HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-20 Speical Education Parent Advisory Council MinutesRECEIVED
PAC Meeting on 3/20 /13 nGnutes TOWN CLERK
R ;ADING, MASS.
The meeting took place at the Reading Public High School in the tstance Learning l� m.
1413 APR 2cl P 3
In attendance:
Elizabeth Bostic
Michelle Grasso
Michele Sanphy
Whitney Crane
Heather Lee
Teresa Teixeira
Kristi O'Malley
Jennifer Killeen
Officers not in attendance
Melissa Pucci
Nicole O'Neill
Jodie Vasily -Cioffi
Michele Sanphy opened the meeting at 7:10 pm
welcomed everyone
Lets everyone know that we are subject to Open Meeting Law
See business meeting agenda
Officers introduce themselves
Special election of Killiam School Liaison and KI.S.E. Preschool liaison
Heather Lee and Jennifer Killeen introduce themselves
Ballots passed out by Chenine Peloquin
Election of liaisons by general membership
Ballots collected and tallied by Chenine Peloquin
Heather Lee is elected to position of R.I.S.E. Preschool liaison
Jennifer Killeen is elected to the position of Killam School liaison
Michele Sanphy adjourns meeting at 7:30 pm
Michele Sanphy introduces Judy Santa Maria and Chenine Peloquin from EMARC for the
evening's presentation
See speaking notes
Minutes are not verbatim.
Minutes were taken by Whitney Crane, secretary.
OFRFga'N Public Notice
Meeting Posting
' e Town of Reading - Town Clerk RECEIVED
rya, TOWN CLERK
°., READING. MASS,
3g'IN<ORPO4 ,
Board, - i<IaAt 1 ^ CVeV'+ 2013 MAR 18 P 12-- 14
Committee or
Commission: (]
Date: ;372-0 ( 13 �h r Time: � lPD1
Location: V IS+0LnCe -nkf C,4 -h u1Jq �)S� ry) r loo r
Address�eQatyr� Ner(y)a r t0.a S C11OO L
Purpose:jpeela� �12CTlot� ryvjtj�> �feSQn�a4lar�
Requested By: N t the ) e 5(V\
Notices and agendas are to be posted 48 hours in advan a meetings excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Legal Holidays. Please keep in mind the
Town Clerk's hours of operation and make necessary arrangements to be sure your posting is made in an adequate amount of time. A listing of topics
that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting must be on the agenda.
All Meeting Postings must be submitted In typed format; handwritten notices will no longer be accepted
Agenda
Call to Order:
Old Business:
Topics of Discussion:
♦ Open session for topics not reasonably(( anticipated 48 hours in advance of the meeting,
• ��y,SpP eta ��? C�Ipry 7-a1 Kt1�lAm SC�po I F�IctlS° I o51�f %✓�
• moss bl j2L521III E �1LI{iS CCSc(7o�� l
o
laisonoslI
•13' ��1 iLC'Posert�a�lar� t\ tlb � �hel JtfYlceS SLL parTS
• Givl�l�'e5okrcPS CRV� UUP �Iot1l
♦ rf
♦ _J
Acceptance of Minutes:
Adjourn: 9 Q M
This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting
However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting
mmm
caC)
r
>waa
�gcH>>O'Ir
-v0
°xwanm>
O N
O
"3
N
F
o •p
S
�'
�'
�.
4
0
0
0
0
^°
O
.0.�
N
p
��
9
p
.O.
.n.
ry
E.
6
o
o
C
o
o
d
O
io
Q
H
4
0•
b
N
'O
O
'°
'O
O
a£
O
a.
3
'O
a
N
9
'O
w
O'
�.•
A
y
F
0.
0£
N O
y
y
.°.
O
w.
�.
n
N
6
0
C
O
^
m
w
�
rt
c�
n
ry
=
w
0
b?ncz
ncccxm
acmwcc
�Ncn
0
0
F
O
O a
p
0
FD,
3
n
C
O
S
�
�•
�
o
°
e
y
B
3
�
°
�
H
�
�
°
o
s
� a
T
•!
,�
w
N
A
O
m
fD
ry
ry
A
y
9
n<
.A.
^
vwi
C
y
�
•p
y
=
p
O
N
5
ry
S
O
O
1
-1ccco
�cE�
ca
vc�bbbnn
C
cc--
F
F.
iC
�•
R
°. m
rpii
S
w (04
tR
7
F
<°
8
8 7
rn R
B
6
G
a
it
3
c
ry
c
$
^
a
=
w
_
w
�
�
n
n
=
F
n
ti
�I
ti
(�7
0
A
S
A
n
School to Work
Transition Services Program
26 Princess Street
Wakefield, MA 01880
Telephone: (781) 942 -4888
Fax: (781) 943 -6437
School to Work Transitional Services
School to Work Transitional Services through the Fast Middlesex Arc is a program
that emphasizes learning critical social, life, and vocational skills while using the
student's own community as a classroom. In collaboration with student, family,
school, and other invested professionals an individualized plan is developed to
provide these services. Our services aim to complement the teachings of a
traditional classroom education by bringing those ideas into practice while a student
spends time in his or her community. Each student is paired with a School to Work
Specialist who will maintain regular communication with his or her family and
school to ensure that specific goals are being met and to provide progress updates.
