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NSEPAC Notes

Narragansett Special Education Parent Advisory Council (NSEPAC)

Who are we? NSEPAC is a state mandated organization* that works towards the understanding, respect, support, and appropriate education for all children with special needs in our community and also serves as a resource and advisor to parents of children with special needs from preschool through high school. It is open to ALL parents - regardless if your child is, or is not, involved in special education. Become a part to help us.

A valuable partnership with Leominster Library

The North Central Area Office of the Department of Mental Retardation and the Leominster Public Library are working in partnership with our Special Education Department to establish the Developmental Disabilities Research Validated Library Collection. This is a collection of library materials containing information on research-based approaches to assist children and adults with developmental disabilities. Joanne Bayliss from the Department of Mental Retardation has been in contact with our Special Education Director about this project.

They are developing a webpage that lists the resources available in the collection as well as links to other valuable resources.

You may visit this valuable resource by visiting:

http://www.leominsterlibrary.org/developmental_disabilities_research.htm

Other News

* Click here to view the SPED Staff Meetings for the 2010-2011 school year.

SPED PAC

* SPED PAC MEMBERS NEEDED- The Narrangansett Regional School District Special education Parent Advisory Council is looking for new members. The Council offers support education and mentioring to families of Special Education Children in the district. The Council has anumber of projects planned for the year but needs families to help get them of the ground. For more information or to join contact Carla Charter at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

* AANE's 2nd Annual Cape Cod Summer Conference

* The Family Services Program at Minute Man Arc

* Check this program to teach children how to read. This program is free and need to be done in partnership with teacher and parent at home. Materials are free online http://www.dsfoc.org/learning_program.htm.

MENTORING

The PAC is trying to set up a one on one mentoring program where parents who have children with specific special needs can connect with other parents with children who have similar special needs. If you would like to connect with another parent e-mail Carla at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CASSEROLE CLUB

The Sped Pac is hoping to develop a list for a Casserole Club. This would be a way for Sped Parents to support other Sped Parents when a child is hospitalized or having other serious issues. Hopefully when the program is up and running we will have a list of those willing to help out with a casserole or other foods if a family is going through a Special Needs Emergency. The person who is dealing with the Special needs issue could contact the Sped PAC and ask that an e-mail be sent out and those on the list could help out by dropping off a casserole or other meal, so that they don't have to worry about preparing meals while also trying to deal with their child's Special needs issues. For more information contact Carla at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

One of my goals as Sped Pac Chairman is to have sports all children can participate in. As part of this I am trying to bring more Special Olympics to the area. We have several people interested in being a Special Olympics Basketball coach and another interested in coaching soccer. I am also working on bringing Special Olympics Bowling to the area. If you would like to coach or would like more information please contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

CHALLENGER BASEBALL

We are also working toward bringing Challenger Baseball to the area. I met with cemetery commissioner Alan Mayo and it looks like our best bet for a field is Gilman-Waite field in Baldwinville. I have also spoken to the Narragansett Little League who is interested in bringing Challenger Little League to the area. One of the hurdles we are currently facing is the need for handicapped accessible bathrooms at the field. At the recent Narragansett Craft Fair the Sped Pac was able to raise $72.25 to help make Gilman-Waite Field Handicapped Accessible. The monies were raised by a raffle of a gift certificate from Emm's Bakery. Thank you Emm's Bakery!