SEPAC general information for distribution

Wayland Special Education Parent Advisory Council
What is the Wayland SEPAC?
The Wayland Special Education Parent Advisory Council advises the Wayland Public School
District on special education matters, based on parent feedback. In addition, it is a network for
parents, guardians, and caregivers of children identified with a disability that provides a forum to
share information and discuss matters of relative interest and concern regarding our children.
Voting members are parents and guardians of children on a 504 or IEP, but others are welcome.
In Massachusetts, the SEPAC is a state mandated all-volunteer parent organization.
Mission
The purpose of the Wayland SEPAC is to foster the understanding of and respect and support for
all students with special education needs who are enrolled in the Wayland Public Schools
District (the “District”) or reside in Wayland pursuant to Chapter 71B of the Massachusetts
General Laws and 603 CMR, 28.07 (4) and act in an advisory capacity to, and facilitate
communication to and from, the District.
Core values:
We strive to promote an innovative educational environment in which students with special
education needs have equal access to educational opportunities and a school environment where
all children are encouraged to reach their potential. We meet regularly with school and District
administrators and the School Committee to participate in planning, developing, and evaluating
the District’s special education programs.
How SEPAC can help
The SEPAC aims to help parents and guardians by:
● Updating parents about the collaborative work between the Wayland SEPAC and the
Wayland Public Schools
● Fostering a community network in which parents of students receiving special education
services are supported with appropriate resources that will help them to make informed
educational decisions
● Informing community members about the SEPAC’s forthcoming resources, workshops
and social events
Come join us!
The Wayland SEPAC holds bimonthly meetings from September through June. In addition to
SEPAC meetings, we hold resource workshops and informal gatherings for parents. Please visit
our website at waylandsepac.com or write to us at waylandsepac@gmail.com for special
education updates and information on events.
Ways to get involved with SEPAC
● Attend a SEPAC meeting
● Attend an upcoming social or workshop
● Visit the Wayland SEPAC website for updates at waylandsepac.com
● Contact us at waylandsepac@gmail.com for other ways to get involved! We are
currently offering a weekly Wednesday night check-in,
● Join one of our committees – event planning, community resources, school liaisons, or
technology
We have liaisons for each school who act as a contact person for SEPAC and give school
specific information. If you are new to special education or SEPAC or would like to connect
with a SEPAC parent in your particular school or program, please feel free to reach out to
your school liaison.
SEPAC Board Members & Liaisons
Anne-Louise Klaus & Colleen Morneweck, Co-Chair
Margo Grossman & Kerry-Ann Kendall, Co-Secretary
Gayle Gledhill, Treasurer
Erin Newton, School/Program Liaisons Chair
Julie Kannel, Community Resources
Janeka Melanson, Events & Programming
Lisa Bagley, Technology
Karyn Jones & Katie Riffle, The Children’s Way Liaison
Allyson Peller, Loker Liaison
Katherine Kiernan & Erin Newton, Claypit Hill Liaison
Katie Andrus & Becky Chisholm, Happy Hollow Liaison
Cara Chase & Rocio Arostegui, WMS Liaison
Katy Cavallo, WHS Liaison
We are currently seeking an Out of District and a METCO program Liaison or Liaison(s). Please
contact us at waylandsepac@gmail.com , if you’re interested!
We would love to connect with you and hope you will join us soon!
instagram @waylandsepac
twitter @SepacWayland
facebook Wayland SEPAC Parents