Meeting Information for the 2022-2023 School Year

The Haddon Heights Public School District has established a Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) to provide input and advice to the district in regard to matters pertaining to students with disabilities. All school districts in New Jersey are required to "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" (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-1.2h).

Our parent group membership is committed to seeing their advisory group firmly established in the district and volunteer their time and energy in helping put in place a very important avenue for parents to provide input to their district for years to come. They deserve special recognition and thanks for their continuing service.

Should you have any questions regarding SEPAG membership please contact Lindsey Paradise in the Child Study Team Office directly at (856) 547-1322  Ext. 2000 or Jocqueline Renner at rennerj@gogarnets.com 

Meeting Information for the 2021-2022 School Year

 

Meeting Information for the 2020-2021 School Year

     Meeting ID: 942 2659 9777
     Passcode: 1Un8gE

Presenter: Dawn Reilly Ed.S., NSCP - Haddon Heights School District Description: As in all lessons taught in school, reinforcement at home is key! Did you know that our elementary schools will enhance their implementation of Social Emotional Learning this year? Perfect timing, I would say so! We can all benefit from working on skills that will help both children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.  The home is the perfect place to reinforce and further develop these skills that will be taught.  This workshop will give a review on what SEL is, the positive impacts of SEL, and ways to incorporate SEL methodology into daily household routines.  Bonus…the approaches our students are learning are also helpful for us adults as well, you might find yourself wanting to do these techniques too!  

Join Zoom Meeting
https://hhsd-k12-nj-us.zoom.us/j/82387709821?pwd=MkZTS3p0cWVaa1JiWXZpem1Ranh4Zz09

Meeting ID: 823 8770 9821
Passcode: 210539   

Meeting Information for the 2019-20 School Year 

Haddon Heights School District's Special Education Parent Advocacy Group hosted a free community event for Staff, Parents, and Junior/Senior High School Students, "Just Talk About It" on Monday, January 27, from 6:30-8:30pm in the Seventh Avenue School, Multi-Purpose Room. This was an introductory mental health education program hosted by Guy Iacono that features a young adult speaker, Scott Prendergast. "Just Talk About It" educated participants to look beyond stigma and notice warning signs of stress, anxiety, depression, and crisis.

Meeting Information for the 2018-19 School Year

The district continues to strengthen the Special Education Parent Advocacy Group (SEPAG) and the relationship with the Haddon Heights, Barrington, Lawnside, and Merchantville communities. I invite you to join us for a meeting and/or to celebrate an event. All are always welcome! SEPAG meeting dates will be posted and announced soon. 

This year the Haddon Heights School District is embarking on the 8th year of their Ability Awareness Initiative. The primary focuses of the initiative are to raise awareness and to work to build a world of inclusion. Although this is a constant frame of mind that the district promotes, new events to increase acceptance and raise awareness continue to be organized. Since its inception, Abilities Awareness has not only been embraced by the school community but also by the Haddon Heights Borough as a whole. We appreciate your support as well as the support of the community leaders and local businesses as you have been active partners in spreading this positive message with the goal of creating an accepting and inclusive town-wide environment. This year’s Awareness Theme for the elementary is “Show Your Stripes!” We are planning a school-wide read and activities to celebrate our stripes!

Please consider donating or joining the Putman family to walk to raise funds and awareness for Williams Syndrome!

https://events.williams-syndrome.org/team/219393

April 16, 2019,  6-6:30pm Arrival
Seventh Avenue School Multipurpose Room
"Inclusion Works! Inclusion Matters!" night event
Please RSVP by following the link, so we can prepare to celebrate with you!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1U9b9XEj2uGL0jrS0ZIlZyAMZVkV6MQbAPdJ37nMxu5M/edit

Doors open at 6pm, with snacks available, to those interested in learning more about Williams and Downs Syndrome, as well as the High School "REACH for a Smoothie" Business! At 6:30pm attendees will view a short video, created by our own high school students, “Dispelling Myths about Disabilities”. Guest speakers, Jennifer and Will Hoheisel, will give us insight into the awesome world of Autism. Student awards will be distributed for participation in the "Inclusion Matters! Inclusion Works!" poster and writing contests. We will pause to raffle off a signed Alshon Jeffery Eagles Jersey to benefit the Eagles Autism Challenge and finish by highlighting more of the amazing qualities of our students! If you plan on celebrating with us, please complete the attached document.Thank you in advance for you support. Inclusion benefits everyone!

