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 with…
Keep readingRecap: 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?…
Keep readingEvent: Community Health Fair, April 2026
APRIL 2026We’ll be at the Maplewood/South Orange Community Health Fair this Saturday in DeHart Park. ( INSIDE if the weather doesn’t cooperate.) We hope you’ll stop by and say hello. If you have questions about Special Education supports and resources in our community, our team would love to chat. There will be free health screenings,…
Keep readingMeeting: Lunch & Learn with Ombudsman, April 2026
APRIL 2026LUNCH & LEARN with the Special Education OmbudsmanParents and caregivers are invited to attend a free virtual learning session hosted by SEPAC SOMA and 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…
Keep readingSave the Date: Transition to Middle & High School, May 2026
MAY 2026TRANSITIONS – Middle & High SchoolStarting 6th or 9th Grade means big changes! Join SEPAC SOMA to talk transitions for tweens and teens with disabilities with a panel of middle and high school experts. ◉ Monday 5/4 @ 7:00pmIn person! Location soon!
Keep readingMeetup: Out-of-District Cup Chat, May 2026
MAY 2026CUP CHATS: Conversation, Connection & CommunityDo you have a child in an out-of-district school? Save the date for our next Cup Chat exclusively for parents and caregivers of neurodiverse students with an out-of-district placement, whether it’s through SOMSD, unilateral, or private. Join our Out-of-District School SEPAC SOMA Liaison Jennifer Wiezorek for an informal discussion…
Keep readingMeeting: Transitioning to Adult Life, April 2026
APRIL 2026TRANSITIONING TO ADULT LIFELearn about the transition to adult life after high school or an 18-21 program. Housing, employment, recreational services … what’s next? JESPY House, a local provider based in South Orange, joins us to share info about planning, options, and resources for youth with developmental disabilities and their parents. Tuesday, April 7…
Keep readingAnnouncement: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day, April 2026
APRIL 2026 Paraprofessional Appreciation Day is April 1st! SEPAC SOMA loves our SOMSD paras! We are grateful for their hard work, commitment to, and compassion for the children in our district. So, the next time you see a paraprofessional at school, be sure to say THANK YOU! What do Paras do?Some students require supplementary support…
Keep readingSave the Date: Transitioning to Adult Life, April 2026
APRIL 2026TRANSITIONING TO ADULT LIFELearn about the transition to adult life after high school or an 18-21 program. Housing, employment, recreational services … what’s next? JESPY House, a local provider based in South Orange, joins us to share info about planning, options, and resources for youth with developmental disabilities and their parents. Tuesday, April 7…
Keep readingMeeting: Annual Race & Special Education Panel, February 2026
FEBRUARY 20266th Annual RACE & SPECIAL EDUCATION PanelSpecial Education & the Multicultural Experience: How do culture and language shape the special education journey? Join our panelists for an insightful discussion on the unique intersection of race, language, and disability. This session will dive into the real-world barriers that multicultural and multilingual families face and highlight the…
Keep readingEvent: Inclusive Resource Fair, February 2026
FEBRUARY 2026INCLUSIVE RESOURCE FAIRComing soon … our 3rd Annual SEPAC SOMA Resource Fair! Add it to your calendar now, then stop by on February 28th to connect with local providers, groups, and organizations in the South Orange-Maplewood area who offer inclusive opportunities, activities, and services to individuals with disabilities. Huge thanks to Together We Bloom’s Traveling Sensory Room for hosting…
Keep readingSave the Date: Race & Special Education, February 2026
FEBRUARY 2026COMMUNITY MEETINGSave the date for our annual look at the intersectionality of race and special education at SOMSD with a panel of special guests. More info soon! Thursday 2/12/26 @ 7:30pm▣ Virtual Meeting (link to come)
Keep readingRecap: Dec 2025 Mtg – Understanding Executive Function
DECEMBER 2025WHAT IS EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING?Stephanie Cannon, an Executive Functioning Coach and local mom, joined us in December to share an overview of executive functioning and strategies to encourage skill development at home. Missed the meeting? Check out the presentation slides and meeting recording for loads of helpful info about the essential skills that help our…
