Rio Rancho Public Schools
Rio Rancho Public Schools

500 Laser Rd. Rio Rancho, NM 87124
505-896-0667 (phone)
505-896-0662 (fax)
District Office Hours: Mon-Thur 8-5pm, Fri 8-4pm

Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)

Who We Are:
The Rio Rancho SEPAC is made up of parents of children with special needs and interested community members. Teachers and administrators often attend meetings as well, and our meetings are open to everyone. Parents of children with special needs face many challenges. Foremost is a search for effective programs and services to offer all children the opportunity to be successful learners among their peers. As part of this goal, we support and advocate for inclusion of special needs students in the classroom.

2009-2010 Meeting Schedule
All meetings are at 4:30–6:30 pm, location is listed below. Snacks and Child Care are provided. Please call Lynda at 896-0667 x229 prior to meeting, if Child Care is needed.

SEPAC News:

Important Documents:

IDEA 2004, the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, became effective July 1, 2005.

Special Education Sites...

ESY (Extended School Year) Technical Assistance Manual - Provides forms and information on Eligibility Criteria for ESY.

  • Thursday, September 17, 2009
    - Location: Eagle Ridge Middle School at 4:30 – 6:30 pm.
    - TOPICS: Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Training
  • Wednesday, November 18, 2009
    - Location: Lincoln Middle School at 4:30 – 6:30 pm.
    - TOPICS: To Be Determined.
  • Wednesday, February 10, 2010
    - Location: Mountain View Middle School at 4:30 – 6:30 pm.
    - TOPICS: To Be Determined.
  • Thursday, April 8, 2010
    - Location: Rio Rancho Middle School at 4:30 – 6:30 pm.
    - TOPICS: IDEA Budget (Parent Input)

 


Links to Special Education Laws & Regulations
  • Center for Development and Disability new
    The following values direct the work of the CDD and its programs:
    • Cultural and linguistic diversity
    • Inclusion and accessibility for all individuals
    • Partnerships and collaboration that encourage capacity building within communities
    • Innovative, interdisciplinary & research-based practice
  • NM State Special Education Rules
    New temporary state rules go into effect as of September 15, 2005 (6.31.2 NMAC). These rules address disciplinary issues for students with disabilities, and help schools know whether to follow existing rules or the IDEA 2004 when there are differences.
  • Federal Special Education Regulations
    (PDF Reader Required)
    34 CFR Parts 300, 301, and 304 Assistance to States for the Education of Children With Disabilities; Preschool Grants for Children With Disabilities; and Service Obligations Under Special Education—Personnel Development To Improve Services and Results for Children With Disabilities; Proposed Rule
  • Amazingly Useful Links:
    PED – New Mexico Public Education Department (PED): Official web site of the New Mexico Public Education Department
    PED Special Education Bureau - Special Education section of the PED web site
    ASHA - American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
    AOTA - American Occupational Therapy Association
    APTA - American Physical Therapy Association
Mission:
The mission of the Rio Rancho Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is to facilitate understanding, respect, and appropriate education for all children, while supporting families and educators who are also striving for this goal.

We hope to achieve this mission by:
  • Providing a network of support for parents; including access to relevant information, training and emotional support.
  • Encouraging open communication, understanding and mutual respect among all students, parents, the community at large and district educators.

Contact Information:
Jerry Reeder, Executive Director of Special Services
Email: jreeder@rrps.net
Phone: 896-0667 X141

Theresa Griffin-Golden,
Director of Secondary Special Education
Email: tgolden@rrps.net
Phone: 896-0667 X229

BJ Hartford,
Director of Elementary Special Education
Email: bhartford@rrps.net
Phone: 896-0667 x114

Victoria Tafoya,
Director of Federal Bilingual/Native American Programs
Email: vtafoya@rrps.net
Phone: 896-0667 X171

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