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Norfolk SEPAC

Welcome to Norfolk Public Schools
Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
 
 



SEPAC Board of Directors

President: Kendra Bixby

Vice President: Colleen Cole

Communications Coordinator: Joanne Gilbody

Secretary: Cindy Baker

Norfolk Special Education Office:
508-541-5478 ext. 2


Norfolk SEPAC Mission Statement

The Norfolk Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) strives to collaborate with and advise the school committee and administration to continually improve the educational opportunities for all children in and outside our school district. We promote improved education and success for students with disabilities, ensuring they receive equal access to educational opportunities within our school and community. The Norfolk SEPAC provides a network for parents of children with disabilities to access resources, gain support and share ideas. SEPAC encourages families to be involved in all district policy discussions.

Benefits of SEPAC

The Norfolk SEPAC provides a great support system for families with all types of needs. We offer educational presentations, resources, and opportunities in a supportive environment.

Past Presentations:

  • Surviving the Holidays
  • Structuring Play dates 101
  • Bina Farm
  • Study/Organization Skills
  • Parents Rights Presentation
  • Family Halloween Celebration
  • Navigating the IEP Process


We are a state-mandated PAC which seeks to educate parents and promote communication between district personnel and parents.

603 CMR 28.03(1)(a)(4) provides further guidance to PACs on their role with districts in providing parent/guardian and student rights training, as follows:
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.

The following is the excerpt from Section 3 of Chapter 71B that pertains to PACs:
"…. The school committee of any city, town, or school district shall establish a parent advisory council on special education. Membership shall be offered to all parents of children with disabilities and other interested parties. The parent advisory council duties shall include but not be limited to: advising the school committee 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 committee's special education programs. The parent advisory council shall establish by-laws regarding officers and operational procedures. In the course of its duties under this section, the parent advisory council shall receive assistance from the school committee without charge, upon reasonable notice, and subject to the availability of staff and resources. …"

See also: 603 CMR 28.07(4) and www.doe.mass.edu/sped/pac/