Category Archives: Uncategorized

MENTAL HEALTH & SPECIAL EDUCATIONMonday, October 14 @ 7:30pm We hear you! Mental Health and Anxiety were the top concerns in our 2024-2025 Parent Survey, so we’re diving into this tough topic with a new series of meetings designed to share our experiences as parents and caregivers and work together to identify resources in ourContinue reading “Meeting: Mental Health & Special Education, October 2024”

CUP CHATS: Conversation, Connection & CommunityOur informal, in-person gatherings are a great way to connect with other parents and caregivers of kids with Special Education-related needs in our district. The seven candidates running for the SOMSD Board of Education have been invited to join us to hear your experiences with Special Education in this districtContinue reading “Meet Up: Cup Chat with BOE Candidates, October 2024”

YOU INSPIRE US!The SEPAC SOMA team is already hard at work planning our 2024-2025 meetings, and the more we know about YOU, the better we are able to support our amazing community of Special Education families! Please take a few minutes to share your input on topics, meetings, communication preferences and volunteer opportunities. Five minutesContinue reading “Request: 2024-2025 Parent Survey, August 2024”

SOMA CELEBRATES NEURODIVERSITYSEPAC SOMA is thrilled to announce a reading and book signing event with autistic author and advocate Tiffany Hammond. Tiffany is the author of A Day With No Words, which invites readers into the life of an Autism Family who communicates just as the child does, without spoken language. Get to know TiffanyContinue reading “Event: Autism Advocate Tiffany Hammond, April 2024”

TWO CUP CHATS THIS APRIL!We have TWO targeted Cup Chats coming up! First, on April 7th, a meetup just for middle school and high school parents and caregivers. Then, on April 26th, we’ll focus on out-of-district placements. We hope you’ll join us! Sunday, April 7 @ 10:30am🔸MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLFriday, April 26 @ 9:30am🔸OUT-OF-DISTRICT SCHOOLS◉Continue reading “Meetup: 6-12 and OOD Cup Chats, April 2024”

SOMSD SPECIAL EDUCATION SURVEYICYMI, from Susie Budine, SOMSD Assistant Superintendent of Special Services: “The District of South Orange Maplewood is conducting a study of our Special Education Department. We value your opinion and are seeking your input. Please click here to complete this survey and assist with this process.” NOTE: If you have more thanContinue reading “Announcement: SOMSD Special Education Survey, March 2024”

CUP CHATS: JANUARY 2024Informal, in-person gatherings to connect with other parents and caregivers of kids with Special Education-related needs in our district. Thank you to The Next Semester and Sew Leana for providing space for us to meet! Friday, January 26 @ 9:30-11:00am◉ Sew Leana 12 W South Orange Ave (2nd Floor), South Orange

CUP CHATS – DR. ROSS GREENE FOLLOWUP DISCUSSION: The perspective shared at the Parenting Center Speaker Series with Dr Ross Greene was incredibly thought-provoking. We’ll keep the conversation going at our November Cup Chat with a focus on the October presentation, Dr Greene’s books, and our own experiences with supporting our kids’ behaviors at homeContinue reading “Meetup: Cup Chats, Dr Ross Greene Discussion, Nov 2023”

SOMSD Parenting Center Speaker Series: Dr Ross GreeneHave you heard the phrase “kids do well if they can”? Dr Ross Greene originated this perspective-altering concept with his Collaborative & Proactive Solutions approach, focusing on supporting children’s skills deficits instead of their behavior. Dr Greene is a renowned clinician and author of the books The ExplosiveContinue reading “Speaker: Dr Ross Greene, Oct 2023”

NEXT STEPS IN LITERACY: Join us for a panel discussion about the changes happening in literacy resources and practices in our district, and how struggling readers get support. Panel Guests: Zoila Correa, SOMSD Director of Curriculum & Instruction; Bebe Greenberg, longtime SOMSD educator and reading expert; and Dawn Gordon, 1st Grade Special Education teacher. Wednesday,Continue reading “Meeting: Next Steps in Literacy, Oct 2023”