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INTRODUCTIONS & WELCOME

Dianne Ellis, Assistant Pupil Services Director & Special Projects Liaison (part time)

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Reminder: What is the Purpose of a Friends of Special Education Group (SEPAC)?

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• Promote family engagement in children's education
• Help inform school committee & budgetary planning
• Conduct annual parents rights workshop (held October 2025)
• Provide a community of support for families of students with disabilities
• Help evaluate district special education programs & needs
• Children do better when families/ schools are working in partnership

New Business:

Questions / concerns of participants

Participant share:

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New Business:

Questions / concerns of participants

District share:

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Invitation to participate in a DESE Family Engagement “listening session” regarding resources on the DESE family portal.

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Family Input opportunity that will also be shared with building level school improvement councils and other friends groups.

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Open discussion

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Feedback from families for the 2026-2027 school year

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This month’s topic:

Wrapping up the 2025-2026 school year

Contact Information for Our Team

District Pupil Services Staff

Jesse Sinclair, Elementary Team Leader, Grades Prek-4 -Hillcrest, Sheffield, Gill School 863-3253

Cheryl Thompson, Secondary Team Leader, Grades 5-12 and PG students 863-7273

Jimena De Pareja, Spanish Language Community Liaison, (413) 695-9593

Rachel Vachula, Pupil Services Administrative Assistant & Data Technician, (413) 863-7508

Kristin Dietz, Pupil Services Director, (413) 863-7508

Dianne Ellis, Assistant Pupil Services Director & Special Projects Liaison (413) 863-7513