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NEWSLETTERS
SSEPAC End of Year Newsletter 2010
Its hard to believe its already May. SSEPAC has been up and running for over a year now. For me personally, it has been an energizing, exciting year. I am constantly amazed by the determination and dedication of those with whom I have worked. The old adage "if you want something done right, ask a busy person to do it" was never more true than with these parents and members. Here are some events and successes of the past year that I would like to share with you.
1. The SSEPAC Website is alive ……. and growing:
The SSEPAC website continues to grow and expand. Our goal is to provide a site with a wealth of helpful links and resources. We hope to continue to expand the range of information on the site and to make it more interactive. We cannot thank Mary Buzzell enough for her non-stop efforts on the website. In addition to administering the website, she also developed a helpful survey that will serve as a springboard for SSEPAC's future events.
2. The Sharon Stars Program/ Family Field Day
In the past, families of children with special needs had to look outside of Sharon for sports and recreational programs. One of our members, Katy Dykeman, created a program with the support of the Sharon Recreation Department. The Sharon Stars program provides children with special needs an opportunity to learn to play soccer, basketball and baseball in their own town.
Talk about a "win-win"! The participants, family members and volunteers all benefited by this program. High school students -- participants and volunteers—established relationships that went beyond the field into the lunchroom. Parents connected with each other. Friendships were created, and fun was had.
Similarly, Shari Syat, Pop Warner and the Family Field Day crew have created an event in the Town of Sharon that is truly special for everyone involved. Last Saturday, with over 40 participants (plus their family members) and over a hundred volunteers (most from Sharon Pop Warner) the Family Field Day was held. A community BBQ occurred after. It was a smashing success. This event is a testament to what one determined mom (Shari Syat) and one determined organization (Pop Warner – thanks Cary Nevins and crew) can do when they band together.
3. SSEPAC Presents: Speakers and Seminars
Realizing that all parents – not just SSEPAC parents -- have concerns about how to help their children through the maze of issues they face, SSEPAC sought to provide helpful seminars. Seminars on anxiety (Virginia Hershman), ADD therapies (Olga Soler), Parent's rights (Steve Kaplan), Executive Functioning (June 1st, Steve Kaplan), RTI were held this year. We were so happy to see some school officials attending these seminars (on their own time) along with the parents. We are already working on some ideas for next year, including a follow up on anxiety issues relating to teens -- just for teens.
For all that I mentioned there are so many more whose efforts are invaluable (Sue Linehan, April Lomba, Rhonda Jansky, Richard Godmintz, Suzanne Heitin, Steve Kaplan and many more).
For all that we did, there is so much more for us to do. On June 3rd at Sharon High School 7 p.m. we are having our last meeting of the year to plan for next year. Please join us.
Marcy Kaplan
January 2010 Newsletter
Happy New Year!
This past year has been a very important one for the revitalization of SSEPAC. It is hard to believe that just one year ago we have no members, no board, no website, no family field day, no soccer stars, no speakers, no community, no connection!
Most of our efforts have been focused on defining SSEPAC. Essentially, SSEPAC would like to help provide parents with various resources that they can use in their homes, with their families, to help their children have better access to and success in school and beyond. Also, SSEPAC would like to continue to become a valued voice in the community and to advise the district on matters relating to the education of our children.
Personally, it has been so great to have met so many people this year and to have made some wonderful connections. I hope many of you feel the same way. I am really excited for the upcoming year and to be able to build upon the base we have started.
Some of our goals for the upcoming year include:
1. Survey SSEPAC members electronically to determine how we can best help our community. Please keep your eyes open for this!
2. Present additional seminars for parents on topics such as Executive Functioning and Anxiety.
3. Continued support of additional recreational opportunities in the Town of Sharon (soccer stars, basketball stars and Family Field Day)
4. Building up our library and making the books easily available to all.
5. Fundraising so that we can continue to provide some financial support for some of our programs.
To the extent that our efforts have failed to hit the mark, failed to provide support, I ask that you please understand that as hard as we try, we are still learning. With your help we can do a better job. Please join us on January 14th at 7:00. We look forward to seeing you there.
September 2009 Newsletter
We all are very excited for the new school year. Please note that our first meeting is next Thursday at 7:00 pm. It will be held in the new modular unit of the high school. You may enter the room directly from the parking lot. Please attend if you can, we would love to see you.
We have been busy over the summer building on the momentum of last spring. It has been amazing the amount of time and dedication our members have put in over the summer so that we can work to fulfill our mission. Some of the highlights are below:
1. Website: Please visit the new updated website put together by the the technology committee: Brendan Murphy, Mary Buzzell and Bharathi Venkat. We cannot thank them enough for undertaking this project. Please visit www.ssepac.org!
2. Open Houses: Also, we are preparing for the fall open houses. Our Fall Open House Committee have been planning and meeting throughout the summer to ensure that each parent who attends an open house learns about SSEPAC. We are still looking for volunteers to help. Please contact me or attend the Sept. 10th meeting if you have time to help.
3. Logo: Our new logo and brochure are finalized thanks to Mark Blackman, who offered his design services free of charge. The logo has turned out so well!
4. Soccer Stars: Katy Currul-Dykeman has been working hard with the Rec. Dept to start a fall soccer league for children with special needs. It starts Sept 20th. To register, please see the Recreation Department's website or contact
5. Amazon. com Fundraiser: Please help us earn some money when you purchase books through Amazon.com. Just go to the SSEPAC website, click on the Amazon link and order your books. Our account will be credited each time you do so.
