P. meetings, and (3) stay in contact with everyone who is involved with your child’s education. You may think that you do not have the time but it is your child’s educational growth (or lack of it) that ultimately pays the price in the end.

There are many organizations throughout New Jersey and the nation whose purpose is to help you to become a stronger advocate for your child in all areas of their life. They offer free advice and council on how to advocate for your child’s rights.

For a list of these organizations, please contact SEPTA at any time.

*Anyone interested in receiving a copy of the South River School District’s Self-Assessment plan can download a copy from SEPTA's website or contact the Board of Education Office at 1-(732) 613-4000.

This year SEPTA will be hosting a wide range of informative workshops and hopefully offering the students of South River more in the way of recreational and social outlets by organizing programs starting in summer of 2002.Please mark your calendars for the following workshops and recreational opportunities.

September:
Kool Kids Bowling League starts at Mid-State Bowling Saturdays 2-4pm Mid-State Mall, E. Brunswick (Runs approx. 13 weeks)

SEPTA’s 3rd Annual Ice Cream Social 7-9pm South River Cafetorium

October:
SEPTA/SPAN workshop: Developing an IEP for Achievement and The Least Restrictive Environment 10:30- 2:30 pm at the South River Public Library,55 Appleby Ave., South River *Please register for this workshop by contacting SEPTA at (732) 432-6747 or by emailing SEPTA at: septa_srnj@geocities.com

November:
"Parent’s Role in Self-Assessment, monitoring & Corrective Action" Get involved and help local school Districts get incompliance with Special Education regulations. Presenter: representative from the DDC.

December/January:
Tax Deductions for your Special Needs Child. Find out what you can deduct on your next tax return.

February:
"Strategies for Diverse Learners~ Applying the latest research to improve achievement for all students"

Speaker: Lynda Fote~ Learning Plus

I will be able to help SEPTA with:

______ Popcorn sales

______ Recreational Programs / Planning events

_____ Guest Speakers / Seminars/ Workshops

_____ Scholarship Committee

_____ Refreshments for Workshops/ Seminars

_____ Parents Helping Parents Meetings

Name:___________________________________

Address:_________________________________

Telephone:_______________________________

Email:___________________________________

Please return this completed form to school in an envelope marked "SEPTA" or you may mail to:

SEPTA
81 Johnson Place
South River, NJ 0888

In order to serve you better please take a minute to fill out this questionnaire:

Do you have a Special Needs Child/ Children? Yes / No

If so what age? ______________________

Do you have access to E-Mail? Yes _____ No_______

Would you like information sent to your e-mail and if so

What is the address?

_______________________________________________

Do you have access to the World-Wide-Web? Yes / No

Would you be interested in information distributed over the Web? Yes ______ No______

What Topics or Subjects would be of interest to you?

_____________________________________________

How can SEPTA help you and your child?

_________________________________________________

Would you be interested in being on one of the committees?

___Fundraising _____Refreshments ____ Membership

___ Special events ____ Speakers ___ Legislative

Other___________________________________________

Please return this completed form to school in an envelope marked "SEPTA"

or mail to SEPTA