• Past Meetings and Events 2013-14

    Transitions to Elementary, Middle and High School
    Thursday, May 1, 2014, 7:15-9 p.m. in the NMPR at Fox Meadow School
    A discussion with a panel of psychologists and special education teachers. Video on demand

    Music Therapy
    Wednesday, April 23, 2014, 10-11:30 a.m. in the Scott Auditorium at the Scarsdale Public Library
    David Lewitt discussed music education and therapy, percussion and brought some African djembe drums to demonstrate.

    Adults with Disabilities at SustainAbility Farms
    Thursday, March 13, 2014, 7:15-9 p.m. in the NMPR at Fox Meadow School
    Speaker Wendy Kaplan
    The SustainAbility Farm Project at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay on Long Island has been teaching people with autism and other developmental disabilities how to farm for the past three summers. On the way, they have reached out to the community by selling their produce through their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) subscription plan and formed an integrated extended family of farmers, indirect and direct support staff, and happily fed customers. They are now about to embark on the next phase of their project of offering a residential option in Dutchess County to people with and without developmental disabilities who come together around a shared interest in farming and farm related business. In doing so, they hope to create a new model for shared living for adults with disability who choose a self-determined lifestyle. Video on demand.

    Movie in the Library at the Middle School
    Monday, February 25, 2014, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Intended viewing of "Autism - The Musical" (2007, 93 mins) instead became a discussion with Andrea Tripodi and Elliot Cohen, Scarsdale Middle School psychologists, who were there to introduce the movie.

    Movie in the Library at the Middle School
    Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 9:15 - 11:30 a.m.
    "It's So Much Work to Be Your Friend: Helping the Child with Learning Disabilities Find Social Success" by Rick Lavoie. This movie draws on three decades of experience in residential schools to provide powerful strategies for teaching friendship skills in the classroom, the home and the community. This film explores the causes and consequences of social incompetence and provides advice on how to help children work through daily social struggles and go from being picked on and isolated to becoming accepted and involved. The presentation was followed by a discussion led by Andrea Tripodi and Elliot Cohen, Scarsdale Middle School psychologists.

    Roundtable Discussion re Status of Scarsdale's Search for New Director of Special Education
    Monday, October 28, 2013, 7:15-9 p.m. in the NMPR at Fox Meadow School
    The Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Administrative Services and the Interim Director of Special Education were all present and answered questions and received the community's opinions. The results of the CHILD questionnaire seeking the desirable attributes for the new Director of Special Education were presented.

    Welcome Back Meet and Greet
    Wednesday, September 11, 2013, 9 - 10 a.m. in the Jaffin conference room at the Scarsdale Library and Monday, 16th September, 7:30-9 p.m. in the New Multi-Purpose Room at Fox Meadow School
    Welcome to new parents and welcome back to returning parents. The meetings presented an overview of Scarsdale C.H.I.L.D. for parents first reaching out to us and listed specific agenda items for the current academic year. New attendees had the opportunity to introduce themselves. The second meeting also had a discussion about the three vacant positions in the Department of Special Education, the search for a new Director and the concerns of CHILD members.