Autism Acceptance – Autism Acceptance activities and celebrations will kick off on April 2nd (Autism Acceptance Day) and then continue for all of April. Big thanks to Caitlyn Cade, Samantha Chipetz, Alix Gould, and Melissa Woronoff for compiling this folder of resources! Please feel free to use and pass the resources on. If you have anything to share, send it our way. Please make particular note of this one page handout that can be shared to community members who want to better understand the latest language and terminology in order to offer support and this flyer from Watchung Booksellers about some available books.
SEPAC Bond Referendum Statement of Support
Hello Montclair Community, my name is Jada Roman and seated next to me is Jason Santarcangelo. We
along with Ashley Few and Ellen Luca are the 2022-23 Special Education Parent Advisory Council leaders.
You have probably heard us referred to as SEPAC.
SEPAC is the State mandated group of parents and caregivers, professionals and concerned community
members with a shared interest in, and concern for, special education issues. We strive to improve the
educational process and experience for children in need of special education and related services and
promote the inclusion of children with special needs, with the necessary supports, within their schools
and the community at large. We are here today to support the Montclair Public Schools Bond
Referendum.
We are happy to say YES on the Bond Referendum. After meeting with the Board of Education and
District Leadership, we know that the referendum will benefit all students within Montclair Public
Schools but are thrilled to know many of the concerns of the Special Education community have been
heard and will be addressed.
For example, Glenfield will have a dedicated special education suite and sensory room along with much
needed upgrades to the current special education rooms. The high school will replace their chair lift, and
Watchung will have an elevator installed. New all accessible playgrounds will be created at Edgemont,
Hillside, Nishuane and Northeast. Renaissance is getting a new gymnasium that will allow for adaptive
gym classes. Renovations to existing gymnasiums will also take place at Edgemont, Hillside and
Nishuane.
Special education students, who often benefit from various modalities and often excel in a variety of
aesthetic areas will be able to utilize: upgraded science rooms/labs at Glenfield and the High School; a
renovated media center at Renaissance; Auditorium upgrades at the High School, Buzz Aldrin, Nishuane
and George Innes Annex; Art Room upgrades at Buzz Aldrin, Glenfield and Nishuane; Music Room
enhancements at Hillside, Glenfield and Nishuane and dance studio improvements at Nishuane; the High
School will also see the creation of culinary arts classrooms and upgrades to the auto and wood shops.
District wide, we know that improvements to the HVAC systems will ensure proper ventilation.
Additionally, classroom upgrades including structural replacements, technology, and furniture updates
will allow for more inclusive educational settings. Technology upgrades such as Smart Boards, document
readers and interactive display boards will allow staff and students to engage in more inclusive
interactive learning activities.
The Board of Education is taking on a large and ambitious project. A project whose funding depends on
your YES vote. The changes are intended to address the needs of all learners, including those in special
education, create a desire to learn and prepare the Montclair Public School Students for future Success.
SEPAC knows that the Board and District Leadership worked diligently on the Bond Referendum to
upgrade our schools to ensure parents, caregivers, teachers, and related service providers be placed in
the best position to achieve success. SEPAC appreciates the commitment to the students and educators
of Montclair is pleased to support the Bond Referendum and say YES. We are asking you to Vote YES on
the Bond Referendum on November 8.
Please remember to Vote Yes on the Bond Referendum on November 8. Thank you.
Hola Comunidad Montclair, mi nombre es Jada Roman y sentado a mi lado está Jason Santarcangelo.
Nosotros, junto con Ashley Few y Ellen Luca, somos los líderes del Consejo Asesor de Padres de
Educación Especial 2022-23. Probablemente nos haya oído referirse a nosotros como SEPAC.
SEPAC es el grupo ordenado por el Estado de padres y cuidadores, profesionales y miembros de la
comunidad preocupados con un interés compartido y preocupación por los problemas de educación
especial. Nos esforzamos por mejorar el proceso educativo y la experiencia de los niños que necesitan
educación especial y servicios relacionados y promover la inclusión de los niños con necesidades
especiales, con los apoyos necesarios, dentro de sus escuelas y la comunidad en general. Estamos aquí
hoy para apoyar el Referéndum de Bonos de las Escuelas Públicas de Montclair.
Nos complace decir SÍ al referéndum sobre los bonos. Después de reunirnos con la Junta de Educación y
el Liderazgo del Distrito, sabemos que el referéndum beneficiará a todos los estudiantes dentro de las
Escuelas Públicas de Montclair, pero estamos encantados de saber que muchas de las preocupaciones
de la comunidad de Educación Especial han sido escuchadas y serán abordadas.
