Through the year, the Special Education Committee sponsors a series of presentations and workshops featuring topics of interest to all parents - not just those with classified children.  After all, the methods used in Special Education benefit all children!  Please check the Calendar page for a list of all the dates, locations, etc.

Every year, the Special Education Committee sponsors an AWARENESS EXPO.

WHAT WE DO:
Parent Packet - District information/general resource guide
Kindred Spirits - Parent support network/contacts
Katherine E. Cuthbertson Special Ed Memorial Fund - Provides scholarship awards to high school seniors receiving special services, barrier-free initiatives and special programs; annual fundraiser
Awareness Expo - Annual event; multiple workshops presented by professional community
Presentations - Educational resource for parents/teachers
"Ad Hoc" Meetings - Enhances communication between administration, teachers and parents

MEMBERSHIP:  
Committee membership is open to all Westfield parents of children eligible to receive Special Services.  General meetings are scheduled throughout the school year to discuss general/specific topics of interest or concern.  The Awareness Expo and Presentations are open to the public and free of charge.  For more information and/or schedule updates, keep visiting our website, or contact your School Representative(s).

SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES (The school representative serves as a liaison with his school, PTO and the Special Education Committee):

It is anticipated that the school representative will:

1. Serve as a contact person for special education parents/educators at your school for the committee

2. If parents or students are having a special education related problem or concern at your school, you can contact the committee and provide contacts within the committee for the parents.

3. Additionally, the committee will keep you updated and you can keep your school and PTO updated on meetings, presentations, and concerns.

4. Assist when possible on a volunteer basis with committee activities.

KINDRED SPIRITS LIST:

We need volunteers for the Kindred Spirits List. From time to time every parent has questions and feelings about the choices they made or are about to make regarding their child’s growth and development, education, and alternatives. Therefore, we put together a short list of local resource parents available upon a parent’s request. The information will not be posted on the web site but will be provided to a parent upon request. We desperately need to update this list. If you are willing to be contacted, please e-mail the committee at specialeducation@westfieldnj.com or contact our Webmaster for inclusion. The following information is needed if you will be on our list:

• Your name, telephone number(s) and email address.
• Best time to reach you at the listed number.
• The special education classification(s) that you feel comfortable speaking with a parent about.
• Note whether you are willing or unwilling to attend an IEP meeting if requested (either is fine).
• Note whether you have any familiarity with out of district placements for that disability.

Parents frequently discover the need for an out of district placement and have no time to investigate schools so we really need input from parents who have had experience outside the school district. It does not have to be experience as a parent of an out of district child; it can be as an educator, advocate, professional, etc.

Thank you for your help.