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.

Learn More About SEPAC

Student Services and Team Chairs Welcome
What's New?
Click here for the SEPACs-giving schedule and zoom links (also copied below).
SEPACsgiving will be an opportunity for general members to connect with other general members in self-selected groups. Members will "give" presence, time, resources, support, encouragement, and compassion to one another. The first meeting will be virtual and will have an identified point person present to help facilitate conversation, take general notes of broad ideas and questions the group would like shared with the SEPAC board and/or Student Services, and help identify and plan for next steps. Members MAY share contact info and choose if and how they would like to continue/grow their network.
Monday, November 13
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM, Autism Parents
6:15 PM - 6:45 PM, Dyslexia/DLD and Literacy Parents
Tuesday, November 14
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM, ADHD and Executive Function Parents
Wednesday, November 15
7:00 PM - 7:30 PM, New to All of This--Getting Acclimated
7:30 PM - 8:00 PM, ADHD and Executive Function Parents
8:00 PM - 8:30 PM, Autism Parents Meeting
8:30 PM - 9:00 PM, Friendship/Social/Recreation Parents
Thursday, November 16
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM, Dyslexia/DLD Literacy
Saturday, November 18
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM, New to All of This--Getting Acclimated
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM, ADHD and Executive Function Parents
1:30 PM - 02:00 PM, Autism Parents
Monday, November 20
The SEPAC Tree needs YOU!
A big thank you to Alyssa Scaparotti for volunteering to create a tree for the REF Festival of Trees on behalf of Reading SEPAC. This year's theme will be Ice Cream Wonderland.
Here's some ways to help and to get involved:
Donate a tree
If anyone has an artificial tree they no longer need and would like to donate, please email sepacreading@gmail.com. As the theme for this year will be ice cream, either a white or pink artificial tree would be preferred, however any color would be appreciated. Tree donors receive free entrance to the REF Festival while also supporting two wonderful causes.
Donate items or help decorate the tree
We would gratefully accept contributions of decorations/gifts for the SEPAC tree.
Here's two lists, if you wish to contribute, please know that we would welcome anything that goes with the theme, no matter where it's from.
Amazon Wishlist Items purchased off the Amazon wishlist have the option to be shipped directly to Alyssa.
If you are able to help, we are beyond grateful. Please reach out if you'd like to help in any way not mentioned. Thank you!
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.
Reading SEPAC Annual Update to School Committee
Click to watch the recording from June 22nd
Student Services/Special Education Annual Update to School Committee
Click to watch the recording from May 8th
A good way to inform yourself about the current work being done at the central office level.
2023-2024 Calendar
Dates/times/locations subject to change. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow social media for updates.
Thursday, Sept 7th, 5-7PM
Sarah Ward - Internationally recognized expert on executive function
The 360 Thinking Model: Breakthrough Strategies
Virtual event - Recording will be made available by Sarah Ward for a limited time
Tuesday, Sept 19th, 5-7PM
Lynn Lyons - Internationally recognized expert on anxiety
Helping Your Family’s Emotional Health: Practical Skills and Solutions for Managing Anxiety, Enhancing Flexibility, and Creating Wellbeing
In-person at Parker Middle School (note location change)
Registration required
Thursday, Oct 5th, 9AM
Team Chair Meet and Greet at Central Office
Come join us to meet your team chair and student service leadership in person. This is a great opportunity to foster a good relationship outside of the virtual world and the demands of education meetings, such as 504 and IEP meetings.
Refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there!
Location: Central Office at RMHS. Entrance next to RISE pre-school
Registration requested
Tuesday, Oct 17th, 6PM
SEPAC Fall Business Meeting and Elections
Please try to join! Elect SEPAC board members, hear plans for the school year and provide your feedback. Also receive updates from Student Services.
Opportunity for parents-only conversation following conclusion of the meeting.
Virtual Event
Meeting URL: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/83527291225
Meeting ID: 835 2729 1225
November 13th-20th
SEPACsgiving
SEPAC general members have been voicing a need for more community and parent groups based on specific disabilities for some time.
Participate in one or more self-selected discussion sessions tailored around specific disabilities and/or interests. In a season of giving and gratitude, SEPACsgiving participants will provide one another with support and resources. SEPACsgiving is a unique opportunity to virtually gather with similar parents and share with one another our abundance of experience and wisdom.
Virtual event - Registration required
Tuesday, Dec 19th, 6PM
Tiered Support for Students Presentation and SEPAC Winter Business Meeting
Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) is used by the Reading Public Schools to give targeted support to struggling students. Join us to learn how it works and to ask questions.
Business meeting to follow, including Student Services updates.
Opportunity for parents-only conversation following conclusion of the meeting.
Virtual Event
Meeting URL: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/81226110598
Meeting ID: 812 2611 0598
Tuesday, Jan 16th, 6-8PM
Basic Rights Workshop: Evaluation and Eligibility
A comprehensive introduction to special education laws and procedures.
Purpose of the law, referrals, evaluations, team meeting process, determining eligibility, services and placement, what if student is not found to be eligible for services, after the team meeting, parent’s response options to an IEP, procedural due process rights for resolving disputes.
Virtual Event - Registration required - Registration Link
February (exact date TBD)
MCAS & Students with Disabilities Presentation
Tuesday, March 19th, 6PM
SEPAC General Meeting: Student Services Presentation–Extended School Year
Student services will provide an overview of ESY scheduling and level of services. Opportunity for parents-only conversation following conclusion of the meeting.
Virtual Event
Tuesday, April 2nd, 8:45AM
Daytime SEPAC Business Meeting
Planning for the next school year and reviewing the survey results. A survey will be sent in March to the parents/caregivers of RPS students to help SEPAC determine the community needs and to receive feedback.
Opportunity for parents-only conversation following conclusion of the meeting.
Virtual Event
Meeting URL: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/82453080671
Meeting ID: 824 5308 0671
May (exact date TBD)
SEPAC Annual Movie Night
Tuesday, May 21, 6PM
End of Year Business Meeting
Meeting URL: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/81161935476
Meeting ID: 811 6193 5476
June (tentative date June 18th)
SEPAC Year End Adult Social
Come celebrate the end of the school year with us. Everyone is welcome!
Throughout the year
SEPAC participates in community events such as the Reading Festival of Trees, the METCO gathering at the Boston Kite Festival, and more!
We also plan additional events and gatherings throughout the school year and during summer.
Board Members meet monthly with Student Services administrators.
We are always here to hear your thoughts, concerns, accolades, and more. Use the form on our website to let us know what's going on. All comments are confidential and will not be shared.