Contents

• Co-President's Comments
• Director of Student Services Search
• New Alcott Principal Announced
• Middle School Feasibility Study-Warrant Article 14
• SEPAC Appreciation Awards
• Upcoming Events

Co-President's Comments

Welcome Spring! Springtime always brings with it a flurry of activities and events. The same holds true for the Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional High School so this month we dedicate our newsletter to the latest news around the districts. As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions so we can continue to bring you topics that are relevant and important to you.

- Carol Yelle and Shaina Brito SEPAC Co-Presidents

Director of Student Services Search

The search committee for the new Director of Student Services has been formed and includes two members of the SEPAC Board. During the meetings held to date, the committee developed interview questions and reviewed resumes. The recruitment criteria include an appropriate MA certification (Special Education Director, Principal, Assistant Superintendent), a minimum of 3 years as an administrator (in one of the above roles), and a Masters degree. The committee will meet selected candidates on April 9th and 10th and recommend finalists to Dr Hunter. Public forums will be held in late April and early May to give parents the opportunity to hear from the finalists.

Middle School Feasibility Study- Warrant Article 14

Warrant article 14 at this year's Concord Town Meeting is asking consideration to fund a feasibility study for a new middle school. Several information sessions were conducted over the month of March. The last information session and school tours will happen on April 6th. If you are unable to attend, information is available on the Concord Public Schools website or you can see a recorded information session here. Concord Town Meeting is April 8 through April 11th. The vote on the Warrant Article 14 is expected on Monday April 8th, 2019.

New Principal for Alcott School Announced

Concord Public School Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter announced that Naomi Krakow will become the new Principal of the Alcott Elementary School. Krakow is currently serving as Principal of the William H. Ohrenberger School in Boston. Among her qualifications, Krakow worked as a Special Education Teacher at the Roberts Vaux High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for five years and also served as a Special Education Liaison, Literacy Leader and as a Building Representative for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. We'd like to thank those who participated in the extensive search process with special thanks to Megan Carroll, our Alcott SEPAC representative, for her service on the search committee.

SEPAC Appreciation Awards

Is there a special teacher, staff member, or administrator who has had a positive impact on your child’s life? We are proud to host the third annual SEPAC Appreciation Awards to help say “thank you” to the exceptional people in our children’s lives! Parents and guardians with children on an IEP or 504 plan, please nominate ONE special person (teacher, staff member, administrator, etc) who works for the Concord Public Schools, Concord-Carlisle Regional High School, or at Ripley Administration who has made a difference to your family/child this academic year. If you have more than one child on an IEP or 504 plan, please feel free to nominate one person per child. Recipients will be presented with an award at the April 23, 2019 School Committee meeting. Nominations will be taken until April 12, 2019. The nomination form can be found on our website.

Upcoming Events

• "Overcoming Stress and Anxiety in our Youth: Strategies to Support Children’s Learning and Ways to Cope” Featuring Dr. Donna Pincus from the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University. This presentation will offer an overview of how anxiety and stress present in children and adolescents; an understanding of what is normal and what is cause for concern; strategies for identifying anxiety at home and in schools; evidence-based strategies that can reduce anxiety, support children’s learning and support their overall healthy functioning. When: Monday April 1, 2019 from 7:00-8:30 PM Where: Auditorium at Concord-Carlisle High School, 500 Walden Street Concord, MA. Cohosted by the Center for Parents and Teachers and the Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District Special Education Parent Advisory Council PRE-REGISTER
• You're Invited! Please come and meet fellow SEPAC parents. Join your fellow parents for an informal meet up where we can enjoy coffee and support each other through discussion and the sharing of ideas. When: Thursday, April 11th from 10:00 - 11:30 am. Where: Trail’s End Café, 97 Lowell Road. Hosted by the Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District Special Education Parent Advisory Council
• SEPAC Annual Joint School Committee Presentation and Appreciation Awards We will present our year end review and our goals for next year. We will also be honoring nominated staff, faculty, and administration with a SEPAC Appreciation Award. We invite you to come and show your support and appreciation to this year's honorees. When: Tuesday April 23, 6:30 PM Where: Ripley Administration Building Conference Rm. 4