News & Notices

Advocates For Special Kids

ASK News & Notices

Check here for news of area events, happenings and items of interest. If you have anything you would like posted here and to our email list, contact :

ASK PTO (Advocates For Special Kids) Lawrenceville Information and News

ASK GRAM - 9/14/08

Welcome back to another school year! This first ASK-Gram of the year contains the following information:

	10/01/08 ASK PTO's Beyond Back to School Night
	9/17/08 CHADD - Executive Function Deficits: The impact on performance in School Home, and Work.
	NAMI Basics - class for parents of children with challenging behavior
	NAMI Support Group for Parents
	NAMI Social Skills Program - Just Kids
	9/27/08 - POAC Touch-A-Truck
	1:1 Reading Tutoring Program - Bridge Academy/TCNJ
	10/18/08 - Free Fall Conference for Parents of Children with Special Needs
	11/17/08 Handling Sibling Rivalry FSO Workshop
	Rick Lavoie 12/5/08

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ASK PTO MEETING - Wed., Oct. 1, 7pm-8:30 pm

Beyond Back to School Night

Guests: Kris Deni, Jay Billy, Erin Servillo & ASK PTO Members

LTPS is being monitored in the area of Special Education. Come to hear a summary of the Self Assessment process and the continuous improvement plan as presented by the administrators of the program. Learn more about ASK, how to get involved, & find out what the district has planned for our children who have special needs. This is a great opportunity to ask questions!

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CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) of Princeton-Mercer County's first meeting
of the school year will focus on the topic of

Executive Function Deficits:
The impact on performance in School Home, and Work.

Speakers: Jane Milrod and Katherine McGavern, CHADD Certified Parent to Parent Trainers.

Wednesday, September 17th, 7-9pm, at Riverside Elementary School, Princeton:

The presentation will include a description of executive functions, and the link between deficits in those functions and struggles in school. The talk will cover the neurobiological foundation of AD/HD, and will offer solutions for home, school and work, including strategies for parents and teachers to use with students in order to improve executive functioning.

The community is welcome to join us. We meet in the Gym of the Riverside School. Address: 58 Riverside Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540 Questions - call 609 683 8787

Schedule of events:

From 7pm to 8 pm Speakers and Q and A.

From 8pm to 9pm Facilitated Small Group Support Discussions.

Directions to the Riverside School (58 Riverside Drive Princeton NJ):

Route 1 to the Harrison Street Exit. At 2nd Traffic light turn Right onto Prospect Street. At Stop Sign, turn Left onto Riverside Drive, school driveway is on the right, and the Gym entrance is on the left side of the building.

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* NAMI Basics is a free class for parents or primary caregivers of children or adolescents (ages 2-18) with challenging behaviors. This can include mental health issues, ADHD, autism, Tourette's, to name a few. Come learn about helping your child, coping, working with schools and health providers, and more. Classes are taught by trained volunteer parents who've been there and would like to share their knowledge and support other families.

Fridays, September 19-October 24, 7:00-9:30 at the NAMI Mercer Center

Class is FREE but registration is required.

Call 609 799 8994 to register.
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SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS

1ST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH - First meeting will be held September 6.

Meetings are held from 10:30 am -12:00 noon at the NAMI Mercer Center, 3371 Brunswick Pike, Suite 124, Lawrenceville

Activities will include: Stress reduction techniques, discussion groups and freedom to speak your mind without judgment or comment.

Parents of children under 18 are welcome!

Joanna Harrison-Smith will be the facilitator.

Please call 609 799 8994 for information.
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Just Kids Program

A social skills program for children under 18, an opportunity to have fun and be Just Kids!

Every 3rd Saturday of the month here at the NAMI Mercer Center or in supervised field trip environments.

Our next session is: September 20 at 1:30 pm at the NAMI Mercer Center

Mad Science Party!

Just Kids is free with membership. Registration and parental attendance required. Please call to register, Joanna Harrison-Smith: 609 799-0639
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Touch-A-Truck and Help Raise Money for POAC
Have a kid who loves trucks? Please join the New Comers Club of Rumson, Fair Haven, Little Silver and Shrewsbury for a great fundraiser to benefit POAC. On September 27th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at Fair Haven Fire Department on River Road in Fair Haven, your children will have the opportunity to explore all kinds of cool trucks and vehicles. There will be entertainment, food, and other surprises. All funds raised will go toward POAC for the continuation of services for children with autism. Please come to this really fun event. Its a great way to spend an autumn Sunday afternoon and it´s open to all. For more information call 917-674-8935 or email eleanorriva@aol.com.
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The Bridge Academy & The College of New Jersey
Graduate School of Education are pleased to announce a

1:1 READING TUTORING PROGRAM

- One Hour Sessions starting 5:00 pm or 6:30 pm - Every Monday, Oct. 6 through Dec. 15, 2008 - Creative Approaches to Reading instruction
- Post assessment and recommendations included

- Ages 8-16 ¦ Cost $499

For more info contact

1958B Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 609-844-0770, fax 609-844-0773, http://www.banj.org

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Free Fall Conference (Cherry Hill) for Parents of Children with Special Needs sponsored by the Ombudsman for Disabled Citizens

Sat, Oct 18
8am-1pm

email Ombudsman@CHtownship.com for more information.
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HANDLING SIBLING RIVALRY

Monday, November 17th, 2008

10:00 AM-12:00 PM

There is a difference between sibling rivalry and sibling conflict. Learn how to identify each one and correct behaviors to improve sibling relationships.

To register call: 609-586-1200 Family Support Organization
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Rick Lavoie will also be the keynote speaker on Friday, December 5th at New Jersey City University at the Annual Conference on Higher Education Opportunities for Students with Learning Disabilities at New Jersey City University in Jersey City. Please visit www.njcu.edu/pmentor for more information.

Programs and Meetings of Interest

* ASK Information & Planning Meetings
ASK needs your support, ideas and help. All are welcome to our planning meetings. Dates and times to be announced. For updates and information, visit www.asknj.org. To receive email announcements contact Fax: (973) 252-4542

Websites
*Latest recommendations in purple!

http://www.mercerresourcenet.org/ - Mercer County Resources

http://www.SPANNJ.org - Special Parents Advocacy Network