October 11
Parent's Night Out
Start Line Brewery, 7PM. All are welcome.
October 14
Fall Family Fun Day with SEPAC
Marathon Elementary School, 10 AM - 12 PM
Join SEPAC for a fun day of pumpkin decorating, crafts, and cider donuts. We will also be serving cider and other snacks. Come meet other special needs families at our free event. RSVP is preferred, but not required. RSVP here.
October 17
HPS Student Services 101
Virtual Meeting, 7 PM
Director of Student Services, Abby Hanscom, and her team will present on Student Services in Hopkinton and provide information about the Athena Report.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 893 0400 0894 Passcode: 898437
October 23
Hopkinton SEPAC Coffee Hour
Hopkinton Public Library, Betty Strong Room (Large Event Room), 10 AM
Come meet other special needs parents and caregivers and learn more about Hopkinton SEPAC. We will be serving coffee and donuts.
November 28
Basic Rights Presentation - Evaluation and Eligibility
Federation of Children with Special Needs
*PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED*
Please register here to receive the Zoom link and Presentation handouts:
https://fcsn-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUodOyhrDguHddIKUmkygp03Yrfgyv6JVBU
December 9
Snowman Saturday!
Marathon Elementary School, 10 AM - 12 PM
We are hosting a snowman themed family fun day!
Please join us for:
• Cookie decorating
• Hot chocolate station – choose your own toppings
• Games (with PRIZES)
• Photo Booth
• Winter themed crafts
• Snacks and refreshments Come meet other special needs families at this free event. RSVP is preferred, but not required.
RSVP for Snowman Saturday with SEPAC (google.com)
December 12
Hopkinton SEPAC Coffee Hour
Hopkinton Public Library, Betty Strong Room (Large Event Room), 10 AM
Come meet other special needs parents and caregivers and learn more about Hopkinton SEPAC. We will be serving coffee and donuts.
January 9
Understanding our Differences
Learning About Hopkinton’s Disability Awareness Programming via Understanding Our Differences
https://understandingourdifferences.org/
Hopkinton Public Schools has had a longstanding relationship with Understanding Our Differences (UOD), a nationally-recognized disability awareness curriculum that seeks to educate non-disabled students and school community members about disability in order to build inclusive and welcoming school cultures.
You are invited to join the January SEPAC meeting to hear about how this program is structured in HPS, learn what grade levels and topics are involved and how HPS thinks about the issues of disclosure and self-advocacy this program brings up. Click HERE to view a video about the UOD program.
We look forward to hearing from UOD representatives about the most current iteration of the programming, answer parent questions and share the schedule of UOD events this year at Elmwood and Hopkins. While the programming is currently at grades 3- 5, parents of students of any age and grade are welcome to attend.
ZOOM LINK HERE (Meeting ID: 843 3019 8920 Passcode: 325069)
January 10
Parent's Night Out
Start Line Brewery, 7PM. All are welcome.
January 23
Hopkinton SEPAC Coffee Hour
Hopkinton Public Library, Betty Strong Room (Large Event Room), 10 AM
Come meet other special needs parents and caregivers and learn more about Hopkinton SEPAC. We will be serving coffee and donuts.
February 13
Relationship Counseling!
Just in time for Valentine’s Day…
Join staff from Castlebrook Counseling to discuss relationship stress and resilience for families and individuals. This will be a virtual event and an opportunity to discuss both partner and sibling related dynamics.
Google Meet link to follow.
February 26
Hopkinton SEPAC Coffee Hour
Hopkinton Public Library, Betty Strong Room (Large Event Room), 10 AM
Come meet other special needs parents and caregivers and learn more about Hopkinton SEPAC. We will be serving coffee and donuts.
March 2
Movement and Mindfulness Class
Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 98 Hayden Rowe Street, 2nd Floor, 10 AM
Movement & Mindfulness is a transformative program designed for youth that provides an outlet to move, create, and breathe while encouraging them to grow into more self-aware and self-assured individuals.
Great for families interested in mental wellness and mediation! Class is designed for middle school aged students and above.
Wear comfy clothes to move in and bring a water bottle! Please RSVP here by 2/24.
For more information, please visit www.movementmindfulness.com/youth
March 12, 7 PM via Zoom
What’s up with the new IEP?
DSS Abby Hanscom will present the new, completely revised, IEP document.
Zoom Link: https://hopkintonps.zoom.us/j/87311289396?pwd=M2lYV3BKMVhrNzluOGNtZENFTjZ0dz09
No Registration Required!
A blank copy of the new IEP form in English and 16 languages can be found here.
March 18, 10 AM
Hopkinton Public Library, Betty Strong Room (Large Event Room)
Hopkinton SEPAC Coffee with an Advocate
Hopkinton SEPAC is hosting a coffee hour for parents and care partners of special needs students. We have invited an advocate to answer any questions related to special education. Come to our advocate Q & A session, meet other special needs parents, and learn more about Hopkinton SEPAC. We will be serving coffee and donuts.
April 9
Extended School Year, 7PM
Do you have questions regarding Extended School Year services in Hopkinton?
