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Watchung Hills Regional High School Watchung Hills Regional High School

Off-Canvas

Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG)

If you have any questions or concerns please contact:

                                                        Amita Sawicki, WHRHS Transition Coordinator
Parent Liaison                                (Ext. 2819)
Available Position                           asawicki@whrhs.org 

Mission Statement:

Our mission is to facilitate collaboration between students, parents, staff, the Board of Education and the community in order to promote inclusion, understanding of, respect for and support of all children with special needs in our community.

Special Education Parent Advisory Groups are required for all school districts in New Jersey. The purpose of these groups is to provide opportunities for parents and community members to offer input to the district on specific issues. New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14-1.2(h) states that:

Each Board of Education shall ensure that a special education parent advisory group is in place in the district to provide input to the district on issues concerning students with disabilities.

Watchung Hills Regional High School has established the Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) as a forum for parents to provide input to the district regarding students with disabilities. We welcome and encourage the participation of all parents.

SEPAG’s goal is to support parents whose children receive special education services, and to advise the district on matters related to special education. SEPAG does this by hosting meetings for parents, sharing information and other relevant issues. SEPAG will meet quarterly while school is in session to discuss these issues. Meetings can consist of presentations from knowledgeable speakers on a variety of topics, or simply be an informal gathering to share ideas, network, and support each other.

SEPAG’s Purpose:

  • To provide direct input on the policies, programs and practices that impact services and supports for students with disabilities. 
  • To increase the involvement of families of children with special needs.
  • To advise on issues that affect the education, health and safety of students with special needs.

WHRHS SEPAG Meeting - Parent Input Form - Click Here to Access 

Please complete this Google Form if you are interested in providing input for future meetings.

Step 1: Click on the link for the Parent Input Form - It will then bring you to a Google Form.

Step 2: Check that your answers are marked in each item and then click "Submit"

 

What to Look Forward to this Month

Spring 2024

Hello April

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WHRHS Events

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Planning For Adult Life: Free Online Webinars

PFAL

Starting transition planning? Get information, learn steps, and ask your questions at our monthly workshops. We host presentations on:

  • Planning is for Transition: Why It Is Vital For Your Student's Future
  • SSI and Medicaid for Access to Adult Services
  • Guardianship and Supported Decision Making: Just the Basics
  • Accessing Services and 'Natural' Supports
  • Yes, Your Child Can Work! Exploring Employment Options For People with IDD
  • Preparing Your Student with IDD To Attend College
  • College Options For Students with IDD
  • Preparing to Get The Most Out Of Your Student's High School Experience
  • State Services for Students with IDD
  • Housing 101: Exploring Your Options
  • SOS: Strategies Of Success For Parents of Students with Less Intensive Supports Needs *NEW*

Click on the link to access Planning for Adult Life Calendar for Future Events: https://planningforadultlife.org/calendar/

Visit their event calendar to view various dates and times throughout the year.

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Planning for Adult Life - Self Directed Services and Self Advocacy

Topics Include: Speak Up! Stand Out! Success in Self Advocacy Movement & Person Centered Planning & Self Direction

Date: Thursday, April 11, 2024          Time: 5:00-6:00 pm

Meeting Location: Good Samaritan Baptist Church's (Gym building) 

Address: 307 Town Bank Rd, North Cape May, NJ 08204 

This is a presentation offered by Community Access Unlimited

Please email Jeannette Mull @ JMull@caunj.org to register for this presentation.

Click Here For More Information: https://planningforadultlife.org/calendar/calendar.html/event/2024/04/11/planning-for-adult-life-self-directed-services-and-self-advocacy-topics-include-speak-up-stand-out-success-in-the-self-advocacy-movement-person-centered-planning-self-direction/479486

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Getting Ready For Your High Schooler's IEP Meeting

Is your student ready to move to high school? Are you ready? What do you need to know and how can you ensure your student gets all that they will need when this move happens? Adara Heilman, Director of Children's Advocacy will be our presenter. Join us as we discuss the whole new world of high school, the differences between a middle school and a high school IEP, the supports offered, and other related services.

Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024          Time: 6:00-7:30 pm

Click Here to Register: https://planningforadultlife.org/calendar/calendar.html/event/2024/04/17/-pfal-webinar-wednesday-series-getting-ready-for-your-student-s-high-school-iep/459104

Zoom link will be provided.

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How Series: Yes! Your Child Can Work! Working Toward Employment for People With I/DD

For many people, a job is something that helps define who they are. It give us a meaningful place to go everyday, a way to explore our interests, a means of earning money, and a way to be a part of our community. This workshop will discuss different employment options available to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and hands—on tools for preparing students for employment.

Date: Monday, April 22, 2024          Time: 6:00-7:00 pm

Click Here to Register: https://planningforadultlife.org/calendar/calendar.html/event/2024/04/22/how-series-yes-your-child-can-work-working-toward-employment-for-people-with-idd/476637

Zoom link will be provided.

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How Series: Guardianship and Supported Decision - Just the Basics

Guardianship can be a valuable tool to protect individuals who don’t or no longer possess the ability to make appropriate personal or financial decisions for themselves. This workshop will help parents and caregivers understand the guardianship process, levels of guardianship and alternatives to guardianship.

Date: Thursday, April 25, 2024          Time: 6:00-7:00 pm

Click Here to Register: https://planningforadultlife.org/calendar/calendar.html/event/2024/04/25/how-series-guardianship-and-supported-decision-just-the-basics/476638

Zoom link will be provided.

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          Look to the Future: Transition from School to Adult Life by SPAN Parent Advocacy Network

Look to the Future: Transition from School to Adult Life by SPAN Parent Advocacy Network

Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2024           Time: 7:00-8:00 pm

Click Here to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/look-to-the-future-transition-from-school-to-adult-life-registration-699686931447

Look to the Future: Transition from School to Adult Life by SPAN Parent Advocacy Network

Date: July, 30, 2024           Time: 12:00-1:00 pm

Click Here to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/look-to-the-future-transition-from-school-to-adult-life-registration-699687392827

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Pre-College Summer Program (PCSP)

The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and Georgian Court University (GCU) are excited to announce a Pre-College Summer Program (PCSP) for New Jersey high school students ages 16-21 with intellectual disabilities who are within their IDEA transition years. This summer residential program is designed to offer eligible and accepted New Jersey students an opportunity to participate in a 10 day / 9 night on-campus 2024 summer session. The program will be held on the respective TCNJ and GCU Campuses.

Location & Dates:

  • The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), Ewing, NJ: July 9th - July 18th
  • Georgian Court University (GCU), Lakewood, NJ: July 21st - July 30th

Click Here to Learn More: https://ccs.tcnj.edu/pre-college-summer-program-pcsp-at-tcnj-and-gcu/

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NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD):

  • provides a platform for individuals, family members, advocates, and public/private agencies to develop a coordinated social policy for advancing the rights and opportunities of NJ residents with developmental disabilities. 
  • offers Family Support Councils, Youth Leadership programs, and Partners in Policymaking program,  website for more information:  https://njcdd.org/