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Register Now for Free May 1 & 2 Conference! Learn Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in School!

Are you a parent dedicated to helping your child succeed in school? Do you want to learn more ways to support your child’s education? Come to "Welcoming, Honoring, and Connecting," a free event for Minnesota parents of children with and without disabilities. Sponsored by the Minnesota Parent Center, a PACER project, this event includes a May 1 dinner at the Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington and an all-day conference May 2 where parents can learn new ways to support their children's education. Both days include an exciting speaker, and the conference features helpful, inspiring workshops. Come to one or both events! Advance registration is required. Stipends are available for child care and travel, if requested. Minnesota Parent Center is Minnesota's Parental Information and Resource Center (MN PIRC), a federally funded project that works statewide to build effective parental involvement, especially in Title I schools.

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PACER’s Benefit is Almost Here! Buy Tickets Now!

The legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire will take the stage at PACER Center’s 26th annual Benefit on April 26. Winner of eight Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, and a well-earned place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this popular group will wow the crowd. Plus, this year’s Live Auction features an amazing array of vehicles, travel, art, and so much more. See all the incredible items online and order your tickets now!

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EX.I.T.E. Camp Application Deadline is May 1

Middle-school girls with disabilities have until May 1 to submit their applications for the free EX.I.T.E. (EXploring Interests in Technology and Engineering) Camp, a unique opportunity to discover their talents in science, technology, engineering, and math. (See photos of last year’s camp at www.pacer.org/stc/exite/campphotogallery.asp.) For more information or to request an application, contact Meghan Kunz at 952-838-9000.

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PACER Project Focuses on Special Education Advisory Councils (SEACs)

PACER’s statewide project to increase the effectiveness of local SEACs features a helpful Web site, informative handouts, and success stories of SEACs around the state. For example, parent representatives from the Lakeville SEAC have a display table at an annual community fair with information about the SEAC as well as disability-related resource materials. The ISD 196 SEAC has created a listserv to send information on SEAC meetings, training opportunities, and more to parents of special education students. PACER’s project is funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education.

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Join IBM's World Community Grid

The World Community Grid is an IBM effort to link computers worldwide and put idle computer time to use in aiding projects that benefit humanity. The grid is built upon an IBM infrastructure and includes IBM support. To become part of the grid, members install a small, free software program on their computers. When their computers are on but not being used, the program connects to the World Community Grid’s server, performs computations, and sends the results back to the server. Members’ donated resources help increase the pace of research. Visit www.worldcommunitygrid.org, click “find a team,” and select “PACER Center.” Join the team! It’s safe and easy.

"Music Within" DVD Is Now Available

"Music Within," an award-winning MGM film about Richard Pimentel, one of the primary activists behind the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has been released on DVD and is available online and in stores, including Best Buy. "Music Within" was directed and produced by Steven Sawalich, who has ties to the Twin Cities. It stars Ron Livingston and Michael Sheen. The film is described as humorous, poignant, and attitude-changing.

The Play’s the Thing

“Autistic License” is a play that explores the experience of raising a child with autism. “I really think of this piece as a love story between a husband and wife, between a mother and a son, and between a father and a son,” says former PACER staff member and Minnesota playwright Stacey Dinner-Levin. The play runs at various locations during April, which is Autism Awareness Month. Tickets range from free to $20, depending on venue. For information and tickets, call 612-339-4944 or visit www.illusiontheater.org.

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Karen Gaffney to Speak May 14

"Imagine the Possibilities: Navigating Life's Currents and the English Channel" is a talk by Karen Gaffney, an inspirational young woman who has overcome limitations to achieve incredible goals. Although born with Down syndrome, she has swum the English Channel, graduated from Portland Community College with honors, and started her own foundation. This free presentation is sponsored by Opportunity Partners and cosponsored by PACER Center. It is Wednesday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m. at Oak Grove Middle School, 1300 W. 106th St., Bloomington. Reservations preferred. Contact Jill Audette at 952-930-4298.

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