Hingham Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
2012-2013 Year-end Report
Prepared For Elizabeth Flynn, Director of Student Services, and the School Committee, Hingham Public Schools
The following is a summary of the business conducted by the Hingham SEPAC during the 2012-2013 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.
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, Marisa Ronan, and Kim Cross. Pam Berigan, formerly Secretary, resigned her position shortly before the school year commenced. In the fall, Daniela Andruszkiewicz and Sonja Finney joined the Board as Co-Chair and Secretary, respectively. In May 2013, Donna Keaney and Jean Garrity resigned their board positions after many years of service, and Marisa Ronan became a Co-Chair, resigning her position as Public Relations/Community Outreach.
SEPAC Meetings: The Board meets monthly on the second Tuesday of each month in the Fearing Room of the Hingham Public Library. 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 busy year. We continued our efforts to reach out to members, in addition to educators, school PTOs, and the public in general. Some highlights are:
· Three newsletter mailings to all SEPAC members (September, December, & April)
· Three educational presentations open to the public and free of charge
· Three Welcome Coffees
· The formation of a private support group for Hingham parents/caregivers
· Book donation from the SEPAC to the Hingham Public Library (Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid)
· Second annual Fun Run/Walk held at Bare Cove Park, expanded this year to include a 5K loop
· Bottle and can drive at the Hingham Transfer Station
· Established PTO liaisons for the SEPAC
· Three members of the Board, a SEPAC parent, and Elizabeth Flynn attended the three-day Advancing Parent Professional Leadership in Education (A.P.P.L.E.) Institute training presented by The Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) in May
· Established a grant process open to all HPS staff; one request awarded, providing iPads and accessories to benefit the Occupational Therapy staff at the elementary schools.
SEPAC Presentations: The following events/presentations were offered:
· September 11 – A Welcome Coffee for Elizabeth Flynn, Director of Student Services
· September 26 – A Welcome Coffee for preschool parents
· October 18 – Parents’ Rights and Responsibilities annual workshop presented by Elizabeth Flynn
· October 24 – Turning Three Essentials: A Workshop for Parents and Professionals presented by The Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)
· January 7 – Evening coffee preceding the School Committee Meeting
· January 31 – Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid social presentation
· February 12 – Welcome Coffee for Midge Jacobs, new Out-of-District Liaison for HPS
· March 13 – Spring Meet and Mingle at a private residence
· March 20 – Siblings of Special Needs Children presentation by Jen Milia, East School Psychologist
· April 25 – Information session for parents of special education students entering 6th grade in the fall at the Hingham Middle School
SEPAC Outreach: In addition to the presentations and regular monthly meetings, SEPAC board members attended all-town PTO meetings and school committee budget meetings. Board members attended PTO meetings at the beginning of the school year to provide an overview of SEPAC and upcoming events. Each PTO has agreed to include a SEPAC liaison to improve communication between schools and the SEPAC. We initiated the formation of a private support group for Hingham parents/caregivers. We produced three newsletters that were mailed to all parents of students on an IEP. Information regarding presentations and events were routinely sent to principals for distribution through their e-mail distribution lists; posted in PTO newsletters; advertised in the Hingham Journal, Local Betty and Hingham Patch; posted on our website and Facebook page; distributed through our own listserv; and printed in our newsletters.
SEPAC Finances: The SEPAC held its second annual Fun Run/Walk in May, which raised $1,3462 and had fewer participants than the prior year.
The current balance in our account (as of June 30, 2013) was $12,992. Our funds are deposited with and held as a separate account by the Town of Hingham’s Accountant until use by the SEPAC.
SEPAC Goals: The SEPAC is planning its 2013-2014 calendar of meetings and events. We plan to:
· continue with our outreach initiatives to increase the visibility of our organization with parents, educators, and School Committee by providing informative programs and resources to parents and educators and encouraging parent involvement;
· collaborate with the HPS administration and Director of Student Services to the benefit of students receiving special education services; and,
· develop a relationship with the special education subcommittee of the School Committee to facilitate a productive, successful relationship between the District and parents of special needs students.
We look forward to furthering the Hingham SEPAC’s mission and goals in the 2013-2014 school year.
