Hingham Public Schools Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
Monday, October 19, 2015
7:00-9:00 PM
Hingham Public Library, Fearing Room
Meeting Agenda:
7:00 PM: Welcome and introductions
7:15 PM: Recap of “Know Your Rights” presentation
7:30 PM: Kids + Friendship Event
7:45 PM: Upcoming events
8:15 PM: Outreach to other local groups
8:30 PM: Updates from liaisons
8:45 PM: Other business
9:00 PM: Review next steps and adjourn
Meeting Minutes:
Present: Diane Denapoli, Chairperson; Nate Rand, Chairperson; Lynda Vanderhoven, Treasurer; Katie Gaughen, Secretary; Kerry Ni, South Elementary Liaison
On October 19, 2015, the Hingham Public Schools Special Education Parent Advisory met. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.
The minutes from September 21, 2015 were accepted.
The SEPAC membership voted to allocate funding for the following items:
Diane and Nate provided a brief recap of the “Know Your Rights” presentation. Approximately five people attended. The group agreed that it would be nice to have a brief presentation available on HCAM, so that residents could access the presentation at their leisure. In addition, the group brainstormed additional follow-up events, including:
The group then turned to discussing the Kids + Friendship Event on 10/22. To date, there are 55 RSVPs for the event. There will be a sign-in when people walk in and people will be asked to complete a survey. Diane will provide supplies for a 50/50 raffle. Diane and Nate will do the opening for the event and Lynda will close the event. Attendees will be invited to continue the discussion at the Scarlett Oak after the presentation.
SEPAC seeks to host a number of additional events throughout the school year, including:
Recommended topics for discussion at a South Shore SEPAC Summit included best practices in ESY; creative ways to host the “Know Your Rights” presentation; and discussion about the relationship between SEPAC, local school committee members and school administration.
Diane reported that she will meet with SNAP tomorrow to talk about mutual goals.
Liaisons then provided school reports. The issue of creating sensory friendly rooms at school events was raised and liaisons were charged with implementing those in partnership with administration where appropriate.
It was also determined that the board would schedule a meeting with the administration to provide updates and discuss:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.
Monday, October 19, 2015
7:00-9:00 PM
Hingham Public Library, Fearing Room
Meeting Agenda:
7:00 PM: Welcome and introductions
- Approve 9/21 meeting minutes
7:15 PM: Recap of “Know Your Rights” presentation
- Follow-up QA session with the Federation?
- Other follow-up?
7:30 PM: Kids + Friendship Event
- Public Relations
- 50/50 raffle
- Final details
7:45 PM: Upcoming events
- Social skills training for teachers/staff
- Programs for students
- December social event (parent and/or families)
- Fundraisers
8:15 PM: Outreach to other local groups
- SNAP, CORSE
- SEPAC Summit
8:30 PM: Updates from liaisons
- School reports
- Sensory friendly rooms at school events
8:45 PM: Other business
9:00 PM: Review next steps and adjourn
Meeting Minutes:
Present: Diane Denapoli, Chairperson; Nate Rand, Chairperson; Lynda Vanderhoven, Treasurer; Katie Gaughen, Secretary; Kerry Ni, South Elementary Liaison
On October 19, 2015, the Hingham Public Schools Special Education Parent Advisory met. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.
The minutes from September 21, 2015 were accepted.
The SEPAC membership voted to allocate funding for the following items:
- $500 holiday social
- $100 holiday cards
Diane and Nate provided a brief recap of the “Know Your Rights” presentation. Approximately five people attended. The group agreed that it would be nice to have a brief presentation available on HCAM, so that residents could access the presentation at their leisure. In addition, the group brainstormed additional follow-up events, including:
- Follow-up QA session with the Federation
- Host a night with an open dialogue with an educational advocate
- Tune up your IEP night (February or March)
- Host a focus on ESY event that includes information regarding
- Communication with parents
- Preparing students for ESY
The group then turned to discussing the Kids + Friendship Event on 10/22. To date, there are 55 RSVPs for the event. There will be a sign-in when people walk in and people will be asked to complete a survey. Diane will provide supplies for a 50/50 raffle. Diane and Nate will do the opening for the event and Lynda will close the event. Attendees will be invited to continue the discussion at the Scarlett Oak after the presentation.
SEPAC seeks to host a number of additional events throughout the school year, including:
- November 2015: SEPAC social (Lead: Diane)
- December 2015: South Shore SEPAC summit (Lead: Lynda)
- January/February 2016: Family social event (Lead: Katie, Kerry, Jed)
- March 2016: Tune Up Your IEP/Focus on ESY (Lead: Katie0
- April 2016: Presentation by Nadja Reilly (Lead: Nate)
- May 2016: Fun Run (potential co-branding with SNAP)
Recommended topics for discussion at a South Shore SEPAC Summit included best practices in ESY; creative ways to host the “Know Your Rights” presentation; and discussion about the relationship between SEPAC, local school committee members and school administration.
Diane reported that she will meet with SNAP tomorrow to talk about mutual goals.
Liaisons then provided school reports. The issue of creating sensory friendly rooms at school events was raised and liaisons were charged with implementing those in partnership with administration where appropriate.
It was also determined that the board would schedule a meeting with the administration to provide updates and discuss:
- Working on adding special education personnel for 2016-2017
- Superintendent Spotlight on HCAM, including topics such as:
- How are needs involving
- Vision of special education
- Communication
- ChildFind at preschool
- What’s your role?
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.
