All SEPTSA events are free and open to the public!
Unless otherwise noted, we meet Thursday evenings in the conference rooms
at the Williamsville School District Offices, 105 Casey Road, East Amherst 14051.
Our alternate location, Casey Middle, is located at the same address, but uses different entrances.
Look for the yellow SEPTSA --> lawn signs!
We begin at 6:30 pm with a PTA business meeting. Programs start at 7 pm.
Meeting/program dates for the 2008-09 school year:
October 30 - Get the Facts about ADHD and LD
December 4 - Parent Advocacy in Action
February 26 - Self-Determination (for parents and students)
April 30 - Eating Disorders
Coffee hour support groups are held periodically at Wegman's,
5275 Sheridan Drive, Williamsville 14221, in the 2nd floor dining area of the Market Cafe.
Some of our board members will be there to share information,
answer questions and celebrate success stories.
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Upcoming Events sponsored by our partners:
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Help us spread the word about SEPTSA.
We need liaisons to PTA or PTSA at each school
to share information about our organization and events.
Thank you to Christi Carroll for volunteering to serve on the district-wide SDM
(Shared Decision-Making team) as the parent of a student with special needs.
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For more information about programs, coffee hour or volunteer opportunities,
please send an email to septsaweb@gmail.com,
or contact Dave Whalen at 565-9338 or davidvwhalen@yahoo.com .
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Parent Members are always needed to serve on CSEs (Committee of Special Education) to create effective IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) for students. The Parent Member must be the parent of a child who is classified to receive Special Education services, and serves as an objective voice representing the student’s best interests, as well as a liaison between the family and district decision-makers. The annual CSE Training Workshop is scheduled for Friday, January 23, 2009, at the district offices. This daytime program will review changes in state regulations in response to reauthorization of IDEA (the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and other topics related to IEP development. This knowledge is critical to understanding the process - whether you use it to advocate for your own child or as a Parent Member for other families. Parents attend in conjunction with district school psychologists and building CSE chairs, which helps build cooperative relationships. Participants are qualified to serve as a Parent Member for two years following training. Contact Kathleen Steel at 626-8065 to register.
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SEPTSA is a branch of the NYS PTA and the National Congress of Parents and Teachers
Membership is $7.00 per person, per year, and $4.00 for each additional household member.
Click here for application.
Membership is not required to attend our events.
SEPTSA’s Executive Committee for the 2008-2009 school year is:
President: Dave Whalen
Co-Vice Presidents for Programming: Nancy Fultz and Rosalind Sulaiman
Vice-President for Membership: Terry Menza
Treasurer: Pam Schenkel
Recording Secretary: Theresa Drum
Corresponding Secretary: James Osinski
PTSA Council representative: Marie Evans
We're looking for new board members -
Please consider joining our team
as an officer or committee chair!
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Are you confused by all the acronyms used by education professionals? Download this GLOSSARY of terms:
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Williamsville School District website links:
Transition Services and College Planning
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Notes from some of our prior workshops are available to download:
(These files are all in Word format. If you need a PDF version, please email Marie Evans at septsaweb@gmail.com)
Understanding the CSE Process (presented by Parent Network & district personnel)
Gifted Programming in Williamsville
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) [incomplete notes]
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Links to related organizations:
Attention Deficit Disorder Resources Education and Support Services
Clarence SEPTSA (no website currently)
Exceptional Education, Williamsville Central School District
CAPS: Challenged Athletes Participating in Sports
Center for Children and Families (UB)
Eating Disorders Association of WNY, Inc.
Mental Health Association of Erie County, Inc
NYS PTA Legislative Advocacy page
AGATE Advocacy for Gifted and Talented Education in NYS
IDA: the International Dyslexia Association
National Center for Learning Disabilities - check out the Parent Center!
National Association for Gifted Children
SensoryNanny This is a BlogTalkRadio call in show (with online archives for your convenience) with practical advice for parents raising children with autism, ADHD, developmental delays, and sensory issues from an occupational therapist who also happens to be a mom who has "been there." Sensorynanny does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All contents of the Sensorynanny blogtalk radio show are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or therapy advice, diagnosis, or treatment.