Tuesday, June 11, 2013
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.)
Introduction and Rules:
· Introductions, newly appointed School Committee Liaisons Ed Schreier and Liza O’Reilly
Acceptance of Minutes: May 14th, 2013
Treasurer’s Report:
Communications: general inquiries
Old Business:
· Update: School Committee liaison to SEPAC
· Update: SEPAC liaisons to HPS
· Update: Spring SEPAC elections – May 21, 2013
· Update: Community Service work for 6-1-13 bottle/can drive
· Update: Outreach efforts (Early Intervention, Garrett Bradley)
· Update: Support Group
· Technology grant wrap-up
· Vote: Amending by-laws for board positions
New Business:
· Annual SEPAC Report at July School Committee meeting
· A.P.P.L.E. Institute TAPP presentation and update
· Ideas and suggestions for Presentations/Workshops during the 2013/2014 school year
· Using Google Drive as file repository for SEPAC
Subcommittee Reports:
Director of Student Services Report:
Announcements & Adjournment:
● Next SEPAC meeting – Tuesday, July 9th
The provision of Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) according to federal and state laws and regulations related to the education of children with disabilities includes the following areas: Assessment of Students, Student Identification, Parent and Community Involvement, Curriculum and Instruction, Student Support Services, Faculty, Staff and Administration, School Facilities, Program Plan and Evaluation and Record Keeping.
Meeting Minutes
Present: Board Members: Daniela Andruszkiewicz, Marisa Ronan, Kim Cross, Sonja Finney; School Liaison Kerry Ni; School District Personnel: Liz Flynn; School Committee Liaisons Liza O’Reilly and Edward Schreier. There were 4 additional attendees.
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 May 14, 2013 were accepted.
Treasurer’s Report: A Fun Run correction was made to the previously reported amount: the raffle amount was $20 lower than originally stated. The total Fun Run earnings were $1,227.62. The can drive at the Hingham Transfer Station earned $910.00. SEPAC balance is $13,793.64. There is an outstanding reimbursement to J. Garrity that is being processed. A final accounting for June 30 will be ready for the year end report to be given to the School Committee. The recent technology grant will be processed through the school department, enabling SEPAC to utilize the school districts tax exempt status.
Communications: Several solicitations and/or informational notices were received via either mail or email. SEPAC solicited its list-serve for ideas for the upcoming school year and received several responses.
Old Business:
School Committee Liaison to SEPAC: SEPAC welcomed Ed and Liza to the meeting and each shared some thoughts about Special Education in the district including funding considerations. The School Committee would like to increase circuit breaker funding available through the state (reimburse transportation costs, timing of reimbursement and overall amount of reimbursement).
SEPAC Liaisons to Schools: Kerry reported an additional donation to the Fun Run from a South School family. The school PTOs are struggling to fill vacant volunteer positions, as is SEPAC. Marisa agreed to become the liaison to HMS, Donna Keaney agreed to be the liaison to PRS and Daniela will be the liaison to East.
SEPAC Elections: Donna and Jean retired in May. SEPAC extends its gratitude to them for their service and best wishes in retirement! Marisa was elected as co-chair.
Community Service for Can/Bottle Drive: SEPAC’s Community Service obligation for the can redemption is complete. The next redemption fundraiser for SEPAC is scheduled for May 30, 2015.
Outreach Efforts: No report. SEPAC still needs to create an agenda for its proposed meetings with Rep. G. Bradley’s office and Early Intervention.
Support Group: The meeting at Hingham Public Library on May 23 had 2 parents attended. SEPAC will consider alternative times and venues to induce participation. Meetings should pick up again in the Fall 2013.
Technology Grant Wrap-Up: SEPAC will process the grant order through the School Department. SEPAC will further discuss its plans going forward re: technology grants and the school department’s broader plan to update and expand technology in the district.
Amending By-Laws for Board Positions: SEPAC will consider its by-laws at a later date.
New Business:
Annual SEPAC Report at July School Committee Meeting: Marisa handed out a draft Annual Report for review, to be presented at the July 22 School Committee meeting.
A.P.P.L.E. Institute TAPP presentation: The participants created a team action plan with 3 priorities: 1) Rebrand SEPAC; 2)ascertain agenda for collaborating with the School Committee and School Department; and 3) Develop a site map for district resources for Special Education.
Potential Presentations/Workshops During 2013-14 school year: Members discussed presentations on: 1) college planning (Lisa Gelman as presenter with High School Guidance involvement); 2) hosting a special education fair to cover multiple aspects of guiding students and families through the process (perhaps pairing up with other town SEPACs); 3) transition workshops (between the levels) for both students and parents; 4) ADHD workshops; and 5) showing the movie The Big Picture. SEPAC will aim to attract larger audience and post relevant material on its website. Entertainment style presentations reach a large group. Asking for a small donation at presentations would help defray costs.
SEPAC and/or Liz Flynn will ask Hingham High School about programming for incoming freshmen during its orientation in late August.
Use of Google Drive: SEPAC will post its documents at Google drive for better access and storage.
Sub-Committee Reports: None
Director of Student Services: Liz Flynn reported that the compliance focused Coordinated Program Review (CPR) report is ready and will be on-line soon through DESE and most likely linked through the Hingham Public School website. Liz is looking forward to the Parents’ Rights Workshop she will present in the Fall. She also updated SEPAC on special education vacancies including recently filled positions at Foster (1) and PRS (2). There is an opening at the High School and for a speech and language pathologist at South. She has received many qualified applicants.
Announcements/Calendar:
- Next SEPAC meeting is July 9, 2013. Social starts at 10 a.m., business meeting starts at 10:30 a.m.
