A library of Digital recordings of possible required read books for our students who have difficulty reading. This is a wonderful resource!  Please read the following for more information. 

Does your child have difficulty reading books, especially those “required reads” 
for Language Arts or English class?  Has your son or daughter missed the 
“fun of reading” or developed an ”allergic reaction” to books?  Is s/he into
electronics and a member of the Digital Age?  If any of this sounds familiar to 
you, a FREE resource is available to your family.  
 
This free resource is the By Word of Mouth Library, which features numerous
digital recordings by professional narrators along with the hardcopy editions of 
many children and young adult books.  Many of the books are just for sheer 
enjoyment while others are frequent “required reads”.  Most of the digital books 
are already on mp3 players, which are compact, easy to carry around, and fit in 
with other kids’ electronics.
 
Please email Mary Platner at maryplatner@msn.com for a list of the currently
available books or for more information.  Remember: FREE!

The Scottsdale Bobcats Special Olympics will be beginning their 2010 Basketball and Cheerleading Season on January 11, 2010 through March 28, 2010.  Registration opens on November 11,2009.  There are two convenient ways to register:  (1)  Online at www.scottsdaleaz.gov  Click on “parks, recreation & activities” link, then click “sign up for recreation classes”.  (2) Touch Tone phone (480)312-2025.  All athletes must have a current Special Olympic physical form on file with ARS to participate.    For more information, please call the ARS hotline @ (480) 312-2234 or email at adaptedrec@scottsdaleaz.gov

Life Planning Workshop

By

Margaret “Midge” White, M.Ed., CCD

           The Cutty Legacy Foundation Administrator  

Location:  UCP

            1802 West Parkside Lane*

            Phoenix, AZ 85027

Time:   Thursday, November 12^th, 2009        

•  
              6:30 to 8:30 

Free Workshop: How to Provide for Your Family Member with a Disability: Overview of Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorney, Guardianship, Conservatorship, MAP’s, Government Services, Health Care Directives and Futures and End of Life Planning.(Free booklets including information on all areas listed, etc.)

To Sign up Please Call or e-mail at: Call: UCP at 602-943-5472 ask for Kimberly or e-mail:  kphillips@ucpofcentralaz.org or Margaret “Midge” White at 480-730-4108, 480-844-7520 or e-mail: mmwhite@tch-az.com or mmwhite@inficad.com Workshop and “Life Planning” booklets are free but please call ahead so we have enough materials.

Beverly Lim Henes, MS, ATR, LCAT, Art Therapist will be offering Art Therapy classes at Shemer Art Center. Here is a quick summary from Ms. Henes:

Please allow me to tell you about myself and the Shemer Art Center’s new, exciting art therapy classes that are designed for 10 to 13-year-old special needs children. I am a registered and licensed Art Therapist, and have been practicing Art Therapy for over 10 years in New York and Arizona. Through the City of Phoenix’s Parks & Recreation Department and the Shemer Art Center, located in a beautifully renovated historical house at 5005 E. Camelback Rd., I am delighted to offer Art Therapy to special needs kids. As you may already know, Art Therapy has been shown to increase expressive communication, increase focused attention, and facilitate improved socialization to special needs children who are so receptive to creative modalities. 
> 
> Class: Art for Special Needs (ages 10 – 13 years)
> Instructor: Beverly Lim Henes, MS, ATR, LCAT
> Date: Saturdays, Jan. 9 – Feb. 27, 10:00am – 11:30am (8 classes)
> 
> Individuals with special needs utilize art materials and the creative process to increase cognitive and sensory functioning, and develop awareness of emotions and the environment. Each class focuses on a design element and includes exploration of clay, paint, collage, and found objects. Student must have independent mobility, or be accompanied by aid.
> 

For More Information:  http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/shemclas.html or contact Shemer Art Center

Please read synopsis of proposed overhaul article and for further information please go to the NY TIMES article.

Experts revising psychiatry’s diagnostic manual have proposed eliminating Asperger’s syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, folding them into a single, broader diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. The New York Times reports that the change is part of an effort to modernize the mental illness model as a continuum, with many degrees of severity.

To view link, please cut and paste in your browser:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/health/03asperger.html?_r=2&ref=health

The attendees will have a unique opportunity to listen to and ask questions of a panel of youth who live with a child with special needs. They will share their hope, strength and challenges and give us an inside look as to what their lives are like.

Saturday, November 14th @10am

Highlands Church

9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

480-348-9191

The City of Scottsdale is hosting a Citizens’ Disability Forum on November 17, 2009 at two locations.  Please come and share your thoughts and ideas.

 Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009 (attend either session) 

Light refreshments will be provided 

2 p.m. 6 p.m. 

Civic Center Library – 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

or

Via Linda Senior Center – 10440 E. Via Linda

For more information, please contact: Denise at (480) 312-2246 or dlabreque@scottsdaleaz.gov

The City of Scottsdale is hosting two public forums to discuss topics related to people with disabilities.

Both will be on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
The first is at 2 p.m. Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd;
the second at 6 p.m. at Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda.

Discussion items include access to public buildings, streets or parks; recreation opportunities, employment, city programs and events; and transportation.

Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information, to RSVP, or request an accommodation, contact:
 
Denise Labrecque
ADA Coordinator
City of Scottsdale
7447 E. Indian School Rd., Ste. 125
Scottsdale AZ, 85251
One Civic Center, Ste 125
480-312-2246
480-312-4479 TTY
480-321-9107 FAX

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. )