Please come and show your support!

March 4 Schools 4:00 – 6:00 
> March 4, 2009 @ the Arizona State Capitol 
> We need everyone at this event. Buses are leaving from 10 different elementary schools (departing at 3:45). Please use this link to RSVP.
> http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=nFTKO846qE475Fzbniswzw_3d_3d
> 
> Pass this email on to anyone, I mean anyone, who believes that a promising tomorrow starts with our schools today. Right now the legislative leadership is proposing cuts of 18% to our already inadequate funding. 
> My promise is to speak up against this. Will you? I mean really…what’s it gonna take? 
> PTOs and PTAs, I implore you to get this through your network with a real sense of urgency. 
> 
> My sincerest thanks,
> Eric Kurland
> SEA President
> erickurland6@aol.com
>

Please look at this wonderful workshop.

Just wanted to let you know about an upcoming workshop for professionals and parents presented by Rick Lavoie, a well-known authority in children who learn differently. You can get information at www.lexisprep.com/lavoie. This is an amazing opportunity for all of us….I hope you take advantage of it.

Twice Exceptional (2e) Parent Group twoeparents@yahoo.com

Laura Holgate, Chair 
Affiliated with Scottsdale Supporters of the Gifted (SSG)
http://azgifted.org/ and SEPACS http://sepacs.org/

Where does Special Education stand in terms of the weakening economy, state wide budget cuts to education and the rising cost of services?  It sounds overwhelming! 

      Throughout this whole process our focus will remain on the individual student.  IEP teams are still obligated to plan for access to the general curriculum in a manner that will enable the student to make progress.  This will not change. 

      We will, however, make certain that our resources are wisely appropriated.

We will have to make certain that our classes are filled before opening new classrooms

• • We will have to make certain that our classes are filled before opening new classrooms

•  
  • We will have to be certain all assistive technology is appropriate for a student

•  
  • We will have to share materials with colleagues and we will have to make certain that services are provided in a fair and consistent manner

   What can parents do in support of special education services and education overall at this point in time? 

   Our Arizona Legislators are now in the process of making budget decisions for 2009 – 2010.  This could include a 24 million dollar cut to education in SUSD alone.  It is important to voice concerns regarding these cuts.  You can contact your state senators and representatives through this web site.  www.azleg.gov

     Your SEPACS Board is represented on the Scottsdale Parent Council.  This gives all of us very credible visibility and a voice.  Please watch for current updates and opportunities to participate in this organization’s projects and initiatives. 

   Another way to voice concerns/opinions is to contact your senators and representatives in Washington, DC.  They had the ability to vote for a stimulus package that would come to Arizona, address education funding and in particular, funding for special education (IDEA).  Access to this communication can be found at www.congress.org 
 

   Also, last but certainly not least, please let your local school board know how much we appreciate their support.  Our Board members have been very supportive of special education; they have spent time visiting classrooms, learning about specific disabilities and understanding the resources needed to meet the needs of our students. 

   If we all address this budget crisis with reliable information, positive suggestions for solutions and a willingness to work collaboratively, we will succeed in maintaining a quality program that we have worked together to provide. 

This is a wonderful opportunity for parents.

March 4 Schools Event at the Arizona State Capitol

Supporters of public education will gather at the Arizona State Capitol on Wednesday, March 4th to make their concerns heard regarding proposed budget cuts to education. The Arizona State Legislature is proposing 18 percent cuts to public education statewide. Budget cuts proposed for Scottsdale Unified School District total $21 million. Buses will leave from 10 different Scottsdale Unified School District sites at 3:45 pm and return at 6:00 pm. These sites are; Anasazi, ANLC, Aztec, Cochise, Copper Ridge, Hohokam, Pueblo, Sequoya, Tavan, and Tonalea. Each site will also offer carpools as needed. The community is invited to attend this important event.

Please RSVP at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=nFTKO846qE475Fzbniswzw_3d_3d

Statehood Day

RALLY FOR EDUCATION

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009
11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Wesley Bolin Plaza at the Arizona State Capitol
1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix

Ample parking is available in the Governor’s Tower lot, located at 19th Ave. between Jefferson and Adams, and in the parking garage behind the state offices just north of the Capitol.

• Bring VALENTINES for GOVERNOR BREWER and your
  LEGISLATORS and put them in the giant Valentines Box!
  Include positive messages about K-12 education on them!!!
• Bring your STORIES about what public education means to you!
• Bring your CHILDREN and GRANDCHILDREN!
• Bring your FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS and COWORKERS!
• Bring SIGNS – Let’s make sure our elected officials know supporting K-12 EDUCATION IS A TOP PRIORITY for Arizona!

Organized with the support of the Arizona Association of School Business Officials, Arizona Education Association, Arizona Parents for Public Education, Arizona School Administrators and the Arizona School Boards Association.

If you haven’t heard about the proposed Civitan project, Quivara Farms, you will want to attend this important meeting.  A great opportunity for long-term living possibilities for our kids as they mature.  Thanks to Mike Horne and Mary Ann Niccoli for getting this presentation set up and the word out.

Please note that a meeting has been scheduled for 6:30 pm on Wednesday, February 18th, at St. Barnabus Church, 6715 N. Mockingbird Lane, Paradise Valley, 85253 to discuss the Quivira Farms “special needs farm”.  Mike Horne presented an overview of this at our parent meeting yesterday and it is an exciting new project that may impact all of our children as they move into adulthood.  If this farm is successful, our children could live and/or work there for the remainder of their lives. 

Such a story about this high school senior in Maine with Down Syndrome seen this morning on the Today Show.  Click on this link; there is a commercial, but wait for the MSNBC logo.

www.truveo.com/Player-with-Down-syndrome-wows-fans/id/588525814

A valuable program for teens and young adults.

 The link to YAC-AZ  website where we schedule our YAC-AZ events:  http://nyra.meetup.com/51/    The next YAC-AZ meeting will be February 21, 2009 and we will have someone from the Department of Education there to talk to youth about RSA services, voc rehab, and transition in education.

For more information please contact: 

George Garcia

Youth Coordinator for Set Yourself Free 

Southwest Institute for Families and Children

5111 N. Scottsdale Rd., #151

Scottsdale, AZ 85250

602-443-0706

480-222-8800

g.garcia@swifamilies.org

www.swifamilies.org