SEPAC SOMA is building our team for the 23–24 school year and we are seeking enthusiastic volunteers. Please consider lending your time, talents, and unique perspectives to supporting special education in our towns and making sure our kids get the support they need from the school district. Please join us! ❤️
► Learn more about available roles and fill out our interest form
COMING SOON @ SEPAC SOMA
Thursday, June 8 @ 6:30pm
CUP CHATS: THE LOFT @ CHS
Do you have a rising 9th-12th grader with an IEP or 504? We hope you’ll join us for a high school-focused gathering! Just like a regular Cup Chat, we’ll chat, we’ll share, we’ll connect. Plus, we’ll hear about the activities and support systems available through The Loft @ CHS. Don’t miss this chance to learn about an incredible in-school resource for your teen!
◉ The Loft @ Columbia High School (enter from gym parking lot)
► Meeting Flyer
► More about The Loft
Thursday, June 15 @ 7:00pm
◉ BOE Meeting Room, 525 Academy St, Maplewood
LAST MEETING OF THE YEAR!
It’s time for our annual Dope, Nope & Hope meeting! Join us to talk about the good, the not-so-good, and our hopes for summer and fall, as we wrap up the 2022-2023 school year. Plus, please take our End-of-Year SEPAC SOMA survey … your input drives our advocacy! 🧡
SEPAC SOMA UPDATES
Missed a meeting?! SEPAC SOMA TV has got you covered!
OCTOBER: SOMSD Special Services Overview
NOVEMBER: Anxiety in Elementary
JANUARY: Middle School & Mental Health
JANUARY: Mental Health Support @ CHS
FEBRUARY: Race & Special Education
MARCH: IEP Meetings & Parental Rights
MARCH: JESPY House Information Session
If you are running into difficulties related to your child’s IEP or 504 plan, SEPAC SOMA wants to know. Often, you aren’t alone … sharing your individual experience adds to the bigger picture and helps us identify systemic issues we can elevate to district administration.
“We believe working in a collaborative manner with all of our partners and parents is for the betterment of every student.”
Meet Beth Cosentino, our 2022-2023 SEPAC SOMA President! Read more about Beth, our SEPAC SOMA mission, and other goals for the year in our SEPAC SOMA President’s Welcome Letter and Update.
YOU INSPIRE US!
The more we know about YOU, the better we are able to support our amazing community of Special Education families!
► Take our survey
Please take a few minutes to share your input on topics, meetings, communication preferences and volunteer opportunities. Five minutes of your time right now will help us tailor our programming and parent support opportunities all year long.
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.
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.
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.
SEPAC SOMA 
