Parents Band Together for Special Needs Children

A group of parents have come together to form an advocacy group which will serve as a voice for the nearly 200 children in the Heights school district who have been identified as having special needs.

Dr. Matthew Helfant, director of special services, introduced the newly formed Collaborative Parent Committee, also known as CPC, during the meeting last week. Chris Peters who spearheaded efforts to get this group off the ground, will serve as the president of the committee which will officially begin its mission this fall.

Peters explained the goal of the committee is to provide support and resources for other parents of special needs children.

As per its official mission statement, CPC will ensure all special needs children have effective, appropriate learning environments and enhance the family-school partnership in special education and to facilitate access in and outside this community. It will also work to educate, support and mentor parents, provide opportunities and share information. Also the group will work to facilitate acceptance and participation of children with disabilities is this community.

CPC is currently looking to spread the word and is in the process of putting together a brochure which will be on hand at every meeting.

Although parents of children with special needs is the group's focus, other parents can get involved as well. Helfant told the audience Thursday night that each month the district hosts collaborative parent meetings where speakers are brought in to address topics related to special needs. Information provided at these meetings can really be helpful to all parents, Helfant said.

The Collaborative Parent Committtee, which is part of the Special Education Parent Advisory Councils of NJ, will host monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the media center. The first will be held in October.

Along with Peters as president, Janet Hess will serve as vice president; Michele Varco as secretary, Lisa Castellano handles publicity, Nanette Zarrillo and Michelle Varco provide refreshments. Antonette Vignola will serve as the liaison to the Board of Education.

Peters explained that board members will also serve as a CPC representative to the schools. Peters, whose son is sent out-of-district, will be the representative for parents whose children are sent out-of-district. Rita Perdomo will be the representative for , Lisa Castellano for and Antonette Vignola for middle school/high school.

Parents can learn more by visiting the school district website via the Department of Special Services page which can be accessed here. Peters says the page continues to be updated with information. Parents can also contact Helftant to learn more.