Educational Presentations 1997 - 2009 (12 years)

2008-2009 (12th) | 2007-2008 (11th) | 2006-2007 (10th) | 2005-2006 (9th) |
 2004-2005 (8th) | 2003-2004 (7th) | 2002-2003 (6th) | 2001-2002 (5th) | 2000-2001 (4th)1999-2000 (3rd) | 1998-1999 (2nd), 1997- 1998 (1st year)

2008 - 2009 School year
 Month
PROGRAM
September
2008
 1st SPED PAC Parent Meeting - Evening
October  Transition to Work for Young People with Asperger’s Syndrome,
Executive Functioning Disorder, AD/HD, NVLD, Bipolar, Tourette Syndrome, etc.
Presented by Barbara Bissonnette, Principal of Forward Motion Coaching
October College Planning for those with Attention or Learning Differences etc.  Presented by Renee Goldberg, Ed.D., Certified Educational Planner and
Marvin Goldberg, MSW, Educational Options, LLC
October Basic Rights: Denied, Presented by Ellen Chambers, president of SPEDWatch, Fee for the workshop.
October Understanding your Basic Rights Workshop, Presenter Federation for Children with Special Needs Trainer.  Co-sponsored by 4 PAC's: Acton/Boxborough (ABSpedPAC), Concord/Carlisle (CCSEPAC), Sudbury/Lincoln (SSEAC) and Minuteman Tech High School (MSEPAC).
November Executive Function ...Then Your Child Needs to Learn the Art of Self Management.
Presenter Sara Ward, M.S., CCC/SLP of Center for Speech and Language Pathology
Co-sponsored by: Andover SEPAC and Andover Parent to Parent
November
3 days
Learning Disabilities Worldwide (LDW) Conference, 17th Annual World Congress on LD, Marlborough, MA
Keynote Speakers: Margo A. Mastropieri, Ph.D., George Mason University, Evidence-based Practices for Maximizing Learning.
Thomas E. Scruggs, Ph.D., George Mason University, Teaching Roles and Responsibilities in Today's Schools: Strategies and Setting.
Anthony Colarossi, Ph.D. , Kingsborough Community College at CUNY and
Alpana Bhattacharya, Ph.D, Queens College at CUNY; It's a family Affair: Adolescents, Learning Disabilities, Self Advocacy.
November Estate planning for families and children with special needs.  Presenter Attorney David Feakes is a certified Personal Family Lawyer.  His law practice is focused on estate planning, primarily for families with young children.
November

Parenting Strategies For Children With Weak Executive Functioning
Dr. Ann Helmus, Pediatric Neuropsychologist, Neuropsychological and Educational Services for Children and Adolescents (NESCA), Newton, MA.  Co-sponsored by Westford SEPAC and Westford Parent Connection.
January
2009
Building the Eight Pillars of Capable Young Minds
Presenter Dr. Adam Cox, Psychologist will discuss the 8 Pillars of Executive Control, Co-sponsored with Lexington SPEDPAC and Minuteman Tech High School SEPAC
January
2009
2nd SPED PAC Parent Meeting
Morning
- La Provence Restaurant, Concord, MA
February
2009
IEP Clinic
Presented by Educational Advocates, Barbara Rich and Liz Hopkinson
Sponsored byThe Family Services Program at Minute Man Arc, Concord, MA
March
2009

Success with ADHD: How to Turn Any Person with ADHD into a Total Winner.  Dr. Hallowell will present new material from his book: Superparenting for ADD: An Innovative Approach to Raising Your Distracted Child.
Co-sponsored by The Lincoln-Sudbury Education Advisory Council (LS-SEAC), The Sudbury Special Education Advisory Council (SSEAC) and Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Metrowest Boston (CHADD)










2007 - 2008 School year
 Month
PROGRAM
September
2007
 1st SPED PAC Parent Meeting - Morning
October Parent input meeting for DOE CPS coordinated program review (audit).  This was not a presentation, this was input session.  Parents were asked questions and provided insight on their experiences with Concord's special education process (PreK-Grade 8).
October Richard Lavoie Social Skills Video and discussion
A video showing of Richard Lavoie's:
 "It's So Much Work to Be Your Friend"
October Foundation for Children With Behavioral Challenges (FCBC)
4th Annual FCBA Conference

