Tuesday, October 14, 2014, 10:00 a.m.
HINGHAM SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEPAC)
Hingham Public Schools
Conference Room, Hingham School Department, Hingham, MA 02043
Meeting Agenda
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Abbreviated Monthly Meeting to discuss SEPAC business
Audience comments are always welcome as agenda items are discussed.
1. Acceptance of Minutes from September 9, 2014
2. General Q&A for items that may not be on the agenda
3. Update from Director of Student Services
4. Sharing with School Committee Liaison
5. Sharing with PTO Liaisons
6. Treasury Report
7. Business
8. Announcements & Adjournment:
a. Next SEPAC meeting will be on Monday, November 10, 2014, at the Hingham Public Library
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Welcome coffee to meet newly hired special education staff
Meeting Minutes
Present: Marisa Ronan; Donna Keaney; Kerry Ni; Sharon Burnett; Holly Pilotte; Liz Flynn, Director of Student Services; Liz O’Neill, Out-of-District Coordinator for Special Education; and School Committee Liaison Liza O’Reilly
The meeting was called to order at approximately 10:10 a.m.
The minutes from September 9, 2014 were accepted.
General Q&A for items that may not be on the agenda: None
Director of Student Services: Liz noted that a lot of professional development is occurring this month. She will elaborate more specifically at the November SEPAC meeting. Hingham received 274 grant monies in September, which are being used to fund some of the professional development.
School Committee Liaison: Liza reported that Plymouth River School earned Level 1 status and a “commendable” notation for student performance improvement for the 2014 MCAS testing results. Full-day kindergarten is being discussed and explored again. Dr. Galo will be providing a report at the next School Committee meeting. It was also reported that Dr. Galo shared her progress and goals for the 2013-2014 school year at the last SC meeting. At the next SC meeting, her review will be discussed.
PTO Liaisons:
o South Elementary: Kerry reported that South has new teacher liaisons to the PTO: Kim Kerr and the new adjustment counselor.
o East Elementary: Holly reported on a bullying presentation at the last PTO meeting. Tony Keady sent an email to parents with a list of 15 “apps” of concern, which was also posted on the SEPAC Facebook page. Also, it was reported that Kathy Rein is now a full-time adjustment counselor at East.
o Plymouth River: Nothing to report.
Treasury Report: No update.
New Business: A possible evening SEPAC meeting that will be purely social in nature is being considered.
Communications/General Inquiries: None.
Announcements:
Next SEPAC meeting – Monday, November 10 at 10 a.m. in the Fearing Room of the Hingham Public Library.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m. and a welcome coffee for new special education staff hires was held.
HINGHAM SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEPAC)
Hingham Public Schools
Conference Room, Hingham School Department, Hingham, MA 02043
Meeting Agenda
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Abbreviated Monthly Meeting to discuss SEPAC business
Audience comments are always welcome as agenda items are discussed.
1. Acceptance of Minutes from September 9, 2014
2. General Q&A for items that may not be on the agenda
3. Update from Director of Student Services
4. Sharing with School Committee Liaison
5. Sharing with PTO Liaisons
6. Treasury Report
7. Business
8. Announcements & Adjournment:
a. Next SEPAC meeting will be on Monday, November 10, 2014, at the Hingham Public Library
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Welcome coffee to meet newly hired special education staff
Meeting Minutes
Present: Marisa Ronan; Donna Keaney; Kerry Ni; Sharon Burnett; Holly Pilotte; Liz Flynn, Director of Student Services; Liz O’Neill, Out-of-District Coordinator for Special Education; and School Committee Liaison Liza O’Reilly
The meeting was called to order at approximately 10:10 a.m.
The minutes from September 9, 2014 were accepted.
General Q&A for items that may not be on the agenda: None
Director of Student Services: Liz noted that a lot of professional development is occurring this month. She will elaborate more specifically at the November SEPAC meeting. Hingham received 274 grant monies in September, which are being used to fund some of the professional development.
School Committee Liaison: Liza reported that Plymouth River School earned Level 1 status and a “commendable” notation for student performance improvement for the 2014 MCAS testing results. Full-day kindergarten is being discussed and explored again. Dr. Galo will be providing a report at the next School Committee meeting. It was also reported that Dr. Galo shared her progress and goals for the 2013-2014 school year at the last SC meeting. At the next SC meeting, her review will be discussed.
PTO Liaisons:
o South Elementary: Kerry reported that South has new teacher liaisons to the PTO: Kim Kerr and the new adjustment counselor.
o East Elementary: Holly reported on a bullying presentation at the last PTO meeting. Tony Keady sent an email to parents with a list of 15 “apps” of concern, which was also posted on the SEPAC Facebook page. Also, it was reported that Kathy Rein is now a full-time adjustment counselor at East.
o Plymouth River: Nothing to report.
Treasury Report: No update.
New Business: A possible evening SEPAC meeting that will be purely social in nature is being considered.
Communications/General Inquiries: None.
Announcements:
Next SEPAC meeting – Monday, November 10 at 10 a.m. in the Fearing Room of the Hingham Public Library.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m. and a welcome coffee for new special education staff hires was held.
