A Note from SEPTA Presidents
I admit it. I'm one of those Moms who just can't bear to let summer go. If I spot a single notebook in Target in mid-July, I'm all like, "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE??" and then complain... (on Facebook). 

Usually, though, after the rush of back to school nights, PTA events, and the whirlwind the beginning of September brings, I can get behind the whole Fall thing. I think it's because of pumpkins. And candles. Speaking of Fall, pumpkins and candles, please be sure to pick up a little Autumn awesomeness from the Fall/Winter Yankee Candle catalog? SEPTA receives 40% of whatever you purchase, and they have some really boo-tiful items. (See what I did there?) Please see our link below. :)

My kids like Fall and pumpkins, too. Homework? Not so much. I can relate! Keeping important paperwork organized can be tough--even for parents! SEPTA is proud to present an AWESOME workshop we are hosting on November 16--with lots of freebies! "How to Keep Track of Your Child's 504 and IEP Paperwork" will include record-keeping binders and important tips to help you get your child's documents together! I'm very excited about this event myself and we hope it will be beneficial for you, too!

Do you need support or a listening ear? Do you just want to TALK about how the beginning of the year is going for you and your child? We're here... and usually one of us at SEPTA has been through something similar. Please consider coming to one of our Second Cup of Coffee Support Group meetings; our next one--a Welcome Back Breakfast--is October 12 at 10:00 am at TJL and our new Director of Pupil Personnel Theresa McGuire, will be there, too--for the beginning half of the meeting. Please join us. We look forward to learning more about you!

-- Karin Fey, Co-President, SEPTA
Hilights  
SEPTA Highlights & Events
Ready for cozy sweaters, crisp apples, and pumpkin everything? Check out the beautiful and fragrant items in the Yankee Candle catalog--SEPTA's biggest fundraiser of the year!

You can help us reach our fundraising goal of $5,000! A portion of all proceeds go right back to SEPTA... for valuable programs for our parents and children, SEPTA scholarships, and more. This fundraiser is online only! Check out  Yankee Candle's website  yankeecandlefundraising.com.  

Don't Miss these Upcoming SEPTA Events!
WELCOME BACK BREAKFAST - Coffee, Conversation & the Latest on Special Education in Harborfields with Theresa McGuire
WHEN: October 12th at 10:00 am
WHERE: TJL's Multi-purpose room

What's better than coffee with good company? A fun and informative meeting with SEPTA and the new Director of Pupil Personnel Services (AND coffee)!

Come meet Theresa McGuire and learn about the latest news in special education at Harborfields. There will be time for a Q & A with Ms. Mcguire and then, a chance to chat about how your year is going... Please join us; we'd love to meet you!


PARENT WORKSHOP: How to Best Organize Your Child's 504 and/or CSE Paperwork

WHEN: November 16th at 7 - 8 PM
WHERE: HHS Guidance Room

Representatives from Parent to Parent will show you how to take all of your child's 504, IEP & other educational records and organize them into a record-keeping binder. They bring the binders and offer step by step instruction! This is an important step in becoming more organized in planning your child's education, and in the CPSE/CSE process.


Come See the Highly-Anticipated Movie "WONDER" with Us ... On Opening Weekend! 

WHEN: Sunday, November 19th at 10:00 AM
WHERE: Elwood Movie Theater

SEPTA has reserved the Elwood Movie Theater for this special event! $10 a person includes bagels, juice and coffee. Bring your whole family to see this heart-warming movie. Tickets will be sold a few weeks before the vent... Stay tuned for details!




second   
Parent Support Group - 
Second Cup of Coffee Dates
Our Second Cup of Coffee Support Groups are a popular source of support for parents, a helpful resource, and a place where you can always learn something new. Check out what we have planned...

WHERE: Harborfields High School Guidance Center

DATES: Thursday, November 16th:  Organize Your CSE Paperwork
  Thursday, February 15th:  New & Helpful Strategies Straight   From Our Harborfields Teachers!
  Thursday, April 19th:  Tips for Prepping for College
  Thursday, May 10th:  IEP and CSE Discussion

TIME: All meetings are 7-9 pm.
7:00 - 8:00 PM Speakers will present on the topics below &
8:00 - 9:00 PM is an informal parent support group. Walk in at any time!!
catchingCatching Up with SEPTA
SEPTA's First Second Cup of the School Year

SEPTA was proud to introduce Theresa McGuire, our new director of PPS at our first 2nd Cup of Coffee Support Group on August 31! 

Ms. McGuire shared a presentation of her background and experience as well her vision for special education at Harborfields. She will again join SEPTA at our Welcome Back breakfast on October 12. (Featured in photo, left to right: Theresa McGuire, Kathy McNally, and Kerry Neira, of the PPS office)


SEPTA's Updated Handbook is Available - Great Parent Tool!

