October Newsletter

Community Events

Sep 8 to Dec 1 (except Oct 13, Nov 3, Nov 24), Tues, 4-5pm - UMass Lowell’s Horizons College Preparation Program for Neurodivergent High School Students (via Zoom) - It’s not too late to join! Discounts are available for new registrants. Contact Ashleigh Hillier to learn more and register.

Oct 1, Thu, 6-8pm - 48th Annual Merrimack Valley College and Career Fair at Lowell High School - Participating colleges include those with programs and supports for students with disabilities.

Oct 6, Tue, 4:30pm - “Special Education in Massachusetts: Past, Present, and Future” at UMass Lowell School of Education - Register here, to attend virtually or in person.

Are you interested in creating positive change for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Massachusetts? DDS invites you to join the Citizen's Advisory Board!

SEPAC Meetings & Events

Meetings & Events
Sensory Garden Family Meet-Up and Scavenger Hunt
Oct 3
Sensory Garden Family Meet-Up and Scavenger Hunt

Stop and smell the flowers with us before the seasons change 🍂🍁. Come check out Andover’s new sensory garden. Have a donut, sip some cider, and try your hand at our scavenger hunt if it strikes your fancy!

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Partnering for Progress: How Parents Can Navigate the IEP Process and Support Their Child’s Success
Nov 10
Partnering for Progress: How Parents Can Navigate the IEP Process and Support Their Child’s Success

Be there at our second meeting of the year, with special guest Lisa Paige (attorney, Andover parent, and former high school teacher).

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Parent Coffee Chat
Nov 14
Parent Coffee Chat

Enjoy coffee and conversation with other parents in our SEPAC community. Let’s connect and support each other!

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SEPAC Community Meeting
Jan 12
SEPAC Community Meeting

Agenda and special guest/s TBC

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Basic Rights: Transition Planning
Feb 24
Basic Rights: Transition Planning

Join us as the Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) presents an overview of the transition planning process for students from ages 14 to 22. We will discuss the legal right to transition services, why transition planning is important, what it looks like in the IEP, and the roles of students and parents. Free. Registration required

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SEPAC Community Meeting
Mar 9
SEPAC Community Meeting

Agenda and special guest/s TBC

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SEPAC Community Meeting
May 11
SEPAC Community Meeting

Agenda and special guest/s TBC

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Andover SEPAC is committed to supporting the diverse needs of the APS community.

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For more programs, social events, workshops, and presentations, click on the logos below:

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SEPAC on Instagram

View fullsize And last, but certainly not least, meet Jenn Shepard, one of Andover SEPAC’s Outreach Directors! Born and raised in Andover, Jenn appreciates how family-friendly the community is. If her whole crew can’t participate in an activity, they
View fullsize Meet Kerri Winick, one of Andover SEPAC’s Outreach Directors! Having grown up in Andover, Kerri says there’s something really special about raising her own kids here and seeing the town through their eyes. She’s grateful for the p
View fullsize Next up - Karen Berrios, Andover SEPAC’s Outreach Director! Karen and her son have called Andover home since 2013. One of the things she loves most about our community is how her son’s peers and friends always make a point to stop and sa
View fullsize Meet Heather Laing, Andover SEPAC’s Treasurer! Heather loves Andover’s family-friendly atmosphere and welcoming community. With so many school-aged kids in town, she’s found people to be open, supportive, and always willing to help
View fullsize Say hello to Dulce Leveque, who serves alongside Juliana Bankover as Co-Chair of Andover SEPAC! Dulce loves Andover’s diversity of backgrounds, beliefs, and abilities. And if she could have any superpower? Self-duplication! She’d create
View fullsize Meet Juliana (Julie) Bankover, Andover SEPAC’s Co-Chair! Julie knows how important shared experiences can be, especially for parents navigating a new diagnosis. Connecting with others who’ve been there can make those early days feel a l
View fullsize Upcoming event alert! Stop and smell the flowers with us before the seasons change 🍂🍁Come check out Andover’s new sensory garden - have a donut, sip some cider and try your hand at our scavenger hunt if it strikes your fancy!
View fullsize We are excited to again be participating in Andover Day! Do come by our booth and say hi. You’ll find us by the Main Stage / Old Town Hall on Park Street.
View fullsize Terrific news! Given the enthusiastic response to the Adaptive Learn-to-Skate Program, five additional spots have opened up! All are welcome, no matter where you live. First come, first served. Don’t miss out!
View fullsize New school year, new faces, new ideas, new initiatives -- all on the agenda for our first meeting of 2026-2027! Join us at 7pm on Tue, 9/15. https://www.andoversepac.org/events/sepac-general-meeting.
View fullsize Andover families with STEAM-powered children, this one's for you! Click http://challengemeinc.org/rsvp to learn more, and join the info session on 9/14.
View fullsize Looking for a fun fall activity?! Look no further! This league starts Sunday 9/13 and there’s still time to register!
View fullsize We are excited to let you know about a new adaptive learn-to-skate program that aims to make skating more welcoming and accessible to everyone! Free for participants, ages 5-18, of all abilities and skill levels.
View fullsize Welcome to the new school year, SEPAC families! Check out our September newsletter for the scoop on this month's activities and more. Link to newsletter in bio.
View fullsize Our first SEPAC meet up of the 2026-27 school year! Come join us for this informal event to play and get to know other families! *please note: the Burnham Road Bridge project is still ongoing, so Penguin Park is currently only accessible from the Yor
View fullsize On October 24, join The Arc and NTCN in their special transition conference with over 20 sessions on various transition-related topics. PD credits will be offered. Click thearcofmass.org/conference to learn more and to register.
View fullsize On September 29, learn about the role of the Transition Coordinator, and the types of adults programs and supports available. Register at http://tinyurl.com/NTCN-Sept29-26.
View fullsize Coming up in September and October: A series of events to help inform young adults with ID/DD and/or autism about voting! DDS will talk about why voting is important, how to register to vote, how to find candidate information, what accommodations are
View fullsize SEPAC executive council members Juliana Bankover and Karen Berrios, along with Special Services Assistant Director Andrea Barlow, had the opportunity to visit Andover’s newly opened Sensory Garden this morning! This garden was thoughtfully desi
View fullsize UMass Lowell School of Education presents "Special Education in Massachusetts: Past, Present, and Future" this fall. Register at https://shorturl.at/KF4zu.