New Parent Organization Forming in Oswego 308 for Exceptional Students

A new parent organization is being formed for parents with students who have special needs in Oswego District 308.

The group is called Exceptional Parents of Exceptional Children (EPEC) with the mission to bring together and support the families with special needs children in the district.

Exceptional, or special needs, can include autism, emotional disability, physical disability, developmental delay among many other categories.

Katra Knoernschild said Christine Nelson, the director of district student services, helped coordinate parents throughout the district who had a mutual interest in creating a group.

“We decided the best step was for a parent organization,” said Knoernschild, vice president of communications for EPEC. “It’s the best way to serve the district.”

The group is still being formed and an informational meeting for parents, caregivers and educators with an exceptional child is being held April 16 at 7 p.m. at the Brokaw Early Learning Center.

“We wanted something where we could partner with parents and schools and our existing home and school organizations and support them as well,” said Knoernschild.

Since the group is still in the planning stages, Knoernschild said some programs may shift with parent needs.

Besides providing support for parents who have exceptional children, Knoernschild said they are looking to provide extracurricular activities for the students.

“Our programs will be different for each building,” said Knoernschild. “We want to support all the families, and we need leaders in all the schools to do that.”

Those interested in being a part of EPEC can attend the meeting and fill out an informational survey.

You can also visit the EPEC Facebook for more information.