Author Archives: Staff Admin

1/15/20 – Basic Rights In Special Education Presentation

Please join the Newton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) for a presentation and discussion about Basic Rights in Special Education with Tim Sindelar, a Newton lawyer specializing in representing children and adults with disabilities.

This event is geared towards parents new to special education, and for those who would like to know more about their basic rights.

Wednesday, January 15, 2020
7:30-9:00pm
Newton Education Center
100 Walnut Street
Room 210

No RSVP necessary. Questions? Please contact Newton SEPAC Board Member
Eliza Spaulding at spaulding@newtonsepac.org.

11/13/19 – Newton SEPAC Presents: Meet the NPS Assistant Superintendent for Student Services

Please join the Newton SEPAC for a meeting with
Beth Fitzmaurice, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services

7:30-9:00 pm
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Room 210
100 Walnut Street
Newton, MA 02460

Beth Fitzmaurice, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, is responsible for special education across Newton Public Schools. Beth joined NPS in August 2019 and has spent her first couple of months on the job getting to know the schools, staff, and programs. We will have the opportunity to hear from Beth on her impressions of special education in Newton, her thoughts on current special education issues, and her priorities for this academic year and beyond. There will also be time for parents to ask questions.

We hope you will be able to join us to meet Beth and hear from her about special education in Newton!

Please contact info@newtonpac.org with any questions.

 👀 Sneak a Peek at the Fall Festival Teacher Treats!

These kid experiences will be up for grabs at the Fall Festival – don’t miss out!

The 2019 Fall Festival is held in the Lincoln-Eliot Gym
Saturday, October 26th 4-6PM
Tickets available at the door!

Principal Morrissey
1 winner; Grades K-5:
Principal for a Day!!

Ms. Leibowitz
1 winner and up to 7 friends; Grades K-5:
Morning bagels and juice while making bookmarks!

Mrs. Bradley
1 winner and a friend; Grades K-5:
Go out to lunch with Mrs. Bradley and take a ride in her convertible!

Ms. Kremer & Ms. Jang
4 winners:
Tuesday afternoon pizza party in the spring!

Ms. Gayle, Ms. Malavase & Ms. Ward
3 winners (one for each teacher), Grades K-5:
Bring a friend and enjoy a musical breakfast with
the 1st grade team!

Mrs. Gueye
1 winner and 2 friends; Grades K-5:
Pizza and a Movie!

Mrs. Goode, Mrs. Levin & Mrs. Monopoli
3 winners, each with 1 friend; Grades 3-5
Crafts and Snacks with the 4th grade team!

Ms. Sutherland
1 winner and 2 friends; Grades 3-5 only:
After-school Clay Play Date!

Ms. Evans & Ms. DeNoble
1 winner and 3 friends; Grade 5 only:
Snacks and STEM: come build a balloon-powered car while enjoying a sweet treat!

Please join the Newton SEPAC for a School Committee Candidate Forum

  • Thursday, October 24, 2019
  • 7:30-9:30 pm
  • 100 Walnut Street, Room 304

Candidates running for Newton School Committee will be sharing their perspective on questions related to special education in Newton. There will also be time for parents to meet with the candidates. Please note that elections for School Committee are city-wide, so Newton voters elect School Committee members in all wards, not just their own.

The format of the forum will be similar to the one the SEPAC organized two years ago. A moderator will ask candidates questions that have been submitted by SEPAC members, and there will be an opportunity for parents and caregivers to speak informally with the candidates.

(The presentation date was changed from 10/23 to 10/24 to accommodate scheduling conflicts; please also note that we will be in Room 304.)

*** Please email your questions for the candidates to parlikar@yahoo.com by Tuesday, October 22. We will try to get through as many questions as we can during the forum. ***

Have Special Ed Questions? Join us for “Role of the SEPAC ” Workshop

Role of the SEPAC – a MassPAC/FCSN workshop

Parents of children receiving special education services (IEP, 504 plan) are welcome to join us to learn more about the role of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council here in Newton.

WHEN: Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at 7:30 PM – 9 PM

WHERE: Newton Public Schools Education Center, 100 Walnut Street, Room 21

DESCRIPTION: A local Special Education Parent Advisory Council or SEPAC is a district-level, parent-driven group that provides input to the local school district on system-level challenges in special education and the safety of students with disabilities. An effective SEPAC has parents in the role of advisors who use families’ experiences, unique perspectives and expertise to influence decisions and help shape programs and policies at the district level. This workshop outlines the purpose and function of a SEPAC as well as an overview of activities and outreach strategies to solicit diverse input.

Presented by Leslie M. Leslie who serves as Project Director for the MassPAC and APPLE projects under the Federation for Children with Special Needs. Since 2011, she has provided technical assistance to both SEPACs and District special education administrators.

