Franklin SEPAC hosts "Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility Workshop" Dec 5 (virtual, registration req'd)

The Franklin Special Ed Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) will hold the annual Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility Workshop via Zoom on December 5, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

This workshop provides an introduction to the complex special education laws and procedures.

Please register for the workshop using this link: https://fcsn.org/event/franklin-evaluation-and-eligibility/

If you have any questions, you can contact Franklin SEPAC at franklinsepac@gmail.com.

Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility December 5 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Host: Franklin Public Schools This presentation is a comprehensive introduction into special education laws and procedures. We will delve into the purpose of the law, referrals, evaluations, and the team meeting process including determining eligibility. Further discussion will focus on services, placement, and what to do when you receive a proposed IEP. You will also learn what to do if the student is not eligible and parent’s procedural due process rights for resolving disputes. Zoom will confirm your registration by email which will include your meeting link to join. All handouts will be sent to attendees from our workshop coordinator, Kristin LaRose, within 24 hours of the presentation.

https://fcsn.org/event/franklin-evaluation-and-eligibility/

Franklin SEPAC hosts "Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility Workshop"  Dec 5

Workshop on Strategies for Preventing & Managing Challenging Behaviors in Young Children - Jan 11

"Reminder! 

SEPAC's Workshop on Strategies for Preventing & Managing Challenging Behaviors in Young Children with Dr. Miranda Milana is Thursday, 1/11, at 7PM! 

Click here to Register: https://t.co/AsfvGbcMEq"

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/JeffersonLabs/status/1745091914058101167

Workshop on Strategies for Preventing & Managing Challenging Behaviors in Young Children - Jan 11

Franklin & Medway SEPACs announce 2 workshops

Happy New Year!

We are excited to announce 2 upcoming workshops.

These are free and open to all extended community members. Your child does not have to be receiving Special Education for you to attend.

• Managing Behavior Challenges

Strategies for Preventing & Managing Challenging Behaviors in Young Children = Jan 11, 2024 at 7 PM

• Neuropsychological Evaluations 101

What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation & What Can I Expect from it? = February 8, 2024 at 7 PM

Register here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-vnN5mTP3X--bOVw2ITOxWP-p9rhI_9A/view

Franklin & Medway SEPACs announce 2 workshops

Shared from -> https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0u5beSW91CJmXaHhoFAehkyAfhyA7a5Joa9N74kcrsMfvJ7MhEQEVeXqyhNx6eFHzl&id=100071960748317&mibextid=Nif5oz

Reminder: Workshop on Mental Health & Suicide Awareness and Prevention - Dec 5

(Tuesday) Open to the community

"Franklin SEPAC & SAFE Coalition Present A Workshop for Parents and Caregivers of Teens and Tweens on Mental Health & Suicide Awareness and Prevention

Register here:

https://forms.gle/wuMmwjzQK5ik7q9L8"

Shared from ->   https://twitter.com/DStokes2447/status/1731789593337331888

Reminder: Workshop on Mental Health & Suicide Awareness and Prevention - Dec 5

Workshop for parents and caregivers of teens and tweens on Mental Health, Suicide Awareness & Prevention - Dec 5

Franklin SEPAC & SAFE Coalition present a workshop for parents and caregivers of teens and tweens on Mental Health, Suicide Awareness and Prevention.

Learn from a SAFE Coalition Social Worker about:

• How to speak with your children about mental health

• Social media and bullying

• Tools, resources, and information about suicide awareness and drug use

This is an in-person event.  

Register here: https://forms.gle/wuMmwjzQK5ik7q9L8… Please note: this is open to all community members - your child does not need to be receiving special education for you to participate.

When: December 5, 2023  from 6:30 PM - 8 PM

Where: Town Hall/Central Office

355 E. Central St, Franklin, MA   3rd Floor Training Room

www.safecoalition.org

www.franklinsepac.org

 

Workshop for parents and caregivers of teens and tweens on Mental Health, Suicide Awareness & Prevention - Dec 5

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/DStokes2447/status/1729679294605963324

SEPAC amazing raffle calendar for October 2023

Via Franklin Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC): 

"Just a quick reminder, we have an amazing raffle coming up, $10 per ticket for 32 chances to win, and you can purchase it online from the link in the first comment, or by going to our webpage, www.franklinsepac.org.

