Who We Are
The Rockport Special Education Parents Advisory
Committee (R-SEPAC) is a positive and solution oriented committee started
by parents and caregivers for parents and caregivers of children with
special needs .
As a state mandated, system wide volunteer organization,
we, as parents, serve as a resource and advisor to other parents of children
with special needs from preschool through high school in the Rockport Public
Schools. As parents, we work with the administration to identify areas of
needs and act in an advisory role to the School Committee.
The R-SEPAC offers a broad range of information, contacts,
networking opportunities and members share information (books, tutors,
evaluators. etc.) others have found useful in guiding their children's
education. We will help you connect with other parents and professionals
dealing with similar issues.
Our membership is open to parents (or
guardians) of children with special needs and anyone interested in special
needs education in Rockport. We are parents with children who have learning
differences. We offer educational presentations on a variety of topics. We are
a resource for support, networking and information organization.
Our meeting announcements and
educational presentations are available in the monthly and weekly school
notices, the
Gloucester
Daily Times and the Rockport Parent Advisory website -
(http://teacherweb.com/MA/RockportPublicSchools/SPEDPAC/apt8.stm).
The
Massachusetts
Education Laws and Regulations
603
CMR 28.00: Special Education (scroll down to number 4 (on the DOE website) to
view the PAC definition):
603 CMR 28.07 (4) Parent
Involvement:
(4) Parent advisory participation. Each school district shall create a
district wide parent advisory council offering membership to all parents of
eligible students and other interested parties. The parent advisory council
duties shall include but not be limited to: advising the district 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 district's special education
programs. The parent advisory council shall establish by-laws regarding
officers and operational procedures, and, in the course of its duties, the
parent advisory council shall receive assistance from the district without
charge, upon reasonable notice, and subject to the availability of staff and
resources. The district shall conduct, in cooperation with the parent advisory
council, at least one workshop annually within the school district on the
rights of students and their parents and guardians under state and federal
special education laws. (See MGL c71B, 1C and 3)
Our
PAC
Mission
The Rockport Special
Education Parents Advisory Committee (Rockport R-SEPAC) provides education to
parents and the broader community on Special Education issues and services.
It works towards the understanding of respect, support, and appropriate
education for all children with special needs in our community and to insure
those students' needs under Chapter 766 and other applicable laws are being
met.
Goals:
1. To become a resource
for parents:
· Providing
information about disabilities and the special education process.
· Promoting
a network for parents and to provide a forum for sharing information.
2. To establish a
partnership between Rockport school organizations and our group.
· Becoming
a resource to the School Committee for planning, development and evaluation of
special education programs.
· Facilitating
a productive partnership between parents with children in special programs and
the school.
· Electing
a member to serve as the liaison to the School Committee and attend monthly
meetings.
· Providing
feedback and input to the Rockport Special Education Department.
3. To become a resource
for the community:
· Promoting
a community wide understanding of the issues impacting special education.
· Encouraging
community commitment to support diversity within the education system.
· Informing
members and community about state law and any other pertinent state mandates.