Sign Up Now for Lincoln-Eliot’s Annual Science Night!

It’s that time again! Everyone’s favorite science night is scheduled for Thursday, March 28th at 5pm.

Sign up your child and/or volunteer here: https://goo.gl/forms/iiggCgosqn2S6MaT2

Students at all levels are invited to present a science project to family, friends, and teachers. Past projects have included investigations/experiments (e.g. How fast do apples rot?, What do dogs remember?), models/demonstrations (e.g. the Solar System, Lemon battery), research reports (e.g. Marie Curie, Snails), and collections (e.g. Slime).

Need project ideas? Try here:https://pin.it/bsp6n267fk7iuv

 

Executive Function Skills in Children and Adolescents

Join parents, caregivers and educators for this insightful discussion about how to teach children to manage their time, space and materials — and keep their emotions in check!

Executive Function Skills in Children and Adolescents

  • Wednesday, February 13, 2019
  • 7:30 – 9 pm
  • Free admission
  • Auditorium
    Newton North High School
    457 Walnut Street
    Newton, MA

Kristen Jacobsen, MS CCC-SLP

This presentation is co-sponsored by Newton Public Schools
This presentation will cover powerful strategies to help your child develop independent executive function; teach students to internally sense the sweep of time, self-monitor in order to sustain concentration, manage pace, and complete tasks in allocated time frames; improve students’ motivation and task initiation, help them to plan homework and long-term projects/papers, and coach students to think in an organized way; and encourage self-initiative to manage homework and personal belongings.
Ms. Kristen Jacobsen, MS CCC-SLP is a trained speech-language pathologist who is Co-Director at the Cognitive Connections Executive Function Practice. She is currently working with Newton Public Schools to develop an Executive Function program for middle school students. She provides training and coaching for teachers and professionals, parent consultations, as well as student coaching services. Ms. Jacobsen has worked as an educational consultant and speech-language pathologist in public education, private schools and hospital settings, and has provided teacher training seminars and school consultations nationally.
Contact info@newtonpac.org with any questions. Please check this website for weather updates and cancellations.
For more talks & information : https://newtonpac.org/

Join us for the Special Education Basic Rights presentation next week

Please join us for this important special education event!

WHAT: Basic Rights in Special Education
WHO: Dan Heffernan, Esq., Partner, Kotin, Crabtree & Strong presented by the Newton SEPAC
WHEN: Wednesday, November 7, 2018
(Networking 7:15-7:30)
7:30 – 9 pm
WHERE: Newton Education Center Room 210
100 Walnut Street (map)
Newton, MA

Dan Heffernan, a Newton parent and Super Lawyer in special education law will present on parent and student rights in special education. This presentation includes an overview of special education law, a discussion of IEPs, the responsibilities of the school district, approaches to resolving disagreements or disputes, etc. There will also be time for Q&A.

The Basic Rights presentation helps parents and guardians to understand the legal foundation of all special education services for their children and how to work with their child’s team and the school district. It is the only presentation that the SEPAC is mandated to offer each year. It is strongly recommended that all parents and guardians new to the world of special education attend. The presentation is also helpful for anyone who hasn’t attended it in the past couple of years since new legal rulings and guidelines can change special education law over time. We hope to see you there!

Daniel T.S. Heffernan is a partner with Kotin, Crabtree & Strong and concentrates his practice on representing families of children with special needs in education and civil rights matters. He is a 1987 cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School. From 1995 to the present he has served on the board of directors of the Federation for Children with Special Needs and was board president from 1995 to 2007. He also serves on the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress Education Task Force. Mr. Heffernan has been named a Super Lawyer in special education law every year since 2005 and was named as a Top Rated Lawyer in Education by The Boston Globe. He has two daughters and a son who has Down syndrome.

Sign Up Now for Family Science Night!

Save the date for the 2018 Lincoln-Eliot Family Science Night on Friday, March 16 from 5-7 in the school gym!  Students are welcome to explore the science topic of their choice and bring a display to share their learnings.  Everyone’s invited to check out hands-on STEM activities and exhibits.  Pizza and baked goods will be available, with proceeds benefiting the PTO.
If your child will be presenting a project, please sign up here or return the paper sign-up form in their purple folder by Friday, March 2!

2018 Science Night: Save the Date

Save the date for the 2018 Lincoln-Eliot Family Science Night on Friday, March 16 from 5-7 in the school gym!

Stay tuned for more details coming home in purple folders.  Students are welcome to explore the science topic of their choice and bring a display to share their learnings.  Everyone’s invited to check out hands-on STEM activities and exhibits.  Pizza and baked goods will be available, with proceeds benefiting the PTO.