Eastampton SEPAG

04/23/2025

Who's ready for their annual IEP? It can be a hectic experience but parent participation is crucial to the process!

03/21/2025

Come Join the Eastampton Community School SEPAG and First Children's Services virtually to learn about Mental Health 101! Scan the QR code to join!

02/27/2025

RV is Hosting a workshop on Phone Addiction March 11 from 7-8pm in their media center.

02/20/2025

This spring the New Jersey Department of Education’s Office of Special Education (OSE) will sponsor nine regional Dare to Dream Student Leadership conferences that highlight strategies to promote self-advocacy skills for middle and high school students with disabilities. Each conference will feature keynote presentations from accomplished students from local educational agencies (LEAs) across the state and presentations from young adults with disabilities who have demonstrated exemplary self-advocacy and leadership skills. Additionally, the conference program will include a variety of student-led workshop sessions on topics such as self-discovery, student selfadvocacy, preparing to lead your individualized education program (IEP) meeting, and understanding your rights and responsibilities as a high school student in college and the workplace.

Here is the letter from the NJ DoE and if you are interested in attending I (Tara Szymanek) will be attending the May 21st conference at the Mercer County Community College with my daughter.
Letter:https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2025/feb/12/DaretoDream2025StudentLeadershipConferences.pdf

Please post questions or comments here. Feel free to message if you feel more comfortable.

01/23/2025

Looking for a magazine that highlights special needs families? Exceptional Parent Magazine is a great resource. This month features information on diagnosis, genetics resources, adapting to autism and more. Each magazine print focuses on new issues, stories, technology, medical research and more so check it out!

Exceptional Parent Magazine provides practical advice, emotional support, and the most up-to-date educational information for families of children and adults with disabilities and special healthcare needs.

01/23/2025

Clear your calendar for this fantastic collaboration between local SEPAGs to bring us all SPANs Parental Rights & Engagement in Special Education!

February 26th at 6pm online on Zoom. Click link to register: https://tinyurl.com/MHsepag22625

Click to enter your questions before the event: https://forms.gle/9JzTZaDz76iwrdpL7

01/21/2025

According to the definition in the administrative code “Autism” is defined as: a pervasive developmental disability that significantly impacts verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction that adversely affects a
student's educational performance. Onset is generally evident before age three. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routine, unusual responses to sensory experiences, and lack of responsiveness to others. The term does not apply if the student's adverse educational performance is due to an emotional regulation impairment as defined in (c)5 below. A child who manifests the characteristics of autism after age three may be classified as autistic if
the criteria in this paragraph are met. An assessment by a certified speech-language specialist and an assessment by a physician trained in neurodevelopmental assessment
are required.

Questions about this classification? Want to learn about other classifications? Let us know!

01/17/2025

Do you know about the different types of class placements for students with IEPs?

01/15/2025

NJ has 14 classifications for special education students here is "Preschool child with a disability" defined: a child between the ages of three and five
who either:
i. Is experiencing developmental delay, as measured by appropriate diagnostic
instruments and procedures, in one or more of the areas in (c)10i(1) through (5)
below, and requires special education and related services. As measured by a
standardized assessment or criterion-referenced measure to determine
eligibility, a developmental delay shall mean a 33 percent delay in one
developmental area, or a 25 percent delay in two or more developmental areas.
(1) Physical, including gross motor, fine motor, and sensory (vision and
hearing);
(2) Intellectual;
(3) Communication;
(4) Social and emotional; and
(5) Adaptive; or
ii. Has an identified disabling condition, including vision or hearing, that
adversely affects learning or development and who requires special education
and related services.

11/26/2024

Navigating the holiday week with children with disabilities can be challenging, but thoughtful planning and flexibility can make it a positive experience for the entire family. Here are ten tips to help:

Stick to Routines: Maintain regular schedules for meals, sleep, and downtime to help children feel grounded amidst holiday disruptions. Create a visual calendar to prepare them for events​

Prepare the Environment: Minimize sensory overload by creating quiet zones or bringing comfort items like headphones, toys, or blankets to gatherings. Consider hosting sensory-friendly activities or events​

Communicate Needs: Inform family and friends about your child's specific requirements, such as dietary restrictions, sensory sensitivities, or preferred interaction styles (e.g., avoiding hugs). This fosters understanding and inclusivity​

Give Roles or Jobs: Assigning simple tasks, like handing out napkins or greeting guests, can help children feel included and reduce stress during social events​

Plan for Mobility or Medical Needs: For outings, ensure accommodations like wheelchair accessibility or medication schedules are addressed. Carry a bag with essentials to manage unforeseen needs​

Adapt Gift Giving: Wrap familiar toys or adapt gift wrapping to accommodate fine motor skill challenges. Encourage children to participate in giving, fostering social and emotional skills​

Incorporate Favorite Activities: Whether it’s baking, watching a favorite holiday movie, or going on a nature walk, include activities your child enjoys to make the holidays more special​

Introduce Changes Gradually: Use stories, photos, or role-playing to familiarize children with holiday changes, like decorations or gatherings, in advance​

Practice Flexibility: Be ready to modify plans if your child becomes overwhelmed. Arriving early and leaving before events peak can prevent stress​

Prioritize Self-Care: Parents need support too. Delegate tasks, say no to overcommitments, and schedule moments to recharge so you can better support your child​

10/22/2024

Who can be a member of the Eastampton SEPAG?

- Parents/Family members of student with concerns related to special education, receiving I&RS, 504, IHP Individualized Health Plan, and IEP Individualized Education Plan
-School district leadership
-Board of Education members
-Teachers
-Related Services Providers
-Current and Former Students
-Parents of non disabled students
-Advocates for homesless and fostercare students
-Advocates for LEP Limited English Proficient Families and immigrants
-Any community member committed to improving education in the school district including

JOIN the PTA and live inclusion with me this year. We can ensure the events reflect all student and parent populations, support greater understanding, and help develop and drive ideas that affect our students!

09/30/2024

Join us on October 9 from 4:15 - 5 pm on the SPAN Youth Chat for Democracy isn’t a Spectator Sport: Know Your Voting Rights, led by Erin Seigh, Transition To Adult Life Coordinator, SPAN. Learn how voting has changed over time and how to register in New Jersey. Find out your options and accommodations for voting, including how to find help, and what to do if there’s a problem. Plus, figure out who your elected officials are!

Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-span-youth-chat-for-ages-14-26-registration-510857397227?aff=oddtdtcreator

09/30/2024

2024 I/DD Youth Transition ONLINE Conference (FREE)

https://www.njyouthtransition.life/2024iddyouthtransitionconference

Two days of webinars and workshops celebrating youth & young adults who experience an intellectual and/or developmental disability, their caregivers and the professionals who serve them.

Day 1: Tuesday, October 1st, 9 AM - 3 PM

Day 2: Thursday, October 3rd, 9 AM - 3 PM

ACCESS YTC WORKSHP ZOOM LINK
October 1st & 3rd, 2024

LIVE Webinars

October 4th, 2024

LIVE Resource Spotlight Session

05/03/2024

Take a look around Eastampton and Smothville this weekend its time for the NJ Big Tree Hunt