Arlington Special Education PTA or "SEPTA"
With the help of the CCPTA, Virginia has formed its first Special Education PTA or "SEPTA" right here in Arlington.
The planning meeting for the Arlington SEPTA (to be organized under the wider umbrella of the Arlington County Council of PTAs) was held on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010, at 6:30-8:30pm, at the Arlington Parent Resource Center, 2801 Clarendon Blvd, Room 312, Arlington, VA 22201 Theresa Waddell has provided some helpful FAQs about the SEPTA:
- Q:What's the difference between a SEPTA and a regular PTA?
- A: In many ways, SEPTAs are just like any other PTA. Every SEPTA has bylaws and a board of directors, including a President, Secretary and Treasurer. Like all PTAs, SEPTAs report their membership to Virginia PTA and submit the same dues. And like all PTAs everywhere, SEPTAs exist to improve the welfare of children.
In other ways, SEPTAs are unique. SEPTAs are community-wide organizations. They aren't associated with a single school, like the vast majority of PTAs. And unlike most PTAs, SEPTAs focus primarily on special education issues and advocacy for children with disabilities.
- Q:Why should there be a PTA for parents of children with special needs? A: Because parents of children with special needs have special needs themselves. They need to learn how to work with the special education teachers and other specialists who educate their children. They need to understand the system of special education and their rights under the law. And they need to connect with and support other parents in the same position. SEPTAs help meet these needs by bringing together people who have an interest in special education and providing a forum for them to share their experiences.
- QQ: If I belong to a SEPTA do I need to become a member of the PTA in my child's school? A: Yes. SEPTA members should also participate in their school PTA. School-based PTAs provide parent involvement opportunities that SEPTAs cannot.
For additional information on the SEPTA, please contact Theresa Waddell at
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(703) 801-7594 mobile. |
Welcome to the Arlington County Council of PTAs (CCPTA). The CCPTA comprises local PTA units from 22 elementary schools, 5 middle schools and 3 high schools located in Arlington County. Organized under the authority of the Virginia PTA, our mission is to promote the goals of PTA - supporting and speaking on behalf of children in our schools, helping parents to be effective guardians and role models for their children, and encouraging greater parental involvement at the school level.