DECEMBER 15, 2008 MEETING
At the December meeting, a recreation forum was held. Representives were there from buddy baseball, basketball, buddy football and cheer, old bridge soccer, Harbor Haven, Special Olympics, Karate, and Stephanie Lubalin, the accupational therapist who provides inclusion yoga through community programs. The announcement brought the inquiries from the East Brunswick Soccer league who is now interested in working with the special needs program in Old Bridge to possibly start a similar program in East Brunswick, a goal we have been working on for years. Interested parties from the community came to show their support and learn more about recreation for children with special needs including mayoral elect David Stahl and Nancy Pinkin. At the meeting, Mr. Stahl met with SEPTA members Eddie Weiner, Denise Katzen, Carla Israel and Amy Levine to discuss having a representative from SEPTA on the Division of Recreation Parent Advisory Board. a 15 member committee selected by the mayor. The purpose of this request from SEPTA was to share information with the township regarding the needs of children of all levels of ability in the community. It was decided at the meeting that Eddie Weiner, SEPTA president would take on the role.So many new activities have grown over the years and this wonderful opportunity will allow the decision makers the ability to make decisions after looking at the big picture. Thank you to Mr. Stahl for your sensitivity to children with speciaal needs. This was a wondeful forum and hope to have a larger parent turnout at our next one to share the unbelievable amount of activities available for recreation for children with special needs.
NOVEMBER MEETNG
At the Novemeber meeting, Middlesex County Vocational and Technical High School described programs for all students who may not be taking the college path. Some careers that they train for include auto repair, dry cleaning, hair design, baking and more. SEPTA provided cookies baked at the East Brunswick location. They were delicious. Thank you for providing options to parents for their children's future.
SEPTA MEETING
OCTOBER 24, 2008
At the October meeting, the mayoral and town council candidates attended and presented their views on issues. A large portion of the discussion focussed on recreation, including summer programs for children with special needs of all levels of abilities. Mentioned at the meeting was having someone with an understanding of children with special needs on the township Recreation Advisory Council.
SEPTA MEETING
SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
At the September meeting, the IEPs was discussed, presented by Sharon Olekziewitz, Director of Special Education. Each of category of the IEP was explained. Questions regarding your child's IEP can be discussed with your case manager on the child study team. All questions and items you have general questions on can also be directed to the CST.
The social group enjoyed the movie Hairspray. I stopped in during the eveing and was excited to see the kids interacting and dancing together!
SEPTA MEETING
AUGUST 18, 2008
At the August meeting, the discussion continued to focus on socialization in the school district for after school clubs and community recreation. Other items of concern in terms of inclusion were special and general education administration falling under different windows in the schools. SEPTA's goal is to encourage the same assimilation and focus for every person to accept and integrate by example.
The second social group for children ages 12-16 with with speical needs had a meeting and it was succsessful. To date, there are eleven members. Registration forms are on the SEPTA forms page.
Welcome letters went out to special education families. Seconary schools, HMS through the high school were mailed home. This mailing was paid for by SEPTA and done by septa volunteers. In order to protect privacy, these letters were addrssed by the special education department.
Please send newsletter information to Martin Spielman at spielmanjr@yahoo.com by September 26. This issue will focus on back to school. How did you and your child find the beginning of the school year? How did transitions go? Also return membership forms, new program forms, and committee registration forms.
New committee members and board members to shadow are encouraged to sign up in order to keep continuity while transitioning within septa. Please contact us at eddieweinersepta@hotmail.com or 732-390-9265 to talk about your interests. We cannot express the importance of enough of continuity.
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