May 25, 2011
HINGHAM SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEPAC)
Hingham Public Schools
Central Office Conference Room, 220 Central Street, Hingham, MA 02043
Meeting Agenda
Introduction and Rules
Acceptance of Minutes: - April 28, 2011 & May 3, 2011
Treasurer’s Report:
· possible donation to Fourth of July Roadrace
Communications:
Questions & Comments:
· Audience comments are always welcome as agenda items are discussed. In addition, SEPAC has set aside ten (10) minutes on this agenda to enable members of the audience to raise questions and make comments on any matter of general concern. To facilitate this process, interested parties are asked to provide the Hingham SEPAC Chairpersons or the Hingham Public Schools Director of Student Services with the nature of the question/comment, in writing, prior to the start of the meeting.
Old Business:
· SEPAC election
· SEPAC introductory letter and questionnaire
· Creation of a SEPAC budget
· SEPAC 2011-2012 calendar (speakers, newsletters, fundraising – antique show)
New Business:
· Discussion of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) 2010 Report Card for Hingham
Subcommittee Reports:
· Report from Jean Garrity regarding Hingham School Committee special education subcommittee meeting on May 17, 2011
HPS Director of Student Services Report:
Announcements & Adjournment:
Upcoming School Committee Meetings:
June 6 School Dept. Conference Room
June 20 School Dept. Conference Room
Meetings will begin at 7:30 p.m.
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.
SEPAC Meeting Notes
May 25, 2011
Attending: Jean Garrity, Donna Kearney, Kim Cross, Susan Martin, Marisa Ronan and Pamela Berigan, Dr Loud
Hingham Public Schools
Central Office Conference Room, 220 Central Street, Hingham, MA 02043
Meeting Agenda
Introduction and Rules
Acceptance of Minutes: - April 28, 2011 & May 3, 2011
Treasurer’s Report:
· possible donation to Fourth of July Roadrace
Communications:
Questions & Comments:
· Audience comments are always welcome as agenda items are discussed. In addition, SEPAC has set aside ten (10) minutes on this agenda to enable members of the audience to raise questions and make comments on any matter of general concern. To facilitate this process, interested parties are asked to provide the Hingham SEPAC Chairpersons or the Hingham Public Schools Director of Student Services with the nature of the question/comment, in writing, prior to the start of the meeting.
Old Business:
· SEPAC election
· SEPAC introductory letter and questionnaire
· Creation of a SEPAC budget
· SEPAC 2011-2012 calendar (speakers, newsletters, fundraising – antique show)
New Business:
· Discussion of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) 2010 Report Card for Hingham
Subcommittee Reports:
· Report from Jean Garrity regarding Hingham School Committee special education subcommittee meeting on May 17, 2011
HPS Director of Student Services Report:
Announcements & Adjournment:
Upcoming School Committee Meetings:
June 6 School Dept. Conference Room
June 20 School Dept. Conference Room
Meetings will begin at 7:30 p.m.
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.
SEPAC Meeting Notes
May 25, 2011
Attending: Jean Garrity, Donna Kearney, Kim Cross, Susan Martin, Marisa Ronan and Pamela Berigan, Dr Loud
- Treasurer Report: $13813.71- with 2 outstanding checks. Caf workers at antique show ($200) SS Therapies – balance is $13330.62
- Discussed including 2nd name on our SEPAC account although Town Accountant will handle check requests from now on
- Budget Review: Working to develop 2011/2012 budget. Including recurring costs we know of : MASS PAC dues ($200), Website Fees ($200) Guest speakers: (TBD), Grants- in past we gave $2000 to special ed teachers.
- Grant Discussion
- Discussed possibility of sending all Special Educators an email about the possibility of submitting grant request to PAC. Dr Loud has this list we can use to contact them.
- Ellen Keane/ Dr Loud- will talk to HEF team about possible partnership Will put subcommittee together to review: Kim Cross, Susan Martin and Marisa Ronan
- Upcoming meetings: include School Committee on our meeting schedule
- SEPAC agreed to discontinue sponsorship of Antique Show. Looking to develop fundraiser with more reach/family inclusion.
- SEPAC approved sponsorship of the 4th of July RoadRace. Discussed asking Mark Thorell for top sponsorship for next level of payment. This has since been approved. We need to submit check and how name should be displayed on Tshirt.
- A meeting to review list of action items to run successful fun run. Tory Dolan will come to a summer meeting to get us started. SEPAC to decide on a date convenient for all.
- Looking for sponsorships: Hingham Sports Partnership, School PTOs, (show unison) Local Sports Complexes etc
- Additional Items for promotion/visability of SEPAC: Christmas in the Square, Bottle Drive- posters, emails, Order a banner
- Team approved Scholarship program – to those with special needs or those who are seeking degree in special education. Planned for 2012.
- Bottle Can Drive- approved for sprint time frame. Pam to work with DPW to get firm date and discuss possible community service work for the committee.
- SEPAC discussed offering additional grants for teachers in 2012. Marisa, Susan and Jean discussed talking with HEF to see if there is a spot within HEF that SEPAC can support. Discussions will take place with Karen Falvey.
- September - can have a SEPAC welcome coffee where from 6:30 - 7pm welcome parents to new school year, introduce board members, and allow for any parent questions, etc. At 7pm we can introduce Dr. Loud and have her speak about the Special education program and services. After this, Dr. Loud can go right into her Basic Rights and Responsibilities presentation. Jean will check Library availability for a Wednesday night in September for this program.
- October 18th Hanover SEPAC has invited Hingham to join them for their Basic Rights and Responsibilities presentation done by someone from the Federation.
- Dr. Loud requested an e-mail with all board members names, position, and e-mail so she can forward to Joe Andrews to be updated on the Hingham Schools website.
- June meeting was changed to June 6th at 1pm at the school department conference room.
- Family TIES workshop "Let's Get Organized" was discussed. Jean will look into November availability for this program. She will also check with Scituate, who hosted this program recently, to see how well it was received. There is no cost for this program.
- "Red Flags for Struggling Readers", a presentation by Pam Hook from the Massachusetts Branch of the International Dyslexia Association, was also discussed. Board was in agreement that this would be a good program for many parents. There is no cost involved, but they do request a donation be made. Jean will contact Pam Hook to check availability of January 17,18, 24, 25, or 31.
- Outreach - Board members will once again make arrangements to attend the first pto meeting at each school and give a brief description of what the SEPAC is as well as information as to how to contact us and find out about our meetings.
- Newsletters: The end of August SEPAC will send out a newsletter with information about upcoming meetings and programs.
- Welcome letter - Jean handed out a draft of a welcome letter which will be mailed to every parent of a child receiving special education services with the parents rights and procedure brochure at the beginning of the school year. This draft will be edited at the June meeting.
- SEPAC Survey - Jean discussed basic services available for free survey websites. Also seeking input about the types of questions SEPAC would like to include. This will be discussed further at future meetings.
- Meeting was adjourned at 11:50am.