Keynote Speaker: Alfie Kohn, Along with Dr. Ross W. Greene and
Dr. J. Stuart Ablon
October
3 days
Learning Disabilities Worldwide (LDW) Conference
16th Annual World Congress on LD, Marlborough, MA
Keynote Speakers:
Doug Fuchs, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University,  Thursday, November 1, Presents - Rethinking Special Education in an RTI Framework
William Rupley, Ph.D., Texas A&M University, Friday November 2,
Presents - It's Still a Fir Peasce Down the Road
Robert Brooks, Ph.D., Harvard Medical School,
Saturday, November 3, Presents - A journey from Pessimism and Doubt to Hope & Resilience: Changing the Outlook of Children with Learning Problems
Nov
SPED PAC meeting - Evening - Chang An Resturant
Feburary
2008
Panel Presentation on Emotional Challenges
A discuss on adolescent depression, anxiety, bipolar and suicide.
The panel will include a representatives from our high school guidiance, Edinburgh Center, Crisis Intervention Services, Wayside Coalition for Suicide Prevention, Family Aware, Emerson Hospital and a parent of student.
moderated by Ann Sullivan, Wayside's Parent Partnership Program (WPPP)
April
2008
Presentation was cancelled.
Transition Planning - A Panel Discussion
Education, employment, and (if appropriate) independent living skills.  What's the next step? Enrollment in 4 yr or 2 yr college, a college courses, certification program, training? 
The panel will include a representatives from our high school guidiance, from a 4 year  college, 2 year college, Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) and 2 of our students.
May
2008
SPED PAC Parent Meeting - Evening - Papa Razzi Restaurant, Concord, MA
June
2008
End of year SPED PAC Parent Meeting - Morning




2006 - 2007 School year
 Month
PROGRAM
September
2006
Playground Inclusion
Presenter David Tynes
October Words, Strategies and Wisdom that Help Build Resilience in Families of Children with Special Needs
Presented by Maria Trozzi, M.Ed, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine, a consultant for the Child Development Unit at Children's Hospital in Boston.

Sponsored by: Concord Area Special Education Collaborative (CASE)
A shared announcement with our Regional SPED PACs.
October Dr. Mel Levine
This event canceled
October
3 days
The Learning Disabilities Worldwide Conference
15th Annual World Congress on Learning Disabilities
The Keynote Speakers:
Donald Deshler, Ph.D., and Albert Galaburda, M.D., Mark Cooper, Ph.D.
For the first time, a third day has been added for a College Fair for parents and students with LD.  Come and visit with colleges whose programs are designed to support the academic success of students with LD.
November Alternative Treatments For ADHD
Dr. Edward Hallowell, the founder of the Hallowell Center, now located in Sudbury,
 author of many ADHD books.
Rebecca Shafir, MA, CCC, SLP also from the Hallowell Center, and the author of
'The Zen of Listening:Mindful Communication in the Age of Distraction'.

