Framingham Special Education Parent Advisory Council www.F-SEPAC.org
F-SEPAC for parents and guardians of school-aged children with special needs Framingham Special Education Parent Advisory Council Our Mission Our mission is to work for the understanding, respect, and support of all children with special needs in Framingham. The Framingham Special Education Parent Advisory Council (F-SEPAC) is run by parents who are concerned about the special needs of children in the Framingham schools. We are a district wide resource to parents/guardians of children with special needs. We are a united voice for special needs children and considered an advisory committee to the Framingham school district and its Special Education Department. The F-SEPAC is mandated and supported by Massachusetts law.
F-SEPAC for parents and guardians of school-aged children with special needs Framingham Special Education Parent Advisory Council Massachusetts Laws Regarding SEPAC The parent advisory council duties shall include but not be limited to: advising the school committee on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities; meeting regularly with school officials to participate in the planning, development, and evaluation of the school committee's special education programs. Each school district shall conduct, in cooperation with the local parent advisory council, at least one workshop annually within the school district on the rights of students and their parents and guardians under the special education laws of the commonwealth and the federal government and shall make written materials explaining such rights available upon request. MASSACHUSETTS STATUTE: Chapter 71B: Section 1C and 3. MASSACHUSETTS REGULATION: 603 CMR 28:07(4) 603 CMR 28:03 (1)(a)(iv) Our bylaws have been updated and are on our website
F-SEPAC for parents and guardians of school-aged children with special needs Framingham Special Education Parent Advisory Council Supporting Parents and Guardians •We are a united voice for our special needs children in the Framingham Public Schools. •We offer events of interest to parents and guardians. • The second Friday of every month (September – June) we run a parent support coffee at B. Sisters on Rt. 9 from 9am until 11am • Feel free to join our Facebook group for any new articles, legislation, volunteer opportunities, and workshops in the area. •F-SEPAC web site - www.F-SEPAC.org - for resources. •F-SEPAC Yahoo Group - http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/F-SEPAC - information on local workshops, events and topics of interest.
F-SEPAC for parents and guardians of school-aged children with special needs Framingham Special Education Parent Advisory Council What have we done: Basic Rights Cyber bullying with the Framingham Police Department Dyslexia Presentation with Nadine Gabb from Children’s Hospital and Dr. Matthew Shnepps from MIT Multiple Disabilities Classroom at Cameron (ribbon cutting) Champions Day at Walsh Kindergarten Fair (for the past three years) Helped develop a transition meeting (during the open house) between middle school to high school for SPED parents Q&A with Dr. Tremblay Gubernatorial Candidate Jay Gonzales FSEPAC forum Framingham State University – guest speaker and webinar Helped coordinate an ASD clinic for ANNE (Autism Network of New England) South Side Free Press – May 2018 article about how to advocate for your Special Needs Child Sailing lessons in Boston for Framingham families and children with disabilities – a gift from the Framingham Disabilities Commission School year 2018/2019: FPS Back to School Picnic (August 2018) Executive Function presentation – scheduled for October 18, 2018 at Cameron Middle School at 7:15pm Basic Rights (Fall 2018) Kindergarten Fair (Winter 2018) Family Fun Day Fair (Spring 2018) Social Security Benefits presentation – (November / December)
F-SEPAC for parents and guardians of school-aged children with special needs Framingham Special Education Parent Advisory Council Future Considerations Understanding Assessments Transition information sessions between Pre-K to Elementary / Elementary to Middle CTAP / DSAC – school improvement updates Reading challenges / LBLD – Dyslexia Testing Preparation for Children with Special Needs Understanding Mass Health benefits for Children with Special Needs Behaviors vs Learning Challenges How to best work and communicate with your teacher (for parents of children with special needs) Social Emotional health Educating parents on the process – setting an expectation - A seat at the table with regards to policy for families with children on IEP’s and 504’s - (attendance and discipline and suspension) - Notes to be read at SEPAC meetings (monthly) - We also need funds (PTO percentage)
F-SEPAC for parents and guardians of school-aged children with special needs Framingham Special Education Parent Advisory Council Volunteer •Liaison for Spanish and Portugese speaking community (working with the Bi Pac) •School Liaison •Liaison to Out of District Schools •Framingham Public School Liaisons (one for each school) - If you are interested in becoming a liaison please call one of the F-SEPAC Officers • Post F-SEPAC events in a public place and in the school newsletter. • Place F-SEPAC brochures in three languages in a public place. • Introduce yourself as the contact person for F-SEPAC to the principal, TEC (Team Evaluation Coordinator), therapists, literacy and math specialists and any other staff you feel should know about you and F-SEPAC. • Inform F-SEPAC Officers of any school events (fairs, lectures, etc.) that would be of interest to us (posting information at or lecturing at). • Inform F-SEPAC Chairpersons about any school issues you feel would be important for us to address with the administration.
Thank you! Q & A
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