The North Andover Parent Advisory Council
for Children with Special Needs - “NAPAC”
Where we’ve been…
Speakers, Panels and Presentations
| May 2003: | Financial Planning for Families with Children with Special Needs Presented by: Signator Financial Network of Warwick, RI. |
| Nov 2003: | ABA “Applied Behavioral Analysis”: Comprehensive slide show seminar Guest Speaker: Katherine Johnson, Program Director at Advances Learning Center specializing in Social Skills Groups for Children |
| Mar 2004: | Public and Private Resources for Children with Special Needs Guest Speakers: Amy Nazaire, Regional Director of Family Support, Department of Mental Retardation (DMR), Charlotte Rodgers, RN, MA, Private Therapy Coordinator, Professional Center for Child Development, Gail Havelick, Public Benefits, Training and Policy Specialist, Bureau of Family and Community Health, Department of Public Health |
| Oct 2004: | 3rd Grade MCAS Testing for Children on an IEP Presented by: Betsy McGinnitty, Coordinator of Informational Services at Perkins School for the Blind, Member of the Educational Task Force for Massachusetts Advocates for Children. |
| Nov 2004: | Sensory Integration Overview Guest Speaker: Chuck Clark, Occupational Therapy Associates |
| Mar 2005: | Discipline Management Issues for the Special Needs Child Guest Speakers: Carol Cowie - Guidance Counselor Sargent School, Jack Sheld - Sped Teacher Middle School, Janice Golstein - Psychologist |
| Apr 2005: | Special Education Curriculum and Special Programs:
Touch Math, Edmark Reading Program, Type to Learn, Pixwriter Presented by: Debbie Swenson & Cindy Sousa, Special Education Teachers |
| Oct 2005: | Movie Presentation & Discussion “Look What You’ve Done” |
| Jan 2006: | Basic Rights Seminar (in Andover) NAPAC and SEPAC Co-Sponsors |
| Jan 2006: | “Getting Organized”: organization seminar Presented by: Lisa Rau Staff of Simply Organized |
| Feb 2006: | CranioSacral Therapy for Children AND "Meeting your Child's Sensory Needs without Depleting your Resources." Guest Speakes: Cindy Mattingly, OT/R, Casey Quirk, OT |
| Mar 2005: | “Building Social Skills and Friendships” Guest Speaker: Donna Shea, Director, Peter Pan Center, Harvard, MA |
Meetings with the Special Education Department and Administration
| Jun 2003: | Special Education Department Panel in an open Q&A |
| Oct 2003: | Superintendent Dr. Harutunian discusses his Entry Plan relative to the special needs community. |
| Jan 2004: | Services in North Andover for Middle School and High School Age students and Out of District students. |
| May 2004: | Services in North Andover for the Pre-School and Elementary students. |
| Feb 2005: | Overview of the Special Education Department, Preschool, Kindergarten and Elementary, and High School Programs |
| Sept 2005: | Introductions and Open Q&A with newly appointed school administers: Assistant Superintendent Dr. Richard Bergeron and Interim Assistant Special Education Director Cheryl Raimondo |
Parent’s Only Discussions:
Network and Support Group Sessions
| Apr 2003: | A spirited and very informative parents-only informal discussion. |
| Feb 2004: | Open Parent Meeting and Discussion |
| Apr 2004: | Summer Recreational Opportunities for Children with Special Needs |
| Nov 2005: | Open Parent Only Open Discussion |
Where we’re going… Meeting Agenda for 2005-06
| Oct 2006: | Meet and Greet with newly appointed Special Education Director Joyce Laundre, Director of Special Education and her team of administrators will share their vision for special education in North Andover for school year 2006-2007. |
| Nov 2006: | Extra-curricular Activities for children with special needs. Meet with Nick Saverese, North Section Coordinator for Special Olympics of Massachusetts to discuss new Special Olympics initiatives in North Andover. Meet with Jenn Conway, Support Services Coordinator at the Youth Center to brainstorm on ways we can all work together to build programs at the Youth Center for children with special needs. |
| Jan 2007: | "The Basics of Assistive Technology" Karen Janowski, Assistive Technology Consultant from Tech Solutions will speak on "The Basics of Assistive Technology" and how to get an Assistive Technology evaluation and services for your special needs child. |
| Feb 2007: | Learn about the new Occupational Therapy Sensory Clinic in North Andover Tara McCormick, OTR, from the Kioko Center, will introduce the new Occupational Therapy Sensory Clinic recently opened in North Andover. |
| Mar 2007: | "Advocating for Your Child" Jen Perlitch, Advocate from the Federation for Children with Special Needs will speak on "Advocating for Your Child" and discuss the ins and outs of hiring an advocate. |
| May 2007: | "Let's Get Your Child's Records Organized" Mary Summers, Director of Family TIES of Massachusetts will speak on "Let's Get Your Child's Records Organized" and will supply organizing materials. |
Year-round Endeavors and Other Projects
- North Andover Special Olympics
- Special Education Staff Appreciation Party
- Resource Library: at the public library
- Summer Recreational Opportunities for Children with Special Needs Info Packet
Page Last Modified Fri 10-13-2006 18:42