SSEPAC Newsletter-Winter/Spring 2001

Winter/Spring 2001

WINTER/SPRING 2001

The Sharon Special Education Parent Advisory Council has existed for approximately 10 years but has been very active for last 6 years. Since that time, SSEPAC has had numerous workshops covering different types of special needs as well as many topics to help parents understand the system of special education in Massachusetts.

SSEPAC is very visible in the community because of the many workshops and fund-raisers it holds. Some of the fund-raisers have included the Harlem Rockets and the ongoing flower bulb sales. This visibility, however, has led many people to believe that SSEPAC is a large organization, run by many individuals. In truth, SSEPAC’s officers are only comprised of 8 parents, aided somewhat by a few school liaisons. SSEPAC’s current membership numbers approximately 200 families. The same individuals have done much of the work over the last 6 years, although SSEPAC did pick up 2 new officers this past year. There are over 500 children in Sharon on IEPs, which means that there are a lot of parents in town who can benefit from what SSEPAC has to offer.

In order for SSEPAC to continue hosting quality workshops, it is important that new parents step forward who might be interested in becoming officers. The typical responsibilities of the officers usually involve the following:

	Workshop and Meeting Organizer-Securing speakers and reserving the middle school auditorium. Arranging for or coordinating the assembly of handouts. Reserving the high school library for meetings. Coordinator for Annual Appreciation Awards.
	Public relations, which mostly involve sending a press release to local papers and cable TV to announce a meeting, fund-raiser, or workshop. Follow-up is important to make sure these events actually make it in the papers.
	Managing the on-line forums- SSEPAC has a listserve on the Internet with the confidential email addresses of all those in town who want updates on events and other Special education news. The volunteer would send out emails to the group. Also, there is an on-line forum for SSEPAC, where parents can ask questions or make comments. A SSEPAC officer becomes the moderator and handles the postings placed in this forum.
	Fundraising organizer- This job would be responsible for managing fund-raising events, such as, ordering flower bulb fliers and the bulbs, and coordinating other volunteers to help with getting order forms out and packaging the orders. This person would work closely with the treasurer.
	Meeting with Sharon’s Special Education Director and Attend School Supt. meetings- Usually handled by SSEPAC Presidents. SSEPAC works closely with the school system and partners with the town’s Special Education department on various issues.
	Web site manager- SSEPAC currently has a very capable individual managing the web site. At some point in the future, someone with experience in this area might be needed.
	Past Presidents- Serve as an advisor and mentor to help guide current officers.
	Miscellaneous- Copying, folding, collating, posting fliers, assisting at workshops, and school liaisons. Other projects planned are Disability Awareness and Student Mentoring, if SSEPAC can get more parents involved to help these become a reality.
	Newsletters- Newsletters are written each month for each of Sharon’s schools, and once or twice a year for all the families in town with children with special needs.
	Resource Library-Currently located inside the high school library is a large collection of books and multimedia items on special education that need to be managed by someone.

Please call SSEPAC at 784-1554 X8090 or send an email to info@ssepac.org if you would like to become a key member of the organization.

RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION AWARDS EVENING

This April 24, the Sharon Special Education Parent Advisory Council will be hosting it’s annual Recognition and Appreciation Awards evening. These awards are specifically intended to recognize any individual who has done something unique that made a positive impact on your child. They are meant for any individual, whether it is a teacher, coach, bus driver, police officer, or any other ordinary citizen. Nominations can come from any family in Sharon that has a child with special needs, whether or not they are on an IEP. The nominee can be from outside Sharon.

The deadline for nominations is March 10, 2001. It’s very important to note that this event is not meant to be a popularity contest, but rather an opportunity to recognize a specific positive act.

We hope you will be able to join us on April 24, 2001 to recognize these individuals. The ceremony will be at the Sharon Middle School Auditorium, starting at 7:00 PM.

To nominate someone, all you have to do is fill out the nomination form below and mail it to: SSEPAC, One School Street, Sharon, MA 02067. SSEPAC will retain your anonymity, if you wish, but may need to call you to verify information regarding your nomination. Call 784-8316 if you have any questions. You can also bring the nomination form to any of the next two workshops on January 23 and March 6, 2001. Both will be at the Sharon Middle School at 7 PM.

Deadline: March 10 for Appreciation Awards

Please submit all entries to:

SSEPAC * One School Street * Sharon, MA 02067

781.784.1554 X8090

I wish to nominate _____________________________from ___________________for an appreciation award on April 24, 2001.

Please tell us why you believe this person/persons deserve to be recognized for this award.

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Submitted by___________________________________Phone number_____________________

Please feel free to use the back of this form if you need more room. Computer generated printouts are also accepted.

Thank you!

SSEPAC Calendar

Winter/Spring 2001

All Events Below Start At 7:00 PM

January 23, 2001

2001 Special Education Odyssey- New Regulations workshop

Middle School Auditorium

January 30, 2001

Above snow date

Middle School Auditorium

February 6, 2001

General Meeting

High School Library

March 6, 2001

Assistive Technology Workshop

Middle School Auditorium

March 10, 2001

Deadline for Appreciation Award nominations

March 13, 2001

Above-snow date

Middle School Auditorium

April 3, 2001

General meeting and officer nominations

High School Library

April 24, 2001

Recognition and Appreciation Awards Evening

Middle School Auditorium

May 1, 2001

Officer Elections and General Meeting

High School Library

HOW TO REACH SSEPAC

Phone: (781) 784-1554 X8090

Email: info@ssepac.org

Web site: www.ssepac.org

Mail: 1 School Street, Sharon, MA 02067

To Subscribe to SSEPAC’s anonymous on-line information service

ssepac-subscribe@egroups.com

SSEPAC Officers

Mark Baron and Susan Linehan: Co-Presidents

Alan Bloom and Pauline Stratis: Co-Vice-Presidents

Stacey Simons: Treasurer

Lee Berkowitz and Pamela Weir: Co-Secretaries

Suzanne Peyton: Past President

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Send e-mail to: info@ssepac.org
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or contact us at:
SSEPAC
1 School Street, Sharon, MA 02067
Phone: 781/784-1554, Ext. 8090

The Mission of the Sharon Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SSEPAC) is to work towards the understanding of, respect for, support, and appropriate education for all children with special needs in the community of Sharon, Massachusetts.

SSEPAC web page design & maintenance by Lee Berkowitz

NEWSLETTER

WINTER/SPRING 2001

RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION AWARDS EVENING

SSEPAC Calendar

HOW TO REACH SSEPAC

To Subscribe to SSEPAC’s anonymous on-line information service

SSEPAC Officers