Por ejemplo, Glenfield tendrá una suite dedicada a la educación especial y una sala sensorial junto con
mejoras muy necesarias para las salas de educación especial actuales. La escuela secundaria
reemplazará su telesilla, y Watchung tendrá un ascensor instalado. Se crearán nuevos parques infantiles
accesibles en Edgemont, Hillside, Nishuane y Northeast. Renaissance está recibiendo un nuevo gimnasio
que permitirá clases de gimnasia adaptativa. Las renovaciones de los gimnasios existentes también se
llevarán a cabo en Edgemont, Hillside y Nishuane.
Los estudiantes de educación especial, que a menudo se benefician de diversas modalidades y a
menudo sobresalen en una variedad de áreas estéticas, podrán utilizar: salas / laboratorios de ciencias
mejorados en Glenfield y la Escuela Secundaria; un centro de medios renovado en Renaissance; Mejoras
en el auditorio de la escuela secundaria, Buzz Aldrin, Nishuane y George Innes Annex; Mejoras en Art
Room en Buzz Aldrin, Glenfield y Nishuane; mejoras en la sala de música en Hillside, Glenfield y
Nishuane y mejoras en el estudio de danza en Nishuane; la escuela secundaria también verá la creación
de aulas de artes culinarias y mejoras a los talleres de automóviles y madera.
En todo el distrito, sabemos que las mejoras en los sistemas HVAC garantizaránuna ventilación
adecuada. Además, las mejoras en el aula, incluidos los reemplazos estructurales, la tecnología y las
actualizaciones de muebles, permitirán entornos educativos más inclusivos. Las actualizaciones
tecnológicas como pizarras inteligentes, lectores de documentos y tableros de visualización interactivos
permitirán al personal y a los estudiantes participar en actividades de aprendizaje interactivo más
inclusivas.
La Junta de Educación está asumiendo un proyecto grande y ambicioso. Un proyecto cuya financiación
depende de tu voto SÍ. Los cambios están destinados a abordar las necesidades de todos los estudiantes,
incluidos los de educación especial, crearun deseo de aprender y preparar a los estudiantes de las
Escuelas Públicas de Montclair para el éxito futuro.
SEPAC sabe que la Junta y el Liderazgo del Distrito trabajaron diligentemente en el Referéndum de
Bonos para mejorar nuestras escuelas para garantizar que los padres, cuidadores, maestros y
proveedores de servicios relacionados se coloquen en la mejor posición para lograr el éxito. SEPAC
aprecia el compromiso con los estudiantes y educadores de Montclair se complace en apoyar el
Referéndum de Bonos y decir SÍ. Le pedimos que vote SÍ en el referéndum de bonos el 8 de noviembre.
Recuerde votar Sí en el referéndum de bonos el 8 de noviembre. Gracias.
General Meeting – 10/25 via ZOOM, 7:00 pm
Welcome Back Zoom Meeting – 9/20, 7:00 pm
SEPAC Fall 2022 Calendar
SEPAC Meet the Board of Education Candidates – 2/28 @ 7:07 pm
SEPAC has invited the Board of Education Candidates to our general meeting on February 28th at 7:07 pm. The candidates will each have time to share their thoughts on special education, as well as answer questions that have been submitted from our members. All members of the Montclair community are invited to attend.
The selection of two members of our Board Education will have a significant impact on the Montclair Schools. We hope the information provided at the Forum will enable our members, as well as our community, to cast an informed and empowered vote on March 8th. Please reach out with any questions or suggestions.
The Zoom link is as follows:
Topic: SEPAC Meet the BOE Candidates Forum
Time: Feb 28, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84085616830?pwd=YVRkWm9JV0hhSXZHUS9JUkl6NDZuZz09
Meeting ID: 840 8561 6830
Passcode: 748914
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,84085616830#,,,,*748914# US (New York)
+13017158592,,84085616830#,,,,*748914# US (Washington DC)
Winter Newsletter
1/31 General Meeting, Topic: Self Care for Parents/Caregivers
Time: Jan 31, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86797320614?pwd=S1VhMzA3V0J3WU55VHBLLzBuNThoUT09
Meeting ID: 867 9732 0614
Passcode: 253823
11/29 General Meeting
7 pm, Zoom.
Topic: SEPAC General Meeting, Impact on Stress Seminar
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86176779474?pwd=Z3pERVFFNmtNVWFHRDQyMjlVdFBzdz09
Meeting ID: 861 7677 9474
Passcode: 661583
MPS & SEPAC Acadience Reading Webinar
Join from the event link:
Join by the event number:
Event number (access code): 2330 672 2543
Event password: gW8Bq3e7ePB (49827337 from phones)
Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only):
+1-408-418-9388,,23306722543#49827337#
United States Toll Some mobile devices may ask attendees to enter a numeric password.
Join by phone:
+1-408-418-9388 United States Toll