A Special Education SEPTSA is a unit organized for those interested in the issues of educating special needs and/or gifted and talented children.
SEPTAs are designed to build strong partnerships amongst parents, teachers, administrators, existing PTAs and the community, for the benefit of families and children receiving special education services.
All SEPTAs conduct regular business meetings during the school year just like any PTA.
New Hartford SEPTSA is committed to the mission of bringing awareness and information about special education services, educational laws and community support to our members. Our hope is aligned with NYS PTA’s: that children receiving special education services will be better understood, integrated, and embraced by schools and their community.
All SEPTSA meeting reminders will be sent through ParentSquare and PTA Member hub.
Join SEPTSA
We are looking to continue to grow with parents, students, teachers, faculty and interested community members investing in our children and all schools in the district through SEPTSA involvement.
If you are not yet a member, we highly encourage you to invest in membership, attend meetings as you are able to; your voice and participation is important.
Please sign up at newhartfordseptsa.memberhub.com/store
Follow the New Hartford SEPTSA on Facebook.
Join the New Hartford Parents Connect: CNY Special Needs Support & Advocacy Group (private Facebook group).
Any additional questions, or needed information about us, please contact us at nhcsdseptsa@gmail.com.
2024 Meeting Dates
New Hartford SEPTSA will meet monthly at 6:30 pm in the New Hartford Public Library Sammon Room.
January 29th, 2024
February 12th
March 11th
April 8th
May 13th
June 10th
July 8th
August 12th
Sept 9th
Oct 21st
November 18th
December 9th
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 847 0004 9633
Passcode: SEPTSA33
Meeting ID: 847 0004 9633
Passcode: 43003257
It is important to attend to stay informed and to participate in important trainings and planning. We hope you will join us.
Executive Board Members of SEPTSA
President: Steve Gonyea
Vice President: Carrie Corby, LCSW
Secretary: Nicole Perretta
Treasurer: Karen DePerno
Staff Liaison: Bethany Rickard, CSE/CPSE Chair
New Hartford Central School District Special Education Parent Teacher Student Association (SEPTSA) Group Norms
We all work to ensure the highest academic achievement and personal development of all of our New Hartford students. The time we spend at meetings to achieve this mission is valuable and must be utilized effectively and efficiently.
Responsibility:
- Be there ready to begin on time, be prepared, and be accountable
- Keep cell phones silent and leave all non-emergency calls to attend to after meetings, or please step outside to take a phone call
- Maintain a healthy humor, celebrate and laugh together
- It’s OK to walk around during the meeting or leave to use the restroom
- If you will miss a meeting send a rep in your place – someone needs to get the info we provide!
Respect:
- Be respectful of each other’s opinions
- Assume best intentions and seek clarification when needed
- Think, speak, and act in the best interests of students and the adults who support their development
- Show respect for the full school community including students, teachers, administrators, parents and community supporters
Open Communication:
- We must create a safe meeting environment where all feel comfortable enough to share their opinions, whether popular or unpopular
- Don’t judge others during brainstorming
- No rehashing
- Avoid side conversations
- Raise your hand to discuss
- Table/parking lot for future discussion
- Break out sessions for discussions
Open Mindedness:
- We must keep an open mind, maintaining a safe and supportive environment that encourages growth and development, nurtures risk taking and innovation, and forgive mistakes
- Challenge assumptions and risk personal discomfort to provide opportunities to learn
- Abide by group decisions and support those decisions with professional behavior
Mission Statements and Group Norms
Mission statement of NYS Department of Education
Our mission is to raise the knowledge, skill, and opportunity of all the people in New York. Our vision is to provide leadership for a system that yields the best educated people in the world.
Mission statement of Special Education
The Office of Special Education works to promote educational equity and excellence for students with disabilities through its roles and responsibilities to:
- Oversee the implementation of federal and State laws and policy for students with disabilities.
- Provide general supervision and monitoring of all public and private schools serving New York State preschool and school-age students with disabilities.
- Establish a broad network of technical assistance centers and providers to work directly with parents and school districts to provide current information and high quality professional development and technical assistance to improve results for students with disabilities.
- Ensure a system of due process, including special education mediation and impartial hearings.
- Meet with stakeholders through the Commissioner’s Advisory Panel for Special Education Services.
National PTA’s mission
To make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. Everything we do is driven by this mission and our core values: collaboration, commitment, diversity, respect, and accountability.
Special Education Parent Teacher Student Association (SEPTSA) Mission
SEPTSAs are designed to build strong partnerships amongst parents, teachers, administrators, existing PTA’s and the community, for the benefit of families and children receiving special education services.
Definition of Group Norms:
“Ground rules or habits that govern a group, Norms represent protocols or commitments developed by each team to guide members in working together. Norms help team members clarify expectations regarding how they will work together to achieve their shared goals.”
Why is Family Engagement Important?
Parent involvement in children’s education has an impact on student success, not just in school but throughout life! When families are involved, students:
- Earn higher grades
- Attend school more regularly
- Enjoy school more and behave better
- Are more likely to go on to postsecondary education or having successful careers
National PTA defines transformative family engagement as a shared effort of families, schools and community leaders to advance programs, practices, and policies that empower every parent to make their child’s potential a reality.