Some examples of the services that have been provided include: life skills, money
management, job searching, on-the-job coaching, job maintenance, recreational &
social development, volunteering, networking with community resources, and
career planning.
School to Work Philosophy
The School to Work Program assists students in identifying and fulfilling
their vocational and life goals and in their transition into the post- graduate
world. After participating in the program students should be prepared for
their transitions after high school both into the workforce and for further
education if that is the path they choose. After completing the requirements
in the program, students become valued and productive citizens in the
society around them.
School to Work Mission
• To assist students in finding paid jobs that will help them follow their
chosen career path.
• To improve students' social skills and necessary life skills. Students
should both understand and be prepared to face day to day life as an
adult when they live independent of formal supports.
Achieving our Mission
The goal is to match the student, with assessments and training during or after
school, with the perfect job for them.
The following supports are offered in the School to Work Transition Service:
Vocational:
• Brigance Transition Skills Inventory
• Checklist of Adaptive Living Skills
• Interest inventory
• Situational assessments
• Person-centered approach
• Attending students annual IEP to set goals
College Readiness
• College applications & support through admission process
• College tours, meetings with disabilities officers
• Travel training through school buildings
• Study habits, organization skills
Job Tours
• Visit different companies in the community to show the students the
different type of jobs that they can get while they are in school.
• Links with other departments of The Are of East Middlesex to give work
experience
Job Preparation
• Develop personal resume
• Work on interviewing skills
• Practice filling out applications
• Learn how to travel to work independently
• Job sharing and volunteering
Job Placement
• After all the preparation is done and we find a job, we work with the
student, with the goal that the student will be able to do the job
independently.
• On-the-job coaching as required
• Follow -up once the student is working independently
On the Job Skills
• Positive work attitude
• How to keep the job that you have
• On going skill development
• Identifying and utilizing natural supports
• Building positive relationships with co- workers, supervisors and customers
Social and Life Skills
• Links to EMARC's excellent recreation program that includes both athletic
and social events
• Intensive training on appropriate social interaction in the workplace
• Life skills training that includes, but is not limited to, banking, shopping,
life skills math and travel training
Collaboration
1. We start by interviewing students and parents to identify goals. We
partake in the IEP process and build goals based on the student's and
parents' IEP goals.
,. 1
2. We prepare Vocational/Educational Plans with goals and
benchmarks so that everyone on the team can measure success.
3. We meet regularly with the students and parents, providing
communication, support and advice.
4. We submit a satisfaction survey to families and students at the
beginning and end of the school year in order to compare our
progress.
5. We return all calls and emails ASAP usually within 24 hours, and
complete all necessary IEP paperwork.
6. We teach students of all ages a "World of Work" curriculum.
7. We assist students in seeking employment within their local
communities.
8. We integrate life skills and social skills training as they pertain to
employment and self - management.
9. We maintain the highest standards of quality for the schools,
students and families.
Why Use School to Work Transition Services
EMARC has a long history of providing vocational support to individuals with
developmental disabilities. Building upon this knowledge, School to Work
Transition Service is a new initiative recognizing that the transition from school to
work is a challenging process, which requires much planning.
Our philosophy is based on a person- centered approach, recognizing that all people
have skills and abilities. We work with students in a positive way to enhance their
skills. We work in alliance with their families and school, while keeping the
student's personal preferences, goals and dreams as the focus. Our aim is to
facilitate an ongoing process that enables the student to make informed choices
about what they want when they leave school.
? Do you have a child ages 2 -10 who has been diagnosed with a developmental disability?
? Are you confused about how to receive support and what services to ask for?
? Are you nervous about leaving Early Intervention and entering the public school system?
Then be sure to attend...
Maneuvering the Maze
A series of informative workshops that will help you understand and navigate the human service system!
Speakers will include representatives from the Department of Developmental Services,
Educational Advocate - Elizabeth Bostic, and speakers on government benefits and health insurance.
Wednesdays, April 3, 10, 17 and 24
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
PERKINS HALL, MELROSE WAKEFIELD HOSPITAL
There is no charge for these workshops
Register by calling Judy SantaMaria, EMARC at 781 -587 -2314
or email judysantamaria @theemarc.org
Sponsored by:
— — ` FAMIIeY TIES
Massachusms Families Helping people wad em« rives since igsa
MARL of Massachusetts
Organizing For enange�- � t
North J
Suburban t �T6 J6
Child RFamily aM�
km
Network