Meetings

SEPACS Presents a Focus on Special Education with

• Dr. Catalani, Superintendent of Scottsdale Unified School District
• Katy Cavanagh, Assistant Superintendent
• Lois Healey, Director of Special Education

This is a great opportunity to welcome Dr. Catalani to the District and hear his views on Special Education, while providing  him with insight into Special Education from your family’s perspective.

Date & Time:  Wednesday, October 21st, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Location:  Mohave District Annex, Room 202, 8505 E. Valley View Road, Scottsdale 85250-6768. (Coming from the west, the building is just past the ball fields, with a small parking lot in front of it. )

Please mark your calendars with the meetings we have planned for the 2009-2010 school year:

• October 21st – Superintendent Dr. Catalani
• November 14th – Sibling Panel
• December – No meeting
• January 20th – IEP Panel
• February ** – Advocacy Panel
• March ** – Camp Fair
• April ** – Social Skills Workshop

** Dates to be announced.

Welcome Back!

Join us for our first meeting of the school year as we discuss:

Elections

School Representatives

Speed Networking

Wednesday, September 16th
6:30-8:30 p.m.

Mohave District Annex – Kachina Room
8505 E. Valley View Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85250

Time to mark your calendars for the 2009-2010 school year.  Here are the meetings planned so far.

• September 16th – Welcome Back
• October 21st – Superintendent Dr. Catalani
• November 14th – Sibling Panel
• December – No meeting
• January 20th – IEP Panel
• February ** – Advocacy Panel
• March ** – Camp Fair
• April ** – Social Skills Workshop

** Dates to be announced.

Every child can succeed with positive direction and care.  This a wonderful opportunity to help prepare our young adults  for their lives after high school.  Register Now!

For more details, please visit the website for the conference:  www.SpectrumTrainingSystemsInc.com/Conferences.html

Read below for the conference schedule.

Career Planning for Individuals
with Autism Spectrum Disorders
April 2-3, 2009

After several years of planning, Spectrum Training is delighted to announce that our two day Autism Career Planning conferences are now ready. After much dialogue with career planners, transition teachers, parents and other ASD concerned persons we planned these conferences to meet those specific, critical needs.
This high caliber career planning is the key to a successful future with positive long-term outcomes and is ESSENTIAL for:
* Career counselors, job developers/job coaches, rehab administrators, vocational coordinators
* Special education administrators, teachers, teacher assistants, case managers, therapists
* Students, parents, caregivers, young adults with ASD (16+)

Date and Location

April 2-3, 2009 Phoenix, AZ

Topic Schedule
Conference Schedule Day One:

Career Planning
A. Communication Skills in the Initial Interview
B. Interview Communication Graffiti Activity
C. Structuring the Interview Environment
D. Interview Structure Activity
E. Theory of Mind
F. Building the Career Portfolio
G. Career Portfolio Development Activity

Career Assessment
A. Creating the Evaluation Plan
B. Assessment Processes for Job Seekers With ASD
C. Skill/Interest Testing
D. Assessing Social/Communication Skills
E. Career Assessment Activity

Workplace Supports
A. Workplace Problems
B. Natural Support Development
C. Take Workplace Supports
D. Minnesota Work Adjustment Theory
E. Work Values Graffiti Activity

Conference Schedule Day Two:
Social Communication in the Workplace
A. Basic Self-Advocacy
B. Asking for Help Activity
C. Sins of the System Overview
D. Sins of the System Graffiti Activity
E. Courtesy Rule Card Activity
F. Social Skill Supports
G. Workplace Visuals Graffiti Activity
H. Workplace Social Story Make/Take

Implementing the Career Plan
A. Career Strategies in Action
B. Working with the Business Community
C. Final Wrap Up – Q & A Session

Presented by Spectrum Training Systems, Inc.

spectrumtrainingsystems@yahoo.com

(920) 749-0332 

Please join us for our next meeting.

Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Workshop

Meet with an IEP specialist in interactive small groups broken down by age.  Bring your concerns and questions, or just come to listen and learn.  This is one of our most popular topics!

IEP parent specialists include:

• Barb Ross, Parent Information Network

• Kim Yamamoto, Arizona’s Advocates

• Jill Pearns, Arizona’s Advocates 

Tuesday, January 20th

6:30-8:30 p.m.

Mohave District Annex, Kachina Room

8505 E. Valley View Road, Scottsdale 85250-6768

Mark your calendar for future events:

• February 17, Social Awareness
• March 1,  Summer Camp Fair

Our next meeting is coming right up.  Please mark your calendars and join us!

Enhancing Social Success:

Programs for our Kids

• Playground programs
• Peer sensitivity
• Autism awareness
• SUSD Community School Special Needs Camp

Presented by: Linda Kraynak, Doreen Muir, Karen Donmoyer, and Julia Whitt

Tuesday, November 18th
6:30-8:30 p.m.

Mohave District Annex
Kachina Room
8505 E. Valley View Road, Scottsdale 85250-6768

Questions?  Contact us.

Special Education in the Scottsdale School District

Hear the experts tell us how it works:

• Katy Cavanagh: Interim Co-Superintendent – Teaching and Learning
• David Peterson: Interim Co-Superintendent – Finances and Operations
• Lois Healey: Administrator – Special Education Services

Thursday, October 23rd
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Mohave District Annex, Kachina Room
8505 E. Valley View Road, Scottsdale 85250-6768

A couple upcoming meeting announcements from the Scottsdale Supporters of the Gifted. Any questions? Contact: ssg@arizonagifted.org.

SSG News – October 12, 2008

SSG welcomes all families and educators to join us at the events listed below. Come meet new families, see old friends. Update your knowledge on current issues regarding best practices for gifted children. All SSG events cost $5.oo per family and are free to educators. Attendance certificates available to use for professional development requirements.

“GIFTED but…” Marlo Payne Rice Thurman
OCTOBER 16, 2008 Thursday 6:30 to 8:30 Mustang Library Auditorium

Is your child gifted but with learning issues? The founder of the famous Brideun Learning Communities in Colorado will present ideas on how to successfully educate gifted and twice-exceptional students. Parents and professionals welcome!

Note: The previous night, 10/15, Marlo will be speaking to people interested in a school based on the Brideun model which is scheduled to open in Scottsdale in Fall 2009. For more information, go to www.az2e.org.)  

GENIUS COACHING -Guiding Your Child with Careful Listening and Effective Language
NOVEMBER 20 2008 6:30 to 8:30 Mustang Library Auditorium

Join Otto Siegel, M.Ed and Susanna Lange, authors of “Yes, You Are a Genius – Whether You Know it or Not” for a presentation on communicating effectively with your child. Learn to find the words that will motivate and encourage your child instead of creating barriers and conflict. Empower your child and yourself to overcome challenges created by giftedness.