June Meeting Set – Looking for Volunteers

The Swampscott Special Education Advisory Board will be holding their last meeting of the year Wednesday, June 17, 7-8:30 at the Swampscott High School.  We will be looking for input on workshop topics for next year, as well as hearing Dr. Maureen Bingham, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services, review the results of the special education coordinated review conducted by the Department of Education (pending if the results are back by this date).

SEABoard is looking for representation in the elementary and pre-school levels.  The current co-chairs have children in the middle and high school and would like to have the board have more diversification. They would be looking for help with coordinating workshops, and attending meetings with administration to express concerns.  The co-chairs are very flexible and realize that people’s time is limited.  It’s ok if you can only help out once in a while!  If interested in helping out in any way, please email Jenn or Kirsten at seaboardswmp@comcast.net

We are pleased to announce our final parent training workshop of the 2009 spring semester:

NOTE CHANGE IN START TIME

Monday, May 11, 2009, 7:30-9:00pm   Building the Skills that Build Social Capital in the Real World

Featured Speaker:   Teresa Bolick, Ph.D

Communities depend upon social capital. And social capital depends upon social connections. Unfortunately, it’s difficult for many children and adolescents to regulate their own emotions and behavior well enough to make strong social connections. As a result, they are not able to participate actively in the creation of social capital in their communities. Their gifts and talents are then lost to the ‘common good.’ This workshop is intended to outline practical strategies that families and intervention teams can use to teach the skills that build social capital.

Dr. Teresa Bolick is a licensed psychologist with a special interest in neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and Asperger Syndrome. She currently provides evaluation and treatment to children, adolescents, and their families. She consults frequently to schools in New England. She is an enthusiastic speaker, presenting workshops for parents, paraprofessionals, and professionals across North America. Dr. Bolick is the author of two books on Asperger Syndrome, as well as numerous articles and book chapters. In her spare time, Dr. Bolick enjoys reading, skiing, biking, and hanging out with family and friends. For a list of publications and handouts, please visit  www.thebolickhouse.com.

Please join us for this informative presentation and discussion.

March Event Announcement

The Swampscott Special Education Advisory Board in partnership with the Marblehead Special Education Advisory Council will be hosting Bob Gass, Executive Director of the Northshore Education Consortium, in a discussion on “Advocating for Children Within Difficult Financial Times”

When: March 9, 2009

Where: Swampscott High School, 200 Essex Street

Time: 7:00-8:30

Bob has an extensive background in education, child welfare and social services. He was previously the Executive Director of Concord Family and Youth Services and also served in leadership positions at the Walker Home and School in Needham, Bay Cove Human Services and Home for Little Wanderers in Boston.

For 24 years Bob served as school committee member and is the former President of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC). Active in his local community, Bob co-chaired the Middle School Building Committee, which oversaw a multi-million dollar middle school renovation and has been a town meeting member for 28 years in Randolph.

Currently, Bob is the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the South Shore Charter Public School in Norwell. He serves on the Board of the Massachusetts Organization of Educational Collaboratives and the Special Education Committee of MASC. He has presented at numerous state and national conferences over the past years, with a particular focus on helping public schools better service students with significant emotional and/or mental health needs. He was also a founding Board member of MAAPS and served as its President from 1985 to 1987.

A licensed social worker, Bob also holds certificates as a school superintendent, building principal and administrator of special education.