Special‑education parent advisory reports expanded outreach, summer plans
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Summary
The district’s CPAC reported more family engagement this year, described workshops on transition planning and inclusive events, and outlined summer caregiver trainings and outreach the group will host.
The Tewksbury Special Education Parent Advisory Council (CPAC) told the School Committee it saw renewed membership this year and expanded community outreach, including sensory‑friendly events, caregiver support groups and workshops aimed at transition planning for older students.
Anne Sykter, a CPAC co‑chair, said the council hosted inclusive movie screenings with the public library, a Federation for Children with Special Needs workshop on transition planning, and caregiver coffees that drew parents, caregivers and allies together in informal peer support. She said CPAC also partnered with the police department on CPR/first‑aid training for caregivers and discussed water‑safety outreach for families of children drawn to water features.
CPAC said it meets monthly (third Thursday, typically) and is actively recruiting parents‑at‑large and a publicity secretary for 2025–26. The group maintained that its primary mission is to advise the district on services and inclusion for students with disabilities and to collaborate with school administrators on program planning and evaluation.
Committee members praised the group’s growth and said the district has relied on CPAC input for policy and program questions. The committee liaison said the past year showed improved two‑way communication between parents and district leadership.
Ending: CPAC scheduled a final business meeting and an end‑of‑year gathering; the council asked families and residents to join its distribution list (experienceCPAC@gmail.com) and to consult the CPAC Facebook pages for event information and support‑group dates.