SEPTA is proud to present the newly updated SEPTA Handbook, which we revised in collaboration with Pupil Personnel Services, in keeping with the latest information and terminology. You will find information on:
  • Services available at each school
  • The Evaluation Process
  • What an IEP is
  • Terms you might hear in a CSE meeting
Download the Handbook Today >



You Must Have Read Our Mind!

To our delight, registration for the SEPTA Mom's Night Out event with psychic medium Nancy D'erasmo was in such high demand, we SOLD OUT. Luckily, we were able to procur another date from the psychic and Conklin Barn venue and offer a new date for those on the waiting list! This event also SOLD OUT! 


We wish to thank  Alexandria Salzone, owner of Home Cooked Catering,  for donating her freshly baked cookies to our October event!

We Love New Members!
Your membership is so important to us...for $10, you can help us fund programs and events, workshops and scholarships for children with special needs in Harborfields.



Thank you! 
Your Support is Appreciated!


pupilA NOTE FROM PUPIL PERSONNEL

Welcome back to a new school year with a promise of new beginnings.  This past summer our students were able to attend a special summer extended program in their home district of Harborfields. The students were able to maintain and generalize mastered skills in a fun and exciting environment. The Harborfields' teachers, teaching assistants and related service providers worked together to create a seamless transition between the summer and the school year. Ms. Kerry Neira, the program supervisor planned engaging and interactive activities which included visits from community members and cute; and, not so cute critters! From learning about pet care with live animals from Cornell Cooperative to STEM activities such as making moon sand; the children had an educational and enjoyable summer. We look forward to the continued success of the extended school year program. 

We are thrilled to welcome to our Harborfield's family many new staff members. At Washington Drive Primary school, Courtney Moraglia is working in a first grade integrated classroom. At Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School, Jessica Caccamese is our new teacher in the 8:1:2 classroom. Kathleen Haig and Michelle Stack are new to our third grade integrated classrooms, and Nicole Logozzo is working in a fifth grade integrated class. Our new teachers have welcomed students and have shared a successful beginning to a progressive new school year. At Oldfield Middle School, Melissa Mancuso will be teaching our students receiving specialized reading sessions and Kate Bulfin Rella, will be supporting students in the Resource Room. At Harborfields High School, we welcome Benjamin Bertuch as an integrated/resource room teacher.

As your new director, please know that our doors are always open at the special education office. We look forward to working together as we develop a shared vision for our students and families in the Harborfields community.

Thank you for the warm welcome!
Theresa McGuire

didDid You Know?



SEPTA Has A New Website!!
With thanks to Michelle Magee of the PTA Council, all the PTAs--including SEPTA--have a brand new look! Please check out our new site!

We have started to build a "RESOURCE" section that includes:
  • District Resources
  • Parent Support Resources
  • IEP's & 504s
  • A Resource Directory for all types of abilities
  • ADHD/ADD Resources
  • Learning Disability Resources
  • Speech Resources
  • Autism Resource
Please be patient as we continue to build this area out. We are building this for you, so please let us know what you think! Is it helpful? Do you want different types of information? Take a look and let us know >


New! Harborfields Special Education Staff Listed By Class & School
Wondering who on the special education staff teaches a certain class or specialty at the different schools? Take a look at this handy reference!>


Check Out These Great ADHD/ADD Resources
Here are some great ADHD/ADD resources to help get the start the year off on the right foot! Additional resources can be found in the "Back to School Tips" Section.

Looking Into the Future For A Child With Autism
Sarah Lansdale found a very moving article written by the mother of a child with autism. The author starts by writing that as her son's limitations became clearer, she found it harder every year to write a vision statement for his I.E.P. Then he showed them how ...


Ready To Laugh For A Good Cause?
Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 16th as the Ancient Order of Hibernians will host their 1st ever Comedy Night Special Education Fundraiser in Huntington. Proceeds go to local SEPTA's including Harborfields! Learn more about the event and about their fundraising goals >


We Found Some Great SPEECH Resources:

Free iPads For Qualified Children With Apraxia - Program Deadline Extended To November 1st!
CASANA Announces its 2017 iPads for Apraxia deadline extended until November 1st! In this program, qualified children with a diagnosis of apraxia of speech are provided with iPads and protective cases in order to assist with speech practice; use as a communication tool, incentive and educational support. Learn more >

Fabulous Speech Therapy Apps
Are you looking for speech therapy apps? Tactus Therapy has a wide range of apps for speech therapy to cover many goals and abilities.
tipsBack To School Tips
We've gone through many of our resources and put together a list of eight helpful back-to-school articles that we hope will help make the transition into this school year a little easier for you and your child.

Transitioning
Making (& keeping) friends
Homework & Organization