Events

February 24, 2009

Illinois State PTA Announces Reflections Arts Program Results

National PTA believes all children deserve a quality arts education and encourages students to pursue artistic expression through participation in its annual arts Reflections Program. The program offers students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition. Students in preschool through grade 12 are encouraged to create and submit works of art in six artistic areas: literature, musical composition, photography, film/video production, dance choreography, and visual arts.

Projects are judged in different age groups:

• Primary: Grades K through 2
  
• Intermediate: Grades 3 through 5
  
• Middle: Grades 6 through 8
  
• Senior: Grades 9 through 12
  

Projects advance through several different levels in the program:

• Local School
  
• Council: Northwest Suburban Council (all of CCSD#15 schools)
  
• District PTA: District 37 PTA representing the Northwest Suburbs
  
• Illinois State PTA
  
• National PTA
  

In its more than 30-year history, the program has encouraged millions of students across the nation and in American schools overseas to create works of art. Each year, the program revolves around a theme. The theme this year was "Wow!" The theme for the 2009-2010 school year will be "Beauty Is …"

In 2008-2009, 18 of the 20 PTA local units in the Northwest Suburban Council PTA participated in the Reflections Program. The Northwest Suburban Council PTA represents the PTAs at all of the schools in Community Consolidated School District 15. This year, over 780 artistic projects were submitted by the students in NWSC. The projects were judged several times, and 37 projects from NWSC finally advanced to the Illinois State PTA. They were once again put through a judging process, and out of the thousands of projects submitted to the program throughout the state of Illinois, only 78 projects received Honorable Mention Awards in the state of Illinois. Six of these projects were from the NWSC. Congratulations to the following students!

For more information, please contact Joan Scovic, NWSC PTA Reflections Chairperson, at (847) 991-0093 or thescovics@hotmail.com.

SPARK
Special Education Parents Accessing Resources and Knowledge

A Northwest Suburban Council of PTA/PTSA committee serving families of children with special needs in Community Consolidated School District 15 and beyond.

Why we exist...
SPARK was formed in response to the growing needs of families whose children learn differently or have special needs. As parents trying to navigate the system, we realize the importance of providing:
· Relevant resource programs related to special education
· Opportunities to network
· Links to parents with outside sources
· Publications and books on various special education topics

What we believe...
SPARK believes in providing a means to educate parents, provide resources, network, and support families of all children receiving special education. This is accomplished at the district level through monthly evening programs with outside speakers. We also have SPARK representatives at each school who are a local contact and resource to the individual schools.

Our hope is that parents and educators will access this group for the benefit of their children, themselves, and others.

When we meet...
SPARK programs are monthly on Monday evenings, with one exception in December at:

Walter R. Sundling Junior High School
1100 N. Smith Street, Palatine
7:00–8:30 p.m.

Who we are reaching...
SPARK programs are free, open, and encouraged for ALL parents, educators, and administrators.

If you would like to be contacted by or connected with SPARK, you can contact your PTA President for the name and number of your SPARK representative, or contact SPARK Co-Chairs Dawn Wiebe (847) 221-2313 or Lisa Traina (847) 358-7828 for more information.

SPARK is proud to be in partnership with PTA!

Program Calendar 2008-09 School Year

September 29, 2008
Internet Safety Program @ Sundling
The Northwest Suburban Council PTA/PTSA and the Palatine Police Department
SPARK is encouraging ALL parents to attend this very informative program offered by the Northwest Suburban Council PTA/PTSA. Officer Tamara Gulisana of the Palatine Police Department will talk to parents about ways to keep their children safe from internet dangers, including: chat rooms, instant messaging, blogs, social networking sites, internet predators, on-line bullying, pornography, safety tips, and safety equipment. This is an imperative program for ALL parents!

October 27, 2008
What is ABA...REALLY! @ Sundling Auditorium
Kim Garvey-Hoehne, M.A., BCBA, Director of KGH Consultation and Treatment
We’ve all heard the term, ABA. Many of us have probably even tried it. But what is it REALLY? Can it really help our kids? Kim Garvey-Hoehne, a Certified Behavioral Therapist and Developmental Therapist will explain this evidencebased treatment, and show us all how it can really work. You will learn what ABA really is and what it’s not; that there’s a difference between ABA based and non-ABA based treatment programs; observe actual child treatment videos; and learn how to determine if what you are doing for your child is really working.

