As parents of kids with special
needs kids, both Jennifer O'NeillBrennan (L) and Becky Coles know
that their kids are at risk for being
bullied.
are involved, assigned seats can be
an option. "When other conflict
resolution is unsuccessful, or if the
situation becomes unsafe,
suspension from the bus is also a
possible outcome," says Shornstein.
4. Take a stand
Becky Coles and Jennifer O'NeillBrennan are both parents of special
needs students who founded the
Special Education Parent Teacher
Association (SEPTA). Initially
started as a sub-committee of the
Arlington Central School District
PTA, SEPTA recently organized
under New York State regulations.
According to Coles and O'NeillBrennan, SEPTA fills in the gap in
services, support and information
for families with special needs
children or children who learn
differently. "Special needs students
are at greater risk for being bullied
on the bus because they are
perceived as different," says Cole.
Both Cole and O'Neill-Brennan
stressed that any child perceived as
different is at risk, including LGBT
youth, students with physical
(Continued on Page 26)
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