Author Archives: sepacsoma

At the December 1, 2020 SEPAC Meeting, the focus topic was Mental Health and Behaviors during Distance Learning. There was panel discussion that included Arelis Tapia-Vargas, the School Social Worker from Clinton, and Laura Prato, one of the School Social Workers at Columbia High. They prepared a presentation for the evening that included resources forContinue reading “Mental Health Presentation from December 1, 2020 SEPAC Meeting (12/13/20)”

November 16, 2020 BOE Meeting Dr. Taylor, Board of Education members, Administration and Community members:  Good evening. We, the leadership of the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (aka. SEPAC), listen to concerns of families of special education students in our district and pay attention to how these concerns are addressed. We are pleased with Dr.Continue reading “Letter to Dr. Taylor and BOE, submitted to Public Speaks (11/16/20)”

Gerri Colon, Special Education Supervisor of 9-12 was SEPAC’s Guest Speaker at the October Meeting. The focus topic was evaluations, reevaluations, and the ABCs of Special Ed. In this slide presentation, Gerri addresses questions related to this topic. The Presentation can be found here: https://sepacsoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/sepac-presentation-by-gerri-colon.pdf

We are pleased to share with you these 2020 Board of Education candidate statements on special education. We thank all the candidates for taking the time to share their perspectives.The Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) is not a political organization, and it does not endorse candidates in any election. This presentation is intended solelyContinue reading “SEPAC BOE Questionnaire Responses 2020 (10/5/20)”

The following letter was submitted on behalf of SEPAC to SOMSD Superintendent Dr. Ronald Taylor and members of the SOMSD Board of Education, and read partially during the May 11, 2020, meeting of the BOE. __ May 11, 2020   Dear Members of the Board of Education: Recently, SEPAC leadership met virtually with Drs. Taylor,Continue reading “SEPAC Letter to Dr. Taylor & BOE (5/11/20)”

The following letter was sent to SOMSD Superintendent Dr. Ronald Taylor and members of the SOMSD Board of Education, and read aloud during the Public Speaks portion of their April 20, 2020, meeting. __ BOE members and Dr. Taylor, this is a message I have written to my fellow parents of children with special needs.Continue reading “SEPAC Letter to Dr. Taylor & BOE (4/20/20)”

The following letter was sent to SOMSD Superintendent Dr. Ronald Taylor and members of the SOMSD Board of Education regarding paraprofessionals: __ February 24, 2020 Dear Dr. Taylor and Members of the Board of Education: As you know, SEPAC has been expressing concern over the employment status of paraprofessionals in our district for the betterContinue reading “SEPAC Letter to Dr. Taylor & BOE (2/24/20)”

SEPAC meeting dates 2019-2020: Where & When: Central Office District Meeting Room, unless otherwise specified. All meetings are 7:30-9:00 p.m. Thursday October 10 – General Meeting/ Voting for New Executive Board (525 Academy) Attendance is encouraged for anybody with an interest in Special Education in the South Orange Maplewood School District. Introduction to the “advocacy for all” and theContinue reading “2019/2020 SEPAC Meeting Dates”

    We are pleased to share with you these 2019 Board of Education candidate statements on special education. We thank all the candidates for taking the time to share their perspectives.  The Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) is not a political organization, and it does not endorse candidates in any election. This presentationContinue reading “2019 Board of Education Candidate Statements on Special Education”