Under the Sea Fun to Celebrate the Last Day of ESY! 

Today, to celebrate the last day of ESY, Mahopac SEPTO created a special Under the Sea-themed sensory pathway for our kiddos! 

Students made their way through the colorful chalk walk, popped through bubbles, enjoyed some music, and followed the path to a refreshing ice pop!  They even got some extra time outside enjoying the beautiful weather and playground with their friends.

It was such a fun and joyful way to wrap up an amazing summer together! Seeing something as simple as chalk, bubbles, music, and ice pops bring so many smiles is exactly what it’s all about. 

A huge thank you to our wonderful MCSD Special Education Administrators for coordinating with SEPTO and helping make this experience possible for our students.

And an extra special thank you to Frank Buccinna for generously volunteering his time and talent to create this AMAZING under-the-sea walkway for our kiddos!  Your creativity truly brought our vision to life!

What a perfect way to say “sea you later, ESY!” 

Mahopac SEPTO was truly honored to be part of the Carmel Police Department’s National Night Out! It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with so many families, share information about our organization and continue our mission of building a more inclusive and supportive community for all.

We were especially excited to celebrate the launch of Carmel Connects, an incredible new initiative created in collaboration with the Town of Carmel Recreation & Parks Department and speech-language pathologist and feeding therapist Kelly Mena. This innovative program uses QR-code social stories throughout parks and community spaces to help children and families know what to expect before visiting—making outings more accessible, inclusive and welcoming for everyone.

A very special thank you to Kelly Mena for her unwavering dedication to our students, our schools and our community. Your passion for inclusion, advocacy and ensuring every child feels seen, supported and understood is truly inspiring. The impact you make extends far beyond the classroom, and our community is stronger because of your vision and commitment. Mahopac is incredibly fortunate to have you and we are so grateful for everything you do. 

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Nina Kallmeyer and the Town of Carmel Recreation and Parks Dept for your continued dedication to creating a more inclusive environment for all families. Your commitment to ensuring that every child and family feels welcome in our community is making a lasting difference and we are grateful for your partnership and shared vision of inclusion.

Finally, thank you to the Carmel Police Department  for hosting such an incredible National Night Out and bringing our community together. It was an amazing evening filled with connection, fun and the reminder that when organizations work together, we can create a community where everyone belongs and everyone can thrive. 

There is nothing better than seeing the pure joy on a child’s face. 

Our Mahopac ESY students had an unforgettable afternoon at the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department’s annual Fireman’s Fair. The smiles, laughter, and excitement shared by our students, their families, and staff filled the fairgrounds and created memories that will last a lifetime.

This year was made even more meaningful with the addition of the sensory tent—a quiet, welcoming space where students could take a break, regulate, and then return to all the fun. Watching inclusion come to life in such a meaningful way was truly heartwarming and reminded us that small accommodations can make a world of difference.

A heartfelt thank you to the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department for once again opening your doors and your hearts to our students and their families. Your continued support helps create a community where every child feels welcomed, included, and celebrated just as a they are.