On Wednesday, May 28, 2014 from 6:30-8:30PM, Cambridge SE-PAC held our annual meeting and election of officers at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, 159 Broadway. Congratulations to the following individuals, who were elected to represent the PAC during the 2014-15 school year.
Pia Marrella Cisternino (Co-Chair) lives with her husband and three children in West Cambridge. Professionally, she is a speech language pathologist. In 2012, Pia founded the Twice Exceptional Parents’ Support Group, and she continues to facilitate monthly meetings of the group. Pia served as a C-PAC Officer for school year 2013-14, alongside Karen Dobak, Melissa Preston Bulyko, and Zina Gomez-Liss.
Karen Dobak (Co-Chair) has been an active member of C-PAC since her 21-year-old son was diagnosed with PDD when he was 2.5 years old. Her daughter, who is 10 and has a diagnosis of PDD-NOS, epilepsy and dyslexia, has received special education services since she was in Kindergarten at the King Open School. Karen’s daughter is currently in an 11-month program out of district, and her son receives services through CPS and a program at Mass Bay Community College.
Julie Viens (Co-Chair) has three children, ages 17, 11 and 8, and has experience helping her children navigate the education system while struggling with learning, sensory integration, and emotional/behavioral challenges. Julie’s family has experience with special education in the general education environment, with home schooling, and with out-of-district placements. Julie describes C-PAC as a “lifeline” and assumes the position of officer with the intent of offering practical and emotional support to other families. Professionally, Julie is working on preliminary licensure credentials to work as a teacher with preK-2, elementary, and students with moderate disabilities; and works as a substitute teacher for CPS.
Pamela Blau (Vice Chair) has two children: a daughter at the Amigos School and a son at Vassal Lane Upper School who has an IEP for dyslexia and ADHD. Professionally, Pamela is a therapist in private practice in Cambridge. She has been involved with CPAC for 8 years, and says that she has learned much from other parents about how to navigate the special education system and support her son. Her goal as a new C-PAC officer is to pass on some of what she has learned to others.
Cambridge SE-PAC 