NewtonPAC for Special Education

February 16, 7:30 pm – SPED Review and Trend Report: Follow-up and Next Steps

NewtonPAC — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:18:32 +0000

Superintendent David Fleishman and Judy Levin-Charns, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, are hosting an evening meeting for discussion of special education in Newton with NewtonPAC. Also attending will be Dorsey Yearley, the consultant helping to implement the changes at Newton South HS and who will be working with staff to make changes to middle school sped programing.

The evening will provide an opportunity to share and discuss special education planning by NPS in light of the release of new information available in the sped review, the trends report, and the ongoing work at South and the middle schools by Dorsey Yearley and NPS staff.

Room 210 at 100 Walnut Street, Newtonville.

Networking and light refreshments beginning at 7:15 pm.

Please plan to attend! Questions, contact Sandy and Jo-Louise at info@newtonpac.org.

Background Documents

Special Education 2011 Trend Report 12-12-2011

Special Ed. Trends Presentation to SC 12-12-2011

Special Education Review Dec. 2011

February 16, 7:30 pm SPED Review and Trend Report: Follow-up and Next Steps – rescheduled

NewtonPAC — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:53:06 +0000

This meeting with Superintendent David Fleishman has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 16 at 7:30 pm. Location to be posted on Monday.

Questions, contact Sandy and Jo-Louise at info@newtonpac.org.

CANCELLED – Will be rescheduled – January 19, 7:30 pm – SPED Review and Trend Report: Follow-up and Next Steps

NewtonPAC — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:25:05 +0000

Superintendent David Fleishman called this afternoon to say that he will not be able to attend our meeting tonight. He wanted me to be sure that you know that he is committed to meeting with us, but because of the events this week he needs to be at Underwood Elementary School this evening. Yesterday he thought he could do both, but now it is not possible. Dr. Fleishman will reschedule the meeting to talk with NewtonPAC as soon as schedules permit. We will post the new date in next few days.

Questions, contact Sandy and Jo-Louise at info@newtonpac.org.

January 26, 8:45 am – Meeting with SpEd Administrators

NewtonPAC — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:32:38 +0000

Join NewtonPAC board members for an open meeting of the NewtonPAC Board with Judy Levin-Charns, NPS Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and other administrators. The meeting will be at 100 Walnut Street, room 304 from 8:45 am to 9:45 am.

The planning meeting to set the agenda for the Jan. 26 meeting with Judy Levin-Charns will be on Thursday, January 12 from 9-10:30 am at Panera, 100 Highland Ave, Needham (across from Staples).

Questions, suggestions, concerns: email Sandy and Jo-Louise at info@newtonpac.org.

January 19, 7:30 pm – SPED Review and Trend Report: Follow-up and Next Steps

NewtonPAC — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:17:05 +0000

Room 210 at 100 Walnut Street, Newtonville.

Networking and light refreshments beginning at 7:15 pm.

Please plan to attend! Questions, contact Sandy and Jo-Louise at info@newtonpac.org.

January 12, 2012 – Elements of a High Quality Reading Program for Children with Reading Disabilities

NewtonPAC — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:03:23 +0000

Please join NewtonPAC for an evening with Elaine Holden, reading specialist, Fellow of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators.

Presentation from 7 pm to 9 pm, networking and light refreshments begin at 6:45 pm in Room 210 of 100 Walnut St., Newtonville.

Please RSVP to info@newtonpac.org so that we have enough handouts.

If you have questions you want to share with Elaine before the meeting, send them to Sandy and Jo-Louise at info@newtonpac.org.

NewtonPAC meetings are free and open to all who are interested in learning more about special education. For more information visit www.newtonpac.org or email info@newtonpac.org.

