What is SEPAC or PAC?
Since 1986 Massachusetts state law requires all public school districts to have a Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) to help ensure FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education).
“The SEPAC duties shall include but not be limited to: advising the school committee on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities; meeting regularly with school officials to participate in the planning, development, and evaluation of the school committee’s special education programs.”
  *See the Speakers tabs for the year’s schedule of meetings.
2014 BOARD
CO-CHAIR/PRESIDENT - DIANE HERTH
CO-CHAIR/SECRETARY - HELANE CHILDS
TREASURER - DR. ANN DEMICK
OSGOOD LIAISON - BARBARA STEFAN
DEER HILL LIAISON - DR. STEPHANIE PEABODY HUDSON
MIDDLE SCHOOL LIAISON - TRICIA CIFRINO
MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL LIAISON - FRANCHESCA ARNOLD
SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON - MARY MCGOLDRICK
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES - MARY BUCHANAN

What do the Cohasset SEPAC board members do?:
  • Coordinate speakers, the first Tuesday of every month* who inform us on understanding differences and promoting acceptance, inclusion and access in our schools and community.  All parents, caregivers and educators on the South Shore are encouraged to attend and learn.  Professional Development hours are given for speakers. *September and January are delayed a week due to families just coming back from vacation.
We posts on this website and our Facebook page all speakers and learning opportunities for parents and educators on the South Shore.  If you have an event to post, please send the link to webmaster Diane Herth.
  • We speak to parents as a support system, as a friend who understands, as a resource directory, as a community activist, as a liaison to the district and community.   Email us, call us (see PSO calendar), reach out to your building liaison if you have questions or suggestions.  We represent YOU.  We want to hear from you.
  • An officer(s) attends School Committee meetings every other week.
  • Officers and school building liaisons meet with Administration (Director of Student Services, Superintendent Barbara Cataldo, and Director of Curriculum Louise Demas) monthly.
  • Officers meet with School Committee liaison (2014-15 Mary McGoldrick) monthly.
  • Liaisons attend their school building PSO monthly meeting to let parents know what is going on and to act as a channel to the administration
  • SEPAC reports needs of district to PSO Presidents at the monthly meeting.
  • Maintain the Facebook page keeping it up-to-date for parents with meetings, activities and research
  • Currently a SEPAC co-chair acts as the webmaster to keep speakers and fun activities up-to-date
  • Our entire board is trained annually on Basic Rights and officer(s) attend disability conferences each year
Who should be involved?
Every parent or legal guardian is already a member of SEPAC!  All parents, guardians and grandparents of students will want to attend meetings and learn how to help their children!  We are always looking for volunteers to help in many ways from being on the board to sending us interesting speakers to post, or simply to pick up the coffee for meetings.  It takes a village and we are volunteers to help each other, help our children receive FAPE and get the education they deserve so that they may grow into happy and involved adult citizens.  (Special Education 101)

You are NOT alone.  How can Cohasset SEPAC help?  How can you learn more? 
  • Attend monthly SEPAC meetings.  At SEPAC meetings you will learn from professional speakers and network with SEPAC board members and other parents.  We have lots to offer! 
  • Attend Parent Support Coffee at a SEPAC officer’s home.  Join us!  These meetings are a time for confidential support and advise regarding education, extracurricular activities and home life - parents and caretakers ONLY.  We are here to support you.  Remember, we each have walked in your shoes.  (Babies are welcome!) Oct. 16, Jan. 15, Mar. 12
  • FUN EVENTS tab shows after school student activities and parents outings and fund raisers.  Get out and have fun as a family, give your child opportunities for activities or enjoy time with other adults.
  • School Committee meetings.  Ask questions of the board that governs the district programs.  All parents are strongly encouraged to attend Wednesday night School Committee meetings at 7PM in the lower level next to District offices at the High School.  This is when the school committee develops the budget, approves curriculum, and guides the education your child is receiving.  The public is encouraged to attend meetings and may comment (not debate) at the beginning of every meeting.  To confirm meeting date and review agenda click here.
COHASSET 
2014-15 CALENDAR OF SPEAKERS
(As we near the speaking date, click the SPEAKERS tab for full description of speaker.)
SEPTEMBER 16th   10am-12pm Community Room, CMHS 
“SEPAC COFFEE”  Meet & Greet the new Director of Student Services, New Team Chairs, New pre-school Autism teacher, specialists, and councilors and hear what they bring to Cohasset.

OCTOBER 7th   SEPAC Speaker 7-8:30pm Paul Pratt Library, Community Room
“Basic Rights” presented by Mary Buchanan, Director of Student Services

OCTOBER 15th Parent-to-Parent Support Coffee 11-1pm @ home of Helane Childs 73 Pond St..
“ORGANIZE YOURSELF” presented by the Cohasset SEPAC Board.  Pre-order 2” binder (for each grade) $15 with pre-labeled tabs and helpful information 

NOVEMBER 4th    SEPAC Speaker 7-8:30pm Paul Pratt Library, Community Room
“ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURIES” presented by Dr. Janet Kent founding director of South Shore Impact Clinic and Marissa Frank, DPT.  As a parent you are expected to take a class on Concussions when you sign up your child for sports.  Come and learn in depth the cause, signs and treatments of concussions and other Acquired Brain Injuries.  

DECEMBER 2nd   SEPAC Speaker 7-8:30pm Paul Pratt Library, Community Room
“THE BEHAVIOR CODE:  EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES for the student with ANXIETY” presented by Jessica Minahan, BCBA & Author of "The Behavior Code". 

JANUARY 13th   SEPAC Speaker 7-8:30pm Paul Pratt Library, Community Room
“UNDERSTANDING MY CHILD’S LEARNING STYLE” presented by Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN).  
JANUARY 21st Parent-to-Parent Support Coffee 11-1pm @ home of SEPAC board.  Great place for advise on anything from services to doctors and activities for siblings.  Babies are welcome. 

FEBRUARY 3rd   CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW
To be rescheduled: “EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION” presented by Federation for Children of Special Needs (FCSN)

MARCH 3rd   SEPAC Speaker 7-8:30pm Paul Pratt Library, Community Room
“CREATING A VISION” presented by Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)

APRIL 7th   SEPAC Speaker 7-8:30pm Paul Pratt Library, Community Room
"Understanding a Neuropsychological Evaluation and How to Use Test Results to Monitor Progress and in the IEP Process.”  Reva S. Tankle, Ph.D., Pediatric and Adolescent Neuropsychologist
NESCA-Newton

APRIL 29th Parent-to-Parent Support Coffee 11-1pm @ home of Osgood Liaison Barbara Stefan, 
Great place for advise on anything from services to doctors and activities for siblings.  Babies are welcome.

MAY 5th    SEPAC Speaker 7-8:30pm Paul Pratt Library, Community Room- TBA

JUNE 2nd    SEPAC Get Together! 7-8:30pm Olde Salt House  “Celebration of Successes and Looking Ahead”
SUPPORT PSO and purchase thru this AMAZON link