Amherst-Pelham Special Education

Parent Advisory Council

 

 

 

Do you live in Amherst-Pelham School District and have a child with special needs?  Do you want more information about special education services?  Are you looking for a way to have input into the system?  Would you like to meet and network with other parents of children with special needs in your school district?  If you answered, “YES” to any of the above, then this information and the Special Education Parent Advisory Council is for you.

 

What is the Amherst-Pelham Special Education Parent Advisory Council?

 

Special Education Parent Advisory Councils (SPED-PACs) are a requirement of the current 603 CMR 28 Massachusetts Special Education Regulations.  Each school district is currently required to have Parent Advisory Council on Special Education.  We are a system-wide organization of Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst Regional parents/guardians of school aged children (preschool -grade 12) with disabilities and other interested individuals.  We work in partnership with our schools and administration to promote an innovative educational environment where children with disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities and that our schools are safe, nurturing, challenging learning environments for ALL children.  The SPED-PAC provides valuable feedback and information to the school districts.  We assist schools in reducing the frustrations that parents can experience when they first stumble into special education, providing informational handouts, educational workshops, and informal discussion meetings to focus on continually improving educational opportunities to our children.   As a SPED-PAC, we can network resources and provide assistance to other parents in accessing information about the special education process.

 

 

What Is Special Education? 

 Special Education is specially designed instruction and related services that meet the unique needs of an eligible student with a disability or a specific service need that is necessary to allow the student with a disability to access the general curriculum.  The purpose of special education is to allow the student to successfully develop his or her individual educational potential. Special Education is provided by the school district at no cost to parents.  If you feel that your child is struggling in school, talk to your child's classroom teacher and explain your concerns and see if a referral for special education services is appropriate. For more information about Special Education refer to the information on The Amherst-Pelham Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SPED-PAC). 

 

 

How Do SPED-PACs Differ from School councils?

 

Special Education Parent Advisory Councils are not school councils. They are two different organizations with a different, but equally important focus and mission.  School Councils are specific to a particular school.  SPED-PACs are an umbrella organization of all schools within a district.

 

Our Goals and Objectives:

 

The Mission of the Amherst-Pelham Special Education Parent Advisory Council is to work towards the understanding, respect, support and appropriate education for all children with special needs in our community.

•     Promote a network for parents of children with disabilities and provide a forum to share information and discuss matters of relative interest and concern regarding our children

•     Collaborate with the school district to continually improve the educational opportunities available within and without our schools that promote improved educational outcomes for children with disabilities.

•     Stimulate meaningful dialogue between the school district and parents.

•     Organize educational workshops for Parents about Special Education Topics

 

Who Can Be a Member of The Amherst-Pelham SPED-PAC?

 

It is a volunteer organization and is open to all parents/guardians of children with special needs and other interested individuals in Amherst, Pelham and Regional Districts.  Membership can and should include families whose children have an IEP, 504 Accommodation and Out of District placement.

 

When do We Meet?

 

The SPED-PAC meets monthly, during the school year, on the third Wednesday of the month from 7-9 PM in the Amherst Regional Middle School Library, unless the meeting is other wise posted.

 

Calendar of Events for 2004-2005:

 

September 22, 2004:                           OPEN MEETING

                               

October 20, 2004:                               WORKSHOP

                               

November 17, 2004:                     OPEN MEETING

                                                               

December 15, 2004                             WORKSHP

 

January 19, 2005:               OPEN MEETING

 

February 16, 2005:                             WORKSHOP

 

March 16, 2005:                                  OPEN MEETING

 

April 27, 2005:                                      WORKSHOP

 

May 18, 2005:                                      OPEN MEETING

*workshop topics will be posted as scheduled

 

Resources Available:

 

•     The Supplemental Guide to Special Education in The Amherst - Pelham School District

•     The Parents Guide to Special Education

•     What Happens If My Child Is Having Trouble Learning At School?

•     What is The Amherst-Pelham Special Education Parent Advisory Council

*Lending Library with books, folders and videos with information about various Special   Needs Issues located in ARMS library

 

To Contact the SPED-PAC:

To get in touch with us, learn more about events get on our e-mailing list or give feedback, contact one of the following SPEDPAC parents:

Co-Chairs Sped Pac:

            Gail Hoyle 256-0023 or  gwhoyle@juno.com          

            Lisa Musante  549-5865 or limusante@www.com

            Denise Andler 256-1187 or denise.andler@state.ma.us

Secretary Sped Pac:

            Jennifer Boyd, 549-7814, iboyd@astro.umass.edu

Parent Support Representatives:

            Crocker Farm:  Jeannine Burbank, 256-8606, burbankjeannine@hotmail.com

            Marks Meadow:  Jennifer Boyd, 549-7814, iboyd@astro.umass.edu

            Pelham Schools:  Denise Andler, 256-1187,  denise.andler@state.ma.us

            Fort River:  Gail Hoyle, 256-0023, gwhoyle@juno.com

            Wildwood:  Noreen Mascis, 253-5865, cmar_mascis@hotmail.com

            ARMS:  Mariana Luz,         

            ARHS:  Lisa Musante, 549-5865, limusante@www.com

Home/Community Based Programs:  Theresa Vincent, 549-8668, johnstonvincent@comcast.net.

Information on Sped Pac:

            amherstpelhamspedpac@yahoogroups.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amherstpelhamspedpac/

            Go to SPED PAC link at   http://arhsparentcenter.org/pc_spedcncil.asp

 

Feedback from parents on how the whole special education system and process is working in our community is imperative.  Join us and have a voice in the process....

 

moorer@arps.org

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