Keep readingSave the Date: Inclusive Resource Fair, February 2026
FEBRUARY 2026INCLUSIVE RESOURCE FAIRSave the date for our 3rd Annual SEPAC SOMA Resource Fair! Stop by to connect with local therapists, groups and organizations in the South Orange-Maplewood area who provide inclusive opportunities and services to individuals with disabilities. Saturday 2/28 @ 3:00-5:00pm◉ Columbia High School Cafeteria17 Parker Ave, Maplewood
Keep readingAsk: Exec Function Questions, December 2025
DECEMBER 2025 QUESTIONS WANTED!Executive Functioning … it’s a term we hear frequently as we learn more about our kids with disabilities (like ADHD), especially as they move into middle and high school. But what is it? How can we help support growth in these essential life skills? We’re so excited to dive into this topic…
Keep readingMeeting: Executive Function Skills, December 2025
DECEMBEr 2025EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLSExecutive function is an essential set of skills that helps us learn and manage daily life. Without these skills, it can be difficult for students to focus, manage time, and stay organized, especially as their workload increases and their schedule becomes more complicated in middle and high school. Stephanie Cannon, an Executive…
Keep readingMeetup: Out-of-District Virtual Cup Chat, December 2025
DECEMBER 2025CUP CHATS: Conversation, Connection & CommunityDo you have a child in an out-of-district school?SEPAC SOMA is hosting a meeting exclusively for parents and caregivers of neurodiverse students with an out-of-district placement, whether it’s through SOMSD, unilateral, or private. Join our Out-of-District School SEPAC SOMA Liaison Jennifer Wiezorek for an evening informal conversation* about common experiences,…
Keep readingSave the Date: Executive Functioning, December 2025
DECEMBER 2025 EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLSSave the date for our next SEPAC SOMA Community Meeting! Staying organized and planning ahead can be difficult for many children (and adults!) with disabilities. We hope you’ll plan to join us in December to learn more about Executive Functioning skills with EF Coach Stephanie Cannon, and how we can encourage…
Keep readingRecap: Oct 2025 Mtg – Special Education @ SOMSD
OCTOBER 2025 MEETINGSPECIAL EDUCATION @ SOMSDDid you miss our first community meeting of the year? Kathleen Gesumaria, SOMSD Assistant Superintendent for Special Services, joined us to share an overview of the programs, classes, and services available in our district. ▣ WATCH HERE
Keep readingAnnouncement: BOE Candidate Questionnaire, October 2025
SEPAC SOMA 2025 BOE CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIREEach year SEPAC SOMA invites SOMSD 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 2025 BOE Candidate Responses to our questionnaire. We thank all the candidates for taking the time to share their perspectives.…
Keep readingMeeting: Special Education Overview, October 2025
SPECIAL EDUCATION @ SOMSDWe hope you’ll join us for our first SEPAC SOMA community meeting of the year! Kathleen Gesumaria, SOMSD Assistant Superintendent for Special Services, will share an overview of the programs, classes, and services available in our district. Wednesday, October 15, 2025 @ 7pm▣ Virtual Meeting
Keep readingWorkshop: Transition to College, October 2025
OCTOBERNOW WHAT?! COLLEGE TRANSITION WORKSHOPJoin Matt Endlich, CHS Transitions Coordinator, to learn about starting college with a 504 or IEP. This is a great meeting for juniors, seniors and their parents/guardians. Learn more here and register here (by 10/28, please). Wednesday, October 29 @ 7:00pm◉ CHS Black Box Theater
Keep readingMeetup: Cup Chat + BOE Candidates, October 2025
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 six candidates running for the SOMSD Board of Education have been invited to join us to hear your experiences with Special Education in this district. Sunday,…
Keep readingStatement: Support for Paraprofessionals, Fall 2025
“When we fail to value experience, our students pay the price.” – Vicky Bond, SEPAC SOMA Board Member, speaking at the 8/28/25 SOMSD BOE Meeting in support of district paraprofessionals. ▣ WATCH HERE Powerful words from Vicky! Continue watching to hear from current and former SEPAC Board Members Beth Cosentino, Jocelyn Ryan, and Lindsey Stone.…
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