|
"EDUCATION - A DEBT DUE FROM
PRESENT TO FUTURE GENERATIONS" -
George Peabody, 1852 |
|
|
PEABODY PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, INC. P.O. Box 4250 Peabody, MA 01961-4250
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PPCSNinfo
Check out
our meeting minutes and posts on line!
September 2006 Special Education PAC Newsletter* *The views expressed in this newsletter are those of the PPCSN and do not necessarily reflect those of the Peabody Public Schools. President - Rosemary Piaker: 978- 531-8005 (PPCSNRosemary@aol.com)
Vice
President - Chris Neenan: 978-531-0465 (ChrisN1220@aol.com)
Treasurer – Patty McLaughlin: 978-531-6725 Secretary- Randa Barbaro: 978-531-0620 _________________________________________________________________________ Meeting Days and Times: Peabody’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council will hold our first meeting of the 2006-2007 school year on Tuesday, September 12th.
PAC
meetings are free and open to everyone. They are held at the Higgins Middle
School
- Peabody, Room #57, starting at 7 PM. Although our meetings are conducted in English, translators are available upon request through the Peabody Special Education Office at: 978-536-6060.
A
school department representative is usually on hand to discuss general
issues and concerns
related to special education students. Our meetings often include presentations by a variety of interesting and informative speakers. We give a brief update and provide an opportunity to meet with other parents, professionals and friends over coffee and dessert. 2006 - 2007 meeting dates*: 9/12/06, 10/10/06, 11/14/06, 12/12/06, 1/9/07, 2/13/07, 3/13/07, 4/10/07, 5/1/07, 6/12/07 *Please note some of these meeting dates were changed from June2006 newsletter to accommodate the NS Arc Transition Workshops listed below.
Welcoming
Dr. Burnett
Newly elected Superintendent of Schools in Peabody, Dr. Milt Burnett is no stranger to our school system. His career in Peabody spans 30 years of experience from teaching to administration. When his position as Administrator of Instruction was eliminated from the school budget four years ago, Dr. Burnett became the Assistant Superintendent in Billerica. Working in Billerica provided Dr. Burnett with a new opportunity for professional growth. In addition to Dr. Burnett’s professional experience, as a resident of Peabody and a parent of two school-aged children, he brings a unique perspective to the position of Superintendent. His top priorities are to focus on curriculum, promote a positive image for our schools, and create a sense of harmony and respect among community stakeholders. Due to Dr. Burnett’s contractual obligations in Billerica, Jean Shea, Administrator of Special Education in Peabody has been appointed as Acting Superintendent until Dr. Burnett will be able to start.
Being an
Advocate
Often parents ask how best to handle a problem with a professional involved with their child. Whether it is a doctor’s office medical assistant or a teacher, it is always important to have a notebook to document the event. Include in your notes, the day, a summary of the issue and how you tried to resolve it. If the problem persists, speak with that person’s direct supervisor (e.g. office manager, principal, etc.). Be sure to document this encounter in the notebook. If the problem continues, then take the matter to the person who is the next higher up (e.g. the doctor, team chairperson, etc.). Maintain accurate notes on all communications regardless of whether they are in person, on the telephone or in a letter. It may seem easier to go right to the top (the Director of Medicine or the Superintendent of Schools) but if you have not followed the “chain of command,” the top person will send you back to the beginning. Other avenues for help include talking with persons in similar situations (i.e. attend our meetings) and don’t forget that when a problem does get resolved, it is always good to share that success with the people involved!
Transition
to Adulthood Workshop
The North Shore Association for Retarded Citizens (NS Arc) will be hosting a series of workshops on Transition to Adulthood – Turning 22. Transition planning needs to be included in a student’s IEP when he / she turns 16 but it's never to early to start learning about what happens once the entitlement to education ends. These workshops will take place on Tuesdays from 7 – 9 PM at the NS Arc, 6 Southside Road, in Danvers. For more information contact Beth Mazzetta at 978-624-2326. Registration is required and forms will be available at our September PAC meeting. Here is a list of the topics: (9/19/06) Special Education Overview: Review Key Areas of the IEP for Transition; (10/3/06) Mass. Rehab. / Vocational and Residential Supports; (11/7/06) Social Security Work Incentives, SSI and MassHealth for Transition Age Youth; (12/5/06) Dept. of Mental Retardation Eligibility Overview and MASS CAP Scores; (1/16/07) Transitioning from High School: Early Transition Planning; (2/6/07) Employment in the Community; (3/6/07) Flexible Supports and Chapter 171 Flexible Support Law; (4/3/07) Residential Options; (5/8/07) Advocating for Change: Pulling the Pieces Together and Making a Difference; (6/5/07) Financial & Estate Planning: Understanding the 5 Key Factors in Special Needs Planning: Family / Support, Emotional, Financial, Legal, and Government.
North Shore
Children’s Hospital
Family Rounds, a monthly FREE lecture series for parents and professionals is held from 12-1:30 PM on the third Thursday of the month at North Shore Children’s Lynch Conference Room, 57 Highland Avenue, Salem. Registration is required. For more information call 978-354-2660 or e-mail: mroberts2@partners.org. Upcoming topics are: (9/21/06) Understanding Juvenile Probation; (10/19/06) Confidentiality Issues in the Treatment of Minors; (11/16/06) Lynn Police Department Gang Unit Education Program; (12/21/06) Bullying: What Parents Can Do; (1/19/07) Adolescent Substance Abuse and the Impact on the Family.
