Having it All – Link to an Insightful Article About Having a Child with Special Needs

Marie Myung-Ok Lee is a novelist who teaches at Columbia University and writes for Slate, Salon, The New York Times, and The Guardian. Because of her child’s disabilities, the author will never have a tidy, peaceful life. But none of this keeps her from being happy — as long as she asks herself the right questions. Here is her story, which originally appeared in The Atlantic.

Please Link to the Story at YAI: http://www.yai.org/about/sharing-our-stories/what-my-sons-disabilities.html

Message from NYC Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn: New Special Education Services for Students and Families

Dear New Yorker,

We are happy to announce that, at the urging of the NYC Council, the NYC Department of Education’s (DOE) Division of Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners has created additional resources for families with questions about the citywide expansion of the special education reform initiative that will go into effect this coming September of 2012.

Under this initiative, every effort will be made to enroll students with special needs in their zoned community school.

To that end, the following services are being offered to help families get their questions answered in a timely manner.

Beginning August 1, 2012, families who need assistance with their children’s placements or have any questions, can do any of the following:

1. Call a dedicated hotline for special education support at (718) 935-2007;

1. Call 311 and ask for services for parents;

1. Attend family office hours in nine sites across the five boroughs with day, evening, and weekend hours beginning July 31, 2012.  During office hours, a special education specialist will be available to help resolve families’ questions about the special education reform initiative and work to reach solutions to support their child(ren).  The complete schedule of dates, times and locations are attached and also available through the DOE’s family web site at: http://schools.nyc.gov/Academics/SpecialEducation/when-is-the-next/2012parent-information-session.htm.

For more information about these services, please feel free to contact Ms. Mathangi Subramanian in the Council’s Policy Division via e-mail at msubramanian@council.nyc.gov or via phone at 212-788-9194.

We believe that every student deserves a great education and that every family should have the information that they need to make sure that their children are in a positive, supportive, and healthy learning environment.

We hope you will help spread the word about these additional services.

Thank you!

English: This is a headshot photograph taken of New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn by her photographer William Alatriste (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sincerely,

Christine C. Quinn

Speaker

NYC Council

Music & Dance at the Richmondtown Library on August 4, 2012

Come and experience music, rhythm and dance at the Richmondtown Library on Saturday, August 4, 2012 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The Council for the Arts and Humanities on Staten Island, in conjunction with Golden Gate Health Care and the Staten Island Multiple Sclerosis Group, will present an interactive music program featuring traditional Irish music from Linda Hickman and Doug Barr, with a presentation from Whistle OutLoud and sean nos stepdancing from Siobhan Butler. There will also be a program of Afro-Cuban dance and Afro-Puerto Rican rhythms featuring Jose Ocasio and his sister Nydia.

The Patterns of Percussion World Rhythm Band (from Golden Gate Health Care Facility) will perform a percussion piece. Everyone is invited to join master percussionist Jose Ocasio in a group drumming & rhythm session. Please come out to this free event and enjoy an afternoon of interactive musical traditions from different areas around the globe.

The Richmondtown Library is located on 200 Clarke Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10306. T. 718-668-0413

Funding for this program is made possible by a grant from the Christopher Reeves Foundation. Funding for the Golden Gate World Rhythm Band is made possible through Golden Gate Rehabilitation and Health Care.

Richmondtown Library

200 Clarke Avenue (at Amber St.)
Staten Island, NY 10306
(718) 668-0413

Fully accessible to wheelchairs