December 2, 2008 (TUESDAY!)
The Role of Executive Functioning @ Sundling Auditorium
Dr. Michael Frey, Comprehensive Psychological Services
Over the past several years, an intense focus in the psychological community has been on executive functioning, and its critical role in the development and behavior of our children. Dr. Michael Frey, a child and adolescent neuropsychologist, specializes in various neurobehavioral disabilities, including ADHD, learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorders, Tourette’s Syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, and oppositional defiant and bipolar disorders. His presentation will help parents understand their child’s symptoms, become familiar with executive functioning, and learn how to select intervention to address limitations in various aspects of these conditions, including concerns for sustained attention, planning and organization, and social skills.

January 26, 2009
Junior High and High School Transition @ Sundling
District 211 and District 15 Transition Teams
For most of our kids, transition can be hard—especially when they are changing to new schools with new special education teams. Two rooms will be set aside to help parents who have children transitioning to junior high or to high school. These transition teams will discuss what’s involved in transition and try to answer your specific questions about how to make it successful and exciting for your child.

February 23, 2009
Individual Education Plan (IEP)
A meeting February 23 is designed to help parents understand an Individual Education Plan (IEP), and the role it may play in a child's education.

The session, set for 7 p.m., February 23, in the Walter R. Sundling Jr. High Theater, 1100 N. Smith Street, Palatine, will focus on Individual Education Plans—including the purpose of an IEP-along with a helpful 22—point checklist for a successful IEP. Other areas discussed will be the foundation of the IEP process, goal sheets, and parent concerns.

Catherine Whitcher, founder of Precision Education, Inc., Joliet, will present at the meeting. She holds multiple special education teaching certificates, has been featured on the AutismOne radio show, and is published in The Autism Perspective for her knowledge and insight into special education. A nationwide presenter on IEP planning, she has consistently proven her ability to work with an entire special education team while always keeping the child first.

April 6, 2009
Resource and Summer Fair!! @ Sundling Gymnasium
Join us as we partner with District 15 for the exciting collection of local vendors and organizations that will showcase their opportunities to involve our children over the summer in a wide variety of activities. Last year, over 30 vendors shared with us many therapeutic, educational and recreational opportunities available to help the summer be successful and fun for our kids. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to plan ahead and reduce the stress and anxiety that presents itself in those summer months.

May 4, 2009
TBA @ Sundling

Meetings are presented by Special Education Parents Accessing Resources and Knowledge (SPARK), a committee of the Northwest Suburban Council of PTA/PTSA, which serves the families of children with special needs in Community Consolidated School District 15. Throughout the school year, SPARK offers programs to connect families to relevant resource programs related to special education, opportunities to network, links to parents with outside sources, and publications and books on various special education topics.

Candidates Forum (PDF 51KB)

When: Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Walter R. Sundling Junior High School gymnasium, 1100 N. Smith Street, Palatine
Format: Two minute introduction by each candidate followed by Q&A session ending with a one minute closing statement by each candidate. Questions will be limited to the subject area of education and its impact on our students.

PTA Sponsors Coat Closet for District 15 Students

PTA units at District 15 schools have established a PTA Coat Closet to ensure that all District 15 children will be appropriately clothed during the winter months. The coat closet is housed at Gray M. Sanborn School, 101 N. Oak St., Palatine. Coats, hats, gloves/mittens, snow pants, scarves, and boots are available to District 15 families in sizes ranging from toddler to adult. The coat closet is open on school days from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those needing clothing should contact any school office.

Donations of outerwear only may be brought to Sanborn School or to any other District 15 school office. The clothing should be clean and in good condition, with no rips or broken zippers.

Northwest Suburban Council PTA/PTSA presents: Internet Safety (PDF 17KB)
A free presentation for parents of children in School District 15.

Date: Monday, September 29, 2008

Time: 7 p.m.

Where: Walter R. Sundling Junior High School, 1100 N. Smith Street, Palatine

For more information, please contact Joan Sscovic, NWSC PTA 1st VP of Programs, thescovics@hotmail.com.

Northwest Suburban Council PTA/PTSA presents:
Gabe & Izzy, "No School Bullying" (PDF 246KB)

A free presentation for parents and children in School District 15.

Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Pleasant Hill Elementary, 434 W. Illinois Avenue, Palatine

Anti-Bullying Speaker, Gabrielle Ford, Speaks Out Against School Bullying
Twenty-eight-year-old Gabriel Ford is an extremely moving youth speaker. Her incredible journey of triumph over tragedy is filled with amazing coincidences. Gabrielle (Gabe) and her dog, Izabel (Izzy), both have rare muscle diseases that have caused them to lean on each other for support. Her message is simple, however, powerfully motivational.

Her ability to connect with students will inspire them and cause them to think about their actions. Suffering from progressive neuromuscular disease, Gabe shares her remarkable story of her experiences of being bullied at school while suffering from the effects of muscle disease.

For more information check out Gabe’s website at www.gabeandizzy.com.

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