Hingham Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
2011-2012 Year-end Report
Prepared for Dr. Jean Curtis Loud, Director of Student Services and the Hingham School Committee
June 2012
The following is a summary of the business conducted by the Hingham SEPAC during the 2011-2012 school year:
SEPAC Overview: In accordance with federal and state special education laws and regulations and in adherence with all the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) directives and advisories pertaining to the creation and functioning of special education parent advisory councils, Hingham Public Schools (HPS) has established and will continue to foster the HPS Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). HPS authorizes the Hingham SEPAC to be the authorized and designated special education parent advisory council for HPS, Hingham, MA. Such above-referenced guidelines can be found at the end of this document. There may be additional advisories later on, but at this time there are no further directives.
Hingham SEPAC Mission Statement: The mission of the SEPAC is to work for the understanding of, respect for, and support of children with disabilities who receive special education services from HPS.
• To promote a network of parents of students with disabilities who receive special education services from HPS and to provide a forum to share information and concerns;
• To advise the Director of Student Services, the Superintendent, and the School Committee regarding professional development and parent concerns;
• To promote communication among Hingham SEPAC members, local, state and national organizations, councils, and groups;
• To promote communication and programs within the community to encourage understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of all children with disabilities.
SEPAC Board Members: At the start of the school year, the SEPAC board consisted of Donna Keaney, Jean Garrity, Pam Berigan, Marisa Ronan, Susan Martin, and Kim Cross. In October we received correspondence from Susan Martin stating she would be resigning from her position as co-chair of the SEPAC. As of this date, a replacement has not been identified.
SEPAC Meetings: The Board meets monthly and beginning with the October 11, 2011, meeting, our meetings are now on the second Tuesday of each month in the Fearing Room of the Hingham Public Library. This calendar was created in the hope that more people would plan for and attend the meetings. In keeping with the state’s Open Meeting Law, our monthly meetings are posted at least 48 hours in advance, minutes are kept, and agenda/attendance sheets are maintained by the Director of Student Services in compliance with the Public Records Law.
SEPAC Accomplishments: The Board had a very busy year. We continued to reach out to members, in addition to educators, school PTOs, and the public in general. Some highlights are:
· A new website packed with great information and resources (www.hinghamsepac.org)
· The creation of a Facebook page
· Three newsletter mailings to all SEPAC members (September, December, & March)
· A tri-fold, color brochure outlining the mission of the SEPAC and other useful information
· A donation from the SEPAC to the Hingham Public Library of three Wrightslaw books
· Eight educational presentations which were open to the public at no charge
· A first, annual Fun Run/Walk
· A profitable Antique Show fundraiser
SEPAC Presentations: The following presentations were offered:
· October 4 – A Welcome Coffee open to all members but with a special invitation sent to preschool parents
· October 13 – Special Needs Financial Planning presented by Rich Harwood of Centinel Financial Group
· October 19 – Parents’ Rights and Responsibilities presented by Dr. Jean Curtis Loud and Liz O’Neill
· November 9 – Let’s Get Organized workshop presented by Family TIES
· December 7 – Panel Presentation during Inclusive Schools Week presented by Jen Milia and Liz O’Neill
· January 17 – Red Flags for Struggling Readers presented by Dr. Elizabeth Crawford of the MA branch of the International Dyslexia Association
· February 8 – “What is Social Thinking?” presented by Tracey Stoll, M.Ed., Learning Solutions, LLC
· March 7 – What The Tests Are Testing – Understanding Neuropsychological Evaluations presented by Dr. Joseph Moldover, Psy.D.
· April 3 – Think Differently: A New Approach for Understanding and Helping Children with Challenging Behavior presented by Dr. Larry Epstein, Director of School-based Services for Think:Kids at Mass. General Hospital
SEPAC Outreach: In addition to the presentations and the monthly meetings, SEPAC board members attended special education sub-committee meetings, all-town PTO meetings, and school committee budget meetings. We attended PTO meetings at the beginning of the school year to give an overview of what the SEPAC is. We produced three newsletters which were mailed to all parents of students on an IEP. A new, color brochure was created containing information about our Mission and other helpful information. This brochure was made available for distribution to parents, school department, schools, and potential presenters, etc. Information about our presentations was sent to principals for distribution through their e-mail distribution lists, advertised in the Hingham Journal, posted on our website and Facebook page, and printed in our newsletters. We also were a sponsor of the 2011 Hingham Rec Fourth of July race, and as such our name was printed on the t-shirts worn by the runners and in promotional materials. Board members were present during the two-day Christmas In The Square event to increase awareness of our organization. Lastly, in April 2012 a Fun Run/Walk was held to promote awareness of the SEPAC, bring together all children and their families, include educators and administration, and generate funds to award a technology-related grant in the coming year.
