Special Education PTSA

SEPTSA is cross district and we enjoy the distinction of being the first Special Ed PTA unit in Washington State.

      Our Goals

 

    Our Meetings
    SEPTSA will continue to hold general meetings on the first Monday evening of each month during the school year, with a few exceptions (for speaker schedules and holidays).  
    All are welcome to participate in our general meetings.  

    During 2009-2010, we will continue to meet at:

    Eleanor Roosevelt Elem. School Media Center
    2921 Falk Rd, Vancouver (around the corner from Jim Parsley Center, next to Vancouver Public Schools Offices)
    6:00pm to 7:00pm

    

    Upcoming Calendar of SEPTSA and Misc. Information

     Monday, December 7th - SEPTSA general meeting with music therapist Jodi Winnwalker of Earthtones Music Therapy, 6:00-7:00pm, Eleanor Roosevelt School.  Jodi will  introduce us to music therapy in a fun and experiential way.  Earthtones provides music therapy services to children, adults, and the elderly, addressing the special needs of persons living with mental. physical, and developmental challenges. http://www.earthtonesmusictherapy.com/.  We are pleased to offer a supervised coloring and puzzle table, and children are also encouraged to enjoy the hands-on music demonstration by Jodi.

  Wednesday, December 30th - SEPTSA Holiday Party, 2:00-3:30pm, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 5607 NE Gher Rd, Vancouver. Please bring some fruit to share.  Questions:  Martha (360-574-9029) or Pam (360-574-9122).

  Monday, January 4th - SEPTSA Open Board Meeting, 6:00-7:00pm, Eleanor Roosevelt School.  There will not be a SEPTSA general meeting in January.

Wednesday, January 27th - Part 3 of the 5 part Transitions Series: "Life After School..What is Next?" 6:30-8:30pm at Columbia River High School Gallery, 800 NW 99th Street, Vancouver. For more information call Clark County Community Services at 360-397-2130 and ask for Mary Strehlow.  Other dates scheduled are February 24th, March 24th, and April 21.

Monday, February1  - SEPTSA General Meeting 6:00-7:00pm.  Roosevelt Elementary, 2921 Falk Rd, Vancouver. Contact Co-Presidents Mona Fuerstenau (360) 693-7013 or Robyn Boose (360) 718-7188 with questions.

Tuesday, February 2nd - "Parents Supporting Parents" Support Group, 6:30-8:30pm, Jim Parsley Center.  Group meets most first and third Tuesdays.  RSVP to Rhonda Smith at smithra234@comcast.net or (360) 798-7803.

Tuesday, February 9th - PAVE Training, "Understanding the IEP and 504", 6:30-8:00pm, at THE ARC Family Center, 6511 NE 18th Street, Vancouver.  Call Rhonda Smith at (360) 944-5683 to register.

Tuesday, February 16th - Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support Group, 7:00-8:30pm at Advanced Pediatric Therapies, 11320 NE 49th St., Suite 208, Vancouver.  The group meets the third Tuesday of each month.  Free speakers featured.  Contact Sharron at donnellyot@comcast.net .

Tuesday, February 16th - "Parents Supporting Parents" Support Group, 6:30-8:30pm, Jim Parsley Center.  Group meets most first and third Tuesdays.  RSVP to Rhonda Smith at smithra234@comcast.net or (360) 798-7803.

Wednesday, February 24th - A 5 part Transitions Series: "Life After School..What is Next?" 6:30-8:30pm at Columbia River High School Gallery, 800 NW 99th Street, Vancouver. For more information call Clark County Community Services at 360-397-2130 and ask for Mary Strehlow.  Five-part series held October 20-21, January 27, February 24, March 24th, and April 21.

Friday, February 26th - 6th Annual Clark County Adult Agency Fair, 11:00am-4:00pm, ESD112, 2500 NE 65th Ave, Vancouver.  Hosted by transition programs in Clark County (Camas Program, Choice Program, Futures Program, GATE Program, Project Search, SAILS Program, and the School to Work Transition Program with WSD).  Come hear about Adult Agency resources in the community available to special education students.  Numerous agencies will present important information for students and parents.  Parents and students are encouraged to attend.  Direct questions to Leslie Morrison at GATE, 360-313-1050 or leslie.morrison@vansd.org.

