SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Committee)

Council Rock School District – Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
                                                                           Meeting Agenda

                                                        Date: Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 
                                                        Time: 6:30 – 7:30
                                                         Location: Zoom

After a brief overview and update from special education, we will move into breakout rooms based on registration responses. Based on those who registered, we will have breakout rooms focused on Autistic Support, Learning Support, Emotional Support, and Transition Programming. Each room will be facilitated by a supervisor and will include open-ended discussion questions to support meaningful, big-picture conversation. Individual student situations cannot be discussed in this forum.

Summary of Feedback from the breakout rooms.

Autism Support:

A few key themes came through clearly from your group:

• Families value the structured and predictable approach used in Autism Support, especially for reading and core instruction.
• Parents would like more visibility into classroom programs so they can better understand how skills are taught and reinforced.
• Families are looking for more parent-friendly explanations of goals, services, and supports.
• Grade-to-grade and teacher-to-teacher transitions were identified as an important area where better communication would be helpful.
• Several families expressed interest in additional meetings focused specifically on Autism Support programming.

Learning Support:

A few key themes came through clearly: 

• Families shared that they see supports in place and appreciate that decisions are driven by student data.
• Parents would like clearer explanations of why students are pulled for reading, math, or both.
• Families are looking for better understanding of what IEP accommodations and services mean in day-to-day school life.
• Many parents asked for  simple fact sheets to help explain data, services, and supports.
• Families also want clearer examples of what inclusion looks like across the school day.

Emotional Support:

• Parent feedback was very positive about current programming.
• Provide families with information on local community mental-health resources to support students beyond school.

Transition / Life Skills:

• Parents are very positive about teachers and staff working with their children.
• Families would like more visibility into what a typical day looks like in Life Skills and transition programs.
• Parents want help connecting to outside services and adult agencies as students prepare for life beyond school.
• Families emphasized the importance of ensuring students are appropriately challenged and continue to grow, not just supported.

          Council Rock School District – Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
                                                                           Meeting Agenda

                                                        Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (Please RSVP to attend to RSVP@CRSD.ORG)
                                                        Time: 6:30 – 8:00
                                                         Location: Chancellor Administrative Building
1. Welcome & Introductions
    - Brief introductions of attendees
    - Overview of the evening’s agenda
2. What’s New in Special Education
    - Updates on programs, initiatives, and staffing
    - Upcoming events and resources for families
3. Review of SEPAC Goals & Purpose
    - Recap of SEPAC mission and objectives
4. Table Discussions – Family Guide
    - Feedback on the Student Services Family Guide
    - Suggestions for improving accessibility and usefulness
    - Identify possible discussion topics for upcoming SEPAC meetings
6. Presentation: The Importance of LETRS Training (7:15 – 8:00)
    Guest Speakers: Amanda Sirine & Tamara Gary
    - Overview of LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and
Spelling)
    - How this training benefits students and staff
7. Closing Remarks

April 30 SEPAC Presentation by Dr. Kasey Black 
Topic: The Evaluation Process

To view the presentation with a voiceover by Dr. Black, click on this link to view the Screencastify version. 

04-30-25SEPACMtg-EvaluationProcess.pdf

The SEPAC met on December 10, 2024 at 7PM at Sol Feinstone Elementary.  The meeting was attended by parents of identified students, Board members, and members of Council Rock administrative staff. 

The following materials were shared at the December 10 SEPAC meeting. 

December 10 SEPAC Meeting Presentation Materials

Summary of October 29 SEPAC Input

December 10 SEPAC Working Materials to Refine Input

The following feedback was obtained from the parents in attendance.  Group work consisted of refining the top 5 topics (as identified at the October 29 SEPAC meeting by parents) that reflected the greatest interest or value to the group. 

These notes are the blueprint for upcoming SEPAC agendas, and is a work product of the collaborative group of parents who participate in the SEPAC.  It is important to note that this feedback was produced by and shared publicly with parents who attended the December 10 meeting. 

The Evaluation Process

Professional Development

Individualized Literacy Instruction

Communication

Innovative Training

Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SEPAC Meeting
7:00 PM
Council Rock HS South Cafeteria

Presentation Powerpoint

Advocacy in Action: A Guide to Local Special Education Parent Advisory Councils

Tuesday, September 24
PaTTAN Information Session
7:00 PM
Newtown Middle School

Parent Questions/CR Responses: These questions were provided by parents on index cards, or asked live by the audience.  The sections in italics are responses.