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.
SEPAC informational video.movLearn More About SEPAC
What's New?
The New IEP Presentations:
Reading Public Schools will implement the new IEP in the fall. Please join us for an opportunity to learn what changes to expect and to ask Student Services your questions. The presentation will be held both in person and virtually.
More information about the new IEP can be found here.
If you have a child on an IEP, we recommend that you take a moment to familiarize yourself with what the new IEP form will look like.
Understanding the New IEP Form in Massachusetts: Article Published by Mass General Hospital for Children and Lurie Center
Wednesday, May 8th, 6PM (In Person - Location: Distance Learning Lab at RMHS )
Location: Distance Learning Lab at RMHS. This room is on the 4th floor. Parents will take the elevator to the 4th floor and follow signs to the Distance Learning Lab. We will also have people directing until just after 6pm.
This will be a presentation for families to review DESE's NEW IEP Improvement Project to include the school’s timeline for rollout, what the new forms look like and what to expect for any adjustments to the team meeting process.
Please register for this presentation so we can be prepared with how many families will be attending as we need to be sure to accommodate a large crowd if needed.
Please Click Here to Register for the May 8th In-Person Presentation.
Thursday, May 9th, 12PM (Virtual)
This will be a presentation for families to review DESE's NEW IEP Improvement Project to include the school’s timeline for rollout, what the new forms look like and what to expect for any adjustments to the team meeting process.
Registration is required to receive the zoom link.
Please Click Here to Register for the May 9th Virtual Presentation.
SEPAC Family Lunch Meetup:
Tuesday, May 14th, 11-1PM (In-person at Northern Bank’s Community room or join virtually)
Come have lunch with other SEPAC families and some members of the Reading SEPAC Board. SEPAC will provide cheese pizza. Feel free to bring optional potluck sides or your own brown bag lunch, especially if you or your loved one has a special diet. Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverages if you will be joining us.
A picnic blanket will be set up with toys for any kids who want to join and don’t need a chair. Feel free to bring other toys your child wouldn’t mind sharing with others.
This will be an informal monthly gathering on the 2nd Tue of the month just to hang out with other SEPAC families.
Space is limited to 8 adult seats in person and unlimited virtually.
Please Click Here to Register for the May SEPAC Lunch Meetup.
We reviewed the survey results at our last meeting. Thank you to everyone who was able to complete the survey. If you did not get a chance yet, it’s not too late to submit as we will use this as a reference point to plan for next year.
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, Feb 27th, 7PM
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
School Transition Workshops:
For parents and caregivers whose child has an IEP and will be transitioning to a different school in Reading or who is new to Reading.
Thursday, April 11th, 12-1pm (Virtual)
Wednesday, April 24th, 6pm (In Person - location TBD)
Tuesday, April 2nd, 8:45AM
Daytime SEPAC Business Meeting
Introduction to Taunya L. Jarzyniecki, LCMHC MLADC Public Safety Clinician Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support Reading Police Department
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
Thursday, April 11th, 12-1pm (Virtual)
Wednesday, April 24th, 6pm (In Person - location TBD)
School Transition Workshops
For parents and caregivers whose child has an IEP and will be transitioning to a different school in Reading or who is new to Reading.
Wednesday, May 8th, 6PM (In Person - location TBD)
Thursday, May 9th, 12PM (Virtual)
The New IEP Presentations
Tuesday, May 21, 6PM
End of Year Business Meeting
June
Reading SEPAC's presentation to the School Committee
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.
