Parent Advisory Council
Featured Speakers
Christine Riley, Educational Advocate and Parent Consultant
As a representative of the Federation for Children with Special Needs, Christine presents a Basic Rights seminar. This workshop provides families with an introduction to their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts Special Education Law, and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) The workshop is designed to help parents learn how to be effective partners with the school, understand their child's eligibility for special education services, to plan, make informed decisions and effectively monitor the progress of their child.
For more information about Christine Riley, Cape Cod Advocate, please visit the web site at www.capecodadvocate.com.
Family TIES of Massachusetts is a project at the Federation for Children with Special Needs, funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Family and Community Health, Division for Perinatal, Early Childhood & Special Health Needs.
Family TIES of Massachusetts presents Let's Get Organized!
An interactive workshop where participants will begin the process of building a customized binder for their child. We offer effective ways for parents to organize information and manage paperwork, general ideas on "keeping it together", and tips for developing community connections for your child.
Joanne Robichaud, Educational Consultants of Cape Cod
Have you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall and watch what goes on at a TEAM meeting? Ever want to just sit and watch the paperwork flow and list to the conversations? What does a special education meeting look like? Sound like? How can parents present themselves to make sure they are heard? Come join us and be a fly on the wall!
Dr. Hank Perrin, Special Education Director, Sandwich Schools
"Meet Your Director"
Dr. Hank Perrin will address current Grants, as well as the Three Year Program Plan and District Review that takes place this year. This is a great opportunity to have your questions answered by our SPED Director.
Lisa Bates, LB Living Better Family Coaching and Organizing Services
"Raising an Organized Child"
Lisa Bates holds a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology, teaching certification and a degree in business administration. From school administrator to teacher, counselor and coach, Lisa has extensive experience, knowledge and training in the education field working with children of all ages. Currently Lisa owns and operates LB Living Better, a family coaching and organizing services business. Lisa is a seasoned, energizing workshop presenter.
She is the mother of three children and serves on numerous local boards as a chairman and volunteer.
For more information about LB Living Better Services including family coaching, organizing services, workshop presentations and tutoring, please visit the web site at www .lblivingbetter.com.
Mary Cronin, M. Ed.
Mary Cronin will share strategies for handling the excitement and stimulation of the winter holidays. Topics of discussion will include helping your child navigate through social events and celebrations, the role of routines, and how to reserve parental energy and sanity.
Mary is a professor of Early Childhood Education at Cape Cod Community College. She spent 15 years as a general and special education teacher both on and off Cape Cod. Mary writes about education issues and parenting and is a frequent contributor to the Cape and Islands NPR station.
Mary Acunzo, Ph.D.,
Clinical Psychologist/Developmental NeuropsychologistWhat is a Neuropsychological Assessment? How does it differ from other assessments (psychological, neurological)? Who needs a Neuropsychological Assessment? What is an Independent Educational Evaluation and when do
you need one?Mary Acunzo, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist/Developmental Neuropsychologist working with children, adolescents and adults here on Cape Cod. She has given professional presentations on ADHD(Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), LD (Learning Disability), and NLD (Non-verbal Learning Disability) and has completed assessments in area schools.
Dr. Alex Heard, M.D.,
Board Certified PediatricianDr. Heard is a board certified pediatrician who completed his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and has been practicing here on the Cape for the past eight years. When is it time to see a specialist? When is it time to try medications? How do you interpret some of the complex medical jargon? If you have asked yourself these questions, this is the discussion you need.
Christine Blake, M. Ed.
Christine Grover Blake has a Masters of Education degree and teacher certification in Intensive Special Needs from Fitchburg State College. She has extensive experience in educational consulting and teaching. Mrs. Blake currently provides consultative services to school systems and families throughout Massachusetts to facilitate and develop educational and social programs for students with diverse learning needs.
Nancy Lewis, M. Ed. ~ Solutions Learning Center, Osterville, MA
Nancy has her certification in English as well as Special Needs. She has 30 years experience teaching in Barnstable, 17 years tutoring and a Master's Degree plus 100 hours of graduate study. Nancy is also certified in all the following reading programs: the Wilson Reading Program, Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood as well as Fast Forword.