Partnering with Parents
To Meet the Needs of Our Students with Special Needs
November 2, 2020 Volume 3 Issue 3
If you are accessing this newsletter via the Parent Portal, please type this link into your browser so you can access the links in the newsletter- https://www.smore.com/f2ak9. Or you can find the link on Facebook or Twitter @HTDSspecialed.
Hamilton Cares
As an additional avenue to support our HTSD community, a hotline has been set up for all families to call if they are in need of any assistance. The number for the hotline is (609) 476-6138. If you or someone you know needs assistance with meals, wellness, or any other related service, please call the hotline, leave a message, and we will reach out as quickly as possible.
*The state has recently extended our free meal program until the end of the school year. ALL students eat free in Hamilton Township Schools this year.
Important Dates
November
3- Election Day- No School
5-6- NJEA Convention- No School
9-13- National School Psychology Week
16-20- American Education Week
26- Happy Thanksgiving!
27- No School
Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG)
We have a Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) in the district. Each district board of education shall 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:14-1.2(h).
Please contact Marylynn Stecher- stecherm@hamiltonschools.org- if you would like to serve as a member of this group and you will be added to the email list to get reminders of meetings. Our first meeting for the 20-21 school year was on Wednesday, October 21. Upcoming meetings are scheduled as follows:
- Tuesday, January 12, 2021 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 9, 2021 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 11, 2021 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Virtual Parent Roundtable Series from NJPTA and NJPSA
Educating our children during the current pandemic proves to be a daily challenge as schools shift from in-person to hybrid to virtual learning environments. Throughout this crisis, families are juggling many responsibilities that they never envisioned. Join us for this series of roundtables designed specifically for parents/caregivers to come together and share their experiences and those of their children, identify critical issues and give voice to the needs of families so that supports can be identified and implemented.
We’re in this Together! Educating Our Children During COVID-19 (Grades 6-8)
Nov 9, 2020 06:00 PM
SPAN Parent Advocacy Network
Mental Health and So Much More!
Please check out the Mental Health webpage on our Hamilton Township School District website. There are a ton of great resources. I have included a button below to take you directly there if you are accessing this newsletter via Facebook or Twitter. If you are accessing this newsletter via a PDF copy on the parent portal, please go to our Facebook or Twitter page @HTSDspecialed so you have access to all the links contained in the newsletter.
Social Emotional Learning and Mindfulness
Grow Kinder (at Home) Podcast
Grow Kinder (at Home) is a series of mini podcast episodes designed to help educators and families through the dramatic changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. With discussion topics ranging from teacher self-care and reopening schools to supporting anxious kids and managing screen time, Grow Kinder (at Home) explores real-life challenges and how we can overcome them by using our social-emotional skills and practicing empathy.
Physical Health
Project Child Find
Parents of Hamilton Township who are concerned that their school age child (3 years to 21 years) may have special needs can receive assistance from the local school district's Child Study Team. In addition, the Hamilton Township Schools are organizing a Child Find campaign to locate and provide services for children ages three to five who may have physical, cognitive, language or emotional difficulties. Information also may be obtained on how and where to receive services for children with special needs who are younger than three. Professional guidance, assessment and an educational program are all available free for eligible children. For more information contact the Hamilton Township School District Child Study Team office at 476-6111.
Resources
NJ Special Education Website
NJ Special Education Code
Parental Rights in Special Education (PRISE) and other resources
Children and Youth Services
https://www.atlantic-county.org/intergenerational-services/children-youth.asp
START Engaging Parents of Students with Disabilities
- Parent Teen Connect- https://www.parenteenconnect.org/
Register Ready – New Jersey’s Special Needs Registry for Disasters
“Register Ready – New Jersey’s Special Needs Registry for Disasters allows New Jersey residents with disabilities or access and functional needs and their families, friends, caregivers and associates an opportunity to provide information to emergency response agencies so emergency responders can better plan to serve them in a disaster or other emergency."
For more information, click on this link.
Administrative Team
Supervisor of Special Education and Child Study Teams
Marylynn Stecher stecherm@hamiltonschools.org
Supervisor of Instruction in Special Education
Dana Kozak kozakd@hamiltonschools.org
Supervisor of Special Projects
Jeff Wellington wellingtonj@hamiltonschools.org
Notice of Nondiscrimination
The Hamilton Township School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, ancestry, disability, age, or social or economic status in its programs and activities.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Marylynn Stecher
Affirmative Action Officer
609-476-6313
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
For further information on notice of nondiscrimination, visit https://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/OCR/contactus.cfm for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481.
Special Education Department
Email: stecherm@hamiltonschools.org
Website: http://hamiltonschools.org/curriculum___programs/special_education
Phone: (609)476-6314
Facebook: facebook.com/HTSDspecialed
Twitter: @HTSDspecialed