6th Annual Special Education School Fair & IEP Clinics for Parents

Posted on by February 5, 2016

Sponsored by the Special Needs Advocacy Network, Inc. (SPaN)
Friday, March 11, 2016
8:00am – 4:30pm
The Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, Marlborough, MA

Special Education Schools from across the state will be exhibiting with representatives available to discuss how their unique programs can address various students’ academic, cognitive, social, emotional, behavioral, clinical, therapeutic, physical, sensory, medical, adaptive living and vocational needs.

SPaN will also provide parents with the opportunity to meet with an experienced Special Education Advocate/Parent Consultant to discuss their IEP concerns. Clinic sessions will be scheduled for 50 minute increments. The IEP Clinics start at 8:30 am – first come/first served – and conclude by 12:30pm. To participate in the IEP Clinic parents/guardians must register for the School Fair.

Register & learn more here.

Visions of Community 2016

Posted on by January 20, 2016

Sponsored by the Federation for Children with Special Needs
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Seaport World Trade Center, Boston

Attend your choice of workshops about early childhood, special education, transition to adult life, special healthcare needs, managing challenging behaviors, mental health services and supports, inclusion, autism, fostering friendships, assistive technology, stress management for parents, parent leadership, and more. Register & learn more here.

Understanding My Child’s Learning Style

Posted on by January 20, 2016

Presented by the Federation for Children with Special Needs
Thursday January 28, 2016
7:00-9:00pm – Free
Natick Town Hall: 13 East Central Street, 3rd Floor

The different ways students take in and generate information can greatly affect how and whether they succeed in school and later in life. The presenter from the Federation for Children with Special Needs will identify the features of different learning styles and through interactive discussion with the group participants will explore how parents and teachers can harness a child’s learning style to help him/her achieve success in many different environments, including the classroom.

In order to prepare the correct amount of handouts, we would greatly appreciate RSVPs to naticksepac@gmail.com, but please know you can also come last minute. All are welcome!

Website: http://www.sepacnatick.org/meetings
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1064072310270525/

Miss Amazing Pageant & Dance Workshop

Posted on by January 1, 2016

Miss Amazing celebrates the incredible abilities of girls and women with disabilities. It gives them the opportunity to display their ambitions and reach their full potential in a supportive environment. Miss Amazing is a national non-profit organization located in over 30 states across the country and has impacted the lives of over 650 girls.

Miss Amazing Dance Workshop
January 9, 2016
3:00-5:00pm
Medfield Dance Academy
45 West Street, Medfield, MA

Miss Amazing Pageant
February 27, 2016
Time: to be announced
Medfield High School
88 Pound Street, Medfield, MA

Lucy Nealon, Massachusetts Miss Amazing Co-Director
Email: ma@missamazingpageant.com

Metrowest Resource Fair

Posted on by January 1, 2016

Hosted by: The Natick SEPAC
March 6, 2016
1:00-4:00pm
Natick High School
(Snow date: April 3, 2016)

This resource fair is designed to offer MetroWest families the opportunity to learn about dozens of local resources, activities, and services available to parents and individuals with special needs. This event is free to the Public and children are welcome. An arts and crafts area will be staffed with volunteers so parents and caretakers can attend the fair. Complete details are available here.

SEPAC Meeting 11/6/15

Posted on by October 27, 2015

Our next SEPAC meeting will take place on Friday, 11/6/15 at 9:00am in the Headmaster’s Conference Room at DSMS. We will review our 2015-16 goals & priorities by age group. We’ll also be discussing communication outreach, the Dover-Sherborn Challenge Success initiative, and upcoming events. Whether you are new to the school district or a parent we haven’t seen in a while, we encourage your participation.

Residents of Dover and Sherborn and the parents or guardians of students who attend our schools are welcome to participate in our meetings and attend our events. Meetings occur regularly and are posted on the district calendar. Agendas & meeting locations are emailed to SEPAC members in advance of each meeting.

5 Strategies to Conquer the Pitfalls of Procrastination

Posted on by September 22, 2015

Caitlin Keene
Beyond Booksmart

Understanding the motivation behind procrastination is often our best tool to combatting it. At times it can stem from perfectionism, where your child may be so anxious about failing at a task, it is easier not to do it at all. Other times, they may feel overwhelmed by a larger project and cannot figure out where to start. Result: they don’t. And then there is the constant and readily available nature of today’s distractions – social media, cell phones, Netflix. They can get the best of even those with above-average will power. So how can you help your child to succeed in putting procrastination out to pasture? Try these strategies to guide your student into escaping the pitfalls of procrastination for good. Read more