Parents working in partnership with our schools to ensure quality education for all!
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PARENTS ADVISORY COUNCIL SUPPORTING ALL LEARNERS
Join Us Today!
The best thing you can do for your child is to get involved and educate yourself!
Follow us on Facebook:
District site: Lunenburg PACSAL
Regional site: Regional SEPAC - Central MA
Contact Cheri Cordella or Julianna Hanscom if you have any questions!
PACSAL Meetings for 2024-2025
This year PACSAL meetings will be held the first Thursday of every month and will be a mix of in person (LMS Project Room) and Zoom.
PACSAL Meetings held via Zoom will always use this link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/78813215134?pwd=SkQrMXZ5ejltcURJSlc2S1FxZDRldz09
Meeting ID: 788 1321 5134
Passcode: C7Ec0X
Here are the dates, times, and location for all the meetings:
PACSAL meetings will run with an agenda, possible speakers, and districtwide updates from the Director of Special Services.
Support Group meetings will run with an open agenda and ability for parents to meet, ask questions, and get advice from each other.
October 3, 2024 @ 6pm Support Group - in person only at LMS Project Room
November 7, 2024 @6pm PACSAL meeting - LMS Project Room and Zoom
December 5, 2024 @ 6pm Support Group - Zoom only
January 2, 2025 @ 6pm PACSAL - Zoom only
February 6, 2025 @6pm Support Group - Zoom only
March 6, 2025 @ 6pm PACSAL meeting - Zoom only
April 3, 2025 @6pm Support Group - in person only at LMS Project Room
May 1, 2025 @ 6pm PACSAL meeting - LMS Project Room and Zoom
June 5, 2025 @6pm Support Group - in person only at LMS Project Room
Officers
Cheri Cordella, Chairperson (May 2024- May 2026)
School Committee Representative:
2023-2024 Laura Brzozoski, lbrzozoski@lunenburgschools.net
Special Services Office:
(978)582-4100 x5213 jhanscom@lunenburgschools.net
Who are the members of PACSAL?
* Parents and/or guardians of children who receive Special Education, 504, ESL or Title I services, whether the children are included in the classroom, receive specialized services, or are in an out of district placement. Most importantly, PARENTS/GUARDIANS LIKE YOU!
*Students (over age 14) who receive services and are participating in the IEP Process. Teachers, specialists, paraprofessionals, administrators, and other school personnel.
*Any person with an interest in Special Education, 504, ESL, or Title I in Lunenburg.
Get involved!
One of the best resources for you and your child(ren) are your schools and other parents/guardians like you. Join us and learn of all the information and support that are available to you. Together we can make a difference in the lives of our children!
Our objectives are:
1. To promote an innovative educational environment where children with special needs have equal access to educational opportunities and a school environment where all children are encouraged to reach their potential.
2. To promote a network for parents of children with special needs and provide a forum to share information and discuss matters of relative interest and concern regarding our children.
3. To collaborate with the school community to provide educational opportunities to parents and school staff that promotes improved educational outcomes for children with special needs.
4. To promote communication and programs within the community to encourage understanding, acceptance and inclusion of children with special needs.
5. To advise and confer with the Director of Special Services and with the School Committee on the operation and development of special service programs.
Here is this year's brochure that includes our meeting times/dates:
Parents Rights Flyer - 11/2/22 workshop
PACSAL Meeting Notes:
Meet & Greet - notes and picture from the night!
5/9/24 notes and final By-laws
3/14/24 notes and Draft Bylaws
Other Information:
New IEP PowerPoint Presentation from 3/14/24 meeting
Fall 2024 Rollout of the New IEP Form
DESE/DDS Residential Prevention Program
IEP Accommodations & Strategies (thanks to Sandy Orni for sharing this great resource for families and IEP teams)
Our PACSAL has grown to not only include children and their families participating in the IEP process, but also those on a 504 plan, and/or those receiving Title I and EL services as well. We are working diligently to bring you presentations and workshops on a myriad of topics and fun community activities. Please refer to our meeting agendas for details.
You may see PACSAL at school and community activities. So please stop by to talk with us either one on one, at a scheduled meeting, or at a sponsored event to learn about what we can offer you and your child.
Mission Statement
“The mission of the Parents Advisory Council is to enrich and support the opportunities for students with learning differences in their educational and community settings.”
Books and Resources
The Lunenburg PACSAL has donated our library of books and resources to the Lunenburg Public Library. They are available in a section specifically for Special Needs and Special Education.
Understanding Services for Children & Youth with Special Needs: a flyer with a wealth of resources and information
From the Federation for Children with Special Needs Parents' Rights workshop on 10/20/21:
This workshop is presented throughout the school year to introduce basic rights and special education law to parents and professionals (link to handouts: Basic Rights' PowerPoint ) . I have included below information, resources, and our Information Center info for any questions that you may have specific to your family. Please feel free to share the following links and information:
FCSN website: https://fcsn.org/
Parent Training Information Center (PTIC) Workshop Topics: https://fcsn.org/pti/workshops/
FCSN Events Calendar: https://fcsn.org/news/#calendar
FCSN Information Center online intake form: https://fcsn.org/fcsn-intake-form/
FCSN Information phone number: 617-236-7210
Recruitment, Training and Support Center (RTSC): https://fcsn.org/rtsc-updated-brochure/
FCSN REAL Transition Partners/Link Center: https://fcsn.org/linkcenter/
We are also hosting multiple 10 minute Livestreams a week on Facebook.
If you have any other questions, please contact me at workshops@fcsn.org.
Best Regards,
Kristin
Kristin LaRose (She/Her/They)
Workshop Coordinator, Parent Training and Information Center
Federation for Children with Special Needs
The Schrafft Center
529 Main Street, Suite 1M3
Boston, MA 02129
Phone: 617-236-7210, ext. 351 |Fax: 617-241-0330
Email: workshops@fcsn.org
Goals and Objectives
PACSAL PROVIDES RESOURCES AND SUPPORT for parents of children with challenges, including:
Physical Disabilities
Learning Disabilities
ADD/ADHD
Down Syndrome
Autism/Asperger Syndrome
PDD-NOS
Children Receiving Title I Services
Audio Processing
Sensory Impairment