“College Planning for Students with Learning Disabilities”

October 24 at 7pm at the West Middle School Auditorium

How does a student with a learning disability approach the college search process? What should you be looking for from the High School to help you through this process? How do you find the colleges that offer the right services to assist your student in become a successful college graduate? When and how does your student disclose their disability to the college? Does the learning support offered cost extra?
These questions will be answered by a panel of experts from the AHS Guidance Department, AHS Special Education Department as well as representatives from a number of local institutions; Curry College, Landmark College, Middlesex Community College, University of Lowell and Northeastern University. Easter Seals will present their assisted technology offerings and services as well as a representative from the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission will be in attendance.
Please join us on October 24 at 7pm at the West Middle School Auditorium for this informative presentation.


“Basic Rights in Special Education”

November 14 at 7pm in the School Administration Building, 36 Bartlet Street, 3rd floor conference room

This workshop will provide families with an introduction to their rights and responsibilities under:
* Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA),
* Massachusetts Special Education Law, and
* No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
This workshop is designed to help parents learn to be effective partners with their child’s school in order to decide their child’s eligibility for special education and to plan, make decisions and monitor their child’s progress in school.


“Inspirational Autism”

November 19 at 7pm at West Middle School

We are delighted that Andrew Feldman will present a talk that we predict you will find inspirational.
Andrew recently graduated from college, is living on his own, and is working on a successful Congressional campaign in the Washington DC Area. Oh, and he has Asperger’s Syndrome.
Andrew was in middle school student in Massachusetts when he was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS)—a form of Autism on the mild end of the spectrum.
An accomplished speaker who has appeared on PBS with Emily Rooney, Andrew will speak about topics that included growing up with AS, receiving and coming to terms with an AS diagnosis, what often works and what often does not work for elementary and secondary school students with AS, strategies for navigating college life with AS, and increasing the odds of success, plus expected and unexpected challenges that arise after college.
Andrew’s mom frequently comes to his talks to support him—we hope you will, too.


“Transition Workshop”

January 16th at 10am in the 3rd floor Conference Room of the School Administration Building

Director of Student Services Joyce Laundre and her staff will discuss the procedures in place to ensure smooth transitions for students and families as they move up to the next level within the Andover School System (preschool to elementary, elementary to middle school and middle school to high school). Staff from each school as well as SEPAC representatives will be available to answer questions. Please join us for this interactive session that will provide the groundwork for helping prepare your child as he or she moves through their school years.


“Build a Better Brain”

February 6 at 7pm at West Middle School

An exciting presentation by two nationally-known child psychiatrists. Focusing on the proactive steps families can take to cultivate effective mood regulation, executive functioning skills, and positive mental health with their children, this approach addresses parenting practices, school preparation, and even diet and exercise associated with positive mental health. With the focus on maximizing good parenting and self-care practices for all children, the presentation is one that is appropriate for all parents.
Jeff Q. Bostic , M.D., Ed.D is a nationally known expert on child psychiatry and schools. He has consulted in the Andover Public Schools for the past fourteen years, as well as in other school districts around the country. Dr. Bostic is Director of School Psychiatry for Massachusetts General Hospital, an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry for Harvard Medical School, and is the Medical Director for the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project. In collaboration with the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Institute at MGH, Dr. Bostic helped to launch a free website (www.schoolpsychiatry.org) to assist families, educators, and clinicians with mental health issues in the school environment.
Mona Potter, M.D., is a child psychiatrist who works in multiple school districts, including the Andover Public Schools, to address the “fit” between children and schools. She graduated and remains on staff at Mass General/McLean Hospitals, and has been the Director of the Acute Residential Treatment program at McLean for adolescents through this past year.


“Transitioning for 14-22 Year Olds”

March 27 at 7pm in the Memorial Hall Library

Terri McLaughlin from the Federation for Children with Special Needs presents a workshop addressing the issues related to designing the right curriculum and supports during high school to keep your student on track to becoming self -sufficient and living independently. Information and strategies will be provided to help parents and students translate their individual preferences and dreams into meaningful IEP goals.


“Technology Solutions - Can they Help?”

7pm on April 24 at ANDOVER HIGH SCHOOL Library

Karen Janowski, M.S. Ed, OTL, of EdTech Solutions in Reading, MA will speak about how Assistive Technology supports struggling learners. The goal of Karen’s expertise—and the focus of her business—is in providing customized technology solutions to promote academic success and independence for all learners. When properly used by trained students and/or educational staff, assistive technology resources have the potential to promote student success and mastery.


“Mary French Yellow Rose Award”

May 22, 2013 at the High Plain Elementary Auditorium at 7pm

Leaders in education are frequently hard found and unsung. Mary French, who held the positions of Andover Selectperson and Director of Pupil Personnel, was truly such a leader, breaking ground in the delivery of special education and the inclusion of the whole child in service delivery. It is in her memory that, since 2002, the Andover Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) has sponsored the Mary French Yellow Rose Award to recognize like leaders in special education.
As Director of Pupil Personnel, Mary French led a group of Andover teachers and parents on a field trip to visit the Glastonbury school system to observe programs designed to improve delivery of service to special needs children. Educators whose contributions provided improved programming, as well as a more inclusive environment for special education students were acknowledged for their work with a yellow rose that would “mysteriously” be found on their desk. Thus the yellow rose became a symbol of excellence and the seed for the Mary French Yellow Rose Award was planted.