The public portion of the meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.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.)
Introduction and Rules:
· Introductions, newly appointed School Committee Liaisons Ed Schreier and Liza O’Reilly
Acceptance of Minutes: May 14th, 2013
Treasurer’s Report:
Communications: general inquiries
Old Business:
· Update: School Committee liaison to SEPAC
· Update: SEPAC liaisons to HPS
· Update: Spring SEPAC elections – May 21, 2013
· Update: Community Service work for 6-1-13 bottle/can drive
· Update: Outreach efforts (Early Intervention, Garrett Bradley)
· Update: Support Group
· Technology grant wrap-up
· Vote: Amending by-laws for board positions
New Business:
· Annual SEPAC Report at July School Committee meeting
· A.P.P.L.E. Institute TAPP presentation and update
· Ideas and suggestions for Presentations/Workshops during the 2013/2014 school year
· Using Google Drive as file repository for SEPAC
Subcommittee Reports:
Director of Student Services Report:
Announcements & Adjournment:
● Next SEPAC meeting – Tuesday, July 9th
The provision of Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) according to federal and state laws and regulations related to the education of children with disabilities includes the following areas: Assessment of Students, Student Identification, Parent and Community Involvement, Curriculum and Instruction, Student Support Services, Faculty, Staff and Administration, School Facilities, Program Plan and Evaluation and Record Keeping.
Meeting Minutes
Present: Board Members: Daniela Andruszkiewicz, Marisa Ronan, Kim Cross, Sonja Finney; School Liaison Kerry Ni; School District Personnel: Liz Flynn; School Committee Liaisons Liza O’Reilly and Edward Schreier. There were 4 additional attendees.
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 May 14, 2013 were accepted.
Treasurer’s Report: A Fun Run correction was made to the previously reported amount: the raffle amount was $20 lower than originally stated. The total Fun Run earnings were $1,227.62. The can drive at the Hingham Transfer Station earned $910.00. SEPAC balance is $13,793.64. There is an outstanding reimbursement to J. Garrity that is being processed. A final accounting for June 30 will be ready for the year end report to be given to the School Committee. The recent technology grant will be processed through the school department, enabling SEPAC to utilize the school districts tax exempt status.
Communications: Several solicitations and/or informational notices were received via either mail or email. SEPAC solicited its list-serve for ideas for the upcoming school year and received several responses.
Old Business:
School Committee Liaison to SEPAC: SEPAC welcomed Ed and Liza to the meeting and each shared some thoughts about Special Education in the district including funding considerations. The School Committee would like to increase circuit breaker funding available through the state (reimburse transportation costs, timing of reimbursement and overall amount of reimbursement).
SEPAC Liaisons to Schools: Kerry reported an additional donation to the Fun Run from a South School family. The school PTOs are struggling to fill vacant volunteer positions, as is SEPAC. Marisa agreed to become the liaison to HMS, Donna Keaney agreed to be the liaison to PRS and Daniela will be the liaison to East.
SEPAC Elections: Donna and Jean retired in May. SEPAC extends its gratitude to them for their service and best wishes in retirement! Marisa was elected as co-chair.
Community Service for Can/Bottle Drive: SEPAC’s Community Service obligation for the can redemption is complete. The next redemption fundraiser for SEPAC is scheduled for May 30, 2015.
Outreach Efforts: No report. SEPAC still needs to create an agenda for its proposed meetings with Rep. G. Bradley’s office and Early Intervention.
Support Group: The meeting at Hingham Public Library on May 23 had 2 parents attended. SEPAC will consider alternative times and venues to induce participation. Meetings should pick up again in the Fall 2013.
Technology Grant Wrap-Up: SEPAC will process the grant order through the School Department. SEPAC will further discuss its plans going forward re: technology grants and the school department’s broader plan to update and expand technology in the district.
Amending By-Laws for Board Positions: SEPAC will consider its by-laws at a later date.
New Business:
Annual SEPAC Report at July School Committee Meeting: Marisa handed out a draft Annual Report for review, to be presented at the July 22 School Committee meeting.
A.P.P.L.E. Institute TAPP presentation: The participants created a team action plan with 3 priorities: 1) Rebrand SEPAC; 2)ascertain agenda for collaborating with the School Committee and School Department; and 3) Develop a site map for district resources for Special Education.
Potential Presentations/Workshops During 2013-14 school year: Members discussed presentations on: 1) college planning (Lisa Gelman as presenter with High School Guidance involvement); 2) hosting a special education fair to cover multiple aspects of guiding students and families through the process (perhaps pairing up with other town SEPACs); 3) transition workshops (between the levels) for both students and parents; 4) ADHD workshops; and 5) showing the movie The Big Picture. SEPAC will aim to attract larger audience and post relevant material on its website. Entertainment style presentations reach a large group. Asking for a small donation at presentations would help defray costs.
SEPAC and/or Liz Flynn will ask Hingham High School about programming for incoming freshmen during its orientation in late August.
Use of Google Drive: SEPAC will post its documents at Google drive for better access and storage.
Sub-Committee Reports: None
Director of Student Services: Liz Flynn reported that the compliance focused Coordinated Program Review (CPR) report is ready and will be on-line soon through DESE and most likely linked through the Hingham Public School website. Liz is looking forward to the Parents’ Rights Workshop she will present in the Fall. She also updated SEPAC on special education vacancies including recently filled positions at Foster (1) and PRS (2). There is an opening at the High School and for a speech and language pathologist at South. She has received many qualified applicants.
Announcements/Calendar:
- Next SEPAC meeting is July 9, 2013. Social starts at 10 a.m., business meeting starts at 10:30 a.m.
The public portion of the meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
