2015-2016 West Hartford Special Education PTO Membership Drive

Dear Parents, Teachers, Administrators and Friends:

West Hartford SEPTO (Special Education Parent/Teacher Org.) invites you to join our dynamic organization, serving the needs of our community. We are a district wide PTO that focuses on special education issues for all the children in our town from Pre-K – High School, at all of our schools. We have a website containing our calendar of events and special education resources links as well as other information. We hold monthly coffees for parents to connect.

Do you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s services at their school? Do you need help sorting through the maze of people, services, and therapies, etc.? Are you looking to gain more information so you can advocate for your child more effectively? Maybe you want to meet other parents within West Hartford who are looking for support or friendship? This is what we do…Our mission is threefold – to educate, advocate and network.

There are a host of issues that families face in West Hartford, ie. learning disabilities, PDD, anxiety, autism, ADHD, speech, vision and hearing impairments, the list goes on…Children in town receive services for their physical, cognitive and behavioral needs primarily through their neighborhood schools. SEPTO is committed to providing a platform of monthly meetings designed to encompass a variety of topics that will help parents as they “navigate” their child’s educational needs, as well as a place welcoming to all teachers, paraprofessionals and administrators whose goal it is to provide a meaningful education in a collaborative relationship with parents.

Our “kickoff” meeting this year is Wed. September 30th, 7:00 PM at Sedgwick Middle School – Multipurpose Room, 128 Sedgwick Road, West Hartford, CT. Enter through the side of the school by the parking lot and the multipurpose room is on the left. We are excited to have our first meeting be a “Meet and Greet”. Glenn McGrath, Director of Pupil Services in West Hartford will be attending as well as various Board Members

Our 2nd meeting of the year will be held on Wed. October 21st at 7:00 p.m. at Sedgwick Middle School – Multipurpose Room, 128 Sedgwick Road, West Hartford, CT. Enter through the side of the school by the parking lot and the multipurpose room is on the left. Stacey Kellog-Shove will present on Where Do You Start? Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Children.

Please join us the 1st Friday (except January which is the 2nd Friday) of every month, 9:30 AM, for “Coffee and Conversation” at Panera Bread in Bishop’s Corner, West Hartford by Staples. This casual gathering provides a great opportunity to network and build relationships. The next one is Friday, Oct 2nd.

To become a member please visit our website at www.WHSEPTO.org to DOWNLOAD A MEMBERSHIP FORM or REGISTER ONLINE. The membership cost is $15/household. Your membership will put you on our email distribution list, and you will receive our quarterly newsletter, membership directory and voting privileges. Membership dues cover SEPTO operating expenses. Additional fundraising efforts enable us to support projects and events relating to educational and community needs.

Looking forward to another exciting year,

Jennifer Sherman, President