SEPAC SOMA MEETINGS & UPDATES
DECEMBER
QUESTIONS WANTED!
Executive Functioning … it’s a term we hear frequently as we learn more about our kids with disabilities (like ADHD), especially as they move into middle and high school. But what is it? How can we help support growth in these essential life skills?
We’re so excited to dive into this topic with Coach Stephanie Cannon this Wednesday at 7pm! She’d love to hear from you ahead of time, so if you already have questions that you know you want to ask, please share them right now with our short Google form.
Then we’ll see you at 7pm on Wednesday 12/10! (And, if you have questions, but can’t make the meeting? Definitely ask now! We plan to record it for anyone who can’t attend.
DECEMBER
CUP CHATS: Conversation, Connection & Community
Do you have a child in an out-of-district school?
SEPAC SOMA is hosting a meeting exclusively for parents and caregivers of neurodiverse students with an out-of-district placement, whether it’s through SOMSD, unilateral, or private.
Join our Out-of-District School SEPAC SOMA Liaison Jennifer Wiezorek for an evening of informal conversation* about common experiences, questions, concerns, and success stories. Connect and network!
Monday, December 8 @ 7:00pm
▣ Virtual via WebEx
*Our Cup Chats are usually in person, but we know how busy December gets! We’ll do this one virtually to make it easier for everyone to attend, then meet in person in the spring.
DECEMBER
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS
Executive function is an essential set of skills that helps us learn and manage daily life. Without these skills, it can be difficult for students to focus, manage time, and stay organized, especially as their workload increases and their schedule becomes more complicated in middle and high school.
Stephanie Cannon, an Executive Functioning Coach and local mom, will share an overview of executive function skills and how they impact our kids’ experiences and interactions at school and at home. Then she’ll guide our follow-up discussion and answer questions about how parents of children with disabilities can encourage skill development and independence.
Wednesday 12/10 @ 7pm
▣ Virtual via WebEx
OCTOBER
SPECIAL EDUCATION @ SOMSD
Did you miss our first community meeting of the year? Kathleen Gesumaria, SOMSD Assistant Superintendent for Special Services, joined us to share an overview of the programs, classes, and services available in our district.
SEPAC SOMA 2025 CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
Each year SEPAC SOMA invites SOMSD Board of Education candidates to respond to several questions about issues related to Special Education in our district. We are pleased to share with you the 2025 BOE Candidate Responses to our questionnaire. We thank all the candidates for taking the time to share their perspectives.
SEPAC is not a political organization and does not endorse candidates in any election. This presentation is intended solely to assist voters by presenting candidate views on issues related to special education. The views expressed are the candidates’ own.
SEPAC SOMA RESOURCE FAIR GUIDE
What a joy it was to see our SEPAC SOMA community making connections! Huge thanks to the families who stopped by and to the local providers, groups and organizations who joined us, with extra gratitude for Together We Bloom, Beloved Bath, Lindsey Stone Homes, and the South Mountain YMCA for partnering with us. We’ve compiled a list of everyone who was there … check it out to find out more about amazing resources and inclusive opportunities in the SOMA area. We’re already looking forward to our 3rd Annual Resource Fair next spring!
SPECIAL EDUCATION AUDIT
Results of the recent Special Education Audit and recommendations for the district going forward were shared at the 10/15/2024 BOE Meeting. SEPAC SOMA highly recommends reading the full report and watching the meeting recording. Understanding the district’s challenges and goals helps make us better advocates for our children with disabilities. 
What is SEPAC SOMA?
The Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) is a parent-led, state-mandated group focused on policies, programs, and practices within the South Orange & Maplewood School District. SEPAC provides parents with tools and information to work collaboratively with the school district and to be more effective advocates for their children with special educational needs. Families and caregivers of students with learning needs or students eligible for or receiving services under an IEP or 504 plan are encouraged to attend SEPAC Meetings. (Español / Kreyòl Ayisyen)
2025-2026 EXECUTIVE BOARD
President: Nicole Josey
VP, Policy Initiatives: Susan Nasberg-Abrams
VP, Family Engagement: Verna Holcomb
VP, Community Outreach: Dina Roskin
Programming Director: Ifeoma Nwigwe
Communications Director: Kelly Mortimer
Ex Officio: Beth Cosentino
info@sepacsoma.org
SEPAC Meetings
SEPAC hosts meetings throughout the school year to provide parents and caregivers support, resources and information relevant to students with special education programming. Our meetings consist of featured conversations and presentations, as well as support, resource sharing, and the ability to connect with other members of the special education community. Meetings with featured topics are our attempt to get those with similar concerns in the same room at the same time but all are always welcome!
At every meeting, we learn from one another, support each other, share resources and connect with others.
Connect with SEPAC SOMA
Stay informed about Special Education updates, advocacy efforts and upcoming meetings by subscribing to our mailing list.
HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?
2025-2026 Survey
YOU INSPIRE US! The SEPAC SOMA team is hard at work planning our 2025-2026 meetings, and the more we know about YOU, the better we are able to support our amazing community of families!
► Have you taken our 2025-2026 Survey yet?!
We’d love your input on topics, meetings, communication preferences and volunteer opportunities. (There’s also a question specifically for parents of 2e/twice exceptional children.) Five minutes of your time now will help us tailor our programming and parent support opportunities over the upcoming school year.
SEPAC SOMA Advocacy
SEPAC SOMA works hard to support and advocate for Special Education families by identifying trending issues and elevating those concerns to district administration and the Board of Education. If you’re feeling stuck, please let us know by reaching out to your school’s SEPAC Liaison or emailing us at info@sepacsoma.org.
“When we fail to value experience, our students pay the price.” – Vicky Bond, SEPAC SOMA Board Member, speaking at the 8/28/25 SOMSD BOE Meeting in support of district paraprofessionals.
▣ WATCH HERE
Powerful words from Vicky! Continue watching to hear from current and former SEPAC Board Members Beth Cosentino, Jocelyn Ryan, and Lindsey Stone.
The SEPAC SOMA Executive Board has continued to express our dismay to district leadership about the reduction in pay and status for many paraprofessionals in our schools. Stated simply, we believe that paying people less this year for the same job they did last year is unfair and demoralizing. It tells our paras that our district doesn’t value the role they play in supporting our children and ensuring their safety at school.
► Read the Executive Board’s 9/26/25 letter to Superintendent Jason Bing, Assistant Superintendent Kathleen Gesumaria, and SOMSD Board of Education Members
SEPAC SOMA 