SEPAC Finances: Although it was decided in May 2011 to not continue with the Antique Show as a fundraiser, the Board reversed its decision for the 2012 show as it would be the 25th annual antique show. It was communicated to the show’s organizer, John DeSimone of Goosefare Promotions that with some changes, we would sponsor the show. The total profit from this event was $2729.00.
A new initiative was held on April 28 in Bare Cove Park. The SEPAC held its first Fun Run/Walk, which raised $1428.00 and was fairly well attended. We hope to make this an annual event in place of the Antique Show.
The current balance in our account (as of June 12, 2012) was $14,434.30. Our funds are now deposited with and held as a separate account by the Town of Hingham’s Accountant until use by the SEPAC.
SEPAC Survey: In July 2011 the SEPAC board created a survey asking members for their feedback. This survey was created with SurveyMonkey and consisted of 10 questions. The survey was announced in our September 2011 newsletter, at our meetings and presentations, and on our website. Eleven people responded and of those respondents, 10 were parents and one was a teacher. A second survey was prepared in May 2012 and only two people responded thus far. Despite the low number of respondents, we appreciate the input and will strive to make improvements to the organization based on the feedback.
SEPAC Goals: The SEPAC board is planning its 2012-2013 calendar of meetings and events. We plan to build on the initiatives we started last year, such as to increase the visibility of our organization with parents, educators, and school committee; collaborate more closely with the special education subcommittee of the school committee to facilitate a productive, successful relationship between the District and parents of special needs students; provide informative programs and resources to parents and educators; and create a grant policy and form in order to provide educators with some financial assistance.
We look forward to furthering the Hingham SEPAC’s mission and goals in the next school year.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Keaney, Co-chair
Jean Garrity, Co-chair
Kim Cross, Treasurer
Pam Berigan, Secretary
Marisa Ronan, Public Relations/Outreach Officer
June 2012
2011-2012 Year-end Report
Prepared for Dr. Jean Curtis Loud, Director of Student Services and the Hingham School Committee
June 2012
The following is a summary of the business conducted by the Hingham SEPAC during the 2011-2012 school year:
SEPAC Overview: In accordance with federal and state special education laws and regulations and in adherence with all the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) directives and advisories pertaining to the creation and functioning of special education parent advisory councils, Hingham Public Schools (HPS) has established and will continue to foster the HPS Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). HPS authorizes the Hingham SEPAC to be the authorized and designated special education parent advisory council for HPS, Hingham, MA. Such above-referenced guidelines can be found at the end of this document. There may be additional advisories later on, but at this time there are no further directives.
Hingham SEPAC Mission Statement: The mission of the SEPAC is to work for the understanding of, respect for, and support of children with disabilities who receive special education services from HPS.
• To promote a network of parents of students with disabilities who receive special education services from HPS and to provide a forum to share information and concerns;
• To advise the Director of Student Services, the Superintendent, and the School Committee regarding professional development and parent concerns;
• To promote communication among Hingham SEPAC members, local, state and national organizations, councils, and groups;
• To promote communication and programs within the community to encourage understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of all children with disabilities.
SEPAC Board Members: At the start of the school year, the SEPAC board consisted of Donna Keaney, Jean Garrity, Pam Berigan, Marisa Ronan, Susan Martin, and Kim Cross. In October we received correspondence from Susan Martin stating she would be resigning from her position as co-chair of the SEPAC. As of this date, a replacement has not been identified.
SEPAC Meetings: The Board meets monthly and beginning with the October 11, 2011, meeting, our meetings are now on the second Tuesday of each month in the Fearing Room of the Hingham Public Library. This calendar was created in the hope that more people would plan for and attend the meetings. In keeping with the state’s Open Meeting Law, our monthly meetings are posted at least 48 hours in advance, minutes are kept, and agenda/attendance sheets are maintained by the Director of Student Services in compliance with the Public Records Law.
