B-BP Parents Band Together to Form District SEPTA

A local resident spearheaded a campaign to bring a Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) back to the district and recruited approximately 50 like-minded parents to attend an organizational meeting that created a charter for SEPTA in Bayport-Blue Point School District on Monday.

There are numerous SEPTAs in districts throughout New York State, but the one in Bayport-Blue Point fell apart many years ago, according to Dawn Banks, who took action when she saw a need for a B-BP SEPTA.

Suffolk Region PTA representative Joan Wabnik ran the meeting. She emphasized that local parents seemed very responsive to the creation of the B-BP SEPTA.

“Not only is there a need, but there is a want for SEPTA in the district," Wabnik said.

Banks' experience, and that of others in the district, supports Wabnik's statement. Banks' daughter Elizabeth was diagnosed with leukemia in the sixth grade, and though she is now a cancer survivor (the high school graduate is taking college courses at Suffolk Community College) the transition back to school was very difficult when Elizabeth was recovering. If the district had SEPTA it would've made thing easier, Banks said.

“There needs be a better way, a support system in place for parents to reach out with questions and concerns," she said. "Parents, teachers and administrators need to work together to create an environment that inspires all children to work towards their potential. Not just for the exceptional children, but for all children.  Many fall under the radar unnoticed.”

Although the name includes special education, SEPTA is open to any child, from Kindergarten to high school seniors; they could be special education students, gifted and talented, or have medical issues or allergies.

District parent Kim Bott, who has a son with special needs, is happy the district has revived the SEPTA.

“I am concerned with his education and his future. I definitely want to support SEPTA and I want to get involved," she said.

With everyone in attendance voting to create SEPTA, nominations were taken to set up committees for the creation of by-laws and to select officers.

Banks hopes that once SEPTA is in place it will advocate for the special kids with workshops, as well as presentations and programs that are geared toward these children and the issues they are dealing with.

The next meeting of SEPTA will be on April 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sylvan Avenue Cafeteria. At this meeting officers will be elected and they will approve the by-laws. For more infomation about Bayport-Blue Point SEPTA.

Check out their Facebook page.

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With a PTA for every school in the Bayport-Blue Point School District, it can be tough to keep track of all the events. Here is what is planned for the upcoming week.

• April 1 - Comedy Cabaret Family Fun Night Under the Stars at 7 p.m.

A new and exciting Family Fun Night sponsored by Blue Point PTA.  This event includes a performance of "Fairy Tale Follies!"  Tickets are now on sale for $10 a family and includes a Blue Point Elementary School sports blanket.  There are also other raffle prizes and lots of laughter and fun.  Contact Meredith Lessing for tickets and more information at meredithlessing@aol.com

• Sylvan Avenue Fifth Grade Spaghetti Dinner - April 29

Reminder for Sylvan Class Moms that all raffle baskets are due on April 1 for this event. Also the Fifth Grade Committee is looking for a DJ for the Spaghetti Dinner. Please contact Kim Neumeyer kimneu@optonline.net or Megan Alicea shamrok74@aol.com if you know of anyone interested.

• April 5 - Board of Education Meeting, 8 p.m. at High School Cafeteria

The PTA Council and Board of Education will be presenting 8 students with certificates of appreciation entering and advancing with projects in art, literature and music in the PTA Reflection program.

• April 5 - It's the district BOE's Final Budget Meeting, 8 p.m. in the High School Cafeteria

• April 7 & April 8 - Sylvan Avenue PTA Book Fair

• April 8 - Blue Point Idol, 7 p.m.

The Blue Point PTA holds this annual event that will showcase the talent of Blue Point students.