SEPAC's next zoom is a presentation from and chance to meet Kim Goodwin the ESY School Year Planner (and HMS/HHS BCBA) and Ashley Smerlas the ESY Summer Director (and teacher at Elmwood). They will share a presentation about the ESY programs, logistics, schedules etc.
It is a good chance to ask questions and give input on the programs.
Zoom link: https://hopkintonps.zoom.us/j/81062612320?pwd=b05vRjNLZHEyVzJVQnNtdmJQbGhCdz09
April 22
Hopkinton SEPAC Parents and Care Partners Coffee Hour, 10 AM
Hopkinton Public Library, Betty Strong Room (Large Event Room)
Hopkinton SEPAC is hosting a coffee hour for parents and care partners of special needs students. Come to meet other special needs parents and learn more about Hopkinton SEPAC. We will be serving coffee and donuts.
May 14
Mediation Process, 7 PM
Special Education Mediator Steve Lilly-Webber- Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA)
What happens when you reject your child's lEP and feel that
you and the District are unable to resolve your differences? Have you ever received a letter from the DOE explaining your
rights to mediation, and wondered what this involves?
For answers to these questions and more, please join us for a Zoom seminar on May 14, 2024 at 7 pm with Steven Lilly- Weber, the BSEA mediator who works with Hopkinton Public Schools, during which he will explain the mediation process,
and answer any questions you have.
https://hopkintonps.zoom.us/j/89301918176...
May 18
Spring Social with SEPAC,10 - 12PM
Marathon Elementary Playground
Join us for a fun day at the playground with sports and spring themed crafts. We will be serving snacks and refreshments. Come meet other special needs families at our free event. RSVP is preferred, but not required.
RSVP here
June 5
End of the Year Reception, 6:30 PM
Hopkinton Public Library, Betty Strong Room
Parents and care partners, take the night off and join us for a light dinner at our end of the year get together. RSVP is preferred, but not required.
At this upcoming event, we will be holding board elections for the seats of 1) Chair, 2) Education, and 3) Events. If you wish to be a candidate, kindly send an email to [email protected] by 5/29. This is a relaxed and enjoyable chance to contribute to a fantastic Hopkinton community!
June 7
Hopkinton SEPAC Parents and Care Partners Coffee Hour: Medical Complexity
Hopkinton Public Library, Betty Strong Room (Large Event Room), 10 AM
Hopkinton SEPAC is hosting a coffee hour for parents and care partners of special needs
students. All are welcome, but we would like to extend a special invitation to families affected
by medical complexity. Come to meet other special needs parents and learn more about
Hopkinton SEPAC. We will be serving coffee and donuts.
Parent's Night Out
Start Line Brewery, 7PM. All are welcome.
October 14
Fall Family Fun Day with SEPAC
Marathon Elementary School, 10 AM - 12 PM
Join SEPAC for a fun day of pumpkin decorating, crafts, and cider donuts. We will also be serving cider and other snacks. Come meet other special needs families at our free event. RSVP is preferred, but not required. RSVP here.
October 17
HPS Student Services 101
Virtual Meeting, 7 PM
Director of Student Services, Abby Hanscom, and her team will present on Student Services in Hopkinton and provide information about the Athena Report.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 893 0400 0894 Passcode: 898437
October 23
Hopkinton SEPAC Coffee Hour
Hopkinton Public Library, Betty Strong Room (Large Event Room), 10 AM
Come meet other special needs parents and caregivers and learn more about Hopkinton SEPAC. We will be serving coffee and donuts.
November 28
Basic Rights Presentation - Evaluation and Eligibility
Federation of Children with Special Needs
*PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED*
Please register here to receive the Zoom link and Presentation handouts:
https://fcsn-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUodOyhrDguHddIKUmkygp03Yrfgyv6JVBU
December 9
Snowman Saturday!
Marathon Elementary School, 10 AM - 12 PM
We are hosting a snowman themed family fun day!
Please join us for:
• Cookie decorating
• Hot chocolate station – choose your own toppings
• Games (with PRIZES)
• Photo Booth
• Winter themed crafts
• Snacks and refreshments Come meet other special needs families at this free event. RSVP is preferred, but not required.
RSVP for Snowman Saturday with SEPAC (google.com)
December 12
Hopkinton SEPAC Coffee Hour
Hopkinton Public Library, Betty Strong Room (Large Event Room), 10 AM
Come meet other special needs parents and caregivers and learn more about Hopkinton SEPAC. We will be serving coffee and donuts.
January 9
Understanding our Differences
Learning About Hopkinton’s Disability Awareness Programming via Understanding Our Differences
https://understandingourdifferences.org/
Hopkinton Public Schools has had a longstanding relationship with Understanding Our Differences (UOD), a nationally-recognized disability awareness curriculum that seeks to educate non-disabled students and school community members about disability in order to build inclusive and welcoming school cultures.
You are invited to join the January SEPAC meeting to hear about how this program is structured in HPS, learn what grade levels and topics are involved and how HPS thinks about the issues of disclosure and self-advocacy this program brings up. Click HERE to view a video about the UOD program.
