WELCOME!

The Weston Special Education Parent Advisory Council (Weston SEPAC) is an all parent volunteer group of that promotes a network for parents of children with disabilities to provide a forum to share information, support, provide resources and discuss important issues.

We provide educational presentations for parents and teachers of special needs and typical students.  We meet with school administration and school committee members to give our input on policies and programs that impact our children.  We promote and raise awareness of children with special needs.  We meet with our state representative to share and discuss information to advocate for children with disabilities.

May/June 2021

Welcome back to the 20/21 School Year!  The Weston SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) has some upcoming events.

PREVIOUS EVENTS:

April 2021

PRESENTATION: “After High School: Planning for College & Beyond with Special Needs ”  Tuesday April 26, 2021 Wondering what to do about life after high school for your child with an IEP/504?  Presentation with SEPAC Co-Chair Lisa Lappi ECE, BA, MEd, MSc  -PRESENTATION SLIDES: Click HERE

March 2021

MEETING:  SEPAC Open Meeting –Monday March 8, 2021 7:00pm 

7:00pm  Weston Field School Principal Dr. Dan Green will meet with SEPAC members for an open discussion

PRESENTATION: “Demystifying Transition Services”  Tuesday March 9, 2021 9:00am-11:00am-speaker Judy Imperatore M.Ed.- Judy is a national expert in Vocational Assessment and Transition Services –Transitionresponse.com    Learn about:  1) What is Transition?  2) What are Transition Assessments?  3) What should Transition look like in the IEP?  4) What is the Process 5) Questions —PRESENTATION SLIDES: Click HERE

FEBRUARY 2021

COFFEE MEET UP:   Tuesday February 9, 2021 9:00AM -No agenda -All parents or caretakers with kids who are differently abled, who have food allergies or learning challenges are invited to attend for sharing and support!   Come join other parents learn about special education and meet other special education parents to share information and support one anther! 

JANUARY 2021

PRESENTATION: “The Myth of Falling Behind: Parenting and Education during a Pandemic”  Wednesday January 27. 2021 6:00PM -Speaker Robin Einzig from Visible Child -a 90-minute workshop exploring our children’s learning, stress, resilience, and what they need most from all of us during these difficult times.  Sponsored by: WPS Office of District Advancement, the Weston PTO, and the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). For more information about our speaker click here Visible Child

PRESENTATION: “IEP Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility” -Friday January 8, 2021 9:00am –Guest speaker: Tracey Morgan from a Bright Idea  Advocates -Federation for Children with Special Needs 

This presentation is a comprehensive introduction into special education laws and procedures. We will delve into the purpose of the law, referrals, evaluations, and the team meeting process including determining eligibility.  Further discussion will focus on services, placement, and what to do when you receive a proposed IEP. You will also learn what to do if the student is not eligible and parent’s procedural due process rights for resolving disputes.  Handouts ClickHere 

DECEMBER 2020

MEETING:  SEPAC Business Meeting -Tuesday December 15, 2020 7:00pm –Agenda Click here 

7:00pm  Weston High School Principal Paul Peri will meet with SEPAC members for an open discussion –DRAFT minutes pending

NOVEMBER 2020

MEETING:  SEPAC Business Meeting  Agenda -click here –Monday November 23, 2020 9:00AM  Minutes click here

OCTOBER  2020

PRESENTATION:  “Executive Functioning in Remote Learning”  – POSTPONED from Oct 8th to now Wednesday October 28th – 7 pm –  Elise Wulff (MEd, Program Manager at Aspire) will be speaking about how to support your child’s executive functioning during this time of remote and hybrid learning.  Registration is free thanks to Wayland PTO sponsorship.  Weston SEPAC members WELCOME to attend Click Here for Presentation Slides  Stuck Help Handout

PRESENTATION:  “Back to School 2020: Advocating for your Student’s Special Education Rights During Covid-19”  –Wednesday October 14, 2020 at 7:00PM –Co-hosted with Wayland SEPAC- Attorneys Lillian Wong and Allison Boscarine from Wong & Boscarine LLC will present on DESE updates, Special Education Services during Remote or Hybrid, health Safety & Learning at School, Covid Compensatory Claims and Questions.  Click Here for Presentation Slides

SEPTEMBER 2020

MEETING:  SEPAC Business Meeting –Click here for agenda – Wednesday September 30, 2020 at 7:00PM Minutes click here

SEPAC SCHEDULE 2020-2021 year

Sept 30, 2020-Business Meeting

October 14, 2020-Back to School 2020:  Advocating Special Education Rights- Wong and Boscarine LLC

October 28, 2020-Business Meeting

November 23, 2020-Business Meeting

December 15, 2020-speaker planning for 2021-Autism awareness- Dyslexia

January 8, 2021 9am -IEP Basic Rights Presentation: speaker Tracey Morgan Advocate for FCSN

January 27, 2021 6pm- Presentation: The Myth of Falling Behind: Parenting and Education during a Pandemic- Robin Einzig from Visible Child

February 9, 2021 7pm-Business Meeting

March 8, 2021- 7PM -Guest Dr. Greene Field School Principal meet with SEPAC members

March 9, 2021 9am-Demystifying Transition Services Presentation with Judith Imperatore M.Ed. 

April 26, 2021 7pm-After High School presentation

May 26, 2021 7pm- Board Elections

June    2021- Staff appreciation

SEPAC BOARD 2020-2021

Co-Chairs: Lisa Lappi & Kathy Davidoff
Secretary:  Maija Cirulis-Gooch
Treasurer: Becky Dempsey
Member at Large: Vicky Gifford, Jeannette Velasquez, Lornece Tull, Michelle Galloway

School Committee Liaison:  Rachel Stewart

School & Program Liaisons:
High School: Kathy Davidoff & Lisa Lappi
Middle School: Becky Dempsey, Lornece Tull, Michelle Galloway
Field School: Mija Cirulis-Gooch
Country School: Vicky Gifford
Woodland School: Jeanette Velasquez
Out of District: Kathy Davidoff & Becky Dempsey
METCO: Lornece Tull & Michelle Galloway
Remote Learning Academy-Lornece Tull