Special Education Week was held May 12th through May 19th, 2019

“Painting a Brighter Future, One Step at a Time”

Each year during the second week in May, ASAH and the New Jersey School Boards Association jointly celebrate Special Education Week in New Jersey. This year, Special Education Week was May 12-18, 2019, and our theme was “Painting a Brighter Future, One Step at a Time,” celebrating the creativity and teamwork that’s creating such positive outcomes for students with disabilities.

ASAH marked the annual event with a student Art Contest, Poster, Student Scholarships, and the “Innovations in Special Education” Awards ceremony, and celebrated at a luncheon outside of Trenton.

We also worked to support ASAH Member schools as they took part in Special Education Week. ASAH involved our members to highlight the important role of private schools in meeting the needs of students with complex disabilities. Below are some photos of the schools and students  taking part.
 

LEARN ABOUT OUR EVENT, SEE STUDENT ARTWORK AND EVENT PHOTOS
Saint John of God student and staff supporting Special Education Week in NJ

YOU CAN RAISE AWARENESS

  • Buttons: Encourage your staff to wear our “Ask Me About Special Education” buttons during Special Education Week. School leaders should wear these button to public and legislative events throughout the year to identify themselves as special education leaders with ASAH.
  • Send a press release about Special Education Week.
  • Send a Letter to the Editor about Special Education Week. CLICK HERE to download a sample letter (MSWord).
  • On Social Media, use the hastags: #ASAHConnections, #connectionsmatter, and #SpecialEducationWeekNJ.

YOU CAN HOST EVENTS

  • Invite public school CST members and local leaders for Coffee/Brunch at your school.
  • Plan and promote an “Open House” event at your school during special education week.
  • Invite lawmakers, local leaders, and community helpers to visit your school during special education.

Whatever you do, be sure to take pictures and video.

YOU CAN BE PART OF OUR “CONNECTIONS PROJECT”

ASAH is inviting schools to do a simple activity to show how students and families are connected to your school, and how private schools mean something important to each stakeholder.

  1. Using 8.5 x 11 NAVY BLUE, LIGHT BLUE, TURQUISE, TEAL and/or WHITE construction paper, create 1” wide links.
  2. Have students, teachers, staff and family members write on the link – something they value about private special education. It can be a word, a drawing or a longer sentiment. Here are some ideas:
    • • I learned how to read at ABC School – A student
    • • Here, they understand my child – A parent
    • • I love teaching because of my students – A teacher
    • Schools may also want to broaden the outreach to invite public school leaders and other community partners to participate.
  3. Once the strips are finished, have students create a paper chain, looping the links together. We suggest that you use staples, rather than tape, as tape will come undone easily.
  4. When the chain is finished, take a picture of your students/staff holding the chain.
  5. Use this image for social media and for press. Post the image to your school’s Facebook page during Special Education Week. Be sure to send ASAH a copy so we can promote your efforts through our own social media and other outlets.
  6. Display the chain in your school through Special Education Week, and at school and local community events throughout the year.

YOU CAN JOIN US ASAH’s STATEHOUSE AWARENESS ACTIVITIES – DATES TBD

During Special Education Week, ASAH will be conducting awareness activities at the State House in Trenton. This is a great way to help Trenton decision-makers better understand special education and the important role of private schools. More information about our State House activities will be available soon.

There are several ways in which your school can be part of this important activity:

  1. Have students make simple gifts for lawmakers and other advocates that we can hand out. Plan to make 20. (Items should NOT be branded with your school). Get these to ASAH before May 1.
  2. Plan to join us at the State House. We welcome school leaders and family members who want to join ASAH leaders during a shift at our statehouse table. When you come, bring your school’s “Connections” chains for display at our event.
  3. We encourage Student Ambassadors to come to Trenton for a tour of the statehouse and to ‘meet and greet visitors.

SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS

  • Post pictures of your students working on the “Connections” link project
  • Post pictures of events and activities hosted by your school.
  • If you have a student who took part in the Student Art Contest, post pictures of the student with his/her art work.