Basic Rights in Special Education Law

Basic Rights in Special Education Law
presented by Tim Sindelar, Esq.
Thursday, December 1 at 7:30 PM

Learn your rights and responsibilities under special education law so that you can more effectively advocate for your child. Learn the basics of Federal special education law Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts special education law (Chapter 71B) and 504 plans under civil rights laws. Learn about eligibility, evaluations, free and appropriate education (FAPE) and least restrictive environment (LRE). Everyone can benefit from learning or reviewing your basic rights!

The presentation will be held in Room 210 at 100 Walnut Street. Light refreshments and networking begin at 7:15 PM. The presentation will begin at 7:30 and end at 9:00 PM.

A summary of Education Rights can be found at newtonpac.org/resources/educational-rights.

Newton Parent Advisory Council (NewtonPAC) for Special Education meetings are free and open to all people interested in learning more about special education in Newton. Visit www.newtonpac.org for more information about NewtonPAC for Special Education.

Child Assault Prevention (CAP) program Training

The Child Assault Prevention (CAP) program in Newton is looking for committed and dedicated child advocates to present its personal safety curriculum in local elementary schools.

Join up with current and experienced volunteer Prevention Specialists to teach children to recognize and respond to verbal, physical and sexual assault and abuse. Potential volunteers are community members who believe that children have the right to information, skills and the support of adults. We offer a flexible schedule to volunteers who enjoy teamwork and can make a yearlong commitment of three or four mornings a month.

To make it easier for people with busy schedules to train we have decided to divide the training into two parts. Part 1 is scheduled for T. Jan. 3,
(8:45 a.m. to noon), Th. Jan. 5, (8:45 a.m. to noon) and Sun. Jan. 8th (8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Part 1 of the training will prepare trainees to present one of the three facilitations and participate in all of the role plays. Part 2, on Review Time will be scheduled for late January, based on the trainees’ availability.

For information or to set up an interview call Gail Sommer, 617-969-5906, x143 or email, gsommer@ncscweb.org. Newton CAP is a program of Newton Community Service Center. Visit our webpage at www.ncscweb.org for a description of the program and of the volunteer Prevention Specialist position.

Alternative Gift Fair, Dec. 11

Save the date of Sunday, December 11 for the Alternative Gift Fair from 11:30am-1:00pm at the First Unitarian Society in Newton,  1325 Washington Street, West Newton. With the stress, expense, and expectation surrounding the holidays, it’s no wonder they more often exhaust rather than uplift us. It’s not too late to re-think your family routines. How does it work? When you make a donation to a specific charitable organization, you receive a card detailing your gift to give to your recipient. All proceeds go to the charitable organizations you select.  A perfect opportunity to buy for those folks who have everything. Tax-deductible gifts start at $10.

Newton Family Singers concert, Dec. 11

The Newton Family Singers invite your whole family to our fall concert, “When I was a Child,” at 4pm on Sunday, December 11. This program of folk songs was inspired by common childhood experiences and watching our children grow. “When I was a Child” marks NFS’s fourth season singing together. This concert will be held at Mason-Rice Elementary, at 149 Pleasant Street, Newton Centre. Suggested donation – $8. For more information visit newtonfamilysingers.org. The Newton Family Singers is an intergenerational chorus and band celebrating family, community and American folk music.

Math Tutor Available

Did your child struggle with math last year? Do you try to help, only to get upset and frustrated? My name is Philip Wolfson. I am a recently retired math teacher with 20 years of experience working with students of all types and ages: students who are stuck for some reason, bright students who are bored, students who want to accelerate their math, ELL students, and students with learning disabilities. I work with individuals, small groups, and home school groups. We can meet at your location, a library or school library, or at my home. My specialty is working with students from grades 5 through 8. Comments on my work: “…you made it easier to understand…,” “…fractions and decimals to the next level…,” “…challenging and fun….” Call 617-332-4887 or email me at philwolfson@gmail.com to set up a free, introductory meeting.

House for Rent, from OHMS Family

For rent: Spacious, furnished Dutch Colonial in safe and child friendly Newton Highlands (Zervas neighborhood), mid-January 2012 through June 30 2012, or part of this period. We are a Zervas and Oak Hill family with 2 children, going on a sabbatical this Spring. About the house: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, large living room, traditional New England dining room, both with large windows. Kitchen with new appliances (fridge and dishwasher). Washer and dryer in the basement. Finished basement includes playroom and office space/guest room with bath. Piano in the living room. High speed wireless internet (not included in the price). Space for 1 car in garage and 4 cars in driveway. Private yard. Close to the T. For more info: http://sabbaticalhomes.com/OfferedDetails.aspx?id=64400. $2900 a month plus utilities. No pets, no smoker. For more information please email naamaanddan@gmail.com

Earn Money Shovelling Snow

Sign up on the City’s website www.ci.newton.ma.us/snowremove.htm to be added to a list of snow shovellers for hire this winter.  Or do a good deed and volunteer to shovel for a low-income neighbor who is physically unable to shovel. Sign-up forms for both paid and volunteer shovellers are in the middle of the page under “Can you help your neighbors shovel snow this winter?”