Tuesday, May 14, 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. – 11:00 a.m. – Monthly Meeting to discuss SEPAC business (early adjournment for grant reviews)
(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:
Acceptance of Minutes: April 9th, 2013
Treasurer’s Report:
Communications: general inquiries
Old Business:
● Recap: Fun Run/Walk – May 4, 2013
● 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
● Outreach efforts (Early Intervention, Garrett Bradley)
● Responsibilities of Community Outreach/Public Relations board position
● Update: Support Group
New Business:
● Conduction an online survey (Marisa)
● Amending by-laws for board positions
Subcommittee Reports:
Director of Student Services Report:
● Preliminary results - CPR Audit (Special Education, English Learner Education, Civil Rights)
● Program planning 2014-15 SY
Announcements & Adjournment:
● Next SEPAC meeting – Tuesday, June 11th
11.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. - Executive Session, SEPAC special education technology grants, review and award
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: Donna Keaney, Jean Garrity, Daniela Andruszkiewicz, Marisa Ronan, Kim Cross, Sonja Finney; School Liaisons Kerry Ni and Diane DiNapoli; School District Personnel: Liz Flynn. There were 2 additional attendees.
A thirty minute social preceded the business portion of the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 10:35 a.m.
The final minutes from April 14, 2013 were accepted.
Treasurer’s Report: Kim handed out an updated Budget FY 2013 (July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013) listing revenue and expenses. The School Department has our balance at $13,793.64, but approximately $3,200 in obligations is outstanding. Members discussed new ways to raise funds, including placing a table at the Taste of Hingham in 2014 (contact Michael Stack at UCC/Hingham). Discussion ensued that SEPAC may be limited in its ability to fundraise under MA law. SEPAC will continue to consider establishing a 501c3 entity as a funding resource. Future expense (Fall 2013) will be the Sara Ward presentation for approximately $1,000.
Communications: Several solicitations and/or informational notices were received via either mail or email.
Old Business:
Fun Run/Walk: Jean reported that 115 people participated (compared to 150 in 2012). SEPAC will consider ways to grow general and HPS staff participation, including a date change. Sponsorship and raffle revenue was $2881 ($2640 in 2012). Expenses were approximately $500 more this year. Overall, SEPAC raised $1,246.42. Thank you Jean!
School Committee Liaison to SEPAC: The School Committee appointed Ed Schrier and Liza O’Reilly (alternate) as liaisons. Welcome Ed and Liza!
SEPAC Liaisons to Schools: The following liaison positions are open: HHS, HMS, PRS and Foster.
SEPAC Elections: Election date is May 21, 2013 from 9-11am and 6-8pm at the HPS administrative conference room. Marisa will use the listserve, website and Facebook to remind SEPAC members of the upcoming election and need for assistance.
Community Service for Can/Bottle Drive: Drive is scheduled for June 1. Marisa is organizing volunteers for the can/bottle pick up. 3 of 4 community service hours are complete. SEPAC will assist the Hingham veteran’s services office with placing flags at veteran’s gravesides on May 23 from 9-10.
Outreach Efforts: Garret Bradley’s office is trying to set up a constituency meeting with Special Education families, to include the towns of Hingham, Hull and Cohasset. SEPAC will establish a goals list prior to meeting the Rep. Bradley. SEPAC also wants to be introduced to parents when they are transition planning from Early Intervention to HPS and will contact Rhonda at the ARC to discuss further. Another venue to reach parents of SPED students is through specialized programming such as at the YMCA.
Responsibilities of Community Outreach/Public Relations Board Position: SEPAC discussed the responsibilities and duties of this position at the last meeting and will consider SEPAC by-laws concerning officer duties after the A.P.P.L.E. Institute.
Support Group: The next gathering is at Hingham Public Library on May 23 at 7pm in the Fearing room. 6 people have RSVP’d.
New Business:
Survey: Discussion was tabled until June meeting.
Amending By-Laws for Board Positions: SEPAC will consider its by-laws after the A.P.P.L.E. Institute.
Sub-Committee Reports: None
Director of Student Services: Liz Flynn reported that the compliance focused Coordinated Program Review (CPR) draft was complete and HPS received positive feedback from the State. This means that the district has special education processes in place and is following them. The CPR included a review of 30-40 student files and staff interviews. Also, the town approved next year’s budget. The 2014-15 draft budget is due in October. SEPAC is looking forward to attending the A.P.P.L.E. Institute with Liz and collaborating on Special Education matters in the district.
Announcements/Calendar:
- Next SEPAC meeting is June 11, 2013. Social starts at 10 a.m., business meeting starts at 10:30 a.m.
The public portion of the meeting was adjourned at 11:45 p.m., and the Board began its executive session to deliberate on grant awards.