Seriously, who doesn't want a personal visit with police pup Ben Franklin, or a couple of tickets to Santa's Village, or a signed Red Sox baseball...I could go on but there are too many to list!"

Or go directly to the calendar fund raising page -> https://givebutter.com/vjwvaG

 

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/100071960748317/posts/pfbid0iuMvBypkdLuorgmqytHuix2EFAwxggBNW1BDfLzK91JGJjwWoQMyPUE9EhSHW9Kel/

SEPAC amazing raffle calendar for October 2023

Franklin SEPAC announces their 2023 Fall Fundraiser

We are so excited to announce our 2023 Fall Fundraiser, a calendar raffle with more that $4,800 in prizes, including signed memorabilia from the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots !!!  

Tickets are $10 for 32 chances to win!

VISIT OUR SITE TO LEARN MORE AND BUY TICKETS: http://www.franklinsepac.org/

Please share this post and help us get the word out!

Sending a huge, enormous, gigantic shout out to all of our supporters, but particularly to our local sponsors, including:

Hillside Nurseries & Florist

Franklin Nutrition

Franklin School for the Performing Arts

The Drummers' Studio

Enchanted Memories Travel

Terrazza Franklin

3 Restaurant

Franklin Recreation Department

Pretty Is Pink

Happy Tails Doggy Daycare, Inc.

Franklin Police Department

Next9Up

An Unlikely Story

Delux Tux, Walpole MA

Hockomock YMCA

Franklin Glass Company Inc.

Bea M Photography

1057 WROR

Rubber Chicken Comics

Roller Kingdom Hudson MA

Beef Barn Bellingham

The Adirondack Club

Pinz Entertainment

Rod at I Have Coins & Collectibles

Dedham Bike

Mark DeBaggis Guitar Lessons

Shared from Facebook ->   https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/3506813566255311/?mibextid=Nif5oz

Franklin SEPAC announces their 2023 Fall Fundraiser

SEPAC Workshop: MA Anti-Bullying Law - IEP and Schoolwide Strategies to Prevent Bullying of Students - May 11, 2023

This workshop will address the significant changes in special education practice that are a result of the state’s anti- bullying prevention law, focusing on both school-wide efforts to create safe and supportive school environments for students with disabilities and statutory provisions that require IEP Teams to address bullying of students with disabilities.

Date :  Thursday, May 11th

Time: 7:00 pm

Location: Virtual (on Zoom)

Registration Link: https://forms.gle/r6DfvvFEetLQBM6C9

More about Franklin SEPAC visit their page -> http://www.franklinsepac.org/ 

SEPAC Workshop: MA Anti-Bullying Law - IEP and Schoolwide Strategies to Prevent Bullying of Students - May 11, 2023

Webinar: "Executive Function Strategies for Creating Successful Students" - April 26, 2023

Executive function skills have become increasingly important for students of all ages over the past several years. Join Engaging Minds to learn more about executive function and the skills it encompasses and gain actionable strategies to use at home to help strengthen these important skills. In an ever-changing world where more is being asked of our students, this webinar will help parents and caregivers keep their students on a successful path for this school year and beyond.

Register for this virtual webinar ->   https://engagingmindsonline.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MFzacLveSoCjQ1dBIwb4Ng

For more about Franklin SEPAC -> http://www.franklinsepac.org/

Webinar: "Executive Function Strategies for Creating Successful Students" - April 26, 2023

Franklin SEPAC presents a workshop on the science of reading and IDEA Law (virtual) - April 12

Reading Goals: Shining A Light On The Science Of Reading And Idea Law As A First Step To Valid Reading Goals

As a volunteer for over 10 years, Nancy Duggan is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Decoding Dyslexia Massachusetts. Most of this work is directly helping thousands of parents in Massachusetts and across the country with free information and advice concerning dyslexia and the IEP process, by reading and explaining student assessments, explaining IDEA laws, the IDEA essential components of reading, and the standards of federally defined scientifically based reading research to parents and educators. Work also aims at driving policy changes through legislative and grassroots engagement.

