Welcome back from the SEPAC!

We hope you had a restful, fun, and relaxing summer!

This newsletter shares upcoming SEPAC events, links to resources, information about joining the Officer Board, and other updates.

This year, we will host several trainings, social events, and general meetings. You can find a tentative schedule here: https://sites.google.com/watertown.k12.ma.us/watertown-sepac/past-sepac-calendars

Our September event will be Saturday the 24th (1-3 pm), and will be a social gathering for families at a Watertown Public Park (more details to come).

In October we will have our first General Meeting on Wednesday the 11th at 7 PM on Zoom.

We also plan to host multiple Caregiver Safe Spaces at the Watertown Free Public Library this year.

Stay tuned for more details!

Trainings offered by other organizations are accessible to all via Zoom. Below is a list of training calendars from various MA organizations. They are updated as the year goes on.

Free trainings offered by the Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN): https://fcsn.org/news/#calendar

Special Needs Advocacy Network (SPAN) training Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/span-parent-advocacy-network-313399547

Parent Professional Advocacy League (PPAL) training list: https://ppal.net/trainings/

Wayside Children and Family Services offers parent support and training. More information can be found here. At the bottom of the linked site is an extensive list of parent support groups in MA.

Also, check out this great Watertown Community Resource Guide for families of children with disabilities, created by Megan Olowinski, a WPS Speech therapist working towards a special education administrative degree.

Heather McManus has loved serving as your co-chair/chair for the past ~1.5 years and couldn't be prouder of the work we have done together. Starting this year, she is moving into the role of acting SEPAC secretary and is excited to let the Watertown SEPAC know that two members of our existing officer board, Bethany Grazio (Cunniff Parent) and Liz Creasey (Hosmer Parent), now serve as our acting Co-Chairs!

Long-term SEPAC secretary Debi Cornelius is transitioning off the Officer Board. Much of the work of the SEPAC over the past 5+ years would not have been possible without Debi! Jennifer Nicholson is also transitioning off of the Board. Jen has been an invaluable resource to the SEPAC Board over the past year! We are so grateful for their service to the Watertown SEPAC.

We will have a special officer election in October to formalize changes in officer roles and to give SEPAC voting members the opportunity to run for Board positions. To be a voting member, you must have attended two Watertown SEPAC events in the past 12 months. If you have yet to attend two events in the past 12 months, make sure to attend our September and October events. We will share more information on this soon.

The district announced the appointment of Dr. Ceronne Daly as the new Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. The Watertown SEPAC is thrilled Dr. Daly is joining the Watertown District leadership team! We look forward to learning from and working with her on matters related to Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

The Elementary Diversity & Belonging Councils (DBCs) will be hosting a booth at this years Watertown Faire on the Square! Make sure to check it out, get information about the Elementary Diversity Councils and meet parent-leaders!

The DBCs have been kind enough to let SEPAC officers join them at their booth this year. We hope to see you there!

Watertown Faire on the Square!

Saturday, September 23 - 2023

11AM to 4PM - Saltonstall Park, Watertown, MA

The Watertown English Learner (EL) Parent Advisory Councils (ELPAC) is hosting the following event:

Welcome to the 23-24 School Year!

Meet Multilingual Families!

Saturday, September 9th

9-11 am

Arsenal Park in Watertown

🎉 Meet other people who speak your language!

🎉 Find out more about Watertown!

We will be at tables 9,10,11, and 18 near the playground.

We will provide snacks and drinks.

If you have questions please contact Kate Phillipson at kathryn.phillipson@watertown.k12.ma.us

https://sites.google.com/watertown.k12.ma.us/watertown-sepac/mailing-list