Tuesday, February 11, 2014
HINGHAM SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEPAC)
Hingham Public Schools
Hingham Public Library, Fearing Room, 66 Leavitt St., Hingham, MA 02043
Meeting Agenda
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Informal social – opportunity for attendees to meet and converse
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Monthly Meeting to discuss SEPAC business
(Audience comments are always welcome as agenda items are discussed. Attendees are encouraged to attend the 30-minute social prior to the start of the board meeting to address matters not related to the agenda.)
1. Acceptance of Minutes from January 14th, 2014
2. General Q&A for items that may not be on the agenda
3. Update from Director of Student Services
a. Budget update
b. Presentation collaborations
4. Update from School Committee Liaison
5. Sharing with School PTO Liaisons
6. Treasury Report
7. Subcommittees
a. Special Education Sitemap
b. Events/Presentations
c. Support Group
8. New Business
a. Approval of new SEPAC banner purchase (new branding)
b. HSPS – Collaboration, Spring season class kick-off anticipated
9. Old Business
a. Fun Run/Walk 2014 planning
b. Winter Newsletter
c. Article for Hingham Journal (planned for last week of Feb Journal)
10. Communications/General Inquiries
11. Other Items as may not reasonably be known within 48 hours of the meeting
12. Announcements & Adjournment:
a. Next SEPAC meeting – Tuesday, March 11th
Upcoming SEPAC Events:
May 3rd, SEPAC 3rd Annual Fun Run/Walk at Bare Cove Park
Meeting Minutes
Present: Daniela Andruszkiewicz, Sonja Finney; School Liaisons Kerry Ni and Brooke Gagnier; School Committee Liaisons Ed Schreier and Liza O’Reilly and Special Education Director Liz Flynn and two audience members.
A thirty minute social preceded the business portion of the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m.
The minutes from January 14, 2014 were accepted.
General Q&A for items that may not be on the agenda:
There was discussion about changing the language of “Certificate of Attendance” conferred at graduation to something more meaningful. HHS is currently working on this and “Certificate of Achievement” is a possibility.
Director of Student Services:
Budget update: School Committee supported new SPED items included in the District’s budget, which has decreased this year. The Committee will vote on the budget on 2/24 and the Selectmen will vote on 2/27.
Presentation collaborations:
3/13 at 7 pm (HHS room 103) “Big Picture” showing with a Q&A to follow.
5/15 at 7pm (PRS) “Natural Playground” showing with discussion led by Maryann Cushing and SPED team chairs.
TBD 504 Presentation with Liz (perhaps on 4/10)
Other: SS SNAP has started meeting and discussing its mission. Also, the SPED funding group will present proposed language to the state legislature to set aside surplus revenue into a SPED rainy day fund. HHS administration and Liz are proposing to present “No Mind Left Behind” to HHS faculty.
Update from School Committee Liaison: No report
Sharing with School PTO Liaisons:
Kerry reported that South is redoing its playground and will include a Buddy Bench. Daniela reported that East PTO did not meet the past month. On 3/12, HMS D. Smith will present to East 5th Grade parents about HMS.
Treasury Report:
The SEPAC account balance is $10,587.64
Subcommittees:
Special Education Site Mmap: Liz offered to provide a Central Admin list for this project. Sonja will start to create district-wide list of SPED staff for next meeting.
Events/Presentations: Richard McManus of Fluency Factory offered to present about fluency concepts. Marisa will follow up with him.
Support Group: March 6 at 7:30 pm -hosted by Brooke Gagnier,18 Park View Drive
New Business:
Approval of new SEPAC banner purchase (new branding): 2 new banners were approved for purchase.
HSPS – SEPAC Collaboration Collaboration, Spring season class kick-off anticipated: a new group named SS SNAP (South Shore Special Needs Athletic Partnership) has recently formed and plans to offer inaugural programming this spring. Kerry surveyed SEPAC parents for input and many supported individualized athletic activities and additional training for coaches of traditional youth sports to support students with disabilities.
Old Business:
Fun Run/Walk 2014 planning: additional planning opportunities will continue over the coming weeks.
Winter Newsletter: Marisa is putting the newsletter together for a March mailing.
Article for Hingham Journal (planned for last week of Feb Journal): Article will include Grant awards, SNAP kickoff, IEP numbers and how parents can get involved.
Communications/General Inquiries: N/A
Other Items as may not reasonably be known within 48 hours of the meeting:
There was a general discussion about MCAS tutoring offered by the school outside classroom hours and concern raised that the students instructional needs were not being met within the regularly scheduled day.
Announcements:
Next SEPAC meeting – Tuesday, March 11th
The meeting was adjourned at 11:52 a.m.
