Westwood SEPAC

SEPAC Executive Board Members 2022-2023

�Co-Chairs: Stephanie Finegold, Jared Jones

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Treasurer: Kelse Hills

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Co-Secretaries: Liz Polin, Asanka Moehring

What is SEPAC?

The Westwood Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is a state-mandated, parent-run group working to promote a network of parents, guardians, and caregivers of children with special needs. �

SEPAC Stories

We had been involved in Westwood special education for many years before a parent Dori Parmelee introduced us to SEPAC. Once we became involved, my son found new friends at socials, and we as parents have found an amazing community of supportive people with similar experiences. 

�General meetings to keep us up-to-date on what’s going on in the district in regards to special education, and the newly formed parent groups have been a great touch point with other families. 

�We’ve been extremely grateful for SEPAC and all of its resources.

SEPAC Stories

My youngest was 3 when he was diagnosed with Autism. We didn’t know what an IEP really was or how the process worked, and we were overwhelmed with the process in general.

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We saw a SEPAC flyer in a PTO newsletter and began attending events. My wife and I met others who had been through what we were going through. They explained the processes and connected us to other resources.

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SEPAC has been an invaluable part of our special education process working with Westwood Public Schools

What Does SEPAC Do?

SEPAC

Student Services

School Committee

Gathers Input

Partners in Policy

Parents

Caregivers

Educators

Others

Understanding, Acceptance, Inclusion for all Special Education Students

To Drive and Foster

How we do it…

How we do it…

• School Committee Presentations

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• School District Staff Meetings

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• Forums for Parent Feedback

Advocacy

• Basic Rights Presentations

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• Guest Speakers

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• Resource Fairs

Education

Support: Networking Coffees

• Emotional/Mental health Challenges

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• Neurodiverse Profiles

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• Language Based Learning Differences

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• Medically Complex

Support: Online Parent Groups

SEPAC Recent Highlights

• First presence at Westwood Day

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• Resuming in-person meetings with online access

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• Restructuring Support Groups

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• Ongoing connection with the Commission on Disability

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SEPAC Concerns

Upcoming Events

• November 15: Board Meeting
• Online @ 7:30

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• November 17: Coffee Meet & Greet:
• Muffin House Café 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

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• December 8: Coffee Meet & Greet:
• Muffin House Café 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

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• February 13: Basic Rights Workshop
• Understanding the IEP, Online 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

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SEPAC Stories

• “I think this group is AMAZING. I try my best to go to things when I can but I always feel like the group is active and alive which is such a great feeling. Thank you for all that you do and for taking care of each other as we navigate through all these different paths.”�
• “SEPAC has been a life saver for me and my family. I’ve learned so much and connected with other parents going through the same things we are. I’m better informed because of what I’ve learned from the district presentations, speakers, and most importantly from other parents.”

Get Involved!

Westwood SEPAC

Westwood

SEPAC.org

Events

Volunteer

Contact SEPAC

Community Outreach Lead: Megan Brenk�Preschool: Lauren Fortin, Liz Polin�Martha Jones: Megan Brenk�Sheehan: Asanka Moehring, Kerry Aglugub�Deerfield: Doris Forteith, Karen Dolman�

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westwoodsepac@gmail.com

Facebook Group or westwoodsepac.org

Hanlon: Lauren Fortin�Downey: Samantha Sturma, Rania Kelly�Middle School: Kelly Anderson, Megan Brenk�High School: Jared Jones

2022-2023 SEPAC Board Members & School Liaisons

Board Members: Stephanie Finegold, Jared Jones, Liz Polin, Asanka Moehring, Kelse Hills