SEPAC Accomplishments: The Board had a very busy year. We continued to reach out to members, in addition to educators, school PTOs, and the public in general. Some highlights are:
· A new website packed with great information and resources (www.hinghamsepac.org)
· The creation of a Facebook page
· Three newsletter mailings to all SEPAC members (September, December, & March)
· A tri-fold, color brochure outlining the mission of the SEPAC and other useful information
· A donation from the SEPAC to the Hingham Public Library of three Wrightslaw books
· Eight educational presentations which were open to the public at no charge
· A first, annual Fun Run/Walk
· A profitable Antique Show fundraiser
SEPAC Presentations: The following presentations were offered:
· October 4 – A Welcome Coffee open to all members but with a special invitation sent to preschool parents
· October 13 – Special Needs Financial Planning presented by Rich Harwood of Centinel Financial Group
· October 19 – Parents’ Rights and Responsibilities presented by Dr. Jean Curtis Loud and Liz O’Neill
· November 9 – Let’s Get Organized workshop presented by Family TIES
· December 7 – Panel Presentation during Inclusive Schools Week presented by Jen Milia and Liz O’Neill
· January 17 – Red Flags for Struggling Readers presented by Dr. Elizabeth Crawford of the MA branch of the International Dyslexia Association
· February 8 – “What is Social Thinking?” presented by Tracey Stoll, M.Ed., Learning Solutions, LLC
· March 7 – What The Tests Are Testing – Understanding Neuropsychological Evaluations presented by Dr. Joseph Moldover, Psy.D.
· April 3 – Think Differently: A New Approach for Understanding and Helping Children with Challenging Behavior presented by Dr. Larry Epstein, Director of School-based Services for Think:Kids at Mass. General Hospital
SEPAC Outreach: In addition to the presentations and the monthly meetings, SEPAC board members attended special education sub-committee meetings, all-town PTO meetings, and school committee budget meetings. We attended PTO meetings at the beginning of the school year to give an overview of what the SEPAC is. We produced three newsletters which were mailed to all parents of students on an IEP. A new, color brochure was created containing information about our Mission and other helpful information. This brochure was made available for distribution to parents, school department, schools, and potential presenters, etc. Information about our presentations was sent to principals for distribution through their e-mail distribution lists, advertised in the Hingham Journal, posted on our website and Facebook page, and printed in our newsletters. We also were a sponsor of the 2011 Hingham Rec Fourth of July race, and as such our name was printed on the t-shirts worn by the runners and in promotional materials. Board members were present during the two-day Christmas In The Square event to increase awareness of our organization. Lastly, in April 2012 a Fun Run/Walk was held to promote awareness of the SEPAC, bring together all children and their families, include educators and administration, and generate funds to award a technology-related grant in the coming year.
SEPAC Finances: Although it was decided in May 2011 to not continue with the Antique Show as a fundraiser, the Board reversed its decision for the 2012 show as it would be the 25th annual antique show. It was communicated to the show’s organizer, John DeSimone of Goosefare Promotions that with some changes, we would sponsor the show. The total profit from this event was $2729.00.
A new initiative was held on April 28 in Bare Cove Park. The SEPAC held its first Fun Run/Walk, which raised $1428.00 and was fairly well attended. We hope to make this an annual event in place of the Antique Show.
The current balance in our account (as of June 12, 2012) was $14,434.30. Our funds are now deposited with and held as a separate account by the Town of Hingham’s Accountant until use by the SEPAC.
SEPAC Survey: In July 2011 the SEPAC board created a survey asking members for their feedback. This survey was created with SurveyMonkey and consisted of 10 questions. The survey was announced in our September 2011 newsletter, at our meetings and presentations, and on our website. Eleven people responded and of those respondents, 10 were parents and one was a teacher. A second survey was prepared in May 2012 and only two people responded thus far. Despite the low number of respondents, we appreciate the input and will strive to make improvements to the organization based on the feedback.
SEPAC Goals: The SEPAC board is planning its 2012-2013 calendar of meetings and events. We plan to build on the initiatives we started last year, such as to increase the visibility of our organization with parents, educators, and school committee; collaborate more closely with the special education subcommittee of the school committee to facilitate a productive, successful relationship between the District and parents of special needs students; provide informative programs and resources to parents and educators; and create a grant policy and form in order to provide educators with some financial assistance.
We look forward to furthering the Hingham SEPAC’s mission and goals in the next school year.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Keaney, Co-chair
Jean Garrity, Co-chair
Kim Cross, Treasurer
Pam Berigan, Secretary
Marisa Ronan, Public Relations/Outreach Officer
June 2012
