Welcome to Reading SEPAC
Welcome to the Reading Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). We are a group of parents who foster a community in Reading for children with an array of special needs and their caregivers, and who help advise the Reading Massachusetts School district on children with disabilities.
Here you will find many resources to help you as a parent or caregiver of a child with special needs, along with details on upcoming social gatherings, informational meetings and more.
Please contact us at SEPACReading@gmail.com if you are interested in joining Reading SEPAC's e-mail list, would like to learn more, or have a question or concern. You can also follow us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SEPAC.Reading/ and instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ReadingSEPAC
Communication Form:
We are always here to hear your thoughts, concerns, accolades, and more. Use this form to let us know what's going on. All comments are confidential and will not be shared.
What's New?
The Right to Read Film Screening and Discussion:
Come join us at the in-person screening of the award winning documentary, The Right to Read, to learn about the impact of literacy programs and their historic and persistent inequities on October 15th at 6pm.
Location: Performing Arts Center at Reading Memorial High School
The screening will be followed by a lively discussion with a panel of experts, moderated by Thomas Wise (Chairperson, Reading School Committee).
This event will be followed up with a presentation in November (by Dr. Sarah Hardy and Renee Limauro from RPS) where we will continue the discussion. This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about reading disabilities, literacy screening in our schools and hear updates on the new literacy program, named ARC Core, that was adopted by the Reading Public Schools in 2022 that is in keeping with the science of reading as discussed in The Right to Read.
Click here to register for The Right to Read Screening.
Sarah Ward: 360 Thinking Model:
Wednesday, Oct 23, 6pm (Virtual)
The 360 Thinking Model: Breakthrough Strategies to Develop Independent to Executive Function Skills
Is your child disorganized and may not have the materials they need or even turn in the homework they have completed?
Is their desk, room or locker a ‘black hole’ for papers and materials?
Do you observe a student who struggles to “stop and read the room” and meet the demands of the situation?
Or do you see students who struggle to initiate complex academic assignments, procrastinate and then run out of time to do their ‘best work’?
Is your child constantly multitasking, so tasks/assignments take twice as long as they should? Are you looking for some solutions to digital distractions?
Do you wish your child had a sense of urgency when it comes to time so that tasks are completed, and routines to get out the door or to the next activity or class happen on time?
Does it seem that they have an inability to breakdown the demands of an assignment and have a sense of how to start?
Do students seem prompt dependent? Are you constantly reminding them of the materials they need and the steps to take?
This presentation will help you to teach your children how to manage their time, space, and materials (and keep their emotions in check). Learn powerful strategies to help children develop independent executive function skills.
Click here to register for Sarah Ward
Creator’s Guild:
Sept-Nov, 1st and 3rd Saturdays, 3-4pm for grades 2-5 (Reading Public Library’s Children’s Program Room)
Come join other kids grades 2-5 for an integrated hour of play. This club was started by a fellow SEPAC elementary student in collaboration with the Reading Public Library as a social get-together to share in the love of legos, paint, and art. A librarian and SEPAC volunteer will help to run the event. Kids have the option to talk about their creations and have them displayed in the library. Legos will remain at the library but any paint or drawing projects are optional for take home.
This drop-in play is a free community event. Please click here for more details on the Fall Session.
Sept 7 (Sat) 3-4pm
Sept 21 (Sat) 3-4pm
Oct 5 (Sat) 3-4pm
Oct 19 (Sat) 3-4pm
Nov 2 (Sat) 3-4pm
Nov 16 (Sat) 3-4pm
Learn More About SEPAC
2024-2025 Calendar
Dates/times/locations subject to change. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow social media for updates.
Lynn Lyons: Tackling the Patterns of Anxiety, Depression and Avoidance - Wednesday, Sept 18, 6pm
Family Leadership Program Open for Applications - Friday, Sept 20 Deadline
Team Chair Meet & Greet - Wednesday, Sept 25, 9am - Location:TBD
SEPAC Booth at the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival - Location: Reading Public Library - Saturday, Sept 28th, 12-3:30pm
SEPAC Fall Foliage Walk - Saturday, Reading Town Forest with the Reading Trails Committee - October 5, 10-12pm (rain date October 26)
SEPAC Movie Night “The Right to Read” - Performing Arts Center at RMHS - Wednesday, October 2, 6pm
Sarah Ward: The 360 Thinking Model - Virtual - October 23, 6pm
SEPAC Business Meeting and Elections - October 30, 6pm
SEPAC Submission for Festival of Trees - December TBD
SEPAC Wachusetts Mountain Meetup - Monday, March 10, 2025 8:30am-3pm