HINGHAM SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEPAC)
Hingham Public Schools
Hingham Public Library, Fearing Room, 66 Leavitt St., Hingham, MA 02043
Meeting Agenda
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Informal social – opportunity for attendees to meet and converse
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Monthly Meeting to discuss SEPAC business
(Audience comments are always welcome as agenda items are discussed. Attendees are encouraged to attend the 30-minute social prior to the start of the board meeting to address matters not related to the agenda.)
1. Acceptance of Minutes from January 14th, 2014
2. General Q&A for items that may not be on the agenda
3. Update from Director of Student Services
a. Budget update
b. Presentation collaborations
4. Update from School Committee Liaison
5. Sharing with School PTO Liaisons
6. Treasury Report
7. Subcommittees
a. Special Education Sitemap
b. Events/Presentations
c. Support Group
8. New Business
a. Approval of new SEPAC banner purchase (new branding)
b. HSPS – Collaboration, Spring season class kick-off anticipated
9. Old Business
a. Fun Run/Walk 2014 planning
b. Winter Newsletter
c. Article for Hingham Journal (planned for last week of Feb Journal)
10. Communications/General Inquiries
11. Other Items as may not reasonably be known within 48 hours of the meeting
12. Announcements & Adjournment:
a. Next SEPAC meeting – Tuesday, March 11th
Upcoming SEPAC Events:
May 3rd, SEPAC 3rd Annual Fun Run/Walk at Bare Cove Park
Meeting Minutes
Present: Daniela Andruszkiewicz, Sonja Finney; School Liaisons Kerry Ni and Brooke Gagnier; School Committee Liaisons Ed Schreier and Liza O’Reilly and Special Education Director Liz Flynn and two audience members.
A thirty minute social preceded the business portion of the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m.
The minutes from January 14, 2014 were accepted.
General Q&A for items that may not be on the agenda:
There was discussion about changing the language of “Certificate of Attendance” conferred at graduation to something more meaningful. HHS is currently working on this and “Certificate of Achievement” is a possibility.
Director of Student Services:
Budget update: School Committee supported new SPED items included in the District’s budget, which has decreased this year. The Committee will vote on the budget on 2/24 and the Selectmen will vote on 2/27.
Presentation collaborations:
3/13 at 7 pm (HHS room 103) “Big Picture” showing with a Q&A to follow.
5/15 at 7pm (PRS) “Natural Playground” showing with discussion led by Maryann Cushing and SPED team chairs.
TBD 504 Presentation with Liz (perhaps on 4/10)
Other: SS SNAP has started meeting and discussing its mission. Also, the SPED funding group will present proposed language to the state legislature to set aside surplus revenue into a SPED rainy day fund. HHS administration and Liz are proposing to present “No Mind Left Behind” to HHS faculty.
Update from School Committee Liaison: No report
Sharing with School PTO Liaisons:
Kerry reported that South is redoing its playground and will include a Buddy Bench. Daniela reported that East PTO did not meet the past month. On 3/12, HMS D. Smith will present to East 5th Grade parents about HMS.
Treasury Report:
The SEPAC account balance is $10,587.64
Subcommittees:
Special Education Site Mmap: Liz offered to provide a Central Admin list for this project. Sonja will start to create district-wide list of SPED staff for next meeting.
Events/Presentations: Richard McManus of Fluency Factory offered to present about fluency concepts. Marisa will follow up with him.
Support Group: March 6 at 7:30 pm -hosted by Brooke Gagnier,18 Park View Drive
New Business:
Approval of new SEPAC banner purchase (new branding): 2 new banners were approved for purchase.
HSPS – SEPAC Collaboration Collaboration, Spring season class kick-off anticipated: a new group named SS SNAP (South Shore Special Needs Athletic Partnership) has recently formed and plans to offer inaugural programming this spring. Kerry surveyed SEPAC parents for input and many supported individualized athletic activities and additional training for coaches of traditional youth sports to support students with disabilities.
Old Business:
Fun Run/Walk 2014 planning: additional planning opportunities will continue over the coming weeks.
Winter Newsletter: Marisa is putting the newsletter together for a March mailing.
Article for Hingham Journal (planned for last week of Feb Journal): Article will include Grant awards, SNAP kickoff, IEP numbers and how parents can get involved.
Communications/General Inquiries: N/A
Other Items as may not reasonably be known within 48 hours of the meeting:
There was a general discussion about MCAS tutoring offered by the school outside classroom hours and concern raised that the students instructional needs were not being met within the regularly scheduled day.
Announcements:
Next SEPAC meeting – Tuesday, March 11th
The meeting was adjourned at 11:52 a.m.
