Bellmore-Merrick Hosts SEPTA Transition Fair

Members of Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s SEPTA held its eighth annual Transition Fair at Calhoun High School on Jan. 6 for special needs students preparing for life outside of secondary school.

The fair attracted dozens of local and state organizations that specialize in services for special needs adults, including AHRC, Life’s WORC, Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Ken’s Krew, Tender Care Human Services and SANYS, the self-advocacy organization in New York.

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To kick off the event, attendees heard a vocal performance from “Express Yourself,” Calhoun’s mixed chorus of Prep for the Future students and members of the On-Tour drama club.

Attendees also selected workshops to attend from a diverse list, including Family Support Services; Special Needs Trust and Legal Guardianship; Medicaid Service Coordination; the ACCES Employment and Training Program and Self-Advocacy advice from members of SANYS. A student workshop also hosted former special needs students who returned to Bellmore-Merrick to share their experiences outside of high school. The workshop concluded with a scavenger hunt of the agency tables with treats provided in the cafeteria afterward.

During the event, Prep for the Future students also manned The Stable, Calhoun’s school store.

“With well over 200 attendees, and over 50 agencies and speakers taking part, the night was truly a success and the information gained will surely help a great number of families,” said Cheryl Gitlitz, the district’s transition coordinator. “It may have been a very cold and bitter night outside, but the dedicated professionals, Calhoun Alumni and parent volunteers, allowed every attendee to leave with a very warm and comfortable feeling.”

Submitted by Bellmore-Merrick Schools