September 21, 2011
HINGHAM SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEPAC)
Wednesday, September 21, 2011, 9:30 a.m.
Central Office Conference Room, 220 Central Street, Hingham, MA 02043
MEETING AGENDA:
Introduction and Rules
Acceptance of Minutes: July 27, 2011, & August 18, 2011
Treasurer’s Report:
· Payment of Transition Grant
· Discussion regarding where SEPAC funds are held
Communications:
· E-mail from Eve Montague of South Shore Conservatory
· E-mail from Dr. Lawrence Epstein of South Shore Psychological Services
· E-mail from Barbara Cannon, LSW, CCM, of Beacon Hospice Inc.
· Two e-mail RSVP’s to October 13 presentation
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:
· Update on SEPAC 2011-2012 calendar of events
· SEPAC website update
· Decision of proposed FunRun/Road race for April 2012
New Business:
· Consider following amendments to Bylaws:
- reduce current required quorum number (5)
- include parents/guardians of students on 504 plans as voting members
Subcommittee Reports:
HPS Director of Student Services Report:
· Update on Transition Grant from meeting on 9/15/11 and misc.
Announcements & Adjournment:
· Upcoming SEPAC events:
October 4, 10:30 – noon, Welcome Coffee at Hingham Public Library, Whiton Rm
October 11, 10:00 – noon, SEPAC meeting, Hingham Public Library, Fearing Rm
October 13, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Special Needs Financial Planning, HHS, Rm 103
October 19, 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m., Parents’ Rights & Responsibilities, School Dept. Conference Rm, 220 Central St.
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: Donna Keaney, Jean Garrity, Kim Cross, Marisa Ronan, Paula O’Brien, and Dr. Jean Curtis Loud.
Donna Keaney called the meeting to order at 9:50 a.m.
The minutes from the meetings on July 27, 2011, and August 18, 2011, were accepted.
Treasurer: Kim Cross gave an update on the payment for the Transition Grant. After meeting with John Ferris, Director of Business and Support Services for Hingham Public Schools, it was suggested that SEPAC write a check to Hingham Public Schools (HPS) for $1201.20, which HPS will then distribute to Julie MacKinnon and Nicole Hammers.
Kim also spoke with Mr. Ferris regarding where SEPAC funds will be held. In accordance with the DESE guidelines, SEPAC is requesting the HPS to hold the SEPAC funds in a separate account. Dr. Galo also reviewed the DESE guidelines and is in agreement that SEPAC funds should not be held by SEPAC. A motion was made followed by a unanimous vote to move our funds to a separate account held by HPS. The next step will be for Kim to set up a meeting with Mr. Ferris to make this change.
Communications: Donna shared three e-mails she received from South Shore Conservatory, South Shore Psychological Services, and Beacon Hospice. Donna will reply via e-mail to all three thanking them for their interest in providing information or services for SEPAC. Donna also shared that she has received three RSVPs to the October 13 presentation. Jean shared that she has received three RSVPs to the November presentation.
Old Business: Our first kickoff of the year is a “welcome coffee” set for October 4 from 10:30 to noon. All members received information about the coffee in the newsletter that was sent out. A special invitation was sent to preschool parents. At the coffee, we will let parents know what SEPAC is, what we have done, and our calendar for the school year.
Marisa Ronan updated members on the SEPAC website. This month there have been 30-40 people visiting the site each day. Marisa continues to work hard updating the website with events and information so people will want to come back to check the website for new happenings.
Fundraising: Regarding the antique show, neither Donna nor Paula Baldassini have heard back from John at Goosefaire Antiques as to whether or not they have found another sponsor for the show. A possible idea that was discussed is to have SEPAC join with Best Buddies from HHS to co-sponsor the show. If SEPAC were to do this, it was agreed that it would be very scaled back from previous years. There would be no program guide, but only a printed map showing where the dealers are set up. Also, the café would be much more scaled down as well.
