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WinPAC reports progress on inclusive playgrounds, webinars and family supports
Summary
Winchester’s parent advisory group for special education, WinPAC, briefed the School Committee on a year of programing that included successful fundraising for accessible playground elements, an outreach and webinar series for families, and ongoing collaboration with the district’s new director of special education.
WinPAC, the Winchester Parent Advisory Council for special education, gave an annual update to the School Committee on June 12 highlighting playground accessibility work, parent webinars and ongoing advocacy and partnership with the district’s special-education office.
WinPAC leaders described winning an ARPA-related community grant and other funds to purchase approximately $58,000 of new inclusive playground elements to be installed at multiple elementary sites. The group said it partnered with the town’s Disability Access Commission to advise playground design and urged earlier engagement with WinPAC and the DAC in town planning to reduce rework and ensure accessibility features are included in early design phases.
WinPAC also summarized a year of parent-facing programs: four webinars on dyslexia, ADHD, executive functioning and families’ legal rights in special education; a regular parent meet-up series; a teacher-appreciation week funded in part by a Rotary grant; and expanded one-on-one assistance for families navigating IEPs and services. The group said it added a small capital campaign function after becoming a 501(c)(3), and it continues to build a volunteer base and resources for families.
The committee praised WinPAC’s outreach and thanked new Director of Special Education Marlena Isallegas for partnership since starting this school year. Committee members noted WinPAC’s role as a formal advisory and communication channel between families and the district, and asked district staff to maintain the relationship as part of long-term planning, particularly around inclusive-playground design and bullying prevention initiatives.
Next steps: WinPAC said it will continue to coordinate with the district on accessible playground installations and to hold webinars and family meet-ups; it asked administrators to involve the group earlier in capital planning and community projects that affect accessibility.