NewtonPAC.org Website Updates

NewtonPAC — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:45:33 +0000

Updates to IEP Resource Pages

Transitions – Newton Public Schools Transition Wiki developed by Jill Curry, Transition Specialist

Extended School Year (ESY) Eligibility Memo from Newton Public Schools Student Services to Staff Extended School Year Eligibility Memo to Staff 2-3-2011 NPS

“RTI” in Newton – Newton Public Schools Tiered Instruction and Intervention report. Presented at the May 23, 2010 School Committee Meeting.

December 1 at 7:30 pm – Basic Rights in Special Education Law

NewtonPAC — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 03:11:12 +0000

Newton Parent Advisory Council (NewtonPAC) for Special Education meetings are free and open to all people interested in learning more about special education in Newton.

Basic Rights in Special Education Law
presented by Tim Sindelar, Esq.

Thursday, December 1 at 7:30 PM

Learn your rights and responsibilities under special education law so that you can more effectively advocate for your child. Learn the basics of Federal special education law Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts special education law (Chapter 71B) and 504 plans under civil rights laws. Learn about eligibility, evaluations, free and appropriate education (FAPE) and least restrictive environment (LRE). Everyone can benefit from learning or reviewing your basic rights!

The presentation will be held in Room 210 at 100 Walnut Street. Light refreshments and networking begin at 7:15 PM. The presentation will begin at 7:30 and end at 9:00 PM.

Bring your questions!

A summary of Education Rights can be found here.

November 3 at 7:30pm — Dan Heffernan presents – IEP Goals and the Student: How Can We Determine Effective Progress?

NewtonPAC — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 02:54:25 +0000

Special education program and placement decisions hinge on whether or not a child is making “effective progress.” The state regulations further define effective progress, but how does the definition operate in the real world? How can we determine what is or is not effective progress? How do we document the presence or absence of effective progress for an individual student? When there is disagreement about effective progress, what are appropriate ways to resolve the disagreement, and what should we avoid?

Attorney and Newton parent, Dan Heffernan from Kotin, Crabtree, & Strong joins us to consider this perennial question and offer suggestions for parents on this issue.

The presentation will be held in Room 210 at 100 Walnut Street. Light refreshments and networking begin at 7:15 PM. The presentation will begin at 7:30 and end at 9:00 PM.

October 20 at 7:30pm – Newton Special Education Programs for Elementary and Preschool Students

NewtonPAC — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 16:56:03 +0000

Come hear about special education services and programs in Newton’s Elementary and Preschool Schools for the 2011-2012 school year.

Meet Judy Levin-Charns, Ed.D, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, Maura McLaughlin Tynes and Robin Fabiano, Co-Directors of Elementary Student Services and other special education staff.

The 2010-2011 Newton Special Education Program Guide can be found here. The 2011-2012 Program Guide is not yet available.

The presentation will be held in Room 210 at 100 Walnut Street. Light refreshments and networking begin at 7:15 PM. The presentation will begin at 7:30 and end at 9:00 PM.

Bring your questions!

NewtonPAC for Special Education

February 16, 7:30 pm – SPED Review and Trend Report: Follow-up and Next Steps

February 16, 7:30 pm SPED Review and Trend Report: Follow-up and Next Steps – rescheduled

CANCELLED – Will be rescheduled – January 19, 7:30 pm – SPED Review and Trend Report: Follow-up and Next Steps

January 26, 8:45 am – Meeting with SpEd Administrators

January 19, 7:30 pm – SPED Review and Trend Report: Follow-up and Next Steps

January 12, 2012 – Elements of a High Quality Reading Program for Children with Reading Disabilities

NewtonPAC.org Website Updates

Updates to IEP Resource Pages

December 1 at 7:30 pm – Basic Rights in Special Education Law

Basic Rights in Special Education Law presented by Tim Sindelar, Esq.

Thursday, December 1 at 7:30 PM

November 3 at 7:30pm — Dan Heffernan presents – IEP Goals and the Student: How Can We Determine Effective Progress?

October 20 at 7:30pm – Newton Special Education Programs for Elementary and Preschool Students

Basic Rights in Special Education Law
presented by Tim Sindelar, Esq.