Wynford Dore, founder of the Dore Centers, and the author of  'Dyslexia:The Miracle Cure'
November  Our 1st SPED PAC Kick off Dinner Meeting
Evening
December An Evening with our Sped Director, Jessica Murphy
Have questions? Let our director know what's working and what's not. Have suggestion?
January
2007
2nd PAC Meeting Morning
Come, meet other parents and find out what is going on with Special Education in Concord.  Bring your questions or concerns.
January
2007
IEP - 504 - CAP: What do these mean and why are they used?
Liz Hopkinson, Melody Orfei, Triad Advocacy
Our own PAC board members, Special Education Advocates
Trained by Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)
and Mass. Advocacy Center (MAC)
March Presentation and 3rd PAC Evening Meeting
"Shut Up About Your Perfect Kids"
Patty Konjoian and Gina Gallagher co-written a book entitled:
Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid!   The sisters raising children with Asperger’s Syndrome & bipolar disorder respectively. 
Before the presentation come share your idea for next year. Our President and Vice President promise to have prizes and surprises (or at least really good snacks!).
Please come and get involved with our SPED PAC
April Out-of-district Parent Social
An opportunity for conversation.  Come and talk with other special education parents who have children in out-of-district placements as well as parents of college students. Papa Razzi has a full menu available to purchase food and drinks from.  This is wonderful opportunity to visit with old friends and meet new ones.  Out-of-town parents are welcome.
April Access to the General Curriculum
Presented by Donna Murphy, an experienced Special Education Advocate and Federation for Children with Special Needs Trainer
Ever wonder what "Access to the Curriculum" means? Ever wonder how to determine if your child is really participating in the general curriculum? Ever wonder how the IEP relates in this process?  This workshop will answer these questions an more.  This is a Federation for Children with Special Needs workshop that will help parents to understand the meaning of access, participation and progress in the general education curriculum and how to use the IEP as a tool to ensure effective progress while meeting the unique needs of the child. 
April Differentiated Instruction
Presented by
Rachel Lipkin, B.A., M.Ed.
This presentation will specifically focus on Differentiated Instruction – a model of instruction originally developed by Carol Ann Tomlinson.
May 4th/End of the year PAC Meeting - Evening - Papa Razzi Restaurant






2005 - 2006 School year

 Month
PROGRAM
September
 2005
Changes to special education Federal law IDEA 2004
Attorney, Tim Sindelar
Sponsored by Billerica Parent Advisory Council on Special Education
A shared announcement with our Regional SPED PAC
October
Learning Disabilities Worldwide (LDW) Conference
14th Annual World Congress on LD, Keynote Speakers:
Margo Mastropieri, Ph.D., George Mason University,  Friday, October 28, 2005:
Present Challenges and Future Directions for the Field of Learning Disabilities
Robert Brooks, Ph.D., Harvard Medical School,  Saturday, October 29, 2005:
The Power of Mindsets: Nurturing Motivation and Resilience in Children with Learning Problems
November Helping our Middle School Student stay organized
Sarah Ward, M.S., CCC/SLP
Sponsored by Concord Parent and Teacher Resource Center & our Middle School PTG
January
 2006
Understanding Your Basic Rights Workshop
Kathleen Bach, Special Education Advocate, A Federation for Children with Special Needs Trainer
January
 2006
An Evening with our Sped Director, Jessica Murphy
Have questions? Let our director know what's working and what's not. Have suggestion?
February IDEA 2004 - Changes to the Federal Law
Liz Hopkinson, Melody Orfei, Triad Advocacy
Our own PAC board members, Special Education Advocates
Trained by Mass. Advocacy Center (MAC) and Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)
March
Individual Educational Plan (IEP) workshop
Shelly Green, Special Education Advocate, A Federation for Children with Special Needs Trainer
March
IDEA 2004 - Changes to the Federal Law
Liz Hopkinson, Melody Orfei, Triad Advocacy
Our own PAC board members, Special Education Advocates
Trained by Mass. Advocacy Center (MAC) and Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)
April
Transition Planning - A Panel Discussion
Education, employment, and, (if appropriate), independent living skills
What's the next step? Enrollment in 4 yr or 2 yr college, a
college course, certification program, training?
May 2006
Neuropsychological Evaluations
Dr. Ann Helmus, Pediatric Neuropsychologist
Local Regional PAC event, sponsored by: Acton, Andover, Bedford, Belmont, Billerica, Burlington, Concord, Carlisle, Fitchburg, Groton, Lexington, Littleton, Lowell, Lunenburg, Melrose, North.Andover, Somerville, Sudbury, Tewksbury & Westford



2004 - 2005 School year
 Month
PROGRAM
October
2004
Executive Functioning Strategies for use at school and home
Sarah Rozehnal-Ward, M.S., CCC/SLP
Speech and Language Pathologist
Co-sponsored by Acton, Bedford, Concord, Lincoln, Littleton
November

