Watertown Commission on Disability

Watertown Special Education Parent Advisory Council
2009-2010 Calendar
Meetings held at the Cunniff School Library, 246 Warren St. 5 PM
Lowell School Library 175 Orchard St.

September 16, 2009: Watertown Programming and Plans for 2009-2010

Director of Student Services, Elisabeth Schaefer, will talk about the new programming for students with disabilities in Watertown. Faculty who will provide services to students in out-of-district placements this year, Penelope Giannakopoulos and Dee Graichen will be present to meet parents, as well as Kathleen Lockyer, the former Director of Special Education in Watertown, who will mentor Penelope and Dee in their new roles supporting students in out-of-district placements.
Bring your kids – child care, pizza, beverages and fresh baked goods will be provided.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009: Basic Rights – Federation for Children with Special Needs

Michelle Martin-Fallon
This workshop provided by the Federation for Children with Special Needs provides families with an introduction to their rights and responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts Special Education Law and No Child Left Behind (NCLB). It is designed to help parents learn how to be effective partners with the school, to decide the child’s eligibility for special education, to plan, make decisions and to monitor the educational progress of their child.
Bring your kids – child care, pizza, beverages and fresh baked goods will be provided.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009: Using Visual Supports to Help Students with Special Needs in Learning and Processing Information. Note: *Lowell School Library

Barbara Cannon and Renee Dean, Melmark New England
This training will explore a number of visual strategies and organization methods to help children with special needs learn new skills. Additionally, the use of visuals to help manage behavior, structure a student’s time, and aide in self regulation will be addressed.
Bring your kids – child care, pizza, beverages and fresh baked goods will be provided.

Wednesday December 9, 2009:

A social evening out to celebrate the season and to get a jump on planning the 7th Annual Awards Night. Nomination forms will be available. Come and share the cheer!
Child care is not available for this date.
Not Your Average Joes, RSVP any officer.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010: Transition; Planning the Next Steps for Youth 14-22:

Michelle Martin-Fallon
This workshop addresses the issues related to designing the right curriculum and supports throughout high school so that the student will be on the right track for becoming self-sufficient and living independently after graduation. Information and strategies will be provided to help parents and students translate individual preferences and dreams into meaningful goals in the IEP. Michelle is a past SEAPC Co-chair and the parent of a child with multiple disabilities. Michelle is a professional systems and educational advocate.
Bring your kids – child care, pizza, beverages and fresh baked goods will be provided.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010: Executive Functioning
Sarah Ward-Note: 6:30 at the Lowell School Library 175 Orchard St.
Learn strategies to teach your child to efficiently manage his/her own tasks, time, space and materials (while keeping emotions in check!). A practical strategies seminar for parents and professionalson executive function skills
Bring your kids – child care, beverages and fresh baked goods will be provided.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010: March Madness-Navigating MassHealth

Natalie Guenoune, LSW.
MassHealth offers a broad range of health-care services.
Natalie will explain the MassHealth application process and whether it is beneficial for your family to pursue. Applications will be on hand for evaluation. Q and A time will be provided at the end of the presentation. Natalie has been working as a social worker for 17 years and has a child with special needs.
Bring your kids – child care, pizza, beverages and fresh baked goods will be provided.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010: 6th Annual Awards Night & Responding Versus Reacting to Your Kids: Key Principals and Techniques for Effective Parenting
Charlie Appelstein
This is an uplifting evening to honor all that is great in Special Education in Watertown. We have many dedicated people in our schools and the community. Join us to recognize and honor those who have been influential in our children’s lives. Nomination Ballots are enclosed in this mailing please take the time to nominate an educator, professional or individual within the community who has positively impacted you or your child. We would also love to have parents involved in the presentation of the awards.

The awards will be followed by a presentation by Charlie Appelstein an entertaining speaker whose motto is, “There’s no such thing as a bad kid.” Charlie has spent over 25 years working with children, parents. Join us for one of his most popular keynote address “The Glass Ain’t Half-Full; Heck, It’s Overflowing!” Creating a Strength-Based Culture in Your Setting. Strength-based practice is an emerging approach to helping at-risk children, youth, and families that is exceptionally positive and hope-inspiring. Q and A time will be provided at the end.
Childcare is not available for this date.
Time: 6:30 to 9:00
Location: Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown
Light Hor D Oeuvres, baked goods and beverages will be served.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010: Negotiating Playgrounds and Community Settings
Barbara Cannon and Renee Dean, Melmark New England
How parents can effectively communicate with others (teachers, other children, other parents, relatives) about their child’s disability to facilitate understanding and acceptance. Strategies to use to facilitate peer interaction
Bring your kids – child care, pizza, beverages and fresh baked goods will be provided.

June 9, 2010: Dinner
A social evening out to herald the end of the school year and to get a jump start on next year’s speaker series. We don’t meet throughout the summer, but it gives us an opportunity to plan ahead.

Feel free to contact any of the officers with comments or questions.
Officers:
Elan Rohde, co-chair elanrohde@gmail.com
Laine Tulipano, co-chair ltulipano@comcast.net
Myrrto Flessas, vice co-chair myrtoflessas@flessasfinochelaw.com
Fred Isaacs, treasurer f.isaacs@comcast.net
Brenda Manning, secretary deweygirl@comcast.net