Superintendent Diane DiGiuseppe and Verona C.H.I.L.D. will hold an open meeting of Verona’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) on Wednesday, October 12 at 7 p.m. in the Verona High School auditorium. Verona C.H.I.L.D., which supports families with children who have learning differences, is inviting parents to submit any questions in advance at [email protected] to submit any questions in writing that you would like answered at the meeting. There may also be a virtual option for questions; contact C.H.I.L.D. by email if you need that.
C.H.I.L.D. has provided some information to help parents understand the reason for the meeting:
What is a SEPAC what can I expect from an Open Meeting?
A SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) is a “state-mandated, district-level, parent-driven group charged with providing input to the local school district on system-level challenges in special education and related services.”
A SEPAC, through various channels, gives parents and caregivers the opportunity to provide input to their district regarding systemic programs, services, policies, and concerns that have an impact on students who receive special services. An Open SEPAC meeting is a forum in which to be able to do this collectively and directly with the Director of Special Services. Please note that any parents with individual student concerns will be directed to schedule a meeting with our interim Director of Special Services, Nicole Heid, or the student’s case manager at a later date.
What is Verona C.H.I.L.D.?
C.H.I.L.D. (Children Having Individual Learning Differences) is a non-profit organization of parents and caregivers dedicated to providing support to children who receive special education services from the Verona Public Schools. Our goal is to advocate for our community by providing a solution-oriented forum for families, educators, and administrators to effectively communicate and collaborate together to better understand and help bridge the gap between special education and general education.
What is the connection between SEPAC and C.H.I.L.D.?
C.H.I.L.D. is the designated SEPAC for our district, and while the functions of the two organizations may differ, our shared board members work seamlessly together across both platforms to further their mutual mission of supporting our community and effecting positive systemic change within the district.
