“Maddie’s Rock Garden” featuring a photo of 6-year-old Madison Lang, a young girl with a bald head, smiling and wearing a pink shirt. The flyer uses bright purple, blue, pink, green, and orange accents. The flyer explains that Madison was diagnosed in late May with rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer located in her stomach. It invites the SMEC community to spread hope, love, and encouragement by creating painted rocks for her. The flyer asks people to paint and decorate a rock with kind words, bright colors, flowers, butterflies, rainbows, or anything that brings joy. Examples of painted rocks include messages such as “You Are Brave,” “Be Kind,” and “You Shine.” Participants are asked to bring their decorated rock to their SMEC school or program by October 16. The rocks will be displayed at the Friends of SMEC Walk-A-Thon and then sent to Maddie. The flyer emphasizes: “Help us show Maddie she’s not alone!” and says that each rock can bring her smiles, hope, and joy.

LET’S FILL MADDIE’S ROCK GARDEN WITH LOVE!

October 1, 2026
The SMEC community is coming together to bring a little extra hope, encouragement, and joy to 6-year-old Madison Lang as she bravely battles cancer. 💗 Maddie loves rocks, and h...
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he flyer has a warm tan background with dark pink accents and text. On the left side, there is a photograph of a smiling woman with curly hair sitting at a table with a laptop and a coffee cup. The top text reads "SMEC FALL ONLINE COURSES" followed by "15 PDP Asynchronous Courses $150". Three specific courses are listed with bullet points: • Using Mindful Mentoring to Support Novice Teachers • Building Relationships with English Language Learners • Supporting Special Education Students to Be Successfuls [sic] The bottom left text outlines the timeline: • Registration is open now! • Course opens 9/15/25 • Asynchronous Rolling Registration 9/15/25–10/15/25 • Complete by November 16th. The bottom right features a large pink circle that says "REGISTER TODAY!" and directs users to "Register on Smart PD". Below the circle, it notes: "Questions: call Sherri at 508-9985-599 ex 130".

SMEC 15 PDP Courses

September 30, 2026
Looking to earn 15 PDPs while expanding your professional skills? Our asynchronous fall courses make it easy to learn on your own schedule! Choose from three engaging courses: ✨ U...
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ook cover for Mindful Mentoring: A Reflective Guide for Mentors and Mentees by Carol Pelletier Radford, featuring an abstract botanical illustration in green, white, and burgundy.

Mindful Mentoring- Supporting the Development and Well-Being of Novice Teachers

September 21, 2026
Mindful Mentoring ~ Supporting the Development and Well-Being of Novice Teachers Instructor: Carol Pelletier Radford, EdD, with online mentor Barbara Shurtleff EdD Participa...
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A vibrant vertical poster featuring a gradient background transitioning from purple at the top to cyan/light blue at the bottom. At the top, there is a prominent line art graphic of a pair of retro white sneakers with teal and pink/purple accents. Key Details Event Title: FRIENDS OF SMEC WALK-A-THON Date: OCTOBER 24, 2026 Location: 56 BRIDGE STREET FAIRHAVEN Time: REGISTRATION BEGINS AT 8:30 A.M.

Friends of SMEC Walk-A-Thon

September 15, 2026
Mark your calendars for the Friends of SMEC Walk-A-Thon! Oct 24th 2026
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Graphic featuring the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC) logo and the headline “Direct Care Staff Appreciation.” The message recognizes SMEC direct care staff for their compassion, dedication, and hard work in making a lasting difference in the lives of the adults they serve. It highlights their role in building relationships, creating opportunities, encouraging independence, providing support, and helping individuals feel valued and respected. The graphic concludes with a blue brushstroke banner reading, “Thank you for all that you do!” The design uses SMEC’s blue and green colors with decorative watercolor accents and heart graphics.

