Philadelphia Right To Education Local Task Force

440 N Broad St 2nd Floor
C/O Office of Specialized Services
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-400-5151
http://www.philadelphialtf.org

**Right To Education Task Force Newsletter**

From the Chair...

FOR THE MOST VALUABLE TRAINING A PARENT OFA STUDENT RECEIVING SPECIALIZED SERVICES COULD ATTEND
The Philadelphia Right to Education Task Force will host: Your HOW-TO-GUIDE for SPECIAL EDUCATION: The PROCEDURAL SAFE GUARDS A PARENT’S BOOK of RIGHTS! All sessions 10-12PM. RSVP Requested Northeast Regional Office - 4101 Chalfont Drive Wednesday April 9, 2008 Northwest Regional Office – 1100 E. Mt. Pleasant, Thursday April 10, 2008 East Regional Office – 2603 N. 5th Street, Fifth Floor, Tuesday April 15, 2008 West Regional Office – 4909 Chestnut Street, Wednesday April 16, 2008 The Academy at Palumbo High School at the Parent Leadership Academy - 12th and Catherine, Thursday April 24, 2008 215-400-5151 OR info@philadelphialtf.org Presented by PATTAN CHILDREN ARE THE BOTTOM LINE!
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Support Groups

Autism Sharing and Parenting April Meetings
Autism Sharing and Parenting April Meetings TWO Meetings to choose from! OR Choose Both! Wednesday, April 16, 2008 6:15pm-8pm CBH 8th & Market, 7th floor Philadelphia, PA 19107 (Please sign in at the front desk) Light Meal Provided The Philadelphia Compact initiative Presented by Valarie Oulds-Dunbar Have heard about Philadelphia's Blue Ribbon Commission on Children's Behavioral Health? Come learn about the commission and how COMPACT plans to implement the Commission’s recommendations. There will be an opportunity to Share your issues and needs. PLUS! Make it Take it! Games you can play with your children to help them with goals on their IEP AND Saturday, April 19, 2008 1pm-3pm Northern Home for Children 5301 Ridge Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19128 Lunch Provided Art Therapy Social Skills Programs Presented by Kathryn Snyder, MA, ATR-BC, LPC from The Art Of Friendship In the context of structured, therapeutic (and fun) art activities, existing strengths are reinforced, new social skills are taught, and self esteem is built. Utilizing the arts, direct instruction of social lessons on social awareness and social skills and coping strategies are taught in a fun and engaging way. About the Presenters: Valarie Oulds-Dunbar is a Project Manager with Best Practices Institute of PMHCC. Her focus is on family and youth voice and involvement with the Philadelphia Compact initiative to support individuals with mental health issues and autism Kathryn Snyder is a Board-Certified Art Psychotherapist & Licensed Professional Counselor dedicated to helping children & families survive & thrive in a challenging world. She has been in practice for over 9 years specializing in social & emotional problems of early childhood and adolescence. A graduate of the Hahnemann Creative Arts in Therapy Program at Drexel University and continues to supervise master’s degree candidates.. What is ASP? ASP is a volunteer run, Community-based, support group with the following goals · To provide a support system for children with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder and their families · To educate the under-informed and culturally diverse populations of Philadelphia and Montgomery counties · To advocate for Children with ASD and their families · To increase awareness of Autism and autism issues in Philadelphia & Montgomery counties and PA HAVE QUESTIONS? Email: Nasya06@msn.com RSVP for childcare 215-413-7106
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Legislative issues

School District Budget Hearing at City Council
School District Budget at City Council Monday, April 28, 2008 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. School District 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. Break 12:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. School District con't Tuesday, April 29, 2008 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. School District 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Break 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Public Testimony School District 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Public Testimony School District
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Alternative Treatments and Therapies How to Make the Best Decisions
PHILADELPHIA AUTISM NETWORK 2007-2008 (for families and professionals working with children with Autism… free and open to the public) childcare available for all meetings * Tuesday April 8, 2008, frin 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Topic: Alternative Treatments and Therapies: How to Make the Best Decisions Speaker: Wendy Ross, M.D. Director of Einstein Hospital Division of Developmental Pediatrics Where: Elwyn SEEDS Elwyn SEEDS: 4025 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19104 Directions: Elwyn SEEDS is located between 40th and 41st Streets. Close to the 40th and Market Street El. Free parking is available in the lot on the corner of Market and 41st Street, you can only access this lot via 41st Street. For more information or questions, or to register for *childcare please contact Karen Krivit at 215-222-7344 Sponsored by Elwyn Special Education for Early Developmental Success and Elwyn Wrap-Around
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Early Intervention

FAMILIES FIRST BRUNCH—
FAMILIES FIRST BRUNCH— “Using Positive Behavior Approaches for Young Children” Julie Kessler, PhD Clinical Assistant Professor, Temple University Tuesday, April 1 10 AM-Noon Pilgrim Baptist Church, 5930 Rising Sun Avenue Philadelphia Child care reimbursement available to qualified participants. Refreshments served. To register call 215-104-1772 or E-mail Susanne@temple.edu
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Awards, Contests and Recognitions