Stuttering Event
April 6, 2019 @ 11-1pm
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm#inbox/WhctKJVJjtxZtZFwfWwDxjwprRthRJwSNksJPWwJpWTJgsXNrWCGlTdsJPqDDljhHhHfdsB?projector=1&messagePartId=0.1

Tuesday, January 8, 2019 @ 6:30pm 
Seventh Avenue Elementary School, Multi-Purpose Room

The meeting provided an opportunity to share successes and input on issues concerning students with special education supports. We brainstormed Ability Awareness activities for district-wide events and a future presentation on the benefits of inclusion with you!

Thursday, October 4, 2018 @ 6pm
Haddon Heights High School
"Using a Growth Mindset"
Featuring Guest Speaker: Judy Marino 

This session focused on ways to use growth mindset in your child's day. Information was shared regarding "growth mindset" versus "fixed mindset" as well as specific ways to change our words so that we help change our children's way of thinking.
Following is the presentation:
Utilizing a Growth Mindset Presentation

Growth Mindset Handout

Grab a one-page printable "Parent's Guide to A Growth Mindset". It's a perfect daily reminder to keep you focused on your growth mindset parenting journey.  

There is also a Facebook group "Raising Kids with a Growth Mindset". It's a place where you can ask your questions and get invaluable support from a large community. This page has no affiliation with the district.

The Ultimate Guide to Praising Your Kids, resource webpage can be found at: https://biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog/praise

Past Events 2017-2018

Monday, April 23, 2018 @ 6:30-7:30pm
Seventh Avenue Elementary School, Multi-Purpose Room
“Strategies for Anxiety”
Featuring Guest Speaker: Judy Marino

This presentation focused on specific strategies to use when dealing with the anxious child. We discussed what helps, what makes things worse, and what you can do immediately to help ease the worry and angst in the anxious moment. A question and answer period was included so that specific situations could be discussed. Thank you to all who attended. 

Following is the presentation:
Anxiety Parent Presentation April 2018
The FEAR Plan


Wednesday, January 10, 2018 @ 6-7:30pm
Seventh Avenue Elementary School, Multi-Purpose Room
“Supporting Students with Anxiety Disorders”
Featuring Guest Speaker: Dr. Steven D. Tsao

Dr. Tsao received both his master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from Fordham University. He com-pleted his pre-doctoral internship at the Boston VA Medical Center and his post-doctoral fellowship at McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate. Dr. Tsao is an expert in exposure and response prevention for obses-sive compulsive disorder (OCD) and has extensive experience with prolonged exposure (PE) therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Prior to joining Rogers, Dr. Tsao was on the staff at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania where he most recently served as the Clinic Director. In addi-tion to his leadership role with Rogers, Dr. Tsao co-directs a specialty practice conducting psychotherapy, training and consultation for the full-spectrum of anxiety disorders. Dr. Tsao is a member of the International OCD Foun-dation, the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and the Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association. 

Wednesday,November 15, 2017 6:30-7:30pm
Seventh Avenue Elementary School, Multi-Purpose Room
Meet and Greet with the Child Study Team!

Team members will be introduced and will discuss new and on-going projects. Time will be designated for questions and for discussion on future SEPAG topics. 

