ALL ABOUT METhe new school year can be overwhelming for children (and parents), so we’ve created this customizable one-pager to help teachers and support staff get to know your child quickly. Share it with any staff who may be in contact with your child, including bus drives and bus aides. Click File > Download toContinue reading “Resource: All About Me One-Pager, August 2026”
Category Archives: SEPAC SOMA
Statement: Paraprofessional Staffing and Communication Clarifications, July 2026
JULY 2026PUBLIC STATEMENT: Transition of Paraprofessional Staffing Vendors and Communication Clarifications The following statement was submitted on 7/31/26 on behalf of SEPAC SOMA to SOMSD Superintendent Jason Bing, Assistant Superintendent Kathleen Gesumaria, and the members of the SOMSD Board of Education. The Special Education Parent Advisory Committee South Orange Maplewood (SEPAC SOMA) issues this publicContinue reading “Statement: Paraprofessional Staffing and Communication Clarifications, July 2026”
Announcement: 2026-2027 Executive Board, June 2026
JUNE 2026Members in attendance at our community meeting on June 3, 2026, approved the proposed slate for the 2026-2027 SEPAC SOMA Executive Board. If you’d like to learn more about one of our open positions, please reach out to info@sepacsoma.org. 2026-2027 EXECUTIVE BOARD President: Verna HolcombVP, Policy Initiatives: Scott InglesVP, Family Engagement: Ifeoma NwigweVP, CommunityContinue reading “Announcement: 2026-2027 Executive Board, June 2026”
Survey: End-of-Year Reflection, June 2026
JUNE 2026END OF YEAR SURVEYWhat’s your DOPE, NOPE & HOPE for the year?Sharing the good, the not-so-good, and what you’d like to see in the future is our end-of-year tradition! ► Take our End-of-Year Survey Your feedback, your experiences, your highs and lows … that’s the heart of what we do as an advisory group.Continue reading “Survey: End-of-Year Reflection, June 2026”
Meeting: Wrap-Up Meeting, June 2026
JUNE 2026LAST MEETING OF THE YEAR!Join us for one of our favorite get-togethers of the year … our annual Dope, Nope & Hope meeting, where we review how this school year went and look ahead to summer and next fall. But the school year isn’t quite over … we have one last bit of homeworkContinue reading “Meeting: Wrap-Up Meeting, June 2026”
Meeting: Transition to Preschool & Kindergarten, May 2026
MAY 2026TRANSITIONS – Preschool & KindergartenStarting preschool or kindergarten is a thrilling (and seriously ADORABLE) major milestone. But it can also be anxiety-inducing, especially for families of children with disabilities. Join us to learn more about what to expect next year and how to help your child (and YOU!) ease the transition to a new environment with new expectations.Continue reading “Meeting: Transition to Preschool & Kindergarten, May 2026”
Save the Date: End of Year Meeting, June 2026
JUNE 2026IT’S A WRAP!Save the date for our last SEPAC SOMA meetup of the year! We’ll talk about how this school year went and look ahead to summer and fall. Wednesday 6/3 @ 7:00pm◉ District Meeting Room, 525 Academy St, Maplewood
Recap: Special Education Ombudsman, April 2026
RECAP: LUNCH & LEARN with the Special Education OmbudsmanSEPAC SOMA hosted a free virtual learning session with Tracy Gillespie, Special Education Ombudsman for the New Jersey Department of Education. Lunch & Learn meetings are a new offering from the NJ DOE Office of Special Education, intended to strengthen collaboration and promote a shared understanding ofContinue reading “Recap: Special Education Ombudsman, April 2026”
Meeting: Transition to Middle & High School, May 2026
MAY 2026TRANSITIONS – Middle & High SchoolStarting 6th or 9th Grade means big changes! A larger school, more teachers, multiple classes, keeping track of grades and assignments, how support and services fit into the day … a new environment raises so many questions. Join us to talk transitions for tweens and teens with disabilities withContinue reading “Meeting: Transition to Middle & High School, May 2026”
Recap: Transitioning to Adult Life, April 2026
APRIL 2026RECAP: TRANSITIONING TO ADULT LIFEJESPY House, a local provider based in South Orange, joined us in April to share info about planning, options, and resources for youth with developmental disabilities and their parents. Learn about the transition to adult life after high school or an 18-21 program. Housing, employment, recreational services … what’s next?Continue reading “Recap: Transitioning to Adult Life, April 2026”
SEPAC SOMA 