Join our mailing list by emailing: SEPACREADING@GMAIL.COM
Follow our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/SEPAC.Reading
Contact the 2020/2021 SEPAC Boards Members:
Amy Stewart: AmyS.SEPAC@gmail.com
Laura Noonan: LNoonan.SEPAC@gmail.com
Alyssa Scaparotti: Alyssa.SEPAC@gmail.com
2021/2022 Meeting Schedule
The Reading SEPAC typically meets the second Tuesday of the month. It is anticipated that the SEPAC will follow this custom during the 2021/2022 school year. Accordingly, the meeting dates for the 2021/2022 school year are as follows:
Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at 7 PM, in the RMHS Library & Media Center.
Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at 7 PM, in the RMHS Library & Media Center.
Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at 7PM. General meeting. Basic Rights Workshop. VIRTUAL PRESENTATION/WORKSHOP. Participants must pre-register for this workshop via this link: https://fcsn-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vd-6hpz0oEtLMSB6hVXogAgLdlnrIdWaD
Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at 7 PM, in the RMHS Library & Media Center.
Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at 7 PM, in the RMHS Library & Media Center.
Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at 7 PM, in the RMHS Library & Media Center.
Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 7 PM, in the RMHS Library & Media Center.
Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at 7 PM, in the RMHS Library & Media Center.
Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 7 PM, in the RMHS Library & Media Center.
Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 7 PM, in the RMHS Library & Media Center.
Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 7 PM, in the RMHS Library & Media Center.
2021/2022 Elections
New candidates for board membership welcome and encouraged! Per the Reading SEPAC bylaws, elections are on October 12, 2021. Typically the elections are not competitive, so if you volunteer to be nominated, you'll likely will be on the board. Need more information to decide whether to join the board? Then check out the below resources about serving on the SEPAC!
- Reading SEPAC Bylaws (2016)
- MassPAC/FCSN Slideshow on "The Role of the SEPAC" (Presentation from January 14, 2020 SEPAC meeting)
- Advocacy in Action: A Guide to Local Special Education Parent Advisory Councils (2019)
- DESE Guidance for Special Education Parent Advisory Councils (March 2010)
- FCSN recommended Serving On Groups Guide
- MA Open Meeting Law Guide
- Roberts Rules Cheat Sheet
Links for information from 2020-2021 Meetings:
Links for information from 2019-2020 Meetings:
- May 28, 2020 RCTV Facebook Video of SEPAC Board Member Maria Morgan presenting the SEPAC End of School Year Report to the School Committee (39 minute mark to 1:15 hour/minute mark in video).
- Schedule of Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) Basic Rights Workshops for those who missed ours on February 11th or would like to see other FCSN workshop offerings
- Focus Monitoring) Parent Orientation (Presentation from December 10th SEPAC meeting)
The mission of the Reading Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is to work for the understanding of, respect for, and support of, all children with special needs in the community. To that end, they will work to:
*Promote a network of parents of children with special needs, and provide a forum to share information
*Advise the Director of Student Services, School Committee, and
Superintendent on special education programs and policies, and parent and teacher training needs
*Promote communication and sharing of information between SEPAC members, local, state and national organizations, councils and groups, as well as within the community to encourage understanding, acceptance and inclusion of students with special needs
*Provide informational workshops to parents, educators, students and professionals
• FEDERATION FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
• FEDERATION FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CALL CENTER
• ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER ASSOCIATION
• NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY
• ADULT AUTISM PARENT HANDBOOK
• GENETICS EDUCATION MATERIAL FOR SCHOOL SUCCESS
• INTERNATIONAL DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION
• DECODING DYSLEXIA MASSACHUSETTS
• PARENTING CHILDREN WITH ADHD
• AMERICAN SPEECH & LANGUAGE HEARING ASSOCIATION
• SCOUT INFORMATION CLEARING HOUSE ON BLINDNESS & VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
• NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR MENTAL ILLNESS
• NATIONAL CENTER FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES
• COUNCIL OF PARENTS ADVOCACY AND ATTORNEY
• NEVER GIVE UP
• DYSLEXIA KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
• PROCESS FOR CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY
Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
Comprehensive guidance from the Office for Civil Rights. There is a lot of information but well worth reading for clarification on federal law.
Disability Discrimination Policy Guidance from the Office for Civil Rights
Scroll through the documents to find OCR's guidance on a variety of situations (e.g. ADHD, diabetes, prevention of racial discrimination, etc.)
Information from Understood.org
Below are recommendations from other parents and google.
The district and/or SEPAC is not responsible for any information gathered from these listed professionals. Use at your own risk.
THIS PAGE IS A WORK IN PROGRESS: PLEASE EMAIL US YOUR SUGGESTIONS
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS
DEVELOPMENTAL PEDIATRICIANS
SPEECH
CHILD PSYCHOLOGISTS
ABA THERAPY
ADVOCATES
THERAPISTS (List from Children's Hospital)
CENTERS
CAMPS
TUTORS
Did you know if your child has a disability, they qualify for MassHealth?
Find accommodations and help at https://www.understood.org/
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership
NEED HELP? LOOK HERE
https://mabhaccess.com/CBHI.aspx