Monday, March 1st - Community Wide Needs Assessment on Developmental Disabilities, 6:00-8:00pm.  Roosevelt Elementary, 2921 Falk Rd, Vancouver.  Let your voice be heard into the next decade and beyond!  Facilitated by the ARC.  Contact Mona with questions: (360) 759-4917 ext. 109 or MonaF@arcofclarkcounty.org .

Monday, March 8th - SEPTSA General Meeting with Special Guest Speaker Dr. Pitonyak.  6:00-8:00pm (note date change and extended time).  Roosevelt Elementary, 2921 Falk Rd, Vancouver.  Internationally renowned behavioral specialist Dr. David Pitonyak speaks on "Setting Boundaries" for your child with disabilities, with family members and others who interact with your family/loved one, and also for yourself as boundaries support self care.  Contact Co-Presidents Mona Fuerstenau (360) 693-7013 or Robyn Boose (360) 718-7188 with questions.

Tuesday, March 9th - PAVE Training, "Evaluations," 6:30-8:30pm at The ARC Family Center, 6511 NE 18th Street, Vancouver.  Call Rhonda Smith (360) 944-5683 to register.

Thursday, March 11th - Friday, March 12 - Special Education Conference, Shore Line Conference Center (Seattle, Washington area).  Five concurrent courses will take place, both days, to best meet your professional needs.  Sponsored by Rehab Seminars.  See www.rehabseminars.org for full brochure and online registration; questions (360) 379-6994.

Monday, April 5th - SEPTSA General Meeting with Parent Coalition covering system navigation and the latest legislative updates from Olympia, 6:00-7:00pm.  Roosevelt Elementary, 2921 Falk Rd, Vancouver.  Contact Co-Presidents Mona Fuerstenau (360) 693-7013 or Robyn Boose (360) 718-7188 with questions.

Tuesday, April 13th - PAVE Training, "Discipline-Suspension-Expulsion" 6:30-8:30pm at The ARC Family Center, 6511 NE 18th Street, Vancouver.  Call Rhonda Smith (360) 944-5683 to register.

Friday, April 16th - ASW & Autism Community Services present Best in the Northwest Conference - "Bridges to Adulthood," one-day, Heathman Lodge, Vancouver.  Register online at www.autismsocietyofwa.org/conferences/?conf_id=376 .  Keynote speaker will be Peter Gerhardt, EdD.  Contact Monica at Consult4Autism@gmail.com or call (360) 904-8938 with registration questions.  For information about the conference contact Patty Gee, ASW Executive Director at 1-888-ASW4YOU or info@autismsocietyofwa.org .  Early Registration ends March 3rd.

Monday, May 3rd - SEPTSA General Meeting, topic "Getting Outdoors", with guests from Bad Monkey Bikes.  6:00-7:00pm, Roosevelt Elementary, 2921 Falk Rd, Vancouver.  Contact Co-Presidents Mona Fuerstenau (360) 693-7013 or Robyn Boose (360) 718-7188 with questions.

Tuesday, May 11th - PAVE Training, "Birth to Three Transitions" 6:30-8:00pm at The ARC Family Center, 6511 NE 18th Street, Vancouver.  Call Rhonda Smith (360) 944-5683 to register.

 

LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES

 

   Membership Sign ups and Renewals
    We are now able to take annual membership sign-ups and renewals.  Dues are $12 a member.  We greatly appreciate the membership support since we do not do fund-raising activities      
    that buildings PTAs do.  If convenient, you may send a check to:

Special Education PTSA
c/o VSD Foundation
PO Box 8937
Vancouver, WA 98668

 

SEPTSA Contacts

Mona Fuerstenau - Co-President (360) 693-7013
Robyn Boose - Co-President (360) 718-7188
Theresa Ponce Rankin - Secretary  growingwize@msn.com
Our Faculty Liaison is Jean Mirabel   jean.mirabal@vansd.org