The school representative serves as a liaison with that school, its PTO and the Special Education Committee. It is anticipated that the school representative will:

• Act as the SpEd Committee's eyes and ears at their school and report back issues so they can be communicated to the district.

• Act as the SpEd Commitee's point of contact for parents at their school.  Be able to answer questions regarding Special Education and/or escalate to the SpEd Committee and to their principal as appropriate.

• Meet 2x per year with the SpEd Committee and other school representatives to discuss what is working and not working.

• Assist with dissemination of SpEd Commitee communications and materials.

• Assist with SpEd Committee events as needed.

To find the name and contact information of your school representative, or to volunteer to be a representative, 

email WestfieldSpecialEdParents@gmail.com.

The Westfield Special Education (SpEd) Committee proudly sponsors the Kindred Spirits mentorship program. This program links SpEd mentor parents with fellow SpEd parents who have questions or are starting their journey. Connections are made based on school, issue, age, experiences – whatever is pertinent to the mentee parent’s challenge.

Do you have SpEd-related conundrums? Would you like to chat with a SpEd parent who has been on a similar path? If you’re interested in making an inquiry and connecting with a Kindred Spirits volunteer, please fill out this Kindred Spirits Inquiry Form.

Once we receive your information, our head of outreach will work to make the best Kindred Spirits connection. Your information will remain confidential. A special thank you to our Kindred Spirits volunteers! If would like to become a Kindred Spirits volunteer, please visit the Kindred Spirits Volunteer Form.

Learn more about Special Needs Programming in and around Westfield. 

On January 30, 2008, members of Westfield's Special Services Dept. made a presentation to the Westfield Special Ed Parents Committee. The presentation was titled, "Everything You Need to Know about the Special Education Process." The presenters covered the basics of the Special Education "system" from the first referral, through the evaluation, and the IEP process. They discussed the Early Intervention Program (EIP), Pre-K referral and eligibility criteria, School age referral process, Evaluation plan meeting, Evaluations and eligibility for classification, Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Annual review, and Reevaluation. Presenters included members of the Child Study teams at the Elementary, Intermediate and High School Level. To see the slides from the meeting, click here.

• SpedTalk_080130_NeedToKnowSlides

On January 18, 2012, Dr. Michael Weissman, Assistant Superintendent of Pupil Personnel Services, Westfield School District, made a presentation to the Westfield PTC - Special Education Committee. The presentation was titled, "The IEP Process & Product: How an IEP Team Writes an IEP". To view Dr. Weissman's slides, click here.

• IEP_Process_g

We are not affiliated with the following pages and are sharing them as a courtesy.

• P.A.C.E. (Parent Advocacy Council in Education) in the Morris School District.
  On its Facebook page, P.A.C.E. lists many activities of other Special Needs groups in Northern New Jersey [click for Facebook page]. 

• JCC Special Needs Support Group, Scotch Plains, NJ [click for details] 

• Union County Parks & Recreation, programs for people with disabilities [click for details] 

• POAC (Autism training, services, outreach, and support. Lots of entertainment & social events.) [click for details] 

• The Arc of Union County (Educational, recreational & support services for intellectual & developmental disabilities) [click for details] 

• Children's Specialized Hospital, Mountainside, NJ [click for details]

• SPAN (Statewide Parent Advocacy Network). Advocates for education, development and health of special needs children. [click for details] 

Westfield Public School Information

• Policy on Harrassment, Intimidation and Bullying:

• Bullying Prevention Web-page:

• Anti-Bullying Coordinator Falynn Balassone:  fbalassone@westfieldnjk12.org

What is Bullying?

• Description of Bullying and its Impact:
  www.olweus.org/public/bullying.page

Tips For Parents from the Olweus Program

Organizations & Programs for the Prevention of Bullying

• Report of the NJ Commission on Bullying in Schools:
  www.njbullying.org/documents/BullyingReportDecember2009-Final.pdf

• NJ Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention:
  www.njbullying.org

• Olweus Bullying Prevention Program:
  www.olweus.org

• "Stop Bullying Now!" Program:
  www.stopbullyingnow.com

• "Bully-Proofing Your School" Program:
  www.schoolengagement.org/index.cfm/Bully Proof Your School

• "Actively Caring for People" Program:
  www.ac4p.org

• "Roots of Empathy" Program:
  www.rootsofempathy.org

• U.S. Govt. Info Clearinghouse:
  www.stopbullying.gov

• Cyberbullying Research Center:
  www.cyberbullying.us

• NJ Gay and Lesbian Students:
  www.gardenstateequality.org

• Children with Disabilities:
  www.pacer.org

• The Bully Project (Film):
  www.thebullyproject.com
  
  

Other Articles of Interest

• "Gov. Christie signs 'Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights'"

• "Anti-bullying program works by strengthening bonds between students"

• "Can Schools Teach Empathy?"

• "Ryan Halligan's Story"

• • Link to Recording
    Passcode is u$6e82@*
    
    https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/AhXZGTh9b2A-5G0VJXiQA01ZMXXCE7YVE7eopg0LMuI3j-oX9RxRkaQfpz5cVNPr.EZgJAbyZowgnZ0p2