2022-2023 Meetings
September 18 & 20 – CUP CHATS: Informal, in-person gatherings to connect with other parents and caregivers of kids with Special Education-related needs in our district.
September 29 – SEPAC SOMA President Beth Cosentino presented an overview of our parent-led group to the SOMSD Board of Education, sharing who we are, what we do, and our goals for this school year. Watch her presentation (and Board Members’ follow-up questions).
October 2 – We manned a table at South Orange Community Day! It was great to see everyone who stopped by to say hi, ask questions, and learn more about who we are and what we do! đź‘‹
October 17 – Susie Budine, Assistant Superintendent of Special Services, presented a comprehensive overview of Special Education services in the South Orange & Maplewood School District. Click here to watch the presentation.
October 26 – LEARNING DISABILITIES PARENT SUPPORT GROUP: A parent-led group open to anyone who has a child with a learning difference (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, etc.) or has questions about learning differences. Email Susan Nasberg-Abrams to be notified about future meeting dates.
October 28 – CUP CHATS: Informal, in-person gatherings created to share experiences and build connections with other parents and caregivers of kids with Special Education-related needs in our district.
November 16 – NOW WHAT?! COLLEGE WORKSHOP: Matthew Endlich, CHS Transition Coordinator, presented helpful information about the transition to college for students with IEPs and 504s. Follow up questions? Please email Mr Endlich.
November 19 – CUP CHATS: Informal, in-person gatherings to connect with other parents and caregivers of kids with Special Education-related needs in our district. đź‘‹ Teachers, related service providers and paraprofessionals are also invited to join us on 11/19!
November 21 – ANXIETY IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: What does it look like? How can parents and caregivers support children at home? Who can help at school? Where to start?? SOMSD Social Workers Arelis Tapia-Vargas and Marilu Gregory shared information on how to help not only kids with IEPs and 504s but any K-5 student who may be struggling. Click here to watch the presentation and for additional resources.
December 14 – LEARNING DISABILITIES PARENT SUPPORT GROUP: A parent-led group open to anyone who has a child with a learning difference (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, etc.) or has questions about learning differences. Email Susan Nasberg-Abrams to RSVP and for location details.
January 9 – MIDDLE SCHOOL & MENTAL HEALTH: Our panel of SOMSD experts –Alison Steiner, Caroline Raba and Michael Zarabi – shared a wealth of information about anxiety in middle school, including signs of stress, strategies at home and how to get help at MMS and SOMS. Click here to watch the presentation and for additional resources.
January 22 – CUP CHATS: Informal, in-person gatherings to connect with other parents and caregivers of kids with Special Education-related needs in our district.
January 24 – HIGH ANXIETY: High school can be hard to handle in the best of times and, after the events of the last few years, even more teens are struggling. Jenny Easton, Sara Brinkerhoff, Elizabeth Kolodiy and David Velder joined us to discuss anxiety and mental health in the teen years, the support programs available at Columbia High School, and how to support any student, not just those with an IEP or 504. Click here to watch the presentation and for additional resources.
February 16 – RACE & SPECIAL EDUCATION: Dr Kevin Gilbert, SOMSD Assistant Superintendent of Access & Equity, joined us for our annual look at the intersection of race and special education in our school district. This year the discussion focused on students in middle and high school.
March 2 – CUP CHATS: Informal, in-person gatherings to connect with other parents and caregivers of kids with Special Education-related needs in our district.
March 7 – ALL ABOUT IEP MEETINGS: Join us to take a deeper look at what’s in an Individualized Education Program (IEP), how to prepare for an IEP meeting, and parents’ rights during the process. We’ll share info and tips, with lots of time for questions and discussion.
March 8 – LEARNING DISABILITIES PARENT SUPPORT GROUP: A parent-led group open to anyone who has a child with a learning difference (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, etc.) or has questions about learning differences. Email Susan Nasberg-Abrams for more info about this group and to get emails about future meetings.
Tuesday, March 28 @ 7:30pm
TRANSITION TALK with JESPY HOUSE:Â
SEPAC SOMA proudly presents an opportunity to learn about transition, life after high school and a gem of an organization, JESPY House, located right here in South Orange. JESPY provides employment, housing, and recreational services, and resources to the post-18-year-old disabled population.
► Click here to join the Zoom meeting
Or, join by phone:
+1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 853 8832 0922
Passcode: 383410
2021-2022 Meetings
October – The return to in-person school after 18 months of virtual/hybrid learning.
November – The ABCs of IEPs in PreK: Special Education during the preschool years. (Missed the meeting? View the presentation here.)
December – Get to know SOMSD’s new Assistant Superintendent of Special Services, Susie Budine.
January – Beyond SOMSD: Behavioral, disability, and family support services available through the State of New Jersey. (Missed the meeting or want a recap? View our PerformCare Fact Sheet here.)
February – Black Family Voices and Special Education: A panel discussion with SOMSD families. Co-hosted by SEPAC SOMA and the Schools Committee of the Community Coalition on Race.
March – Speech & Social Skills, with special guest Reesa Salomon, MS, CCC-SLP.
April – Q&A Panel: Preschool & Elementary. Learn more about how Special Education works in preschool and elementary with our panel of Special Education teachers and Child Study Team members.
April – Workshop: Now What? The Transition to College. Join Matthew Endlich, CHS Transition Coordinator, to learn about the transition to college for students with IEPs and 504s.
May – Q&A Panel: Middle School & High School. What happens during your tween or teenager’s school day is often even more of a mystery than it was in elementary. Go behind the scenes with our panel of SOMSD experts.
June – What’s Next?! Looking ahead to summer and next September! Chat with other parents who are navigating IEPs and 504s about what worked this year, what didn’t work, and what your hopes are going forward.
SEPAC SOMA 