Register for this virtual workshop ->    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeZT1m7NwW2i0XOPpXTIvf5mha2hr2X4l3L_T8iIjo8xuHfQ/viewform

More about Franklin SEPAC -> http://www.franklinsepac.org/ 

Franklin SEPAC presents a workshop on the science of reading and IDEA Law 

wbur.org: "Special education planning form gets revamp in Mass. for first time in 20 years"

"It’s all about perception of self," he said. "If the system does not view you in a positive way how are you going to succeed?"

But now, for the first time in 20 years, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has updated its suite of IEP resources, starting with forms that invite more student input about their educational goals and plans. That feedback will be critical to developing the student's IEP, which lays out the services the student receives in a school year.

Advocates and educators across the state say they're optimistic that the new IEP forms and process it generates will lead to a more high-quality IEP and improve the overall educational experience for students with disabilities.

The overhaul is the result of a nine-year effort led by the state department of education and guided by teachers and administrators, as well as advocates like Gabovitch and Julia Landau, a senior project director with the Massachusetts Advocates for Children."

Continue reading the article at wbur.org/ 

https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/03/24/special-education-improved-forms-process

wbur.org:  "Special education planning form gets revamp in Mass. for first time in 20 years"

Franklin SEPAC presents MGH's Think:Kids Collaborative Problem Solving Workshop - Mar 29 (virtual)

This interactive workshop will provide an introduction to the Collaborative Problem Solving model. 

Presenter Ben Stich, LICSW, M.Ed, is a Certified Trainer and Consultant for Think:Kids.

Kids with challenging behavior are tragically misunderstood and mistreated. Rewards and punishments don’t work and often make things worse. Thankfully, there’s another way. But it requires a big shift in mindset.

This workshop is intended for parents, caregivers, teachers, service providers, & adult community members.

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 - from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM  - This event is virtual

Register here -> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpz_8gHvCSRm97Kvgfq-bCxLXfDQ_q8xc8fhVLCg8N_0VRag/viewform

More about Franklin Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) -> franklinsepac.org

Franklin SEPAC presents MGH's Think:Kids Collaborative Problem Solving Workshop - Mar 29 (virtual)

Library & Franklin SEPAC & Sweet Inspirations to hand out candy at "Trunk-or-Treat"

"Franklin SEPAC, in cooperation with Franklin Public Library & Sweet Inspirations, an Inclusive Candy Store, will be handing out candy at tomorrow's Library Trunk-Or-Treat! 

Please come by to pick up a treat or or just to chat about SEPAC, Sweet Inspirations, or anything else!"

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/DSpencerFSC/status/1583477895498170368

 

Library & Franklin SEPAC & Sweet Inspirations to hand out candy at "Trunk or Treat"

School Committee Meeting - 01/11/22 Two parts audio: (1) students services discussion, etc. and then (2) remainder of meeting

FM #698 & #699 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 698 & 699 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: six of the School Committee members were in the Council Chambers along with some of the public, one member was remote (E Stokes) along with some members the public via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the almost two hour 30 minute into two (2) logical segments:

• First - covers the opening, much of this segment is on the student services presentation and Q&A  (~1:23 mins) Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-698-school-committee-mtg-student-services-01-11-22-p1-of-2

• Second - covers the Superintendent's report, Discussion action items, Discussion only items, Consent agenda and then votes to enter Executive Session, not to return to open meeting. (~ 1 hour and 5 minutes) Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-699-school-committee-meeting-01-11-22-p2-of-2

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. The link to my notes taken during the meeting is also provided.

Let’s listen to this segment of the School Committee meeting Jan 11, 2022

 

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Agenda doc can be found ->

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agenda

s/scagenda_1-11-22.pdf 

School Committee Meeting packet folder ->

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/2021-22-meetingpackets 

My notes captured during the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/recap-school-committee-hears-about-1.html 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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School Committee Meeting - 01/11/22 Two parts audio