SPARK to deal with difficulties of transitions

Special Education Parents Accessing Resources and Knowledge (SPARK) will hold its next monthly meeting on Monday, November 14, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Walter R. Sundling Junior High, 1100 N. Smith Street, Palatine. Parents of special education students who are transitioning to junior high in Community Consolidated School District 15, or to Palatine High School or Rolling Meadows High School are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting.

Transitions can be difficult for special needs students and their families, especially when those transitions mean changing to new schools with new special education teams. During this meeting, transition teams from District 15's junior highs and each of the high schools will be available to discuss this experience with parents, answer their questions, and offer advice on how to make these transitions successful and exciting for their children.

SPARK is a committee of the Northwest Suburban Council of PTA/PTSA that serves families of children with special needs in Community Consolidated School District 15. It was formed in response to the growing needs of families whose children learn differently or have special needs. It is comprised of parents who are trying to navigate the special education system who have realized the importance of networking with families of other special needs children and sharing resources related to special education.

SPARK has representatives at each District 15 school, and all parents, educators, and administrators are encouraged to attend its monthly meeting, which feature presentations by special education experts.

For a list of SPARK events scheduled for the 2011-12 school year, visit www.ccsd15.net | For Parents/Students | Parent Resources | SPARK. For more information, e-mail sparkdistrict15@gmail.com, or contact Ani Erickson, SPARK chair, at 847-907-4732 or Jen Kurrie, SPARK co-chair, at 847-963-8087.

-Story Submitted by Community Consolidated School District 15