Monday, October 16, 2017 6:30-8:00pm 

Samuel Mickle School Library
559 Kings Hwy, Mickleton, NJ 08056 
Please Join the East Greenwich School District as their SEPAC team presents a workshop “ Supporting Students with Anxiety Disorders” Featuring Guest Speaker Dr. Steven D. Tsao.  
To attend you must RSVP to specialedparentgroup@eastgreenwich.k12.nj.us
Dr. Tsao received both his master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from Fordham University. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at the Boston VA Medical Center and his post-doctoral fellowship at McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate. Dr. Tsao is an expert in exposure and response prevention for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and has extensive experience with prolonged exposure (PE) therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Prior to joining Rogers, Dr. Tsao was on the staff at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania where he most recently served as the Clinic Director. In addition to his leadership role with Rogers, Dr. Tsao co-directs a specialty practice conducting psychotherapy, training and consultation for the full-spectrum of anxiety disorders. Dr. Tsao is a member of the International OCD Foundation, the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and the Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association.
Information will be made available to those interested but cannot make it. 

Information from the 2016-17 School Year

I am super excited to announce some of our new Ability Awareness Activities and get your input for others! This year, we will participate in Rock Your Socks. The idea behind it is that together we can create a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Down syndrome in our school, community and around the world. March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day. It was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which leads to Down Syndrome.

We will also organize an Ice Cream Social for Williams Syndrome. Williams Syndrome is a genetic condition that is present at birth and can affect anyone.  It is characterized by medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning disabilities. These often occur side by side with striking verbal abilities, highly social personalities and an affinity for music.

Past Events 2016-17:

Wednesday, March 8, 2017, 6:00pmDuring the meeting we discussed the development of a Mentor Group for parents willing to mentor other parents and/or participate in a support group. We also discussed upcoming Ability Awareness Initiatives and future meeting topics.

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Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 6:15pm Barrington Special Education Parent Advisory Group invites Haddon Heights parents to join in a discussion on special education topics including a special presentation entitled "Central Tools for Managing Home Behavior" from a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Avon School Library

862 Mercer Drive

Haddonfield, NJ 08033

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Thursday, October 20, 2016 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM (EDT)

We had a SEPAG meeting on October 20th at 5:30pm in the 7th Ave. School Multi-Purpose Room. During the meeting, we reviewed current programs, initiatives, and planned for Ability Awareness activities.

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Wednesday, September 21, 2016 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM (EDT)

This was an opportunity to meet face to face and exchange ideas around what works to enhance and sustain family engagement in schools to improve outcomes for children with disabilities. Strategies to start and run local special education parent groups/advisory groups (SEPAGs) will be discussed and shared. Come and network with other parent leaders in your county.

Eastern Regional High School
1401 Laurel Oak Road
Learning Center
Voorhees Township, NJ 08043

Parent Involvement in Special Education: An Overview of Rights Presentation

Thank you to the START Project, Parent Group Specialist Debbie Esposito, and Eastern Regional High School for inviting the Haddon Heights and Lawnside SEPAG to join them for "Parent Involvement in Special Education: An Overview of Rights." Ms. Esposito discussed with parents on the importance of identifying their dreams and goals for their children, and their rights and responsibilities as parents of children with special needs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Families in attendance gained the knowledge and strategies necessary to be equal partners in the special education process.

Night of Pampering, Fun and Q &A

For this event SEPAG invited Haddon Heights and Lawnside parents to a well-deserved relaxing night out. Throughout the evening attendees were treated to a chair massage and mini reflexology session provided by Julie Goeltz (LMT), fingernail polish change and hand massage by Avenue Salon and Spa, and Essential Oils by Melissa Nicely.  Thank you to these local businesses for providing their services, and we encourage you to support them. The event also provided child care from special education staff members, and families were treated to a meet and greet with Erica Kirschner and Jack the Therapy Dog (pictured above).  A question and answer session was held for attendees by Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Dr. Denise Kerth. Thank you to all the volunteers and attendees for a fun evening.

Dyslexia Simulation

The Haddon Heights and Lawnside SEPAG committee held a Dyslexia Simulation for our community members throughout Camden County.  Over 80 participants attended the simulation, held at the Seventh Avenue School multi-purpose room, creating a wonderful gathering of parents and educators. SEPAG would like to thank Deborah Lyman and Learning Ally for providing this educational workshop with the unique simulation experience.