Dear All SEPTA Members and Friends,                                     Updated April 2010

We are in full swing in Spring – Much is going on this time of the year year and we are planning for next year!

Join the SEPTA Board – You’ll Make a Difference!

SEPTA’s Nominating Committee is underway in its work to develop a slate of candidates to serve on SEPTA’s executive board for next year.   Serving on the Board is a rewarding way to learn about SEPTA’s work, to be directly involved in its many efforts and activities and to really get to know how amazing our Board is and what it accomplishes.  The Board is comprised of parents, teachers and other staff—a dynamic blend of educators, experts and dedicated volunteers!  We discuss substantive issues and work to continuously improve the educational experiences of children with learning differences or special needs.

SEPTA has officers who serve typically for two-year terms.  If you are interested in serving on the SEPTA Board, please contact Phyllis Raja at pahmed@mindspring.com, Debbie Ezbitski at debezbitski@optimum.net or Marianne Hoffman at mhoffman@jonesgarneau.com. 

Take the SEPTA Annual Review Survey -

SEPTA and the District's Student Support Services Department are interested in learning how the annual review CSE process is working from parents' perspectives this year as several changes were made last year by the school district. SEPTA is also seeking input from its members to determine how to better serve its members' interests (for example, by providing information to members and having discussions with Mamaroneck school district leaders).  Note: This survey is anonymous - no personal information is obtained. Please take a few minutes following your annual review CSE meeting to complete the survey. Click here.

Upcoming Activities, Programs & Events:

SEPTA Programs:

To learn more click on “Upcoming SEPTA Events – Detailed Info” on the left side of this Home Page.  Please contact our program chairs, Lisa Marr (LMarrz6@aol.com) and Patty Wolff (patty.wolff1@gmail.com) with any questions or with suggestions for future programs.

Special EDition Newsletter and E-News  Did you receive the NEW March 2010 Special EDition Newsletter?  It features important news and guidance on many aspects of educating children with learning differences or special needs. It also highlights SEPTA’s and the District’s important programs and initiatives benefitting children and staff. You may access Special EDition newsletters by clicking on the heading Septa Newsletters on the left side of this home page. SEPTA would like to provide everyone with timely updates and information about news, upcoming events & opportunities and news.  PLEASE JOIN OUR email list! Click here to sign up!!

Are You a SEPTA Member?

Everyone is encouraged to join SEPTA:  School Board members, Administration, all teachers, special education staff and service providers, and of course, all parents of children from preK – grade 12 - (including those whose children who are classified to receive special education and those with children who are not).  Parents of children who have Section 504 Plans or who receive educational or counseling supports such as academic intervention services (AIS), response to intervention (RTI) or other school-based assistance often find SEPTA very useful and beneficial.  Parents whose children attend private schools located in the Mamaroneck School District area (even if they live elsewhere) or local parents whose children attend schools outside of the district are also welcome to join SEPTA.  (click here for membership form)    To help ensure that you will receive important communications and information from SEPTA, please send in your completed membership form and dues.

 Important News for Dads!!  Fathers’ Club Is “Open”

Calling all fathers of children with special needs or learning differences.  Dads are invited (even encouraged by many spouses) to be part of the “Fathers’ Club”.  The Fathers’ Club provides a unique opportunity for dads to get together to share their perspectives and gain insights and understanding from each other as well get practical advice from experts who “get where fellow dads are coming from”. Don’t miss this chance to be among “dads only” and be “understood” by fellow fathers!  So please click here  to learn more.  Don't miss the next Fathers' Club May 13 (Cllick on the right for detailed flyer).

SEPTA Grants for Mamaroneck School District Staff Have Been Awarded!

SEPTA received a number of applications for grants and is pleased to have awarded $3,362 for seven grants. Learn more about the “Grants" by clicking on the left side of this homepage. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Paras, SEPTA's Grants Chair, at paras@cims.nyu.edu.

As always, if you have any questions please feel free to contact either of us or members of our executive board.

Together we are helping children be all they can be, supporting families as they face challenges and opportunities and working with educators and administrators to help students and staff. 

We always look forward to seeing you at our programs and events and to having you participate in SEPTA. On behalf of the entire SEPTA Board,

Thank you,

Amy Lieberman & Cecilia Absher

Co-Presidents  SEPTA 2009-10

Contact Info:  Amy Lieberman   Tel. 630-4443 Email: dashdoar@gmail.com

                     Cecilia Absher      Tel. 833-3109  Email: ctabsher@att.net

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