| At our school year kickoff meeting, we talked about better defining our mission as a SEPAC, and pouring our efforts into meeting people where they’re at, as well as strengthening our community partnerships. As a starting point for these goals, we: |
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Begin to offer “drop-in” virtual office hours throughout the year. Our first is scheduled for October 27th at 7PM (info & link coming soon!) |
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Cast a wider SEPAC net! We have reached out to other SEPACs in surrounding towns so we can share information on speakers and topics. Power in numbers, people! |
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| We talked about what we are watching as a SEPAC: |
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Changes in leadership at some of our elementary schools: Qi Chen is now the principal at the Malcolm White and the Shamrock now has an assistant principal, Jennifer Barreto. This is also Principal Clark’s last year! |
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Massachusetts Literacy Law Update: Back in June, the governor signed into law that districts must use evidence-based instruction: Every student from kindergarten through 3rd grade is to be taught using phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and phonemic awareness, often called the “science of reading.” For the latest update, click here. |
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Massachusetts Graduation Standards: As of writing this, the 27-28 Freshman class will be the first graduating class held to the new standard. Watching how this unfolds and impacts kids on IEPs. |
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Technology in the classroom: It can feel like it is one more thing to keep track of as a parent! Chromebooks, YouTube, AI, oh my! In the same breath, technological advances have allowed some of our kiddos to do things that would have been impossible 20 years ago. A call for more transparency has come to the attention of the larger School Committee and the Policy Subcommittee. See the existing policy here. In an effort to help us find balance and understand, our very own John Wetzel is having a series of AI info sessions in the coming weeks at Woburn Public Library! To learn more, click here and see the attached flyer. |
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The Protect Act: Signed by the Governor on August 5, 2026. Update on the district’s policy can be found here. |
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| Notes from SSA (Student Services and Achievement Subcommittee) |
| Staffing: A motion to add a (grant funded) psychologist and a Speech-Language Pathologist, passed unanimously. Vacancies remain for a BCBA, paraprofessionals, a clinical psychologist, and RISE II positions. Recruitment is happening through SchoolSpring, Indeed, networking events, and the City Job Fair. |
| Programs and initiatives: |
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Reeves School is starting a Best Buddies program. |
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Student-run vocational businesses, The Friendly Freeze and Joyce Java, are opening with staff support. |
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The district received a grant that will fund music classes in ECP classrooms, taught by a dedicated ECP music person rather than current district music teachers. There is interest in expanding to other special education programs. |
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Emergency seclusion procedures are in place and staff training is complete. |
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| Extended School Year: 298 students were offered ESY and about 60% attended. Programming covered ECP, elementary, middle, high school/postsecondary, and services-only placements. Administration called the summer successful, with positive family feedback. The extra crossing guards were especially appreciated and the plan is to have them return next summer. |
| Summer Intensive Reading Pilot: Ten students were selected based on reading performance and eligibility criteria. The one-time summer intervention will be reinforced during the school year. Early educator feedback showed significant reading improvements. Great interest by all parties in seeing it continue. |
| Expanding our knowledge |
| On October 6th, some members of the board attended the UMass Lowell School of Education Fall Symposium. It was the first of its kind, and in retrospect we should have shared the link with members – apologies for that! We are hopeful this is one of many gatherings and have reached out to UML to see if there is a summary or transcript available to those who missed out. Until then we wanted to share flyers for upcoming opportunities! |
| We hear you! |
| Your feedback matters to us: |
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Continued concerns around AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), including consistent use and modeling for students in all areas of their day. |
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Dyslexia and the supports available to students in the classroom. |
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Providing guidance around other supports outside of the school (DDS, MassHealth, therapies etc.). |
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When staff and specialists leave or are placed in another school – how is that communicated to families? |
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