Individual Educational Plan (IEP) workshop
Co-Sponsored with Sudbury PAC
Donna Murphy
A Federation for Children with Special Needs Trainer
November
Our PAC Welcomes Jessica Murphy
Our New K-12 Administrator of Student Support Services
Evening session
and our 2nd PAC Business Meeting with be held prior to this session, same location
January
2005
Alcott School, Principal's First of year, First Friday Coffee
Sharon Young, Alcott Principal will focus on special education,
and our new model with principles being the Team chair.
February Understanding Your Basic Rights Workshop
Co-Sponsored with Minuteman ARC
Donna Murphy, long time, advocate, A Federation for Children with Special Needs Trainer
February Executive Functioning Strategies: Helping Children Learn to be Organize
Sarah Rozehnal-Ward, M.S., Speech and Language Pathologist, CCC/SLP
February Middle School, Special Education Coffee
Jessica Murphy, CPS Special Educaiton Director, Arthur Unobskey, Principal, and Barbara Miller, Psychologist will discuss and answer questions about specail education programs and services at Concord Middle School.

March
Willard School, Principal's Coffee
Pat Fernandes, Willard's Principal will focus on special education,
and our new model with principles being the Team chair.
April
Out-of-district Parent Social
Join us for our 1st annual out of district parent social, an evening of dessert, coffee and great conversation.
Come and mingle and talk with other out-of district parents.
This is wonderful opportunity to visit with old friends and meet new ones.
April Communication Strategies: Building Powerful Partnerships with Schools
Sally Heerde, M.Ed, CCC, 28 years of experience as a certified speech-language pathologist
May Thourea School Coffee
Jessica Murphy, Director of Special Education and
Dr. Mary Schaefer, School Psychologist of Thoreau School
 will focus on special education, and IEP Process.
June 2005 Ask Your Principal : Special Education at CCHS
Come to our SpedPac sponsored meeting with our school principal.
Art Dulong will meet with parents to have discussions on matters pertaining to Special Education at CCHS.
Have questions about Special Education policies and procedures at CCHS?
Do you know who to contact with Special Education questions and concerns?
Want to learn about proposed changes in Special Education at CCHS?


2003 - 2004 School year

September
 2003
Our PAC Welcomes Diana Rigby,
Our New Administrator of Student Support Services (PreK-8)
September  SPED PAC Organizational meeting for high school parents
Joanne Delaney, Coordinator of Special Education
October Special Education Law: Overview
Attorney Daniel Heffernan with Kotin, Crabtree & Strong law firm
Co-Sponsored with Minuteman ARC and hosted by the ARC
October 2nd CCHS Sped PAC organizational meeting
Joanne Delaney, Coordinator of Special Education
October Recreation Opportunities
Co-Sponsored with 6 local PAC's, organized & hosted by the Belmont PAC
Arlington, Belmont, Concord, Watertown, Lexington & Waltham Parent Advisory Councils
October
Concord Public School's (CPS) Special Education Program for PreK - 8
Strategic Planning Meeting (1st) and Our PAC Business Meeting
Diana Rigby, Our Administrator of Student Support Services
November Social Skills/Bullying
George Marinakis, Ph.D., and Jeff Colucci, Ph.D., Co-Directors both psychologists
from Academy North
Co-Sponsored with 4 local & hosted by the Bedford PAC
Acton, Bedford, Concord, & Sudbury PACs
November Understanding your Basic Rights workshop
Co-Sponsored with Minuteman ARC & host by ARC
Lynne LeFort, advocate, trained by The Federation for Children with Special Needs
January
2004
Transitions planning starts at age 14
Co-Sponsored with Acton SPED PAC & hosted by Acton
Terri McLaughlin, Transition Projects, The Federation for Children with Special Needs
January
2004
Concord Public School's (CPS) Special Education Program for PreK - 8
2nd Strategic Planning Meeting  and Our PAC Business Meeting
Diana Rigby, Our Administrator of Student Support Services
January
2004
Individual Educational Plan (IEP) workshop
Co-Sponsored with Minuteman ARC & hosted by ARC
Donna Murphy, long time, advocate trained by The Federation for Children with Special Needs
Feburary
2004
Turning 3 Presentation: Moving from early intervention to preschool.

