President’s Update: October 2022 Fall Greetings, I’m Beth Cosentino, a Maplewood resident with two children in the school district and this year’s President for the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee: SEPAC SOMA. In the last few years, I’ve held various SEPAC roles, including Special Education Liaison, SEPAC Communications Officer and Administrator and SEPAC VP ofContinue reading “President’s Note: October 2022”
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Watch: SEPAC SOMA’s BOE Presentation, September 2022
SEPAC SOMA Presentation to SOMSD BOESeptember 29, 2022 SEPAC SOMA presented to the SOMSD Board of Education on 9/29/22. We were so pleased to share more about our parent-led group – who we are, what we do, and our goals for this school year – and were encouraged by Board Members’ thoughtful comments and follow-up questions.Continue reading “Watch: SEPAC SOMA’s BOE Presentation, September 2022”
Resource: SOMSD Special Services Contact List, Summer 2022
Summer 2022: SOMSD Special Services Staff Note from Susie Budine, SOMSD Assistant Superintendent of Special Services:Please see below the appropriate staff to contact for the summer. Also, kindly note that the district is on a skeleton crew from mid-August until school starts in September. You may experience a longer than usual delay in response duringContinue reading “Resource: SOMSD Special Services Contact List, Summer 2022”
Recap: ☀️Top 5 Summer Tips, June 2022
OUR TOP FIVE SUMMER TIPSJune 9, 2022 1. PLAN AHEAD Reach out to your Case Managers now to find out who will be your point of contact over the summer. Think ahead to where your child will be next year and if they are moving to a new building (Jefferson, MMS or SOMS, CHS) makeContinue reading “Recap: ☀️Top 5 Summer Tips, June 2022”
Announcement: 2022-2023 Executive Board
Announcement: 2022-2023 Executive Board The proposed slate for the SEPAC SOMA 2022-2023 Executive Board was approved at our 6/9/2022 community meeting. Thank you to all our new and returning board members for your commitment to and passion for supporting Special Education families in the South Orange & Maplewood School District! President – Beth CosentinoEx-Officio –Continue reading “Announcement: 2022-2023 Executive Board”
January 2022: PerformCare Fact Sheet
Individualized Education Programs and 504 Plans help get your child what they need to thrive at school, but what about at home? Caring for a child with behavioral, mental health and emotional challenges, or intellectual and developmental disabilities, can be overwhelming. The Children’s System of Care (part of New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families)Continue reading “January 2022: PerformCare Fact Sheet”
Announcement: New SEPAC SOMA 2021-2022 Board Members
SEPAC SOMA is happy to announce two recent additions to our SEPAC SOMA Executive Board: Nicole is the Special Education Liaison at Jefferson Elementary, and has previously served as our Vice President of Parent Support. Michelle is a former Special Education Liaison at South Mountain School. We’re thrilled to have their passion and experience inContinue reading “Announcement: New SEPAC SOMA 2021-2022 Board Members”
2021 BOE Candidate Questionnaire
Each year SEPAC SOMA invites 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 2021 Candidate Statements on Special Education. We thank all the candidates for taking the time to share their perspectives. SEPAC is not a political organization,Continue reading “2021 BOE Candidate Questionnaire”
Letter Read at BOE Meeting (10/18/21): EBR Staffing Shortages and MMS Elevator
The following letter submitted by SEPAC was read during the public speaks portion of the SOMSD Board of Education meeting on 10/18/21. Good evening Board of Education members, I’m speaking to you on behalf of the board of SEPAC SOMA — the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee — to bring your attention to TWO criticalContinue reading “Letter Read at BOE Meeting (10/18/21): EBR Staffing Shortages and MMS Elevator”
Letter Read at BOE Meeting (8/16/21): Vaccination Mandate
The following letter submitted by SEPAC was read during the public speaks portion of the 8/16/21 Board of Education meeting. Good evening Dr. Taylor, Administrators and BOE Members, The Executive Board of the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (or SEPAC) here in our district is advocating for you to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for all schoolContinue reading “Letter Read at BOE Meeting (8/16/21): Vaccination Mandate”
SEPAC SOMA 