COMMACK SEPTA
Special Education Parent Teacher Association

 

Newsletter Membership Form Links&Resources Meeting Dates SEPTA Officers

The November Issue of the SEPTA Spectrum has been posted! Click on the Newsletter link to "read all about it!"
 

SEPTA would like to help make a difference by offering Commack students and families the opportunity to buy environmentally friendly reusable lunch bags, backpacks, messenger bags and totes made by Project KOOL.
Click here for flyer and order form

We still have a limited number of Commackopoly  games available for purchase, don't miss out! It makes a great gift, keepsake or simply enjoy it on Family Game Night!  $25 per game. If you have any questions, please contact Laurie Schoenfeld at 493-0658. 
Commackopoly Order Form

Click here for an Informative Article on Autism


What is SEPTA?
     SEPTA stands for Special Education Parent Teacher Association. We are a District Wide PTA whose primary function is to act as both an advocacy and support group for children, teachers, and families of specials needs students. If your child receives Speech, Counseling, Resource Room, Occupational or Physical Therapy, is in a Special Education or Inclusion classroom, or is in an out of district placement (any child with an IEP).  WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!!!
       As an advocacy group, we try to stay as current as possible with the ever changing rules and regulations governing our children's rights and educational mandates. SEPTA is always looking to work with our teachers to help enhance the programs already in place, and offer suggestions for new programs that will benefit our children. Like all PTA's, SEPTA presents it's own Goals and Priorities to PTA Council, which is then presented as part of PTA Council's Goals to our District Administrators. These are reviewed periodically throughout the year with our administration and updates are given to membership. Many of our members also act as Parent Members at CSE (Committee on Special Education) and CPSE (Committee on Pre-School Special Education) meetings.
       As a support group, we offer programs to help our students both in and out of the classroom. Our Social Skills After School Program begins during the late fall, and is offered to grades K-5. Two $1,000.00 Scholarships are offered to our graduates each year, and look below for a listing of our meeting dates and speakers.
      As you can imagine, the amount of time and effort that is needed to run our programs is staggering.  WE NEED YOUR HELP!  Please join SEPTA.  Click here for a membership form. The vast majority of the work has rested on the shoulders of a dedicated few. We would love some new members with lots of enthusiasm and ideas to help carry on our work. Our children need SEPTA to continue it's efforts. SEPTA needs you to make that happen. The more we do together, the more our children will benefit. Please join us at our next meeting and share your expertise. Any help will be a great help.   

SEPTA Support Group

SEPTA is happy to announce that we will continue to host a support group. We have had a wonderful time getting to know each other, learning from one another and sharing information, in an intimate setting.  We hope to see familiar faces and of course look
forward to meeting new friends.   For your convenience we have set up the support group dates in advance.  We look forward to seeing you on the following Friday nights at 7:30 PM!

Please call to RSVP at least 3 days before meeting date.  THANKS!!
 

IDEA Update - a must read for Special Ed parents.

Monthly Meeting Schedule & Speakers
   
October 7, 2008 SEPTA Mtg. 7:30pm @ Wood Park - Meet the Staff!
November 18, 2008 SEPTA Mtg. 7:30pm @ Wood Park - Dr. John Kelly will teach us how to interpret test scores.
January 13, 2009 SEPTA Mtg. 7:30pm @ Wood Park - Dr. Brian Quinn, PhD who is presenting a 1 hour workshop about Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS), a clinically proven method of dealing with kids with a variety of diagnoses who are easily frustrated, inflexible and/or explosive. This presentation will help parents and teachers learn a powerful new set of tools for working with these sometimes difficult children. We will also have a speaker from the Suffolk Y JCC who will give us an overview of the programs they have available for special needs children.
February 10, 2009 SEPTA Mtg. 7:30pm @ Wood Park
March 10, 2009 SEPTA Mtg.  7:30pm @ Wood Park
April 21, 2009 SEPTA Mtg. 7:30pm @ Wood Park - Changed the time!
May 12, 2009 SEPTA Mtg. 8:00pm @ Wood Park - Budget Presentation

June 9, 2009

 End of Year Dinner - All Welcome!
Click here for links to local Organizations for help.    
Email Reminders to me
SEPTA’S OFFICERS-        We’re  here to help!         2008-2009
Co-Presidents  Laurie Schoenfeld
Shannon Veitch Storms		 493-0658
543-1917
Vice President Theresa Maricevic 543-5142
Secretary Janine Rosen 499-8004
Treasurer                            Debbie Vilardi 864-1310
Council Rep Susan Hermer 543-0603
Board Rep Jeff Burkhoff 543-0155
Assistant Superintendent
for Pupil Personnel Services		 Amy Ryan 912-2033
Past Presidents Christine Grunwald
Denise Smagala		 462-7339
864-8206
Teacher Delegates    
Margie Pascariello
Mary Nerko		 Primary    858-3680
Marianne Dorman
Dominic Fontana		 Intermediate  858-3650
Emily Greco Middle School 858-3550
Michelle Adamovicz and Maria Carey High School 912-2162

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

bulletHelp wanted:  We need YOU to serve on the various committees on the SEPTA Board.  Getting involved in SEPTA is the best way to keep in touch with all that Commack and our PTA has to offer for you and your child.  For more information call Shannon @ 543-1917.
 
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Remember, YOU are the best advocate for your child.  Get involved! 


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posted 01/08/2009