SMEC Direct Care Staff Appreciation Week

September 14, 2026
SMEC Direct Care Staff Appreciation Week!
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Graphic promoting SMEC’s Fall Online SEI Endorsement Course. The 12-week virtual course begins Tuesday, September 29, 2026, and meets from 4:30–7:30 PM. The course costs $350, with an additional $225 option for 3 graduate credits. The course prepares Massachusetts teachers to effectively shelter content instruction so English language learners can access curriculum and achieve academic success. Registration is available through SMEC’s SmartEdu professional development site. Contact SMEC at 508-998-5599, extension 130.

SMEC SEI Endorsement Course $350

September 9, 2026
SMEC Fall Online SEI Endorsement Course Registration is now open for SMEC’s Fall Online SEI Endorsement Course! This 12-week virtual course is designed to prepare Massachusetts...
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Promotional flyer for Allan Blume’s BlumeMethod™ “IEP-in-an-Hour” IEP Writing Strategies training offered by Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC). The six-session Zoom series runs October 6 through November 10, 2026, with sessions beginning at 10:30 a.m. Topics include present levels, strengths/interests/preferences, accommodations and modifications, baseline, goals/objectives, transition planning statements, and service delivery grids. Participants who attend all six sessions and complete the online activities can earn 10 PDPs. Cost is $250 for SMEC member districts and BlumeMethod APP members, $275 for non-member districts, with group pricing of $225 per participant for groups of 10 or more.

Transform the way you write IEPs!

September 9, 2026
SMEC is excited to offer Allan Blume’s BlumeMethod™ “IEP-in-an-Hour” IEP Writing Strategies training series this fall! Join renowned IEP writing expert Allan Blume for a prac...
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Four students seated in a SMEC classroom in front of a bulletin board that reads, "Be the REASON someone smiles TODAY." On the far left, a male student in a white t-shirt and black pants sits with arms crossed in a floor rocker chair. Beside him, a male student in a gray "SMEC" t-shirt and blue shorts sits smiling. To his right, a female student with glasses and a gray t-shirt smiles widely at the camera. On the far right, a male student in a dark gray t-shirt and shorts sits in a wooden rocking chair.

Be the Reason someone smiles today!

September 2, 2026
Welcome back, SMEC family! 🌟 Big smiles on the first day of school as our students get settled into their classrooms. Here’s to a wonderful year of learning, growth, and community...
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lyer for "Allan Blume's BlumeMethod" workshop on October 29, 2026, presented by the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC) at UMASS Dartmouth Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Detailed Description & Transcription: An informational flyer titled "Allan Blume's BlumeMethod™", featuring a headshot of presenter Allan Blume, a smiling man with gray hair, a beard, and a blue suit jacket. Header SMEC Logo: Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative Main Text SMEC, in collaboration with Blume Method, is offering a full-day workshop providing practical strategies to help educators navigate and strengthen their use of the Massachusetts IEP. As teams continue to adapt to the updated IEP format, the workshop focuses on making the writing process more manageable, efficient, and consistent—while keeping individualization at the heart of every IEP. Participants will explore Allan Blume's BlumeMethod™, a practical approach to IEP writing that uses formulas and sentence starters to support clear, consistent language and streamline the writing process. These tools can help teams develop IEPs that are individualized to each student while creating greater consistency across educators, teams, and buildings. Participants will also experience the BlumeMethod™ App, a tool designed to gather and organize information from multiple stakeholders—including general and special educators, related service providers, and other team members—to support the development of initial, annual, and reevaluation IEPs. The workshop will provide practical strategies and examples for: Writing Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance Developing clear and meaningful Baseline Statements Writing measurable and individualized Goals Identifying appropriate Accommodations and Modifications Completing the Service Delivery Grid Organizing information across academic, behavioral/social-emotional, communication, and additional areas Using consistent language while maintaining student-centered individualization Walk Away With Practical Tools You Can Use Immediately: Whether you are experienced with the Massachusetts IEP or still refining your team's approach, this workshop will provide concrete strategies, tools, and resources to make IEP writing easier, more efficient, and more consistent. Event Details When: October 29, 2026 Time: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm (includes lunch) Where: UMASS Dartmouth Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, 151 Martine St, Fall River, MA Cost: $250 SMEC Member District $250 Blume Method Member $275 Non-Member Group Pricing (10 or more): $225 Note: Space is Limited! Includes Lunch! Registration Information REGISTER TODAY!: On Smart PD Call: Sherri Tetrault @ 508-9985599 ex 130 Email: stetrault@smecollaborative.org

