Warm thanks to the Cotting PTO and Staff Appreciation crew Kate Goldlust and Rebecca Stevenson, who lifted our spirits with a Grab & Go Breakfast Café on Thursday morning. The sweet and savory delights, along with plenty of hot coffee, juice and care, provided needed energy and sparked gratitude from all.
Thank you!
End-of-Year Tee Shirts & Sweatshirts Now on Sale!
Our 2022-2023 end-of-year tee shirt & sweatshirt are now on sale! The tee shirts are available in several colors, fits and sizes (including youth) and feature the names of all students enrolled during the 2022-2023 school year on the back.
The PTO Cornhole Tournament Has Been Postponed to October 14
Save the Date! The Cornhole Tournament, the PTO’s inaugural “parents only” social event, has been postponed to October 14, 2023. If you already bought tickets for the June 11 event, the PTO will contact you so you can either get a refund or transfer your tickets to the October 14 event.
Do you have experience building simple websites? The Cotting PTO needs you!
We are looking for a volunteer from the Cotting community to help us build our website. We need someone with tech expertise who can dedicate a few hours to help us out. This is a one-time, stand-alone volunteer opportunity!
Please Contact the FY’24 Conference Committee in Support of Approved Special Education Schools!
The Fiscal Year 2024 Conference Committee conferees have been appointed. The House conferees are House Ways and Means Chair Representative Aaron Michlewitz, HWM Vice-Chair Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante and HWM Ranking Republican Representative Todd Smola. The Senate Conferees are Senate Ways and Means Chair Senator Michael Rodrigues, SWM Vice-Chair Senator Cynthia Friedman and SWM Ranking Republican Senator Patrick O’Connor. These legislators will meet over the coming weeks to negotiate the differences between the Final House and Final Senate Budgets.
We are asking you to please contact your legislators and request that they reach out to the Conference Committee members in support of Outside Section 34A of the House Final Budget, which would require the Operational Services Division to issue out-of-state purchaser rate letters upon request of a C766 approved school.
The FY24 Budget Is In Conference Committee – Make Your Voices Heard for The Arc’s Priorities Today
We are at the final stage of the FY24 State Budget negotiations with the legislature. The Arc is grateful for Governor Healey’s House 1 Budget, as well as the House’s and Senate’s final budgets.
However, we must ensure that those who do not have access to supports through day programs are not left behind again, due to the workforce shortage and the effects of the pandemic.
We ask that you join us in this final, important step of budget advocacy, by taking action with your State Representative and Senator. We need their strong support for the following budget additions. These additions are a direct result of our collective advocacy and the leadership of our amendment sponsors.
Please request that your legislators prioritize and support:
Addressing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities not receiving services through day programs, to include an additional $3 million in this line item, 5920-2025 DDS Employment and Day.
Language to support and allow flexibility for those unserved or underserved by allowing transferability between lines (e.g., move money from day to family support if needed).
Higher appropriations in Autism Waiver Children ($3 million) and the DESE-DDS program ($1.5 million).
Operation House Call, bill language and earmark appropriation ($150K) (training program for medical and nursing students across the state). OHC’s health equity work needs your continued advocacy to address health disparities, access to care and to avoid traumatic experiences in health care settings.
Please take action and, after doing so, share this alert with your networks!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Maura Sullivan at sullivan@arcmass.org.
Boundary & Consent Training: Woburn
Woburn, MA, June 13, 2023 with Bridging Independent Living Together. Open to all. This course is ideal for teens and adults who need more information regarding boundaries, respecting others’ boundaries and consent.
Taught by Christina Gravina, BCBA, an experienced sexuality trainer
The main objective of the course is to have individuals come away with more understanding of their own boundaries, how to respect others’ boundaries, what consent is and how to handle situations where others are not respecting their boundaries. Participants will learn through discussion, videos and role playing, with visual aids to assist.
This is part 1 of the Bridging Independent Living Together sexuality training series and can be combined with part 2 or taken alone.
Parents are welcome to sit in for the class if they would like to also hear how the materials are presented. Or, drop off and pick up/come with a 1:1.
In-Person Event on Thursday, June 15, 2023, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
For families that require training surrounding physical procedures to keep yourself and your individual safe, we will meet in person to review the remainder of the course and complete module 3 .
This course is ideal for families or caregivers of the individuals we currently serve. All participants will be required to fill out training agreements prior to the course electronically, need access to a computer with a webcam for the course and be able to participate throughout the course.
Cost: $150 for modules 1 & 2, $175 for modules 1,2,& 3
Artesani Park/Herter Park, Brighton, MA, June 10, 2023, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. With the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Universal Access Program. Free and open to the public.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Universal Access Program provides outdoor recreation in Massachusetts State Parks for all abilities.
Join DCR’s Universal Access Program and many other regional adaptive recreation organizations that offer hiking, cycling, power soccer, sport kite decorating and other accessible activities.
Enjoy scenic views of the Charles River and social connections while signing up for disability-friendly adaptive summer programs like sailing, kayaking, canoeing, cycling, hiking and more.
Do you know someone who would like to learn more about Cotting School? Please share the information at the links below with someone you know. Cotting School parents are our best ambassadors, and our team is available to connect with families that would like to learn more!