he We All Belong! Arts Contest
The We All Belong! Arts Contest Deadline has been extended to Wednesday, April 23, 2008! See attached for details and lesson plans for this important contest. Information about the Contest The We All Belong! Arts and Literature Contest provides an opportunity for students to creatively express - their own positive experiences that Inclusion Works for All Students! WHAT LESSONS ARE WE TEACHING? The We All Belong! Arts and Literature Contest encourages our young people to build communities where we all belong, no matter our differences - if we are short or tall, have Mental Retardation (Intellectual Disabilities) or other learning differences, are average or gifted academically, are able-bodied, have physical or behavioral challenges, can speak or use alternative communication methods! It’s all about community! WHO SHOULD ENTER THIS CONTEST? All Philadelphia Students, Kindergarten through the 12th Grade. Students may submit entries from all schools: Public, Private, Parochial, Religious, Charter, Saturday Morning Arts Programs, Home School, Library Programs. CATEGORIES ART: Students are encouraged to capture the spirit of the theme, We All Belong! in whatever manner they wish through representational, stylized or abstract means of expression. Students may use any two-dimensional medium: pencil, watercolor, crayon, paint, collage, pen and ink, oil, pastels, linoleum block or woodcut print or any combination of the above (mixed media). Teams are welcome to submit entries. Completed poster size must be no larger than 16’’ x 20’’. LITERATURE: POEM: An entry may not be longer than 15 lines. The poem must be titled. The use of profanity will disqualify the entry. ESSAY: 50 to 350 words for a Personal Story, which illustrates the theme, We All Belong! Enter stories about learning, playing, and hanging out with other children and teenagers who may be different than you in some ways, or may surprise you about how much you are the same. Write about how you are building your circle of friends. Do you include everyone? Why or why not? JUDGING The judges will review each entry according to the specified rules. Student names and schools will remain anonymous to the judges throughout the judging process. The entries will be judged on the following criteria: The guidelines set forth in these rules The artist’s ability to effectively convey the theme: “We All Belong!” The originality of the submission PRIZES Winners will receive certificates and cash awards for Arts and Literature. The Philadelphia Home and School Council is sponsoring the cash awards. Teachers whose students win first prizes will receive a certificate and a $ 25.00 check from the Freedom Credit Union. The school with the most entries will receive a special prize. Each art or literature entry must have a completed and legible 2008 We All Belong! Arts Contest Entry Form attached to the project. Please send all entries to: School District of Philadelphia Education Center Office of Creative and Performing Arts Attention: Tessie Varthas, Lead Academic Coach Phone: 215-400-5973 440N. Broad Street (Broad and Winter) Philadelphia, PA 19130 WINNING ENTRIES We will showcase winning entries in various venues throughout the year. In the past, The Philadelphia Daily News printed an entire page of poems and essays. Winners will be notified in May 2008. Entries are not returnable and become the property of Philadelphia Mental Retardation Services (MRS). The We All Belong! Arts Contest Awards Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 6, 2008, 11:00 AM at the School District of Philadelphia Atrium. MRS reserves the right to disqualify any entry that contains anything of a negative nature or does not conform to the guidelines and values set forth in this letter. Teachers: Here are some resources for your lesson plans about We All Belong, and Inclusion: HYPERLINK "http://www.tolerance.org/teach/activities" www.tolerance.org/teach/activities HYPERLINK "http://www.marasapon-shevin.org" www.marasapon-shevin.org www.kidstogether.org For additional information: Judy Kresloff Call: 215-685-5923 Judy.Kresloff@phila.gov
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Autism

AUTISM ARTS IN ACTION
AUTISM ARTS IN ACTION Youth Advocate Programs, Inc., with the support of KenCrest Services and Holy Family University, is pleased to announce Autism Arts in Action, a one-day event on Saturday April 5 featuring exhibits and presentations in celebration of Autism Awareness Month. The event will take place at Holy Family’s beautiful campus in the far Northeast of Philadelphia. Speaker of the House Dennis O’Brien will kick off the event at 10 a.m.! Autism Arts in Action is a “family day out” with something for everyone: Admire and purchase art treasures created by artists on the autism spectrum Investigate the therapeutic use of performance arts Try a session of sensory-based yoga Learn to “color outside the lines” Network with self-advocates and parents who are exploring exciting new possibilities Celebrate the creativity and imagination of our families and our artists Your choice of a free Autism Arts T-shirt or tote with each paid registration! Please register soon if you want to receive lunch! visit YAP’s website at www.yapinc.org
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Miscellaneous

Save the date!
Monday, June 9, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. University of the Arts - Dorrance Hamilton Hall 320 S. Broad Street (corner of Broad & Pine) Save the date! June is just about two months away! And June 9 is the date for the Notebook's fifth annual Turning the Page for Change party. Each June, we gather near the end of another school year to celebrate the hard work of many activists and educators to bring meaningful school change. This year the Notebook is launching an expansion of our publishing, and we want you to join us in celebrating and supporting our growth. So we invite our supporters, allies, and readers to come raise the roof with us - together let's Turn the Page for Change! Tickets: $50 / $250 (hosts). Special rate of $20 for students/youth under 25. Group discounts available for parent and student organizations. Sponsorship opportunities! Reserve your spot today! https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?id=2212 Email event@thenotebook.org | Telephone: 215-951-0330 x2160 for sponsorship information, volunteering, ticket sales, etc. Front Page Sponsors: Sponsors (list in formation): St. Joseph's University, University of the Arts Host Committee (list in formation):Judy Adamson, Joseph Blanc, Susan DeJarnatt and Peter Schneider, Quibila A. Divine, Patty Eakin and Ron Whitehorne, Vicki Ellis, Helen Gym and Bret Flaherty, Jerry T. Jordan, State Rep. Babette Josephs, Bob and Mindy Noble, Dee Phillips, Dina Portnoy, Sally A. Simmons and Charles A. Thrall, Toni Bynum Simpkins, Debra Weiner
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