Tuesday, June 10, 2014
HINGHAM SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEPAC)
Hingham Public Schools
Children’s Department, Hingham Public Library, 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 May 13, 2014
2. General Q&A for items that may not be on the agenda
3. Update from Director of Student Services
a. Hiring of new full-time BCBA.
b. SEPAC Election May 27, 2014
c. ESY update
d. SC update
4. Update from School Committee Liaison
5. Sharing with School PTO Liaisons
6. Treasury Report
7. New Business
a. Proposed 2014-2015 SEPAC budget
b. Possible events for 2014-2015 school year – suggestions and planning
c. Understanding our Differences – is this something we can implement during the 2014-2015 school year as part
of our “inclusion” theme?
8. Old Business Follow-Up
a. SEPAC Elections
b. Grant Process
c. Transition Workshop Planning
9. Communications/General Inquiries
10. Other Items as may not reasonably be known within 48 hours of the meeting
11. Announcements & Adjournment:
a. Next SEPAC meeting will be on Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Meeting Minutes
Present: Marisa Ronan, Sonja Finney, Donna Keaney; Special Services Director Liz Flynn and School Committee Liaison Ed Schreier.
A 30 minute social preceded the business portion of the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 10:37 a.m.
The minutes from May 13, 2014 were accepted.
General Q&A for items that may not be on the agenda: There was no discussion.
Director of Student Services:
Hiring New Full Time BCBA: The job has been (205 days/year to include ESY) posted and resumes are in. Liz would like the person to begin 7/1. Liz’s goal is to develop a district program for many services rather than sending students out of district.
Other: The Adjustment Counselor role should be hired soon. The Out of District Coordinator job may be filled by an internal candidate. The position will follow a teacher’s schedule with a few summer days added on. The secondary School Psychologist (replacing M. Rein) is posted. SEPAC will consider having an “Introduction” to key new hires during its September meeting.
Mother Nature’s Workshop was a success. Mary Ann Cushing, presenter, has purchased a similar film and will consider another presentation.
School Committee Liaison:
Treasury Report: The SEPAC account balance is $11,124.50.
New Business:
Proposed 2014-15 SEPAC Budget: Marisa presented a proposed budget that was discussed and unanimously approved.
2014-15 Proposed Events: SEPAC would like HPS to have a “Year of Inclusion” theme to encourage broader understanding within the student population, school community and community at large of the range of disabilities people experience. SEPAC is looking into a program called “Understanding Our Differences” as a method of increasing awareness. The program was created in Newton and is implemented in units. Liza has spoken with Dr. Galo and encourages the SEPAC board to schedule a meeting with her to talk about a district-wide plan to increase inclusion understanding. SEPAC would like cooperative planning with HPS on approach and priorities concerning community building about inclusion. Other potential presentation ideas include: Executive Function seminar and topics included on the Massachusetts Advocates for Children website.
Old Business:
Transition Planning Workshop Presentation: Planning was suspended while Fun Run was happening. Interested members will resume planning for the proposed workshop.
Upcoming Newsletter: SEPAC plans to include its next newsletter in the the HPS Annual Parents Rights Packet to be mailed in early Fall 2014.
Communications/General Inquiries
No report
Announcements
The meeting was adjourned at 11.49 a.m.
HINGHAM SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEPAC)
Hingham Public Schools
Children’s Department, Hingham Public Library, 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 May 13, 2014
2. General Q&A for items that may not be on the agenda
3. Update from Director of Student Services
a. Hiring of new full-time BCBA.
b. SEPAC Election May 27, 2014
c. ESY update
d. SC update
4. Update from School Committee Liaison
5. Sharing with School PTO Liaisons
6. Treasury Report
7. New Business
a. Proposed 2014-2015 SEPAC budget
b. Possible events for 2014-2015 school year – suggestions and planning
c. Understanding our Differences – is this something we can implement during the 2014-2015 school year as part
of our “inclusion” theme?
8. Old Business Follow-Up
a. SEPAC Elections
b. Grant Process
c. Transition Workshop Planning
9. Communications/General Inquiries
10. Other Items as may not reasonably be known within 48 hours of the meeting
11. Announcements & Adjournment:
a. Next SEPAC meeting will be on Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Meeting Minutes
Present: Marisa Ronan, Sonja Finney, Donna Keaney; Special Services Director Liz Flynn and School Committee Liaison Ed Schreier.
A 30 minute social preceded the business portion of the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 10:37 a.m.
The minutes from May 13, 2014 were accepted.
General Q&A for items that may not be on the agenda: There was no discussion.
Director of Student Services:
Hiring New Full Time BCBA: The job has been (205 days/year to include ESY) posted and resumes are in. Liz would like the person to begin 7/1. Liz’s goal is to develop a district program for many services rather than sending students out of district.
Other: The Adjustment Counselor role should be hired soon. The Out of District Coordinator job may be filled by an internal candidate. The position will follow a teacher’s schedule with a few summer days added on. The secondary School Psychologist (replacing M. Rein) is posted. SEPAC will consider having an “Introduction” to key new hires during its September meeting.
Mother Nature’s Workshop was a success. Mary Ann Cushing, presenter, has purchased a similar film and will consider another presentation.
School Committee Liaison:
Treasury Report: The SEPAC account balance is $11,124.50.
New Business:
Proposed 2014-15 SEPAC Budget: Marisa presented a proposed budget that was discussed and unanimously approved.
2014-15 Proposed Events: SEPAC would like HPS to have a “Year of Inclusion” theme to encourage broader understanding within the student population, school community and community at large of the range of disabilities people experience. SEPAC is looking into a program called “Understanding Our Differences” as a method of increasing awareness. The program was created in Newton and is implemented in units. Liza has spoken with Dr. Galo and encourages the SEPAC board to schedule a meeting with her to talk about a district-wide plan to increase inclusion understanding. SEPAC would like cooperative planning with HPS on approach and priorities concerning community building about inclusion. Other potential presentation ideas include: Executive Function seminar and topics included on the Massachusetts Advocates for Children website.
Old Business:
Transition Planning Workshop Presentation: Planning was suspended while Fun Run was happening. Interested members will resume planning for the proposed workshop.
Upcoming Newsletter: SEPAC plans to include its next newsletter in the the HPS Annual Parents Rights Packet to be mailed in early Fall 2014.
Communications/General Inquiries
No report
Announcements
The meeting was adjourned at 11.49 a.m.
