HINGHAM SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEPAC)
Hingham Public Schools
Tuesday, January 13, 2015, 10:00 a.m.
Fearing Room, Hingham Public Library, Hingham, MA 02043
Meeting Agenda
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Monthly Meeting to discuss SEPAC business
Audience comments are always welcome as agenda items are discussed.
1. Acceptance of Minutes from December 9, 2014
2. General Q&A for items that may not be on the agenda
3. Director of Student Services
· Superintendent Update: FDK/Special Education Concerns
4. Sharing with School Committee Liaison
5. Sharing with PTO Liaisons
6. Treasury Report
7. Business
8. Communications/General Inquiries
9. Other Items as may not reasonably be known within 48 hours of the meeting
10. Announcements & Adjournment:
a. Next SEPAC meeting will be on Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Meeting Minutes
Present: Marisa Ronan; Holly Pilotte; Director of Student Services Liz Flynn; and School Committee Liaison Liza O’Reilly
Guests: HPS Superintendent Dorothy Galo and Asst. Superintendent Ellen Keane
The meeting was called to order at approximately 10:10 a.m.
The minutes from December 9, 2014 were accepted.
Director of Student Services: Liz Flynn invited Dr. Galo to attend this meeting to provide an update on the full day kindergarten (“FDK”) proposal and working group, which comprised the remainder of this month’s meeting.
Dr. Galo provided FDK informational handouts that are available on the HPS website. The FDK working group is comprised of 23 members. At this time there are a lot of “unknowns” with regard to budgeting and forecasting. Kindergarten enrollment numbers have fluctuated significantly over the past few years, making it difficult to project enrollment. A preliminary full day kindergarten registration began on January 12 to begin to gather information. Preliminary registration has been strategically placed on the HPS website in order to encourage parents to read certain important information regarding fee schedules, etc. before completing the registration.
The FDK program will require hiring five additional teachers. Currently there are two dual-certified (regular education and special education) teachers for kindergarten; additional dual-certification teachers may be hired for the new FDK program.
A discussion ensued with regard to SEPAC’s earlier request for a special education parent representative in the FDK working group. The question was raised as to why SEPAC is requesting special education parent representation in the FDK working group. Dr. Galo noted that there are some HPS special education staff in the FDK working group. Liza O’Reilly suggested that the SEPAC could provide updates and information to special education parents about the FDK process utilizing social media, the SEPAC website and PTO newsletters and invite questions and concerns from special education parents that can be shared with the FDK working group.
The meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m.
Hingham Public Schools
Tuesday, January 13, 2015, 10:00 a.m.
Fearing Room, Hingham Public Library, Hingham, MA 02043
Meeting Agenda
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Monthly Meeting to discuss SEPAC business
Audience comments are always welcome as agenda items are discussed.
1. Acceptance of Minutes from December 9, 2014
2. General Q&A for items that may not be on the agenda
3. Director of Student Services
· Superintendent Update: FDK/Special Education Concerns
4. Sharing with School Committee Liaison
5. Sharing with PTO Liaisons
6. Treasury Report
7. Business
8. Communications/General Inquiries
9. Other Items as may not reasonably be known within 48 hours of the meeting
10. Announcements & Adjournment:
a. Next SEPAC meeting will be on Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Meeting Minutes
Present: Marisa Ronan; Holly Pilotte; Director of Student Services Liz Flynn; and School Committee Liaison Liza O’Reilly
Guests: HPS Superintendent Dorothy Galo and Asst. Superintendent Ellen Keane
The meeting was called to order at approximately 10:10 a.m.
The minutes from December 9, 2014 were accepted.
Director of Student Services: Liz Flynn invited Dr. Galo to attend this meeting to provide an update on the full day kindergarten (“FDK”) proposal and working group, which comprised the remainder of this month’s meeting.
Dr. Galo provided FDK informational handouts that are available on the HPS website. The FDK working group is comprised of 23 members. At this time there are a lot of “unknowns” with regard to budgeting and forecasting. Kindergarten enrollment numbers have fluctuated significantly over the past few years, making it difficult to project enrollment. A preliminary full day kindergarten registration began on January 12 to begin to gather information. Preliminary registration has been strategically placed on the HPS website in order to encourage parents to read certain important information regarding fee schedules, etc. before completing the registration.
The FDK program will require hiring five additional teachers. Currently there are two dual-certified (regular education and special education) teachers for kindergarten; additional dual-certification teachers may be hired for the new FDK program.
A discussion ensued with regard to SEPAC’s earlier request for a special education parent representative in the FDK working group. The question was raised as to why SEPAC is requesting special education parent representation in the FDK working group. Dr. Galo noted that there are some HPS special education staff in the FDK working group. Liza O’Reilly suggested that the SEPAC could provide updates and information to special education parents about the FDK process utilizing social media, the SEPAC website and PTO newsletters and invite questions and concerns from special education parents that can be shared with the FDK working group.
The meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m.
