Issue link: http://hvparent.uberflip.com/i/386368
16 Hudson Valley Parent ■ October 2014 formation, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/MarlboroSepta. I'd like to start my own SEPTA. Now what? Contact your district's PTA. Talk to the PTA board about possibly starting a SEPTA. Not sure how? Contact oth- ers who have started SEPTAs. They've been there, done that and can answer many of your questions. If starting a SEPTA chapter is just not possible, go to another district's SEPTA meetings. This can be a great way to gain information, connect with other parents going through similar situations and attend work- shops on various topics that pertain to you and your family. Talk to your child's teachers and service provid- ers. They are a wealth of informa- tion and may be able to lead you to other groups in your area. Negotiating special education ser- vices, laws and parental rights can be daunting and overwhelming. Spe- cial Education PTAs can be critical for families who have a child with a disability or other learning needs. They offer resources, trainings and much needed support. Kelly Auriemmo is a mom, blog- ger, and special education teacher who lives in Poughkeepsie. LOCAL SEPTA (Continued from Page 15) David Goodwin visits Rockefeller Center with his son. "Our SEPTA has helped me be a better advocate for my child," Goodwin says. 9LJVUULJ[^P[O@V\Y 1L^PZO/LYP[HNL >LVMMLYMHTPSPLZHJVTT\UP[`IHZLK PU[OLTLHUPUNHUK]HS\LZVM1\KHPZT Family Shabbat ͻReligious School ͻBar and Bat Mitzvah [IQUL^I\YNOVYN ͻ9HIIP-YLLKTHUL_[ 0U[LYMHP[OMHTPSPLZHS^H`Z^LSJVTL ;LTWSL )L[O 1HJVI Don't Miss this One Time Event! 36 colleges con- vene in Hyde Park at the Mill Street Loft Portfolio Day to meet local high school and college students interested in pursuing a career in the arts. "For several years, we would take students down to New York City for another Portfolio Day event," says Todd Poteet, director of the Art In- stitute at Mill Street Loft. "Between the train rides and waiting in line, we'd be gone an entire day and would only see two… maybe three colleges, however, at our event students can easily see 6-10 schools in only 4 hours." Mill Street Loft began hosting Portfolio Day 13 years ago as a way for artistic high school and college students in the Hudson Valley to explore art programs from all over the nation without ever leaving the Valley. What's in it for me? At Portfolio Day, students have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with college representatives and present their works for professional critiques. Students are encouraged to ask questions and collect materials. Three big benefi ts of attending are discovering new art pro- grams, learning about scholarship oppor- tunities, and getting real-time feedback on their portfolios. What should I bring? Aspiring artists should bring fi ve to 15 works of art to the event. The event is not limited to one type of medium; so if you're a sculptor, bring your sculptures… same goes for painters, photographers, digital art- ists, and the likes. Only have a sketch book… no worries! "A sketch book is the window to your artistic soul," says Todd. "The college representatives will defi nitely be able to see how you think, work, and produce art." Who will be there? Mill Street Loft's Portfolio Day has been a hit with students and colleges alike since its inaugural year. 36 differ- ent colleges will be on hand. From the nation's top universities to small fi ne arts colleges, MSL's Portfolio Day has it all. Schools such as Pratt Institute, Alfred University, Delaware College of Art & Design, and Parsons School of Design will be in attendance. Mill Street Loft Portfolio Day Friday, November 7 * 4-8pm Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library & Home * Hyde Park. Call 845-471-7477 or visit millstreetloft.org Todd Poteet of Mill Street Loft explains the intricacies of one-point persepective to a young artist.