Hingham Public Schools Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
7:00-9:00 PM
School Department Conference Room
Meeting Minutes
Present: Nate Rand, Paige Rand, Liz Flynn, Lynda Vanderhoven, Kerry Ni, Diane Denapoli, Katie Gaughen
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.
Lynda Vanderhoven reported that current balance is $9211. SEPAC has approved a budget of $500 for the 4th of July parade.
Election Results
By unanimous vote, the SEPAC 2016-2017 officers will be:
Diane DeNapoli, co-chair
Nate Rand, co-chair
Paige Rand, Treasurer
Katie Gaughen, Secretary
Extended School Year
Liz Flynn reported that all teachers and paras required for ESY have been secured.
Liz Flynn also announced that James "Jamie" LaBillois would join the administration as a new Assistant Superintendent
4th of July Parade
Diane will host float decorating at her house on July 3rd. The group discussed sending home flyers about the parade in ESY and SNAP student backpacks.
Regional SEPAC meeting
Representatives from Scituate, Cohasset, Duxbury, Norwell and Hingham were present. Each SEPAC had a very different structure. No other SEPAC present raised funds and instead received money from PTOs to support programming.
In Cohasset, the SEPAC sees their primary mission to communicate with the school committee.
In its current structure, SEPAC protected by the town’s liability insurance.
SEPAC 2016-2017 Vision
MEETINGS WILL BE SECOND WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH IN THE SCHHOL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. The next meeting is scheduled for JULY 13TH
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
7:00-9:00 PM
School Department Conference Room
Meeting Minutes
Present: Nate Rand, Paige Rand, Liz Flynn, Lynda Vanderhoven, Kerry Ni, Diane Denapoli, Katie Gaughen
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.
Lynda Vanderhoven reported that current balance is $9211. SEPAC has approved a budget of $500 for the 4th of July parade.
Election Results
By unanimous vote, the SEPAC 2016-2017 officers will be:
Diane DeNapoli, co-chair
Nate Rand, co-chair
Paige Rand, Treasurer
Katie Gaughen, Secretary
Extended School Year
Liz Flynn reported that all teachers and paras required for ESY have been secured.
- 106 students were recommended for ESY and 83 are attending. 23 families declined.
- 22 students are in the Middle School program
- 61 students are at East
- 22 students are in the Middle School program
- 40 students were recommended for drop-in services. 22 students are attending and 18 are not. Drop-in services mostly support reading.
- Letters have been sent to enrolled students introducing their teachers and paras
Liz Flynn also announced that James "Jamie" LaBillois would join the administration as a new Assistant Superintendent
4th of July Parade
Diane will host float decorating at her house on July 3rd. The group discussed sending home flyers about the parade in ESY and SNAP student backpacks.
Regional SEPAC meeting
Representatives from Scituate, Cohasset, Duxbury, Norwell and Hingham were present. Each SEPAC had a very different structure. No other SEPAC present raised funds and instead received money from PTOs to support programming.
In Cohasset, the SEPAC sees their primary mission to communicate with the school committee.
In its current structure, SEPAC protected by the town’s liability insurance.
SEPAC 2016-2017 Vision
- Nate acknowledged that we agreed on the “Year of Friendship” theme in early August and we had a major event a month
- The group agreed that we need to stabilize date and location of monthly meetings
- One potential focus of next year could be the transition to adulthood
- Nicole Piantes (post-grad program/vocational and academic instructor) and Jessica Matthews (teacher for 9-12) could visit and talk through transition services
- Nicole Piantes (post-grad program/vocational and academic instructor) and Jessica Matthews (teacher for 9-12) could visit and talk through transition services
- Liz Flynn reported that cohort programming for children ages 3-22 is a focus of the District. Hingham is looking into participating in a new pilot through Bridgewater State to help move kids through post-secondary education
- There was interest in identifying an Out-of-District liaison to help with outreach to those parents
- There was interest on alternating a parent/child event with a parent-only social event monthly
- There was a desire expressed to have a closer connection with special education subcommittee
- Carlos, Kay and Dr. Ed all attended last night’s Special Education Subcommittee meeting with SEPAC
- Improved communication and distribution of agendas on the part of SEPAC might facilitate a stronger relationship
- SEPAC can include a school committee update as a standing agenda item
- Carlos, Kay and Dr. Ed all attended last night’s Special Education Subcommittee meeting with SEPAC
- There was a desire to have monthly parent meeting in the mornings. Information reported during that meeting can be a standing agenda item on the evening business meeting agenda
- There was an acknowledgment that SEPAC needs support maintaining its online presence.
- Liz Flynn mentioned that she receives a professional development grant over the summer and could use that to fund a SEPAC speaker focused on behavioral/social/emotional functioning
- There was a continued desire to strengthen partnerships, including
- HEF
- HEF
- All-town PTO - there was interest expressed in setting up a 501c3 for speaker series
- SNAP is interested in expanding beyond sports, but need more manpower to do that.
- Potential model after CORSE – afterschool social skills program
- Potential model after CORSE – afterschool social skills program
MEETINGS WILL BE SECOND WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH IN THE SCHHOL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. The next meeting is scheduled for JULY 13TH