 Mary Laughlin, from the Federation  for Children with Special Needs

Feburary
2004
Concord Public School's (CPS) Special Education Program for PreK - 8
3rd Strategic Planning Meeting  and Our PAC Business Meeting
Diana Rigby, Our Administrator of Student Support Services
March 2004
Our PAC Business Meeting (morning meeting) Delayed due to snow
March 2004 All About Tests: Your child needs testing, but what kind?
Ms. Joan Axelrod, MEd, a pyschoeducational diagnostician and a consultant in the Belmont Public Schools Co-Sponsored with Belmont PAC and hosted by Belmont PAC
March 2004 Understanding Special Educational Services at your school
A panel presentation and discussion with our school service providers
April 2004
Concord Public School's (CPS) Special Education Program for PreK - 8
4th Strategic Planning Meeting and Our PAC Business Meeting
Diana Rigby, Our Administrator of Student Support Services
April 2004 Breaking The Code :
What Recent Research Tells Us About The Brain, Learning To Read & Early Intervention
Presented by two Pediatric Neuropsychologist: Dr. Ann Helmus and Dr. Nancy Roosa
Sponsored and hosted by Weston Special Education PAC
April 2004 Teaching Verbal Behavior in the Classroom: An Overview
Thomas M. Caffrey, M.ED
Sponsored and hosted by the Arlington PAC
May 2004
Straight Talk about Psychological Testing for Kids:
The tests, the numbers and what they all mean
Presented by psychologistst, Ellen Braaten.PhD
Co-sponsored by 5 local PAC's Acton, Bedford, Concord, Lincoln, & Sudbury
May 2004
Concord Public School's (CPS) Special Education Program for PreK - 8
5th Strategic Planning Meeting and Our PAC Business Meeting (last one for the year)
Diana Rigby, Our Administrator of Student Support Services




2002 - 2003 School year
October
 2002
Understanding your Basic Rights workshop
Kathy Bach, trained advocate by The Federation for Children with Special Needs
Co-Sponsored with Minuteman ARC
November  Out-of-District Placements : Know Your Rights
Co-Sponsored with 6 local PAC's, and Minuteman ARC
Andrea Watson, Program Director of Parents for Residential Reform (PFRR),
 a project of The Federation for Children with Special Needs
November The Reauthorization of IDEA and  Recent Changes in Special Education
Rich Robison, Executive Director of The Federation for Children with Special Needs
Co-Sponsored with Acton PAC
November Understanding your Basic Rights workshop
Donna Murphy, trained advocate by The Federation for Children with Special Needs
December  Understanding your Basic Rights workshop
PAC Cindy Nicholls, trained advocate by The Federation for Children with Special Needs
Co-Sponsored with Acton PAC
January
2003
Individual Educational Plan (IEP) workshop
Donna Murphy, trained advocate by The Federation for Children with Special Needs
Co-Sponsored with Minuteman ARC
March
2003
Assistive Technology workshop
Shannon Elliott M.S. CCC and Carol Cunningham, M.Ed.
Co-Sponsored with Minuteman ARC
March
2003
Identifying Learning Difficulties: Have a child Struggling in School?
Co-Sponsored with 6 local PAC's & Minuteman ARC
Lisa Brooks, Ed.M. from Commonwealth Learning Center
Attendees will receive a free book,
"Parenting The Child With Learning Disabilities: The Expert's Speak"
(Thanks to a grant LDAM and The Commonwealth Learning Center received)


