About the PSNS Group:

A support group for Parents of Special Needs Students (PSNS) was established in the Owen J. Roberts School District in September of 2003.  This PSNS group is organized and run entirely by parents from the OJR community.  The group’s mission statement is to inform and educate as well as provide a supportive atmosphere for parents with special needs students along with providing families with resources and information to help optimize their knowledge in improving the educational success of their child.  This is done in an environment of confidentiality, collaboration, motivation, loyalty and respect.

A parent directory was started to match up families who are experiencing similar situations. The OJR district has approximately 550 identified students with over 15 types of special needs.  These can range from ADD or ADHD and Learning Disabilities to Autism or multiply handicaps.

Autism Support Group:
This group started in 2006 as a result of a need within our District as well from the PSNS group.  Missy, our contact person below, has done a great job of getting this organization off to a great start.  Please contact her for more information or click here to go to this portion of the OJR website to read about their group and their meeting times and dates.  http://www.ojrsd.com/info/studentSrv.aspx?page=2866

Elementary School Division:
As of 2008, we have added an elementary division to our group to meet the needs of our elementary parents.  Our needs have grown within our support group, therefore we have to serve those needs in different ways. 

Where and when do we meet?
The MS and HS group meets once a month in the OJR HS LGI room on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.  The format for the evening is a certain topic followed by a discussion and question/answer time.  There are no meetings held in September, December and June through August.  You can also check the website of OJR, www.ojrsd.com, for an update on the meetings topics and/or guest speakers.  The Elementary Group will be meeting on a monthly basis as well but their meetings will be hosted in the elementary centers.  Email lists are the easiest way for us to notify you of upcoming meetings and information, otherwise, you can check the website for that information.

Resource material available:
There are books and other resource materials available in the High School Library that can be signed out during the meeting or any other time the Library is opened. 

Interested in being on the e-mail list and receiving information on upcoming meetings, seminars or other area support groups??  Just send an e-mail to banks207@aol.com 

Contact persons:
Diane Banks
610-495-5631
banks207@aol.com
or check out www.ojrsd.com for updates

Elementary School Division:
Rita Santangelo 
Lngdnsls@aol.com

Autism Group:
Missy Vallino
610-913-8463
missy@dejazzd.com