By Jennifer Marino
About that time, special education students were returning to their home schools thanks to the Public Law 94-142 adopted in 1975. The law ensured that all students had a right to free public education and that local districts had to meet specific student's needs. Before that most special education students were in BOCES programs.
The note, sent in 1978, was from Chris Mucciolli and the only parent that responded was Peg McGreevey-Stefano. "Peggy was my soulmate," said Mucciolli. Both women have sons who went through the special education programs in Rockville Centre and who now lead happy and productive lives. Together they started Rockville Centre's SEPTA, one of the first in New York state. Their accomplishment was honored at a 25th anniversary celebration on May 8.
It was a hard road to their happy ending. McGreevey-Stefano remembers her son, Terence, coming home with a blank report card because his teachers didn't really know what to do with him. By high school, he was the first student to take the history regents by dictating his answers. He got an 85.
With the help of then director of special education and current superintendent, Dr. William Johnson, the two co-founders of SEPTA helped shape Rockville Centre special education. "It's a partnership that grew out love," said Johnson, crediting the leadership of the parents with bringing about many of the positive changes.
Current and former members of SEPTA, including past president and retired Board of Education trustee, Keith Gaskell, said they moved to Rockville Centre because of its special education programs. "I don't know if I would have been as lucky in another community," said Christine Altube, who was awarded the PTA lifetime membership award at the anniversary celebration.
Also given the PTA lifetime membership award was former student Derek Varsalona. He has been raising money by swimming "Miles for SEPTA" for several years and always comes up with ideas for the group. Outgoing co-president Suzanne Valls also handed out the Distinguished Service Award to Gaskell. "They're role models for us all," she said.
Filling Valls's shoes next year will be Jennifer O'Brien, who thanked Valls for getting her involved in SEPTA and making her feel comfortable. "She's a godsend," said O'Brien.
Co-founders Mucciolli and McGreevey-Stefano thanked all the teachers present for helping their children on the path of their education. Mucciolli noted that SEPTA is a "real PTA," a true "collaboration between parents and teachers."
"I think we are better people for our children," she said.