2001 - 2002 School year
October
2001
Helping your child with Communication
Julie Cyr Gibowicz, M.S., CCC-SLP, CEIS and Kim Stillwell, M.S. CCC-SLP
November The Current Science of ADHD : An Update of the latest Medical Research Treatments
Dr. Paul Sorgi, Psychiatrist, Hallowell Center, Co-Sponsored with Minuteman AD-IN
December How Recent Changes to Special Education Law May Effect Your Child
Attorney Robert Crabtree
This was our first regional event, sponsored by seven local area Special Education Parent Advisory Councils
(Acton, Bedford, Concord, Harvard, Littleton, Sudbury and Wayland) Minuteman ARC and Minuteman AD-IN
February
2002
The VISION Connection to LEARNING and BEHAVIOR 
Dr. Walter Libby
February
2002
Basic Rights workshop
Donna Murphy, trained advocate by The Federation for Children with Special Needs,
Co-Sponsored with Minuteman ARC 
March
2002

Accessing the General Curriculum
Donna Murphy, trained advocate by The Federation for Children with Special Needs,
Co-Sponsored with Minuteman ARC 
March
2002
Preventing and Treating Behaviors Issues 
Janis Krempa, Ed. M., Behavioral Specialist


2000 - 2001 School year

October
2000
Executive Function : The role it plays in our child's learning
Dr. Rafael Castro and Dr. Ann Helmus, Co-Sponsored with AD-IN Minuteman
November Changes to the Massachusetts Special Education Law
Jeannine Crisp, Public Educational Specialist, from The Massachusetts Advocacy Center
Co-Sponsored with Bedford PAC
December Accessing the General Curriculum
A Federation for Children of Special Needs Workshop, Co-Sponsored with Bedford PAC
December Welcome to New Administrator of Student Support Services
Sharon McArdle
January
2001
What is Dyslexia?
New England Branch of the International Dyslexia Association
Isabel Wesley, M. Ed., Director of Curriculum at Carroll School
January Basic Rights Workshop
A Federation for Children of Special Needs Workshop, Co-Sponsored with Acton PAC
February MCAS : Effective Inclusion of Students with Disabilities
A Federation for Children of Special Needs Workshop, Co-Sponsored with Bedford PAC
March
2001
Understanding the NEW Individual Education Plan (IEP) For 2000
A Federation for Children of Special Needs Workshop, Co-Sponsored with Bedford PAC


1999 - 2000 School year

October
1999
Individual Education Plan (IEP)
A Federation for Children of Special Needs Workshop
October Social Challenges Panel
Co-Sponsored with Minuteman AD-IN
November Welcome to New Administrator of Student Support Services
Kathy Mc Gerigle
January
2000
Child Development: Going Right, Going Wrong
Alan Shapiro, M.Ed., The Educational Director of the Community Therapeutic Day School Lexington.
Co-Sponsored with Bedford PAC
February Understanding the NEW Individual Education Plan (IEP) For 2000
A Federation for Children of Special Needs Workshop, Co-Sponsored with Bedford PAC
April 
2000
Meet with our Senators & Representative: Senator Fargo, Senator Resor, & Rep. Atkins
This meeting was a join effort of the three following groups: PDD Support Group, Concord SPED PAC, and  Minuteman AD-IN


1998 - 1999 School year

October
1998
Effective Team Communication Workshop
A Federation for Children of Special Needs Workshop
November CASE Collaborative Information Night
Gerry Mazor Executive Director of CASE
January
1999
Math Disabilities Workshop
Chris Woodin, from Landmark School
March Planning for the Learning Disabled Student in High School and Beyond
Joanne Delaney and  Tom Curton from CCHS, and Tim Lee, from Human Potential
April League of Women Voters Special Education Panel
Anne Randle, Tri-chair Concord SPED PAC
May
1999
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
Mark Geren, and Bob Ross, Behavioral Consultants
from Behavioral Education Assessment and Consultation Inc. 


1997 - 1998 School year

January
1998
Basic Rights Workshop
A Federation for Children of Special Needs Workshop
February Team Building for Effective Team Meetings
Coffee with Ralph Watson, Special Educational Director
March Special Education Legislative Update
Coffee with Rep. Pam Resor
March Language Learning Disabilities
Isabel Wesley, M. Ed., head of Lower School Language Dept.  from Carroll School
April Sensory Integration (SI)
Judy and Beth from Acton Sensory Integration Support Group
May 1998 Managing Behavior at Home: A positive approach to discipline
Dr. Rachel Kramer

 Divider