Respectfully submitted,
Marisa Carnevale Ronan, Co-Chair
Daniela Andruszkiewicz, Co-Chair
Sonja Finney, Secretary
Kim Cross, Treasurer
July 2013
2012-2013 Year-end Report
Prepared For Elizabeth Flynn, Director of Student Services, and the School Committee, Hingham Public Schools
The following is a summary of the business conducted by the Hingham SEPAC during the 2012-2013 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.
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, Marisa Ronan, and Kim Cross. Pam Berigan, formerly Secretary, resigned her position shortly before the school year commenced. In the fall, Daniela Andruszkiewicz and Sonja Finney joined the Board as Co-Chair and Secretary, respectively. In May 2013, Donna Keaney and Jean Garrity resigned their board positions after many years of service, and Marisa Ronan became a Co-Chair, resigning her position as Public Relations/Community Outreach.
SEPAC Meetings: The Board meets monthly on the second Tuesday of each month in the Fearing Room of the Hingham Public Library. 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 busy year. We continued our efforts to reach out to members, in addition to educators, school PTOs, and the public in general. Some highlights are:
· Three newsletter mailings to all SEPAC members (September, December, & April)
· Three educational presentations open to the public and free of charge
· Three Welcome Coffees
· The formation of a private support group for Hingham parents/caregivers
· Book donation from the SEPAC to the Hingham Public Library (Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid)
· Second annual Fun Run/Walk held at Bare Cove Park, expanded this year to include a 5K loop
· Bottle and can drive at the Hingham Transfer Station
· Established PTO liaisons for the SEPAC
· Three members of the Board, a SEPAC parent, and Elizabeth Flynn attended the three-day Advancing Parent Professional Leadership in Education (A.P.P.L.E.) Institute training presented by The Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) in May
· Established a grant process open to all HPS staff; one request awarded, providing iPads and accessories to benefit the Occupational Therapy staff at the elementary schools.
SEPAC Presentations: The following events/presentations were offered:
· September 11 – A Welcome Coffee for Elizabeth Flynn, Director of Student Services
· September 26 – A Welcome Coffee for preschool parents
· October 18 – Parents’ Rights and Responsibilities annual workshop presented by Elizabeth Flynn
· October 24 – Turning Three Essentials: A Workshop for Parents and Professionals presented by The Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)
· January 7 – Evening coffee preceding the School Committee Meeting
· January 31 – Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid social presentation
· February 12 – Welcome Coffee for Midge Jacobs, new Out-of-District Liaison for HPS
· March 13 – Spring Meet and Mingle at a private residence
· March 20 – Siblings of Special Needs Children presentation by Jen Milia, East School Psychologist
· April 25 – Information session for parents of special education students entering 6th grade in the fall at the Hingham Middle School
SEPAC Outreach: In addition to the presentations and regular monthly meetings, SEPAC board members attended all-town PTO meetings and school committee budget meetings. Board members attended PTO meetings at the beginning of the school year to provide an overview of SEPAC and upcoming events. Each PTO has agreed to include a SEPAC liaison to improve communication between schools and the SEPAC. We initiated the formation of a private support group for Hingham parents/caregivers. We produced three newsletters that were mailed to all parents of students on an IEP. Information regarding presentations and events were routinely sent to principals for distribution through their e-mail distribution lists; posted in PTO newsletters; advertised in the Hingham Journal, Local Betty and Hingham Patch; posted on our website and Facebook page; distributed through our own listserv; and printed in our newsletters.
SEPAC Finances: The SEPAC held its second annual Fun Run/Walk in May, which raised $1,3462 and had fewer participants than the prior year.
The current balance in our account (as of June 30, 2013) was $12,992. Our funds are deposited with and held as a separate account by the Town of Hingham’s Accountant until use by the SEPAC.
SEPAC Goals: The SEPAC is planning its 2013-2014 calendar of meetings and events. We plan to:
· continue with our outreach initiatives to increase the visibility of our organization with parents, educators, and School Committee by providing informative programs and resources to parents and educators and encouraging parent involvement;
· collaborate with the HPS administration and Director of Student Services to the benefit of students receiving special education services; and,
· develop a relationship with the special education subcommittee of the School Committee to facilitate a productive, successful relationship between the District and parents of special needs students.
We look forward to furthering the Hingham SEPAC’s mission and goals in the 2013-2014 school year.
Respectfully submitted,
Marisa Carnevale Ronan, Co-Chair
Daniela Andruszkiewicz, Co-Chair
Sonja Finney, Secretary
Kim Cross, Treasurer
July 2013