A bottle and can drive is set with the Hingham DPW for June 2013.
SEPAC Fun Run/Road Race: A discussion involving the details of organizing a fun run versus a 5k-road race was discussed. A motion was made and passed unanimously to work on organizing a SEPAC Fun Run, but not a 5k road race this year. The thought being that for our first time organizing a race, it would be better to start with a fun run. Jean Garrity will contact Bare Cove Park about getting on the agenda for their next meeting to present a plan for our fun run in order to lock in our April 2012 date with them.
New Business: A motion was made and unanimously passed to change our quorum from five (5) members down to three (3).
A discussion took place about including parents of children on a 504 plan in SEPAC. SEPAC will work to make 504 parents feel included in all SEPAC activities by doing better outreach.
Director of Student Services Report: Dr. Loud gave an update on the Transition Grant and the first transition meeting that took place. Nicole Hammers and Julie MacKinnon will order the needed assessments and develop a checklist for all special education teachers to use, which will cover students with the most severe needs and also students with learning disabilities. Nicole and Julie will also work on developing a binder system to organize all paperwork and transition information that will be used by special education teachers for all of their students aged 14 – 22. A goal is for Ms. Hammers and Ms. MacKinnon to do training at Hingham Middle School, as well as to involve parents early in the transition process. The next transition meeting is scheduled for October 18, 2011 at 2:45p.m. at the high school.
It was suggested that when preparing future SEPAC agendas for posting, the font be reduced so that the information on the agenda is limited to one page. It is not necessary to include upcoming school committee meeting dates.
When the flier is prepared, Dr. Loud would like to receive one for the “Let’s Get Organized” presentation to pass along to staff.
The first All Town PTO meeting with Dr. Galo is scheduled for September 23, 2011. Jean Garrity will be attending representing SEPAC.
The next SEPAC Board meeting is scheduled for October 11, 2011, at Hingham Public Library from 10:00 a.m.-noon.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m
HINGHAM SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEPAC)
Wednesday, September 21, 2011, 9:30 a.m.
Central Office Conference Room, 220 Central Street, Hingham, MA 02043
MEETING AGENDA:
Introduction and Rules
Acceptance of Minutes: July 27, 2011, & August 18, 2011
Treasurer’s Report:
· Payment of Transition Grant
· Discussion regarding where SEPAC funds are held
Communications:
· E-mail from Eve Montague of South Shore Conservatory
· E-mail from Dr. Lawrence Epstein of South Shore Psychological Services
· E-mail from Barbara Cannon, LSW, CCM, of Beacon Hospice Inc.
· Two e-mail RSVP’s to October 13 presentation
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:
· Update on SEPAC 2011-2012 calendar of events
· SEPAC website update
· Decision of proposed FunRun/Road race for April 2012
New Business:
· Consider following amendments to Bylaws:
- reduce current required quorum number (5)
- include parents/guardians of students on 504 plans as voting members
Subcommittee Reports:
HPS Director of Student Services Report:
· Update on Transition Grant from meeting on 9/15/11 and misc.
Announcements & Adjournment:
· Upcoming SEPAC events:
October 4, 10:30 – noon, Welcome Coffee at Hingham Public Library, Whiton Rm
October 11, 10:00 – noon, SEPAC meeting, Hingham Public Library, Fearing Rm
October 13, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Special Needs Financial Planning, HHS, Rm 103
October 19, 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m., Parents’ Rights & Responsibilities, School Dept. Conference Rm, 220 Central St.
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: Donna Keaney, Jean Garrity, Kim Cross, Marisa Ronan, Paula O’Brien, and Dr. Jean Curtis Loud.
Donna Keaney called the meeting to order at 9:50 a.m.
The minutes from the meetings on July 27, 2011, and August 18, 2011, were accepted.