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. – 11:00 a.m. – Monthly Meeting to discuss SEPAC business (early adjournment for grant reviews)
(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:
Acceptance of Minutes: April 9th, 2013
Treasurer’s Report:
Communications: general inquiries
Old Business:
● Recap: Fun Run/Walk – May 4, 2013
● 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
● Outreach efforts (Early Intervention, Garrett Bradley)
● Responsibilities of Community Outreach/Public Relations board position
● Update: Support Group
New Business:
● Conduction an online survey (Marisa)
● Amending by-laws for board positions
Subcommittee Reports:
Director of Student Services Report:
● Preliminary results - CPR Audit (Special Education, English Learner Education, Civil Rights)
● Program planning 2014-15 SY
Announcements & Adjournment:
● Next SEPAC meeting – Tuesday, June 11th
11.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. - Executive Session, SEPAC special education technology grants, review and award
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: Donna Keaney, Jean Garrity, Daniela Andruszkiewicz, Marisa Ronan, Kim Cross, Sonja Finney; School Liaisons Kerry Ni and Diane DiNapoli; School District Personnel: Liz Flynn. There were 2 additional attendees.
A thirty minute social preceded the business portion of the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 10:35 a.m.
The final minutes from April 14, 2013 were accepted.
Treasurer’s Report: Kim handed out an updated Budget FY 2013 (July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013) listing revenue and expenses. The School Department has our balance at $13,793.64, but approximately $3,200 in obligations is outstanding. Members discussed new ways to raise funds, including placing a table at the Taste of Hingham in 2014 (contact Michael Stack at UCC/Hingham). Discussion ensued that SEPAC may be limited in its ability to fundraise under MA law. SEPAC will continue to consider establishing a 501c3 entity as a funding resource. Future expense (Fall 2013) will be the Sara Ward presentation for approximately $1,000.
Communications: Several solicitations and/or informational notices were received via either mail or email.
Old Business:
Fun Run/Walk: Jean reported that 115 people participated (compared to 150 in 2012). SEPAC will consider ways to grow general and HPS staff participation, including a date change. Sponsorship and raffle revenue was $2881 ($2640 in 2012). Expenses were approximately $500 more this year. Overall, SEPAC raised $1,246.42. Thank you Jean!
School Committee Liaison to SEPAC: The School Committee appointed Ed Schrier and Liza O’Reilly (alternate) as liaisons. Welcome Ed and Liza!
SEPAC Liaisons to Schools: The following liaison positions are open: HHS, HMS, PRS and Foster.
SEPAC Elections: Election date is May 21, 2013 from 9-11am and 6-8pm at the HPS administrative conference room. Marisa will use the listserve, website and Facebook to remind SEPAC members of the upcoming election and need for assistance.
Community Service for Can/Bottle Drive: Drive is scheduled for June 1. Marisa is organizing volunteers for the can/bottle pick up. 3 of 4 community service hours are complete. SEPAC will assist the Hingham veteran’s services office with placing flags at veteran’s gravesides on May 23 from 9-10.
Outreach Efforts: Garret Bradley’s office is trying to set up a constituency meeting with Special Education families, to include the towns of Hingham, Hull and Cohasset. SEPAC will establish a goals list prior to meeting the Rep. Bradley. SEPAC also wants to be introduced to parents when they are transition planning from Early Intervention to HPS and will contact Rhonda at the ARC to discuss further. Another venue to reach parents of SPED students is through specialized programming such as at the YMCA.
Responsibilities of Community Outreach/Public Relations Board Position: SEPAC discussed the responsibilities and duties of this position at the last meeting and will consider SEPAC by-laws concerning officer duties after the A.P.P.L.E. Institute.
Support Group: The next gathering is at Hingham Public Library on May 23 at 7pm in the Fearing room. 6 people have RSVP’d.
New Business:
Survey: Discussion was tabled until June meeting.
Amending By-Laws for Board Positions: SEPAC will consider its by-laws after the A.P.P.L.E. Institute.
Sub-Committee Reports: None
Director of Student Services: Liz Flynn reported that the compliance focused Coordinated Program Review (CPR) draft was complete and HPS received positive feedback from the State. This means that the district has special education processes in place and is following them. The CPR included a review of 30-40 student files and staff interviews. Also, the town approved next year’s budget. The 2014-15 draft budget is due in October. SEPAC is looking forward to attending the A.P.P.L.E. Institute with Liz and collaborating on Special Education matters in the district.
Announcements/Calendar:
- Next SEPAC meeting is June 11, 2013. Social starts at 10 a.m., business meeting starts at 10:30 a.m.
The public portion of the meeting was adjourned at 11:45 p.m., and the Board began its executive session to deliberate on grant awards.
