New to This Blog

Hi, I'm Bernie Engvall of Auburn. I co-chaired the Auburn SEPAC for many years with Cheryl Chan, and before that with others. (Probably a total of 10 or 12 years) So, the SEPAC is not new to me, but this blog is. My husband Greg and I have two sons, Eric (age 21) and Wesley (age 17). Eric has autism. He is still getting services from the Auburn Public Schools, but is only at the high school 2 days a week. The other three days he volunteers at two different sites with a job coach. They have been actively looking for a part-time paying job for him, but no luck so far. Eric will age out of special education on January 3rd of next year when he turns 22. It's very scary not knowing what he will be doing then.
I work in the Auburn Public Schools as an instructional assistant for kids with special needs. This is my 13th year. This is a job that my son led me to (before that I was a bookkeeper for about 20 years!). By having an older child, and by my experience in the school system, I hope I can help others on this blog as they deal with the many challenges that we all face having a child with special needs.

Bernie Engvall

Last meeting/dinner with the NEW Auburn/Oxford SEPAC

Hi everyone!

It's great to see more and more people joining us - we now have 10 people here and 3 new invitations just went out! This is exciting. Please be SURE to introduce yourself - many haven't yet - by posting to the group. Tell us anything you'd like about you and your family. As Karl has already posted, please tell us your thoughts on what you'd like the SEPAC to do for you next year. The sooner we hear the better we can plan.

At our last meeting we only had Karl, myself, and 2 other parents along with administrative representatives from our districts. It was a great meeting despite the low attendance. We were each able to share our visions about what our group can and should do. Some of the things that came out of that discussion include:

1. The importance of recruitment to the group - more members = more activity, more support & more strength!

2. The importance of diversity of topics - we represent a wide and diverse range of disabilities among our children, and so topics should be varied and/or of interest to all.

3. Including the opportunity for social interaction among us, not just meetings with speakers each time.

We did discuss a few topics but would like to hear more ideas from everyone. Maybe the best place to do that would be over drinks & dinner - PLEASE JOIN US ON TUESDAY, JUNE 1ST AT 6:30PM at Oxford Casual Dining Restaurant on route 12 in Oxford. It's a great place and we hope to enjoy the company of all of you, new and old friends alike.

Can't wait!
Cheryl Chan

Hello All

Just wanted to introduce myself. Kristen from Auburn. I have one 15 year old son. This is my first time involved in a PAC but am looking forward to meeting others for the benefit of our children.

The first SEPAC meeting was good. If you did not make it, make sure you come to the next meeting! It is going to be fun!

High everyone and welcome new members. I would like to say that our meeting tonight went very well. It was very productive and a lot of good ideas on the direction that the group would like go in and topics that we would like to discuss. Please feel free to chime in on what topics you would like to see us talk about, we are here to offer mutual support for each other and help or children get the most out of there lives.

We are trying to organize a meet and greet for our last meeting on June 2nd or 3rd at Oxfords Casual Dinning. Please let us know which day is better for you so we can let the restaurant know.

Look forward to meeting and getting to know you folks.

Thanks and have a good night.