The following message was sent to the Newton SEPAC listserv on 10/05/2023:
Greetings Newton SEPAC listserv members,
We just wanted to quickly update you about the latest updates and activities of our group! We decided to make the October 12 meeting virtual because we are meeting and greeting our new Superintendent in person on November 14, 2023 at 100 Walnut Street, room 210. If anyone wants to volunteer to bring on November 14 cookies or drinks, such as water or seltzer, please email annettene…@gmail.com
Also, we will be hosting a Basic Rights presentation on Oct 24, 2023 from 7:30-9pm with Julie Swersey on Zoom. Please join us if you are interested in this topic!
We still need SEPAC liaisons at Mason Rice, Underwood, Williams Elementary, and Brown Middle. Please let us know if you are interested in serving as a liaison. Kim Gallugher will also retire from serving as our SEPAC liaison coordinator on November 1st. We are looking for a volunteer to fill her role starting in November.
A big topic this year has been the work surrounding anti-ableism. We are excited to share with you the work we have been able to participate in as part of the new NPS Anti-Ableist Working Group. The group met on August 8 and then on September 26. We, as SEPAC representatives, will continue to meet monthly with this advisory working group. It is led by Maria Kolbe, who is a SEL coach with a special education background. Currently we have four parents on the working group, including Annette Nedeljkovic and Claudia Svoboda Rheule (representing the 23-24 SEPAC board), Josh Goldstien (22-23 SEPAC board member), and Ima Jonsdottir (representing the COD, also a SEPAC member and a parent). Other attendees included :
Tracy Hatch (assistant director of Elementary Special Education), Jesse Krotick (student services administrator), Maura Tynes (director of special education, elementary), Suzie Talukdar (principal at Underwood), James Ellis (director of ABA services), Shannon Komow (health and wellness coordinator), and other NPS staff.
The working group had two primary outcomes – to look through potential grade-level themes and begin designing the structure of the lessons. We looked at EL Education framework of a discovery-based lesson format, as well as the culturally-responsive look of well-structured lessons from the Department of Education. We will continue the work on these topics in the October meeting – adding in reviewing evidence-based curriculums to match against grade-level themes and lesson design. If it is helpful to see, here are key definitions and guiding principles:
That the working group will continue to unpack throughout our time together. We (the working group) are targeting December as a time to share information for review and feedback – looking ahead to roll out lessons in a group of schools in the Spring.
Casey Ngo-Miller will also be leading another advisory group focused on community outreach. We will learn more about that group in the coming months. Casey will also be joining our SEPAC meet and greet with Anna Nolin on November 14 and will further engage with our community about our shared work in anti-ableism and other topics important to our community and students.
Lastly, we want to communicate with you that we want to continue to hear all of your concerns. Please email us if you have any questions surrounding your child’s IEP, 504, ESY, or other concerns in accessing the school environment and the “life of the school.”
We hope that you can join us at the next Zoom Open Board Meeting on 10-12-23 at 7:30 pm! Zoom links to follow soon!
Warmly,
Newton 23-24 SEPAC Board
Annette Nedeljkovic
Doreen Rachal
Julie Swersey
Claudia Svoboda Rheule
Eliza Spaulding
Jenny Klein-Sosa
Newton, MA SEPAC 