Hopedale SEPAC

10/13/2026

A friendly reminder of Thursday’s virtual workshop! ☺️

📖 Autism Resources Before and After the Diagnosis

💻 Virtual presentation by : Sarah Jefferson with The Federation for children with Special Needs

🗓️: October 15

⏰ 12:00-1:00pm

Registration required: https://fcsn.org/event/autismresources-10-15-26/

10/12/2026

🍦🍔 Don’t feel like cooking dinner tomorrow?

Take the night off and let Dairy Queen handle dinner while you support a great cause! ❤️

Join us tomorrow, Tuesday, October 13th, from 5–8 PM for our SEPAC fundraiser!

Whether you dine in, take out, or swing through the drive-thru, 10% of sales will benefit the Friends of Hopedale SEPAC!

Your dinner (and maybe a sweet treat 😉🍦) will help us continue creating inclusive opportunities, providing resources, and supporting students and families throughout our Hopedale community.

10/09/2026

Thinking About Life After High School? 🎓

The journey after high school looks different for every student, and there are more opportunities to explore than you might think!

Meet Bridgewater State University’s Excel Program 🤝

The EXCEL Program at Bridgewater State University (BSU) is a fully-inclusive postsecondary program for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Students in the EXCEL program share the same experiences as their college peers in the areas of academics, socialization, professional development, and independent living. Students become more independent and actively engaged in creating and living their lives. BSU Excel program honors dignity and worth, and fosters self-determination. Their vision is for full inclusion to be a permanent fixture of the institutional fabric for all stakeholders at BSU.

Want to learn more ? Think this may be a fit for your student? Informational Sessions are being held October 13 (zoom) and November 19th (in person and /or zoom)

• Interested students, families, and districts are encouraged to attend an EXCEL Program Information Session.

• The EXCEL staff offers a comprehensive overview of the entire program.

• Each session runs for approximately 2 hours.

⭐️ A confirmation with a zoom link for virtual or location and in-person parking instructions and the location of the session will be sent before the session date.

📆 Oct. 13, 2026 at 1 p.m. - ZOOM*
Nov. 19, 2026 at 9 a.m. - In person or Zoom (Hybrid)

If interested, please register by clicking the link below 👇

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWaOC1t2491F_X8ljywf8YgQtLiGBTnXnKly6ijAuH4C9Hhg/viewform =2.6807090.1291916091.1791584747-408798864.1791584747

10/07/2026

What to Do Instead of Discipline

💻 Virtual presentation by The Federation for Children with Special Needs

🗓️ October 23rd

⏰ 12:00-1:30pm

Registration required: https://fcsn.org/event/discipline-10-23-26/

10/07/2026

📖 Autism Resources Before and After the Diagnosis

💻 Virtual presentation by : Sarah Jefferson with The Federation for children with Special Needs

🗓️: October 15

⏰ 12:00-1:00pm

Registration required: https://fcsn.org/event/autismresources-10-15-26/

10/06/2026

🎃✨ Hopedale Memorial Elementary School Families! ✨🎃

We’re so excited to partner with PACE to bring a Sensory-Friendly Glow Zone to this year’s Halloween Dance — giving students another way to be part of the fun in a calmer, lower-stimulation environment. 💜

Inside the Glow Zone, families can expect lower-volume music, no flashing lights, sensory stations, coloring, oversized lawn games, glow necklaces and plenty of space to enjoy the evening at your child’s own pace.

💙 Need a quieter way in? Families can use the Adin Street entrance to enter directly into the cafeteria and avoid the busier gym. And if your child wants to move back and forth between the dance and Glow Zone, they absolutely can!

Whether your child needs a quick break from the excitement or feels most comfortable spending the evening with us, there’s a place for them here.

A big thank you to PACE for partnering with us and helping create another way for every student to enjoy this fun night! 🎃 🤝

10/06/2026

“Not eligible” does not mean “nothing more can be done.”

If your child has been denied special education services, especially after you’ve already gone through the process of obtaining an outside evaluation, you may be wondering: Where do I go from here?

We want you to know that an eligibility denial does not mean you have to stop asking questions or seeking answers.

In writing ✍️ ask the team to

explain why your child was found ineligible
what* information was considered
how your outside evaluation was considered

Review the written notice, bring forward additional information about what you’re seeing, and know that you can ask to reconvene the Team when concerns remain.

Parent/Caregivers are members of the Team, and Massachusetts guidance specifically recognizes parents as participants in the eligibility decision-making process.

We created this guide to help families better understand some of the next steps available after an eligibility denial. Save it, share it, and remember - you are an important part of your child’s Team.

10/06/2026

THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for tonight’s SEPAC meeting! 💙

We are so grateful to everyone who came, shared their perspectives, asked questions, offered ideas, and took part in the conversation.

A special thank you to Superintendent Perchase for joining us this evening, listening to our families, and being part of the conversation. We truly appreciate her taking the time to hear directly from our community.

📅 Our next SEPAC meeting is November 2, at the Memorial Elementary School Library. We’ll be joined by PPAL (Parent/Professional Advocacy League) for an in-person presentation on The Mental Health IEP.

More information can be found in the flyer below.

Thank you for continuing to help us build a SEPAC that reflects the voices and needs of our families. 💙

10/05/2026

We have a busy fall ahead!

Join us for Hopedale SEPAC’s Family Movie & Game Night! 🎬🍿

📅 Saturday, October 24th
📍 Hopedale Jr./Sr. High School Auditorium

🎬 4:15 PM — Hotel Transylvania
🎬 6:30 PM — Hocus Pocus (Grades 7–12 only)

Enjoy a night of movies and family fun, with lawn games, arts & crafts, and concessions available in the cafeteria!

Event Accessibility Information ♿

We want families to enjoy the evening in the way that works best for them. Guests are welcome to take breaks, or step in and out of the movie as needed. If you would like to borrow noise cancelling headphones during a showing, please visit a SEPAC member at the ticket table.

Families are kindly asked to RSVP ahead of time, but walk-ins are always welcome!

🚨 BBC and MES parents, please note this is NOT a drop-off event.

🎟️ $1 per person, per showing — cash payment at the door.

Make sure to stop at Student Councils Trunk or Treat event in the lower parking lot!

A very special thank you to Student Council, Friends of Bright Beginners, and MES PACE for collaborating with us!

RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2yV3XwDFeRpa2pdAHuIwaPJWBrLE9O2rZEBzX-6sYOPY-gg/viewform?usp=header

10/05/2026

A friendly reminder our monthly meeting is tonight!! Take a look at our meeting agenda for this evening! See you there!

📍 Memorial Elementary School Library
⏰ 6:30-7:30

Cant make it in person? Join virtually: meet.google.com/xay-cexd-mjv

Didn’t make it to our first meeting of the year? no problem! We will be meeting the first Monday of month, at the Memorial School Library from 6:30-7:30pm. Take a look at what we have planned for our next Hopedale SEPAC meeting.

We’ll be sharing what’s coming up with SEPAC, including events, enrichment opportunities, workshops, resources, and ways to get involved.

We are welcoming Superintendent Dr. Cari Perchase, who will be joining us to introduce herself, connect with parents and caregivers, and hear about the experiences of families navigating special education in Hopedale.

Our open forum is an opportunity for parents and caregivers to share what’s been helpful, what’s been challenging, ask questions, or offer ideas, but there is absolutely no pressure to share. You’re always welcome to simply come, listen, and learn.

See you there! 🤝