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    Welcome to the Somers Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA)

    SEPTA

     

    The Somers Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) is a district wide PTA whose primary role is to provide resources and support to parents, teachers, and children who receive special education services through an IEP, 504 Plan, related support services such as resource room, counseling, and speech, occupational or physical therapy, and students who are twice exceptional or gifted.

     

    SEPTA strives to enhance the lives of students with special needs through:

    • Social, Recreational, and Educational Programs

    • Parent Education and Resources

    • Professional Development and Grants

    • Student Project Grants

    • Recognition of Outstanding Practices and Achievements in Special Education for both faculty and students

     

    SEPTA invites parents, teachers, and community members with an interest in improving the educational, social-emotional, and recreational opportunities of children with special needs to join our membership. Anyone is welcome to join SEPTA.

     

    Become a member and join the SEPTA network today! 2 Easy Ways to Join.

    My School Bucks or Print Form

     

    Connect with Us!

    Become a Member!

    2 Easy Ways to Join!

    My School Bucks

    Print Form

     

    Join Our Mailing List!
    Get timely emails about SEPTA events.

    Join Our Facebook Group!

    magnet Show Your Support 
    Somers Car Magnets $5. Click here for form.

    ask the elephant  

    Have a Question? Email the SEPTA Ask the Elephant!

       

     

     

      

    SPECIAL PROGRAMS & EVENTS

     

     

    9th Annual SEPTA Awards Ceremony

     
    As Spring is finally upon us, it is time to recognize outstanding faculty members who make a positive impact on the lives of special needs students in our school district.  Click here for the nomination form.  SEPTA will honor 3 recipients this year:
    • SEPTA Award of Excellence: awarded to a faculty member with 10 or more years in the school district who has shown consistent dedication to helping our special needs students excel in all areas of their lives.  
    • Sherri Mangus Award of Merit: recently re-named in honor of Sherri's spirit, enthusiasm and endless belief in the potential of all our students, this award is given to a faculty member with 5 or more years in the school district who embodies these same qualities and has touched the lives of our special needs students.
    • New this year:  Making The Difference Award:  this award is given to a Teaching Assistant or Teacher Aide with 5 or more years in the school district who makes a positive impact on students by supporting thoughtful teaching practices in the classroom which promote achievement and participation of students in special education. The recipient actively engages students in learning and social experiences while enhancing students' confidence, independence, and self-esteem.
    Please take a moment to fill out the nomination form to honor one of your colleagues who you believe goes above and beyond to enrich our students.  The Awards Ceremony will be held on June 7th at the SMS Library at 7:00pm.  Please remember, award recipients must be SEPTA members.  
     
    We hope to see you at the 9th Annual SEPTA Awards Ceremony!

     

    SOMERS SUMMER FUN PROGRAM

    sumfun

    Tuesday July 10 - Thursday August 2

    Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays 11:30am - 3:00pm

    Click here to download Registration Form

    Somers SEPTA will be sponsoring a Summer Fun Program at Somers Middle School. All kids grade K-5 are welcome to join the fun. Each week offers theme-based activities along with playground games (at SIS Playground), water play, yoga, sports, musical games, and arts and crafts. The program will be staffed by Somers CSD faculty and staff, including the school nurse on site.

    The program will run on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 11:30 am-3:00 pm. Children should bring lunch, snack and water. Parent drop off and pick up is required, there will be no bus service. You can sign up for individual weeks below. Please complete the information below and submit with payment. Weekly cost is $180 per week if you sign up before May 10th. Price is $200 per week from May 11- June 1st. Medical release and emergency contact information will be emailed to you to compete by June 15th.

     

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    Somers SEPTA Scholarship Awards

    We offer 2 Scholarships for Somers graduating seniors.  Download the PDF for more details.

    Somers SEPTA Scholarship for Higher Education

    Somers SEPTA Achievement Scholarship

     

     

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    Monday, March 19 @ 10am

     
    Our next SEPTA coffee and conversation will be held on Monday, March 19th beginning at 10 am.  Join us for casual conversation and a chance to meet other parents in the district who have a child in any grade who learns differently or has social or other needs.  Your child does not need to be currently receiving support services for you to attend.  Other parents are our best resources.  Come meet some of them and tap into this breadth of knowledge and experience.
     
    Please RSVP at rsvpforsepta@gmail.com for meeting location.  New parents are always welcome!  
     

      

     

     

    Monthly Meetings

     

    Dr. Morrison has given us permission to post her recent SEPTA presentation on Youth Anxiety & Depression: Identification and Intervention from our February 28th Monthly Meeting - Parenting Your Anxious Child.    

     

    Dr. Christine O'Rouke-Lang has given us permission to post her recent SEPTA presentation on Analyzing and Addressing Challenging Behaviors from our March 27th Monthly Meetng

     

     
    May 21       May Monthly Meeting & SEPTA Annual Meeting - Vote on SEPTA Executive Board and 2018-2019 Budget
     

      

     

    spotlight

    Somers SEPTA is looking for volunteers for their

    2018-2019 Executive Board!

    It's a wonderful opportunity to get involved

    and make a positive impact!

    Please consider joining us!

    These are the open positions: 

    CO-PRESIDENT: Presides over all meetings(General and Executive Board); Coordinates work of offices and committees; Attends council and monthly president meeting; Liaison to the Committee on Special Education and school administrations; Fields parent phone calls.

    VICE PRESIDENT: Supports President in decision-making; Assumes duties in the President's absence; Learns SEPTA operations in order to assume presidency in the future.

    TREASURER: Maintains financial records; Provides financial reports; Issues payments and dispersions as well as makes bank deposits.

    CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: Sends email messages to septa members via constant contact as provided by the Executive Board.

    COUNCIL DELEGATE: Represents SEPTA at monthly PTA Council meetings.

    BOARD OF EDUCATION REP: Attends monthly BOE meetings and reports back to SEPTA

    SPEAKER COORDINATOR: Works with President to select and secure speakers; obtains and completes building use forms to secure meeting space; creates promotional flyer and constant contact to promote event; coordinate promotions of meetings by notifying schools and principals (for their newsletter) and neighboring SEPTA (if meeting is open to all); coordinate with speaker to make sure technology materials, etc. are available for presentation; purchases speaker gift

    ARTS/ENRICHMENT: Helps obtain speakers; plan events and activities for our gifted/talented and twice exceptional children.

    HOSPITALITY: Arranges refreshments for the monthly SEPTA meetings; Arrives at least 15 minutes prior or obtains coverage.

    LEGISLATION: Reviews educational news items, bulletins and alerts from the national New York state and local PTA offices and reports to SEPTA; submit updates to newsletter upon request.

    NEWSLETTER: Collects articles and materials; creates and electronically distributes newsletter.

    RESOURCE DIRECTORY: Update/create SEPTA resource directory and works with webmaster to post on SEPTA website; sends out request for submissions; creates a "How to Guide".

    SOCIAL SKILLS: This Committee helps plan social opportunities/events for our children (sensory friendly movies, Kids Express,etc.)

    PRIMROSE PTA REP./SIS PTA REP./SMS PTA REP./SHS PTA REP: Attends all PTA Executive Board meetings at designated school and speaks on SEPTA's behalf; Reports to SEPTA's Executive Board; Reps. are voting members of both Executive Boards(one per school). If you are unable to attend a meeting, you must submit report to Unit prior to meetings

    If you know of someone who would be interested please forward this information to them. If you are interested or need more information please contact Gina Provenzano ginammasi@yahoo.com.

    Thank you!!

    SEPTA Nominating Committee