Westford SEPAC

06/08/2026

✨ As another school year comes to a close, I wanted to share a personal update with our SEPAC community.

After five years in SEPAC leadership, I'll be stepping down as Chairperson at the end of this school year.

While the role has certainly been alot of work, I am incredibly grateful for the experiences, relationships, and opportunities that came with it. What started as a way to learn more and better support my own child became an opportunity to be part of an incredible community of families, students, educators, administrators, and staff who all care deeply about making our schools a place where every student can learn, belong, and thrive.

I've had the chance to celebrate successes with families, work through challenges together, and help connect people with information, resources, and support. Along the way, I've learned just as much from this community as I could ever hope to give back.

While I'm stepping aside, SEPAC's work continues, and this is a wonderful opportunity for new families and new voices to help shape what's next.

The SEPAC is currently looking for volunteers and board members for the 2026–2027 school year. If you've ever thought about getting involved, whether in a leadership role, helping with events, or simply supporting SEPAC's work, I'd love to talk with you.

If you'd like to learn more, please reach out to [email protected].

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey over the past five years. It has truly been an honor.🙏

-Melissa
Westford SEPAC Chair

05/22/2026

🎒 Incoming 6th Grade Families – Transition Support Opportunities at Both Middle Schools

In the past, SEPAC has hosted district-wide Transition Nights for families moving from preschool → K, elementary → middle, and middle → high school. This year, we’ve been advocating for a new approach: embedding transition support directly into the school-based information nights that families are already attending.

We’re excited to share that both middle schools will now include a dedicated opportunity for families of students with IEPs to ask transition-related questions and connect with Kelly Diette, Student Support Leader, during their incoming 6th grade events.

📍 Stony Brook Middle School
📅 Monday, June 1

🕠 5:30–6:30 PM
General caregiver information evening for incoming 6th grade families.

🕡 6:30–7:00 PM
Families of students with IEPs will have the opportunity to meet with Kelly Diette, Student Support Leader, to ask questions about special education services and supports at the middle school level.

📍 Blanchard Middle School
📅 Monday, June 1

🕔 5:00–5:30 PM
Families of students with IEPs will have the opportunity to meet with Kelly Diette, Student Support Leader, to ask questions about special education services and supports at the middle school level.

🕠 5:30–6:30 PM
General caregiver information evening for incoming 6th grade families.

We know families often have important questions during school transitions, especially around supports, services, scheduling, communication, and what middle school will look like for their child. Embedding these opportunities directly into existing school events helps make this information more accessible and easier for families to attend.

We’re grateful to the district and school teams for partnering on this effort and hope families will take advantage of these opportunities to connect and ask questions.

-Westford SEPAC

05/11/2026

📢 SEPAC Board Nominations Are Now Open - We Need You!

Annual SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) Board Elections are coming up, and nominations for the 2026–2027 school year are now open.

The SEPAC is especially in need of new board members this year, as I will be stepping down as Chairperson. SEPAC plays an important role in supporting students and families in our district, and new voices and leaders are needed to help continue this work.

Open 1-year board positions include:

⭐ Chairperson
⭐ Vice Chairperson
⭐ Secretary/Treasurer

These roles help shape SEPAC’s goals and work closely with school leaders, administrators, and families to advocate for students receiving special education services. SEPAC helps families feel heard, supported, and connected, and strong family participation makes a real difference.

You do not need to be an expert in special education to serve, just someone who cares, wants to help, and is willing to be part of the conversation.

Even if serving on the board is not the right fit, there are many other volunteer opportunities to get involved and support the community.

👉 If you are interested in serving on the board or would like to nominate yourself or someone else, please send a message or email [email protected].

ℹ️ Learn more about board roles and all volunteer opportunities here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sRjMdAZILU7tSMh0Gyn_R-C7x3VqP-jVaLHPvseOkJI/edit?usp=sharing

Please consider stepping forward. Your voice, your experience, and your perspective matter. Together, we can continue building a stronger, more inclusive school community for all students.

We invite you to join a community of parents working together towards the understanding of, respect for and support of all children with special needs in the community. Volunteering is a great way to meet other parents and get to know the administration, teachers and staff in our districts....

04/28/2026

Check out this speaker event from the Chris Walsh Center for Educators and Families at FSU.

Chris Walsh Center Speaker Series

Join us for The Science of Friendship — Practical Tools for Kids, Teens, and Adults with Caroline Maguire, M.Ed., ACCG, PCC, an internationally recognized expert in social-emotional learning, ADHD coaching, and relationship development.

Caroline is the author of the award-winning book Why Will No One Play with Me? and the forthcoming book Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults (releasing April 2026). In this session, she will share practical strategies to help children, teens, and young adults build social confidence, emotional awareness, and meaningful friendships.

This event is ideal for educators, caregivers, and professionals who support neurodivergent learners and young people navigating friendships and social relationships.

Register Here: https://forms.gle/iW3ZiTcZENHuEmRJA

🎓 Educators can earn 1.5 PDPs for attending and participating

Hosted by the Chris Walsh Center for Educators and Families at Framingham State University

04/16/2026

📣The Westford SEPAC would like to warmly welcome Melissa Boylan as the new Director of Special Education and Social Emotional Learning for Westford Public Schools. She will begin her tenure on July 1st.

Many in the community already know Melissa from her time as Principal of Miller School, and we’re glad to see her stepping into this district-wide role. We look forward to working together to support students and families and to continue building strong partnerships across the district.

Congratulations, Melissa, we wish you all the best as you begin this new chapter!

04/09/2026

💡 Have you had a chance to complete the SEPAC survey yet?

The Westford SEPAC Annual Parent & Caregiver Survey is still open for families of students with IEPs and 504 plans.

Every year, this survey helps build a clearer understanding of how students are being supported across the district. The more perspectives included, the more accurately we can reflect what’s happening in our schools and bring that forward in discussions with district leadership and the School Committee.

If you’ve been meaning to complete it, now is a great time.

⏱ Takes less than 10 minutes
🗓 Open through April 17th

👉https://forms.gle/KiKm4GBbHmzbZKL56

04/02/2026

📣 Now Open: Westford SEPAC Parent & Caregiver Survey (2025–2026)

If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, we need to hear from you!

This quick survey (less than 10 minutes) is one of the most important ways families can share their experiences and help shape special education in Westford. Your feedback directly informs SEPAC’s work with the district and School Committee - from identifying challenges to advocating for meaningful improvements.

✔ One survey per child
✔ Anonymous responses welcome
✔ Helps drive real change

🗓 Open now through April 17th

👉 https://forms.gle/wdssVMtYeNzkRJtm7

Every response helps us better advocate for students and families.

The Westford SEPAC, in collaboration with Westford Public School Office of Special Education and SEL, is interested in your feedback as it relates to special education. Your voice is important and we look forward to collaborating with you. Our annual survey allows the SEPAC to best fulfill its duty....