KEN-TON SCHOOLS
Special-ed resource fair set Saturday
A group that hangs its hat in the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District is inviting families of special-education students throughout the region to a resource fair this weekend.
The second annual Northtowns Family Agency Fair is scheduled for 10 a. m. to 3 p. m. Saturday in Kenmore Middle School, 155 Delaware Ave., Kenmore.
“We realized the need was there for all of Western New York. Why not open it up?” said Aimee Levesque, president of the Ken- Ton Special Education Parent- Teacher-Student Association, the fair’s host.
The number of school-age students with disabilities living in the Ken-Ton district stands at 1,677. Elsewhere in Erie and Niagara counties, the combined number was 25,714 as of Dec. 1, 2006, the most recent data available from the state Education Department.
“If we can help one family, we’ve done exactly what we want to do,” Levesque said.
A $1,000 grant awarded by the National Parent-Teacher Association to the nonprofit local association will help defray the event’s expenses. The Ken-Ton group was among 22 grant recipients nationwide selected from more than 475 applicants, according to Levesque.
At least 90 agencies and service providers have registered to attend the fair, Levesque said. They include service coordinators, physical and occupational therapists, tutoring facilities and special-education attorneys.
“It’s a massive group,” Levesque said.
Parents may opt to attend workshops on issues that include transition to adulthood and service coordination; schedules will be available upon arrival. And children are welcome, as well.
The animated comedy “Kung Fu Panda” will be shown continuously throughout the fair, and there also will be games and face painting.
“If the parents want to quietly walk around, the kids will be safe,” Levesque said. “It’s absolutely family- friendly.”
