The purpose of the Bethel Public Schools’ Special Education Parent Advisory Team (SEPAT) is to build collaborative, equal and equitable partnerships between families, the Bethel Public School District, and community partners (including local businesses) on matters pertaining to the education, safety, and well-being of students with disabilities.

General membership is open to any interested Bethel Public School parent or guardian of a child with a disability, previously known to have a disability, or suspected of having a disability, under the IDEA or Section 504, or who is currently eligible to receive Special Education or 504 accommodations and services, from ages 3-22.

The mission of the Bethel Special Education Parent Advisory Team (SEPAT) is as follows:

 1. To provide education and information to parents/guardians and the broader community on special education issues and services. 

2. To establish better understanding and support of special education in Bethel.

3. To collaborate with the Bethel Public School District on topics that pertain to the education, safety, and well-being of students with disabilities and 504s, with the goal of developing strong special education programs in Bethel that meet student needs.

To promote better understanding, improved communication, and collaboration between the parents/guardians of children with disabilities and the Bethel Public Schools.

To promote a network of parents/guardians of children with disabilities and provide a forum for parents to share information with each other.

To promote communication, understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of students with disabilities within the larger community.

To encourage a community commitment to quality education for all children and to support diversity within the educational setting.

To work collaboratively with the special needs community to make workshops available to the public that address special needs. 

To provide a communication and problem-solving pathway between parents/guardians and school administration to address issues related to special education services and 504 plans.

To provide information about special education and 504 plans to all parents/guardians of children enrolled in the Bethel Public Schools.

To provide a forum for parents/guardians and other interested citizens to maintain a dialogue with the Bethel Public Schools on issues relating to the education, health, and safety, and well-being of all students enrolled in special education programs and 504 plans.

To provide and promote information and educational opportunities for the community on topics related to special education services and 504 plans.

SEPAT Member Responsibilities:

SEPAT will consist of up to 10-15 parent/guardian members, targeting at least 2 members from each of the 5 schools within the Bethel Public Schools.

SEPAT will plan two large group events per year (e.g., speaker, resource fair). SEPAT will also plan smaller events and educational opportunities for parents and students in the community. 

Each SEPAT member will commit to at least one school calendar year of service to ensure continuity.

SEPAT members will be assigned the following duties: 

• SEPAT members will be required to attend one SEPAT meeting each month during the school year (Sept-June). 

• SEPAT members who serve as PTO Liaisons will be required to attend the first PTO meeting of the school year in an individual school building and establish communication with the PTO going forward.  The SEPAT PTO Liaison will then report any relevant events, happenings, or issues related to students with disabilities at the monthly SEPAT meeting.

• SEPAT members who serve as a school PPS Liaison (one for each school in the district) will be required to communicate with designated PPS staff one time monthly to communicate any relevant information to/from SEPAT. 

• The advisory team will also be responsible for creating an annual calendar of events for Bethel Public Schools special education parents as well as for the general community, to promote understanding of concerns affecting our special education student population. The calendar will consist of at least one event per quarter. 

SEPAT will also include representatives from the Bethel Public Schools Special Education Department, including the Director of Special Education and Pupil Services, and the Supervisors of Special Education.