We look forward to hearing from UOD representatives about the most current iteration of the programming, answer parent questions and share the schedule of UOD events this year at Elmwood and Hopkins. While the programming is currently at grades 3- 5, parents of students of any age and grade are welcome to attend.
ZOOM LINK HERE (Meeting ID: 843 3019 8920 Passcode: 325069)
January 10
Parent's Night Out
Start Line Brewery, 7PM. All are welcome.
January 23
Hopkinton SEPAC Coffee Hour
Hopkinton Public Library, Betty Strong Room (Large Event Room), 10 AM
Come meet other special needs parents and caregivers and learn more about Hopkinton SEPAC. We will be serving coffee and donuts.
February 13
Relationship Counseling!
Just in time for Valentine’s Day…
Join staff from Castlebrook Counseling to discuss relationship stress and resilience for families and individuals. This will be a virtual event and an opportunity to discuss both partner and sibling related dynamics.
Google Meet link to follow.
February 26
Hopkinton SEPAC Coffee Hour
Hopkinton Public Library, Betty Strong Room (Large Event Room), 10 AM
Come meet other special needs parents and caregivers and learn more about Hopkinton SEPAC. We will be serving coffee and donuts.
March 2
Movement and Mindfulness Class
Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 98 Hayden Rowe Street, 2nd Floor, 10 AM
Movement & Mindfulness is a transformative program designed for youth that provides an outlet to move, create, and breathe while encouraging them to grow into more self-aware and self-assured individuals.
Great for families interested in mental wellness and mediation! Class is designed for middle school aged students and above.
Wear comfy clothes to move in and bring a water bottle! Please RSVP here by 2/24.
For more information, please visit www.movementmindfulness.com/youth
March 12, 7 PM via Zoom
What’s up with the new IEP?
DSS Abby Hanscom will present the new, completely revised, IEP document.
Zoom Link: https://hopkintonps.zoom.us/j/87311289396?pwd=M2lYV3BKMVhrNzluOGNtZENFTjZ0dz09
No Registration Required!
A blank copy of the new IEP form in English and 16 languages can be found here.
March 18, 10 AM
Hopkinton Public Library, Betty Strong Room (Large Event Room)
Hopkinton SEPAC Coffee with an Advocate
Hopkinton SEPAC is hosting a coffee hour for parents and care partners of special needs students. We have invited an advocate to answer any questions related to special education. Come to our advocate Q & A session, meet other special needs parents, and learn more about Hopkinton SEPAC. We will be serving coffee and donuts.
April 9
Extended School Year, 7PM
Do you have questions regarding Extended School Year services in Hopkinton?
SEPAC's next zoom is a presentation from and chance to meet Kim Goodwin the ESY School Year Planner (and HMS/HHS BCBA) and Ashley Smerlas the ESY Summer Director (and teacher at Elmwood). They will share a presentation about the ESY programs, logistics, schedules etc.
It is a good chance to ask questions and give input on the programs.
Zoom link: https://hopkintonps.zoom.us/j/81062612320?pwd=b05vRjNLZHEyVzJVQnNtdmJQbGhCdz09
April 22
Hopkinton SEPAC Parents and Care Partners Coffee Hour, 10 AM
Hopkinton Public Library, Betty Strong Room (Large Event Room)
Hopkinton SEPAC is hosting a coffee hour for parents and care partners of special needs students. Come to meet other special needs parents and learn more about Hopkinton SEPAC. We will be serving coffee and donuts.
May 14
Mediation Process, 7 PM
Special Education Mediator Steve Lilly-Webber- Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA)
What happens when you reject your child's lEP and feel that
you and the District are unable to resolve your differences? Have you ever received a letter from the DOE explaining your
rights to mediation, and wondered what this involves?
For answers to these questions and more, please join us for a Zoom seminar on May 14, 2024 at 7 pm with Steven Lilly- Weber, the BSEA mediator who works with Hopkinton Public Schools, during which he will explain the mediation process,
and answer any questions you have.
https://hopkintonps.zoom.us/j/89301918176...
May 18
Spring Social with SEPAC,10 - 12PM
Marathon Elementary Playground
Join us for a fun day at the playground with sports and spring themed crafts. We will be serving snacks and refreshments. Come meet other special needs families at our free event. RSVP is preferred, but not required.
RSVP here
June 5
End of the Year Reception, 6:30 PM
Hopkinton Public Library, Betty Strong Room
Parents and care partners, take the night off and join us for a light dinner at our end of the year get together. RSVP is preferred, but not required.
At this upcoming event, we will be holding board elections for the seats of 1) Chair, 2) Education, and 3) Events. If you wish to be a candidate, kindly send an email to [email protected] by 5/29. This is a relaxed and enjoyable chance to contribute to a fantastic Hopkinton community!
June 7
Hopkinton SEPAC Parents and Care Partners Coffee Hour: Medical Complexity
Hopkinton Public Library, Betty Strong Room (Large Event Room), 10 AM
Hopkinton SEPAC is hosting a coffee hour for parents and care partners of special needs
students. All are welcome, but we would like to extend a special invitation to families affected
by medical complexity. Come to meet other special needs parents and learn more about
Hopkinton SEPAC. We will be serving coffee and donuts.