North Andover Events Will Raise Funds, Awareness For SEPAC

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — The North Andover Special Education Advisory Council (SEPAC) is holding two events next week to raise awareness and funds for the organization.

The SEPAC — which every school district in Massachusetts is required to establish — advocates for the special needs community by promoting understanding, respect and appropriate education for all school-age children and young adults with special needs, according to North Andover Public Schools officials.

On Tuesday, the North Andover SEPAC will host an "Eat on High Street" event. Between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. High Street restaurants like Jade North Andover, Jaime's, Stachey's Pizza and Tavern on High, will be donating a portion of sales to the North Andover SEPAC Parent Advisory Council.

During that time, members of the SEPAC Board will be at the West Mill Courtyard, where they will have information about the organization.

There also will be raffle items donated by: Restoration Barbershop, Bella Ballerina, Cyrus Holding Corporation, SEAL Foundation, Center for Performing Arts, Benchmark Senior Living and 24 High Street.

Then, Nov. 18 is SEPAC Awareness Day across the district, and the organization is asking everyone to wear yellow to show their support.

The North Andover SEPAC has partnered with B.Designed to sell yellow shirts. There are tie-dye options and plain yellow with the SEPAC logo.

Shirts can be ordered online, and 25 percent of the profit from each sale will be directly donated back to SEPAC.

"North Andover's SEPAC, led by president Courtney Pham, does a great job collaborating with our schools to provide support, information and educational resources to our families with students on IEPs or 504 Plans," North Andover Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Gregg Gilligan told Patch.

Gilligan continued: "We are fortunate to have such a dedicated SEPAC and events like 'Wear Yellow to Support SEPAC Awareness' help promote inclusion and highlight the resources available to families in our district."