cambridgesepac Advocacy, Dyslexia, Meetings & Events

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month

On Wednesday, October 21st at 7pm, we will host a Virtual Listening Party and discuss APM’s Educate Podcast episode, “What the Words Say: Many kids struggle with reading – and children of color are far less likely to get the help they need.”  Please email cambridgesepac@gmail.com for the Zoom link.

Thank You, Mayor Siddiqui!

Cambridge SEPAC would like to voice our gratitude to Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and the Cambridge City Council for Lighting Up City Hall Red for Dyslexia Awareness Month from October 13-16th. Click here to read her proclamation >

Our Community Can Do Better

Dyslexia is the most prevalent learning challenge, with nearly 1 in 5 students experiencing difficulties learning how to read.  In Cambridge in 2019, 53% of African American or Black students and 59% of Students with Disabilities did not meet expectations on their Grade 3 English Language Arts MCAS as compared to just 20% of White and Asian students.  Our community must and can do better.

We are eager to partner with Cambridge Public Schools in applying what we have learned about brain science and the science of reading to close these persistent gaps, which disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and other students of color (BIPOC).  

Learn more – videos

cambridgesepac Advocacy, Events, Get Involved, Meetings & Events, Sensory Friendly Movies

Connect with Other Families

Webinar Wednesdays at 10am

Webinars will be broadcast via Zoom so that families can watch as a group, use the chat bar to ask questions, and talk afterwards. We are currently working through the Basic Rights in Special Education trainings of the Federation for Children with Special Needs. To join, email Zuleka Queen Postell at zqueen-postell@cpsd.us to request the link.

Parent Support groups – Fridays at 10am

Free support group offering support and information, facilitated by New England Home for Little Wanderers. More Information >

Sensory-friendly Netflix Party – FRIDAYS AT 7PM

Join through the Netflix Party App, or join us on Zoom to watch through the SEPAC. Past Family movies have included Farmageddon (A Shaun the Sheep Movie) and Arctic Dogs. Learn More >

SE-PAC Community Meetings – 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 6pm

Work with other special education parents to advocate for equity and quality in special education in Cambridge. Learn More >

Questions?

Contact Zuleka Queen-Postell at ZQueen-Postell@cpsd.us or (617) 593-4402

cambridgesepac Meetings & Events

November 15: Struggling Readers with Dr. Nadine Gaab

Nadine_GaabJoin Cambridge SE-PAC for a discussion of reading and dyslexia with Dr. Nadine Gaab:

Thursday, November 15 at 6PM
Cambridge CityWide Senior Center
806 Massachusetts Avenue
Register for this session now>>

Dr. Gaab will discuss her research on language and reading development, including the neurology of developmental dyslexia. Through the Gaab Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, her research team focuses on children diagnosed with or at risk for various developmental disorders, particularly language-based learning disabilities. Dr. Gaab is also on the faculty of Harvard Graduate School of Education and an adjunct at Brandeis University.

 

 

cambridgesepac Meetings & Events

School Discipline with Peter Hahn

peter hahnJoin Cambridge SE-PAC for a discussion of School Discipline with Attorney Peter A. Hahn:

Saturday, October 13th at 1PM
Cambridge CityWide Senior Center
806 Mass Avenue
Register for this session>>

 

Attorney Hahn will review the law for general education and special education students subject to school discipline, including due process rights for all students, the authority of schools to exclude under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 71, sections 37H, 37H-1/2, and 37H-3/4, and manifestation determination reviews for special education students.

This meeting is free and open to the public. Childcare and lunch will be provided

cambridgesepac Meetings & Events, Support

Family Dinners Out

Please join other special education families for a relaxed and fun night out at one of our monthly SE-PAC Family Dinner Nights!

2018-19 Family Dinner Nights:

  • First Tuesday of the Month at 6PM
  • IHOP 16 Eliot St. Harvard Sq. Cambridge Ma 02138

This is specially designed to accommodate students with disabilities who might have difficulty dining out.

Families can relax while students are free to enjoy dinner in whatever way works for them. Our goal is to create a supportive atmosphere where all will feel welcome and have fun as a family!

For more information contact:

 

cambridgesepac Get Involved, Meetings & Events

SE-PAC Officer Elections

The Cambridge Special EducationParent Advisory Council (SE-PAC) is seeking nominations for PAC officers for the 2018-19 School Year. Any parent or guardian who participates in Cambridge SE-PAC may be nominated for a 1-year term as Chair or Co-Chair, Vice Chair or Secretary.

Process

Candidates may nominate themselves or may be nominated by another PAC member. You may run for a specific office, or may specify an individual or group you are running with. You may also request that the election committee connect you with others who are running to explore running together. Please submit your nomination form by Sept 31, 2018.

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Work in a collaborative and advocacy role with the CPS Office of Student Services, Administration, and School Committee.
  • Serve as a resource to parents and families of children with disabilities and speak on behalf of the PAC in matters of CPS policy or practice.
  • Oversee PAC meetings and identify workshop topics, supported by the liaison who is responsible for organizing meetings and workshops and conducting family outreach.
  • In general, officers contribute 10-15 hours of your time per month. The SE-PAC leadership team (officers and liaison) work collaboratively to accommodate individual schedules and needs.

Submit a Nomination

Cambridge SE-PAC will be holding elections for this year’s officers at our monthly meeting on Oct. 18. We would love to have you run for office!

  • Please see our ballot HERE.
cambridgesepac Meetings & Events

2018-19 Monthly Meetings

ALL parents of students with an IEP or 504 are members of the Cambridge SE-PAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council).  SE-PAC’s have tremendous potential to have a positive impact on special education programs in a school district. PACs can provide invaluable activities for parents, and add an important voice to a school district’s dialogue and decision making.

SE-PAC meeting are generally held the third Thursday of each month, with this year’s schedule as follows:

  • September 20, 2018
  • October 18, 2018
  • November 15, 2018
  • December 13, 2018
  • January 17, 2019
  • February 21, 2019
  • March 14, 2019
  • April 18, 2019
  • May 16, 2019
  • June 13, 2019