Why is KLSD Special Education Advocacy holding a town hall meeting?

In April 2021 we learned of two abuse situations in the self-contained classrooms via parents in those classrooms –the administration did not provide parents with any information about either instance. Since then, we actively participated in the Board of Education (BOE) meetings in search of answers as to how they happened and what has been done to prevent future abuse. After six months with no answers and without an appropriate public forum to engage in two-way communication, we decided to schedule a town hall meeting to model the open dialogue we have been searching for.

Who can attend The Town Hall Meeting?

This event is free and open to the public. Anybody who is interested in understanding the issues facing our special education department, including the safety of our kids is welcome.

What happens at a town hall meeting?

Our town hall will be an opportunity for members of the community to learn about the various issues in our special education. You will be encouraged to ask questions and engage in an open dialogue with members of our group.

Why is my presence important?

Your presence is important because when you speak up or stand up and show support, you are helping all students. Your involvement also shows the BOE that we are not a minority group disconnected with the majority, as they have claimed. We are a community concerned about the lack of transparency and accountability by the administration.

Do I need to RSVP to participate?

We do ask the participants to RSVP : klsdspecialedadvocacy@gmail.com so we can have an idea of who will attend so that we can best accommodate everybody.

If I cannot attend in person, where can I find the link for the virtual conference?

KLSDSEA will provide the link on our website : www.klsdsea.com and our Facebook group page: KLSD Special Education Advocacy

If a special accommodation is needed, who can I contact?

If a special accommodation is needed, please e-mail us at klsdspecialedadvocacy@gmail.com. We will be happy to provide further assistance.

Do I need to wear a mask?

Among strategies to prevent COVID-19 ,CDC recommends that everybody fully vaccinated or not, wear masks in public indoor settings. Yes, if you plan to attend, please wear your mask.

Will I be able to speak anonymously?

During this event, the audience will have the opportunity to speak and ask questions. If you would like to submit your question to be read anonymously, we would ask for you to write it down and place it in a basket that will be available at the entrance. We cannot guarantee that your question will be read, but we will do our best to address it.

Is there a second date in case of snow?

We will inform you via our website and Facebook page in case we need to reschedule the event due to inclement weather.

How can I show my support in case I cannot attend the meeting?

If you cannot attend in person or via Zoom, please reach out to us via e-mail. We will be happy to speak with you and clarify any questions or concerns.

Can I bring my kids?

Kids are welcome. The church has a space where kids can play, but we will not provide childcare, so please make appropriate arrangements.

Does KLSD support a political party?

KLSD Special Education Advocacy is a nonpartisan group. We have supporters from all political parties that are attending our event and we are united in our goal to make the district a better place for our kids.

Do I need to live in town to participate?

We expect that most attendees will be from the Katonah-Lewisboro School District, but anyone, independent of where you live or which school your kids attend, are more than welcome.

Who are the speakers?

Speakers will include special education attorneys, a psychologist, and local parents sharing their experiences in navigating and learning about the system that is tasked with educating and supporting our kids - we are a community rich with expertise!!

What are the topics for discussion?

- How we got here - intro to KLSD SEA

- Know your rights

- Impact of school discipline on students with IEPs/504s

- Dyslexia

- From the perspective of an autistic student (now an adult and an attorney)

- Intersectionality of race and special education

- Psychology of trauma

- Current legislative issues

RSVP: klsdspecialedadvocacy@gmail.com