Treasurer: Kim Cross gave an update on the payment for the Transition Grant. After meeting with John Ferris, Director of Business and Support Services for Hingham Public Schools, it was suggested that SEPAC write a check to Hingham Public Schools (HPS) for $1201.20, which HPS will then distribute to Julie MacKinnon and Nicole Hammers.
Kim also spoke with Mr. Ferris regarding where SEPAC funds will be held. In accordance with the DESE guidelines, SEPAC is requesting the HPS to hold the SEPAC funds in a separate account. Dr. Galo also reviewed the DESE guidelines and is in agreement that SEPAC funds should not be held by SEPAC. A motion was made followed by a unanimous vote to move our funds to a separate account held by HPS. The next step will be for Kim to set up a meeting with Mr. Ferris to make this change.
Communications: Donna shared three e-mails she received from South Shore Conservatory, South Shore Psychological Services, and Beacon Hospice. Donna will reply via e-mail to all three thanking them for their interest in providing information or services for SEPAC. Donna also shared that she has received three RSVPs to the October 13 presentation. Jean shared that she has received three RSVPs to the November presentation.
Old Business: Our first kickoff of the year is a “welcome coffee” set for October 4 from 10:30 to noon. All members received information about the coffee in the newsletter that was sent out. A special invitation was sent to preschool parents. At the coffee, we will let parents know what SEPAC is, what we have done, and our calendar for the school year.
Marisa Ronan updated members on the SEPAC website. This month there have been 30-40 people visiting the site each day. Marisa continues to work hard updating the website with events and information so people will want to come back to check the website for new happenings.
Fundraising: Regarding the antique show, neither Donna nor Paula Baldassini have heard back from John at Goosefaire Antiques as to whether or not they have found another sponsor for the show. A possible idea that was discussed is to have SEPAC join with Best Buddies from HHS to co-sponsor the show. If SEPAC were to do this, it was agreed that it would be very scaled back from previous years. There would be no program guide, but only a printed map showing where the dealers are set up. Also, the café would be much more scaled down as well.
A bottle and can drive is set with the Hingham DPW for June 2013.
SEPAC Fun Run/Road Race: A discussion involving the details of organizing a fun run versus a 5k-road race was discussed. A motion was made and passed unanimously to work on organizing a SEPAC Fun Run, but not a 5k road race this year. The thought being that for our first time organizing a race, it would be better to start with a fun run. Jean Garrity will contact Bare Cove Park about getting on the agenda for their next meeting to present a plan for our fun run in order to lock in our April 2012 date with them.
New Business: A motion was made and unanimously passed to change our quorum from five (5) members down to three (3).
A discussion took place about including parents of children on a 504 plan in SEPAC. SEPAC will work to make 504 parents feel included in all SEPAC activities by doing better outreach.
Director of Student Services Report: Dr. Loud gave an update on the Transition Grant and the first transition meeting that took place. Nicole Hammers and Julie MacKinnon will order the needed assessments and develop a checklist for all special education teachers to use, which will cover students with the most severe needs and also students with learning disabilities. Nicole and Julie will also work on developing a binder system to organize all paperwork and transition information that will be used by special education teachers for all of their students aged 14 – 22. A goal is for Ms. Hammers and Ms. MacKinnon to do training at Hingham Middle School, as well as to involve parents early in the transition process. The next transition meeting is scheduled for October 18, 2011 at 2:45p.m. at the high school.
It was suggested that when preparing future SEPAC agendas for posting, the font be reduced so that the information on the agenda is limited to one page. It is not necessary to include upcoming school committee meeting dates.
When the flier is prepared, Dr. Loud would like to receive one for the “Let’s Get Organized” presentation to pass along to staff.
The first All Town PTO meeting with Dr. Galo is scheduled for September 23, 2011. Jean Garrity will be attending representing SEPAC.
The next SEPAC Board meeting is scheduled for October 11, 2011, at Hingham Public Library from 10:00 a.m.-noon.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m
