What is SEPTA?

WHAT IS SEPTA? 

Hendrick Hudson SEPTA (Special Education Parent Teacher Association) is a network of parents, educators, and interested parties who recognize, understand, and support the unique challenges in parenting and educating children with different learning styles.  We strive to create a community that values and respects each student’s learning abilities, and to ensure that all children receive the best possible free appropriate public education (FAPE) , resulting in the child reaching his or her full potential

The primary goal of a SEPTA is advocacy for students with disabilities within the school district. The SEPTA meets regularly to discuss student, parent, and teacher concerns and devise ways to meet evolving needs.

 

WHY HAVE A SEPARATE PTA FOR PARENTS OFCHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS? 

Because parents of children with special needs have special needs themselves:

  • To learn how to work with the special education teachers and other specialists who educate their children.
  • to understand the system of special education and their rights under the law.
  • to connect with and support other parents.

SEPTA helps meet these needs by bringing together people who have an interest in special education. SEPTA members are also encouraged tp participate in their school PTA.

 

WHAT DOES HH SEPTA DO?

PARENT & TEACHER  SUPPORT

  • SEPTAs can offer guidance to parents regarding advocacy for their students, share important communication from the school, and connect them to one another. 
  • SEPTA creates a strong, close-knit community of like-minded parents sharing many of the same challenges.
  • Familiarizes  parents with Hen Hud Special Education services and programs and shares important communication from the school
  • SEPTA can also make parents and teachers feel more empowered when advocating for their students. 
  • Hosts social events for special needs families 

 

 

ADVOCACY

  • Advocacy is a critical component of PTAs in general, but SEPTAs specifically advocate for the needs of special education students, teachers, and their families. With this focus, those in special education can potentially get more of their needs addressed.
  • To encourage children with special needs to participate in regular education programs as much as possible
  • SEPTA can also make parents and teachers feel more empowered when advocating for their students. 
  • Resources, meetings, and a sense of community help those involved in special education feel more comfortable addressing their concerns.

 

AWARENESS/EDUCATION 

  • To offer our parents and families education and support with informative lectures by guest speakers and discussion on varying topics related to disabilities and special education 
  • Answer questions and concerns that general education parents may have as it related to learning differences
  • SEPTAs may use their funds to help teachers pay for special education workshops, seminars, and other professional development events covering advocacy, teaching strategies, and other relevant topics
  • Helps raises awareness and acceptance of disabilities and special needs

 

WHO IS INVOLVED WITH THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PTA? 

  • Like traditional PTA groups, SEPTA members are volunteers. These volunteers can be parents of students in the district, school specialists, and teachers.  You do not have to have a student in special education to be a member 
  • Sometimes, people outside of the special education system decide to join a SEPTA to support those involved in the system. In doing so, they can assist the association with its advocacy efforts within the district and the community.
  • Successful SEPTAs also have lots of member engagement. Rather than simply attend meetings, members share their concerns and opinions, offer new ideas, and get excited to participate in upcoming activities. 

 

HOW IS SEPTA DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PTAs?

 

  • SEPTA fundraising is more difficult than our other school PTAs.  We do not have a large membership to draw from or a home school or building staff that we work with on a daily basis to collaborate with or support us.  This is why it is so important for us to get as many members as possible!

 

  • SEPTAs relies on membership fees and fundraisers to fund our operation, activities, and other means of assisting our HH special education community 

 

How CAN YOU SUPPORT SEPTA?

  • Become an active member and encourage someone else to join. ($11 of our $15 membership fee goes directly to our PTA.)    Join Here: https://hhsepta.memberhub.com/store
  • Attend monthly meetings and share your concerns, experiences, questions and ideas.  What we do is primarily driven by the needs of our community  
  • Ask your teachers, principals, administration and community leaders to get involved and attend meetings.
  • Volunteer.  SEPTA always wants and needs volunteers. If you choose to volunteer, you can decide your time commitment. 
  • Support our fundraisers
  • Donate directly to SEPTA: Donate to SEPTA

 


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