North Penn Hosts Regional Event On Improving Inclusion In Schools

LANSDALE, PA – North Penn is inviting teachers, administrators and therapists from school districts across the Greater Philadelphia region and surrounding counties to attend an event at Pennbrook Middle School to help improve inclusion in the classroom, the school announced in a press release.

The event will take place on August 24 and will feature nationally-renown inclusion expert Julie Caustion, the release states. Act 48 credits will be awarded.

Causton, a professor of inclusive special education at Syracuse University, is an expert in creating and maintaining inclusive schools. Her training will focus on responsive ways to educate children with disabilities within general education classrooms, the district says.

The Montgomery County Down Syndrome Interest Group (MCDSIG) and the North Penn School District are hosting the event to bring an expert to the doorstep of local teachers, rather than teachers having to seek out information themselves, a release states.

“Inclusion is the new way to educate our kids – all of whom have a right to access the general education curriculum. Schools across our region vary greatly in the way they value and implement inclusion. By bringing Julie Causton to the region, we are supporting our teachers to help our children reach their full potential," said Michele Hoenig of the MCDSIG,

More than 250 teachers of students in grades kindergarten through 12 are expected to attend the event which will help teachers modify and adapt materials for diverse learners, develop strategies for lesson-planning and classroom set-up, develop strong Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams and manage challenging student behaviors, the release states.

“Inclusion is both a practice and philosophy. We at North Penn believe that all children, regardless of disability, background or upbringing, are capable of achieving,” said Dr. Jenna Rufo, Director of Special Education and Student Services at North Penn School District, in a statement. “North Penn is excited that Dr. Julie Causton will be joining us to help our staff refine inclusive practices. In addition to the conference, Dr. Causton will be addressing all employees at convocation on August 25th and will be returning for an in-service in March.”

Advisers from local and state-wide information and support organizations will also be on-hand at the conference for parents and teachers. They include the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), The PEAL Center, the ARC of Philadelphia and the ARC Alliance, the district said.

The event takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on August 24 at Pennbrook Middle School in the auditorium, located at 1201 North Wales Road in North Wales. Registration is $80 and includes lunch. To register, please visit www.northpenncep.org. For questions, please email mcdsig2@gmail.com.