Tuesday, September 11, 2012
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. – noon – Monthly Meeting to discuss SEPAC business
(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: July 10, 2012 & August 14, 2012
Treasurer’s Report:
Communications:
· resignation of Pam Berigan as SEPAC secretary
Old Business:
· Update SEPAC calendar for 2012 – 2013 school year
New Business:
· Volunteer Forms
· Ad Hoc Committee on Special Education Funding
· A “Welcome” Coffee will start at 11:00 a.m. for the new Director of Student Services, Liz Flynn
Subcommittee Reports:
Director of Student Services Report:
· HS special ed. opening/recruitment effort
· Coordinated Program Review – dates set for March 4 – 8, 2013
Announcements & Adjournment:
· Upcoming SEPAC events:
- Next SEPAC meeting – Tuesday, October 9, 2012
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, Marisa Ronan, and Kim Cross; School Personnel: Liz Flynn; School Committee: Dennis Friedman. There were 13 additional attendees.
The social portion of the meeting consisted of various topics being discussed, such as: a recent article regarding seclusion rooms in schools; the use of “gas stations” at East School; certification levels of reading specialists; transition planning at HHS; and a start-up program for children with special needs at the Hanover YMCA.
The business meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m.
The minutes from July 10, 2012 were accepted. The minutes from August 14, 2012, were also accepted.
Treasurer’s Report: Kim reported the balance in the account of $13,514.35. So far this year SEPAC has spent $1,018.02. Marisa Ronan has not yet received her reimbursement check. The check for our renewal to MassPAC has been written.
Communications: A letter of resignation from the SEPAC board was received from Pam Berigan.
Old Business:
Update SEPAC Calendar:
Each of the first PTO meetings at the schools will be attended by a board member to discuss what SEPAC is and what our mission is.
The pre-school parent coffee will be held on September 26 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m.– 1:30 p.m. Both coffees will be held at East school in the multi-purpose room.
Liz Flynn will be presenting the Basic Rights program on October 18 at East school with the time TBD.
On October 24 the Federation will be doing a program titled “Turning Three.” The Early Intervention program will be contacted to let them know about this upcoming presentation.
The date of Thursday, January 31, 2013, is confirmed for the “Shut Up about Your Perfect Kid” program. Jean will contact the Country Club about reserving room there for this event.
March 2013 – Date and time TBD for the sibling presentation by Jen Milia.
New Business:
Survey: Of the 500 volunteer/survey forms sent out with the newsletter, only 4 have been returned.
Ad Hoc Committee on Special Ed: Dennis Friedman from school committee spoke about this group, which is still being formed. The goal of this group is to lobby the State House for increases to circuit-breaker funding. The focus is to try to coordinate with area towns to work with the state on special ed funding. The committee will consist of Liz Flynn, Dot Galo, Paul Gannon (S.C.), Laura Burns (Selectman), Marisa Ronan (SEPAC), Advisory Committee will be appointing someone, and 2 citizens (who have not yet been identified). It was noted that the Silver Lake school district is doing something similar.
Introduction of new Director of Student Services: Liz Flynn was introduced to the group. She spoke briefly about her history, what her hopes are for Hingham, and encouraged parents to contact her with any thoughts, ideas, or concerns. She mentioned that she will be presenting the Basic Rights workshop on October 18. She also mentioned that Coordinated Program Review will be taking place March 4 through March 8. There was also a last-minute teacher resignation at the high school special ed program. There is currently a long-term substitute, but the school department has two candidates scheduled for interviews this week.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m. to allow parents to introduce themselves to Liz Flynn and speak with her individually if they were interested.
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. – noon – Monthly Meeting to discuss SEPAC business
(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: July 10, 2012 & August 14, 2012
Treasurer’s Report:
Communications:
· resignation of Pam Berigan as SEPAC secretary
Old Business:
· Update SEPAC calendar for 2012 – 2013 school year
New Business:
· Volunteer Forms
· Ad Hoc Committee on Special Education Funding
· A “Welcome” Coffee will start at 11:00 a.m. for the new Director of Student Services, Liz Flynn
Subcommittee Reports:
Director of Student Services Report:
· HS special ed. opening/recruitment effort
· Coordinated Program Review – dates set for March 4 – 8, 2013
Announcements & Adjournment:
· Upcoming SEPAC events:
- Next SEPAC meeting – Tuesday, October 9, 2012
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, Marisa Ronan, and Kim Cross; School Personnel: Liz Flynn; School Committee: Dennis Friedman. There were 13 additional attendees.
The social portion of the meeting consisted of various topics being discussed, such as: a recent article regarding seclusion rooms in schools; the use of “gas stations” at East School; certification levels of reading specialists; transition planning at HHS; and a start-up program for children with special needs at the Hanover YMCA.
The business meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m.
The minutes from July 10, 2012 were accepted. The minutes from August 14, 2012, were also accepted.
Treasurer’s Report: Kim reported the balance in the account of $13,514.35. So far this year SEPAC has spent $1,018.02. Marisa Ronan has not yet received her reimbursement check. The check for our renewal to MassPAC has been written.
Communications: A letter of resignation from the SEPAC board was received from Pam Berigan.
Old Business:
Update SEPAC Calendar:
Each of the first PTO meetings at the schools will be attended by a board member to discuss what SEPAC is and what our mission is.
The pre-school parent coffee will be held on September 26 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m.– 1:30 p.m. Both coffees will be held at East school in the multi-purpose room.
Liz Flynn will be presenting the Basic Rights program on October 18 at East school with the time TBD.
On October 24 the Federation will be doing a program titled “Turning Three.” The Early Intervention program will be contacted to let them know about this upcoming presentation.
The date of Thursday, January 31, 2013, is confirmed for the “Shut Up about Your Perfect Kid” program. Jean will contact the Country Club about reserving room there for this event.
March 2013 – Date and time TBD for the sibling presentation by Jen Milia.
New Business:
Survey: Of the 500 volunteer/survey forms sent out with the newsletter, only 4 have been returned.
Ad Hoc Committee on Special Ed: Dennis Friedman from school committee spoke about this group, which is still being formed. The goal of this group is to lobby the State House for increases to circuit-breaker funding. The focus is to try to coordinate with area towns to work with the state on special ed funding. The committee will consist of Liz Flynn, Dot Galo, Paul Gannon (S.C.), Laura Burns (Selectman), Marisa Ronan (SEPAC), Advisory Committee will be appointing someone, and 2 citizens (who have not yet been identified). It was noted that the Silver Lake school district is doing something similar.
Introduction of new Director of Student Services: Liz Flynn was introduced to the group. She spoke briefly about her history, what her hopes are for Hingham, and encouraged parents to contact her with any thoughts, ideas, or concerns. She mentioned that she will be presenting the Basic Rights workshop on October 18. She also mentioned that Coordinated Program Review will be taking place March 4 through March 8. There was also a last-minute teacher resignation at the high school special ed program. There is currently a long-term substitute, but the school department has two candidates scheduled for interviews this week.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m. to allow parents to introduce themselves to Liz Flynn and speak with her individually if they were interested.