Thank you
for the support:
The PPCSN would like to express our gratitude toward Master Soon Woo Hong and Sun Tae Kwon Do Academy for their generosity. To celebrate one year of business in Peabody, the Sun Tae Kwon Do Academy hosted their “First Annual Master’s Demonstration Invitational.” At this event the students, parents and volunteers joined together for the sale of tickets and other items. The proceeds of the event were kindly donated to the PPCSN.
Announcements:
The Federation for Children with Special Needs' NewsLine is available on line at: http://fcsn.org/publications_resources/newsline/newsline.html. The highlights of the latest issue include: Conference and Gala Wrap-ups, Whom Do I Call, FAQs about Annual Goals, MassHealth / CommonHealth Premium Assistance Program, Parenting Children with Autism, News from Family TIES, Book Reviews, and much more!
Accessibility Improvements Project for Peabody Veterans Memorial High School
met this summer and discussed
plans to make improvements to accessibility in the following areas: the cafeteria, gift shop, Culinary Arts Classroom, shop and the Cosmetology Lab.
Newsletter
Thanks:
Mrs. MacLarty’s class at PVMHS receives our thanks for their help in preparing our newsletters for mailing.
September
is Dues time again:
In order to participate in our social activities and receive membership discounts at the cultural events we sponsor, please fill out and return the following: 2006 - 2007 PPCSN Membership Application: Member Name: _____________________________ Street Address: _____________________________ City/Zip: __________________________________ Telephone: _________________________________ e-mail: ____________________________________ Special Needs Family Member(s) Name: ____________________________________ Date of Birth: _______________________________ Disability: __________________________________ School: ____________________________________ If you are a new member, how did you hear about us? ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Please list any activities you would participate in (fund-raising, social activities, newsletter, etc.) ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Dues Schedule* (payable each September): Annual Membership: $10 Senior Membership: $7 Please make check payable to: PPCSN Inc. and mail to:
PPCSN Inc.
P.O. Box 4250 Peabody, MA 01961-4250 Any questions on dues, contact our treasurer: Patty McLaughlin at 978-531-6725. *Membership is never denied for financial reasons.
Important
names and numbers in Special Education**:
Jean Shea, Administrator of Special Education and the following chairpersons may be reached by calling the Department of Special Education at: 978-536-6060 or using their voice mail numbers listed below.
-Out-of-District Liaison: Valerie McCann, 978-536-6080
-Special Education Department Chairperson: Mark Sullivan, 978.536.4525 -Chairperson, Brown, Center & McCarthy Grades 3-5, Jenny Churchill, 978-536-6079 -Chairperson, Burke, South and Welch: Stacey Horvitz, 978-536-6073 -Chairperson, McCarthy K-2, Carroll, West and Director’s Designee: William Mitchell, 978-536-6081 -Administrator of Peabody’s Community Program: Linda Barber, 978-536-4955 Peabody Veterans Memorial High School personnel may be reached by calling: 978-536-4500 or by using their voice mail numbers listed below. -Chairperson Peabody Veterans Memorial High School (PVMHS), and Community Program: Judie Maniatis, 978-536-4526. -Peabody Veterans Memorial High School Special Education Department Head: Mark Sullivan, 978-536-4525. Patricia Bullard, Chairperson Higgins Middle School and the Eagles Cluster: voice mail 978-536-4949 or by calling Higgins Middle School (HMS) main telephone number 978-536-4800. Dr. Kristin Hutton-Fay, Director Integrated Preschool and Chairperson: 978-536-5631. Eileen Bresnahan, Transportation Supervisor: 978-536-6581.
By
Specialty:
Speech Therapists -Susan Robert & Mindi Davis - Preschool at McCarthy -Sandy Zimmerman: Brown -Janet Terranova: Brown (Welch testing) -Karen Nathanson: Burke, Center, PVMHS Life Skills -Cathy Geomelos: McCarthy -Suzanne Felt & Jillian String: Carroll -Maureen Connor: South, West -Michelle Fain: Welch -Kerry Toler: PVMHS, Community Program, HMS, Eagles Cluster -Candis Bolden: HMS, Eagles Cluster Occupational Therapists -Kristy Maier: Brown -Cathy Connaughton: Burke, Center -Lisa Ginivsian: Carroll -Cynthia Trainor: West, HMS, Eagles Cluster, PVMHS, Community Program -Deb Duncanson: McCarthy, Preschool at McCarthy -Cathy Bernardo: South, Welch Psychologists -Dr. Ivis Carey: Center, Preschool at McCarthy, Welch -Dr. Tracey Tillman: Brown, Burke, South -Dr. Harriett Budd: Carroll, West, McCarthy -Dr. Timothy Hynick: HMS -Dr. Monica Bernell: Eagles Cluster, Community Program -Dr. Robert Gallant: PVMHS School Adjustment Councilors -Kristine Cowal: Brown, McCarthy, Pre-school at McCarthy. -Ellen Manning: Center, Welch -Cathy Horkan: West -Carl Stenzel: Carroll, South -Janis Melanson: HMS -Stephanie Bauman: Eagles Cluster - Heather Steckel, Mirella Seccareccio: PVMHS -Nancy Doran: Community Program -Seth Boynton: Burke, HMS
District
Wide Specialists:
-Pamela Sudore: Vision -Pat McGovern: Physical Therapy -William Carey: Physical Therapy Assistant -Larry Leavitt and Maria Caruso: Adaptive Physical Education **Additional listings for staff, telephone extensions and a wealth of other information is available on the Peabody Public Schools website under the link for Special Education: |
|
Peabody Public Schools, 21
Johnson St., Peabody, Mass. 01960 Phone: 978.531.1600 |