Allan Blume's BlumeMethod IEP Writing -Full Day Workshop in Fall River

September 2, 2026
SMEC, in collaboration with Blume Method, is offering a full-day workshop providing practical strategies to help educators navigate and strengthen their use of the Massachusetts I...
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A sign with a light blue top banner reading "Welcome Back, SMEC TEAM!" in large dark blue text, framed by small decorative lines on either side. Below the header, centered between two heart outlines, is the cursive text "please sign here" above a dark blue line. The main area of the poster displays a grid of blank avatar outlines filled in with hand-drawn hairstyles, facial expressions, and written names in various colorful markers. The signatures and illustrations are arranged across six rows: Row 1: 13 avatar figures showing a range of hairstyles, hair colors (brown, blonde, green, black, red), facial features, glasses, and names including Chris H., Laurie Comey, Diego, Naomi, and Steph. Row 2: 13 avatar figures including signatures/names such as Victoria Rego, ?, A. Donovan, Michelle, Jessica L., and GEORGE. Row 3: 13 avatar figures featuring drawn hair styles and signed names including Deenaka, Rubi N, Elisa, Paige ♥, Melissa RET, Hadley, Patrick Bell, and LJ S. Row 4: 13 avatar figures with details like curly hair, braided hair, and names including Amy B., Lynn, Sasha, Ms. Niki!, and Jan. Row 5: 13 avatar figures including drawings with red, brown, yellow, and blonde hair, featuring signatures such as Ms. Savannah, Life is good! Sheri Tetrault, Rebecca, Sheri, Anne, and Britt. Row 6: 12 avatar figures along the bottom row with various drawn expressions and names including Charlie, Kim, Maddie, and Kaitlyn.

WELCOME BACK, SMEC!

September 1, 2026
A brand-new school year is here, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome back our amazing SMEC staff! 💙 We hope everyone had a wonderful summer and is feeling refreshed, rec...
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A smiling blonde woman stands behind a dessert table featuring mini key lime pies on a multi-tiered glass stand and a decorated cake reading "Cheers to 20 Amazing Years!" decorated with fresh lime slices and white flowers. She is wearing a white top with a blue, gold, and brown chevron zigzag pattern.

A Legacy worth celebrating Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative Honors Retiring Executive Director Catherine Cooper

August 26, 2026
DARTMOUTH — After nearly four decades dedicated to special education and 20 years leading the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative, Executive Director Catherine Co...
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Five people are seated around a round table at a banquet or celebration in a community hall, smiling toward the camera while eating pasta and salad. The table is covered with a gold tablecloth and decorated with a lit mason jar centerpiece, white flowers, and small gold accents. A light pink handbag sits in the foreground. One person is dressed in a white shirt, black bow tie, and white cap with a boutonniere, suggesting a special occasion. In the background, other guests mingle and sit at tables, with a small stage featuring gold and blue decorations, a large gold number "6" balloon, and colorful handprint artwork hanging on the wall. The atmosphere is festive and welcoming.

‘Night at the Oscars’ Themed Prom .

July 27, 2026
Read about the "Night at the Oscars" themed prom. click here for the story .
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Student under the parachute

The classrooms of the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC) united on June 2 to celebrate the inaugural Arts, Music, and Physical Movement (AMP!) event.

June 11, 2026
https://news.jgpr.net/2026/06/09/southeastern-massachusetts-educational-collaborative-treats-students-to-inaugural-art-music-and-physical-movement-amp-day/
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Art instructor looking at artwork display

SMEC 2026 NBAM Art Show

May 19, 2026
Click here for the article
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School recruitment flyer promoting open positions for the upcoming school year

SMEC is Hiring!

May 13, 2026
We’re hiring for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year! Join a team that’s passionate, supportive, and ready to make a difference every day. Apply today and help us make the upcomin...
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