Since its inception on Aug. 15, the district’s new Special Education Parent Teacher Student Association (SEPTSA) has hit the ground running to help support the unique needs of students with disabilities in Goshen.
The SEPTSA chapter is designed to be a place where parents/guardians, teachers, students and administration come together for support – and the organization addresses adjustments and growth that are ever-changing to meet the diverse needs of the community. To achieve its goals, SEPTSA meets for monthly parent-to-parent support groups as well as parent- and student-centered educational workshops.
Chapter President and therapist Sarah White is herself a parent of a student with special needs. White’s idea to create a Goshen chapter came from seeking connection with other families who feel overwhelmed and in need of support as well – both in navigating the school landscape and in educating themselves on ways to best support their children.
“I put it out on Facebook and there was an incredible response from parents who were feeling similarly,” she said.
White said one of the missions of SEPTSA is to provide alternative environments and services for students with sensory needs, so more of the district’s youth can participate in large events that might otherwise be stressful or difficult to manage emotionally.
“For many students, loud music, flashing lights and things like that can be overwhelming, and that input really has a negative effect on them,” SEPTSA Secretary Samantha Michaelson said. “Many of these children with sensory needs tend to act out because it’s over-stimulating for them and it can create a crisis.”
In its first effort to complement district events, SEPTSA hosted a “calm room” at the Goshen High School Homecoming Dance.
“Sometimes all they need is a simple place to escape where they can calm down, gain their composure again, and come back to a state where they feel more at ease,” she said. “Then they can go back and participate fully in events.”
The calm room consisted of a space with string lights, bean bag chairs, mandala coloring books and colored pencils, and yoga props.
Plus, it’s a space for all students, not just students with special needs.
“We know that it provided a haven for many,” said Melissa Gilbert, homecoming chair for the Class of 2024 All Night Party Committee. “We had one in particular that we encouraged to go in as they appeared to be having a difficult time. After about 20 minutes they returned to the dance cheerful and ready to re-engage in the fun.
“You could see the effect the room had on them,” she said.
SEPTSA is recruiting parent/guardian, faculty, staff, administrator, and student members to help plan and implement complementary activities for school events, and work toward furthering their goals to help students with special needs and their families. Six members are part of the leadership team behind the new SEPTSA chapter, and after the organization’s meet and greet on Sept. 26, the member count is up to almost 80.
For more information on joining, please type “SEPTSA” into the search bar on the district website, www.gcsny.org, or reach out via email to septsa@gcsny.org or gcsdseptsa@gmail.com.