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Home My WebLink About2013-02-13 Speical Education Parent Advisory Council MinutesPAC Meeting on 2/13/13 minutes RECEIVED The meeting took place at the Reading Public High School in the Distance a AD I�L $ S. In attendance' 2013 APR 29 P I: 24 Elizabeth Bostic Michelle Grasso Michele Sanphy Michelle Ferraro Melissa Pucci Nicole O'Neill Jodie Vasily -Cioffi Whitney Crane Officers not in attendance: Kristi O'Malley Terri Teixeira Michele Sanphy opened the meeting at 7:04 pm Welcomed everyone Explained open meeting law - child specific questions need to wait until after business meeting so that stuff remains confidential Officers introduce themselves See business meeting agenda Request for public input - None. Minutes: Postponing voting on minutes till we have some clarification on what needs to/ should not be included in minutes. Whitney Crane presents her current understanding of what should be in the minutes. Discussion regarding Open Law: Michele Sanphy explains that Laura Gemme is the town clerk and Michele explains what we need to still learn from her about Open Law. Michelle Grasso & Jodie Vasily -Cioffi discuss MASSPAC Open Law interpretation. Jodie Vasily -Cioffi will call the MASS PAC to find out what the prodocol is. Michelle Grasso will call Leslie Leslie. Jeanette Vigorito offers information about who to call regarding Open Meeting Law. The name of the PAC is currently PAC. There is some confusion about whether it's the PAC or SEPAC. Request for input Nicole O'Neill offers the history the name. SEPAC comes in and out of favor due to the fact that SEPAC narrows the demographic of who it serves. Michele Sanphy discusses that she has had confusion when the parents . Nicole O'Neill asks what the full name will be that we are voting on Jodie Vasily -Cioffi says other communities don't know what PAC means Melissa Pucci expresses concern that parents of special need children will be looking for something that says special Parent comments that she was told to contact the PAC when she called that organization looking for information Michelle Grasso moves to vote In favor of the Reading Parent Advisory Counsel — 9 Reading Special Education Parent Advisory Counsel - 0 The first meeting for the revision of the by -laws is Feb 23. Michele sanphy passed out materials Jodie V asily -Cioffi questioned why certain towns were picked for comparison/ Michele Sanphy responded that they are easy to read, from successful PACs. Michele Sanphy asked for input. Jodie Vasily -Cioffi recommended Lexington and Concord Michele Sanphy noted that Lexington's by -laws were too cumbersome. Whitney Crane will be sending out comparison Michelle Grasso adjourns meeting at 7:35 pm Michelle Grasso introduces Beth Ross for the evening's presentation- See speaking notes Minutes are not verbatim Minutes were taken by Whitney Crane, secretary. O' I t" YYllb IreVNNC Meeting Posting e Town of Reading - Town Clerk a�a:lapoA�� Board, Committee or Commission: Reading Parent Advisory Council Date: 2013 -2 -13 Time: 7:00 pm Location: Reading Memorial High School Address: 62 Oakland Road Purpose: Business Meeting /Presentation: Beth Ross Requested By: Michele Sanphy And Michelle Grasso Notices and agendas are to be posted 48 hours in advance of the meetings excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Legal Holidays. Please keep in mind the Town Clerk's hours of operation and make necessary anngemsma to be sure your posting is made In an adequate amount of tine. A listing or topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting must be on the agenda. All Meeting Posdlge most be submitted in typed format: handwritten notices Adll no longer be accepted. Agenda Call to Order: Introductions Old Business: Topics of Discussion: ♦ Open session for topics not reasonably anticipated 48 hours in advance of the meeting ♦ Vote on minutes from past meetings ♦ Discuss and Vote on use of PAC v.s. SEPAC ♦ Distribution of Bylaw materials. ♦ Public Input ♦ Presentation by Beth Ross:Building Positive Relationships & Working Collaboratively with Your District Acceptance of Minutes: December 2012 Adjourn: 9:00 h 1� ) oDi- 3�a 13,3 Building Positive Relationships and Worldng Collaboratively with School Districts Reading PAC February 12, 2013 The taw ni8re of Beth floss. LLC OW *nde Centel suites0o0 Woburn, MP 01801 !781)6703373 beM @n me Juotionlaw.mm Overview 1. Tips for maintaining a positive relationship 2. When to consider hiring an attorney /advocate 3. How to decide between an advocate and attorney 4. What to look for when hiring an advocate /attorney Maintaining. Positive Relationships General Tips: • You are a member of the team. Be confident and respectful • Connect with an ally "on the inside" • Stay in touch with your child's teacher • Visit your child's classroom • Get to know other parents Maintaining Positive Relationships General Tips • Listen thoughtfully. Be open to learning more about your child and his or her disability from others • Consider attending a training on advocacy skills or your child's disability • Get to know support staff in your child's school • Familiarize yourself with the law Maintaining Positive Relationships Paper: Record - keeping and paper trail s o- • Request copies of your child's records regularly • Maintain a notebook that contains: IEPs Evaluations • Pmgress reports • E mails Examples of work Telephone log 7 Meeting notes Maintaining Positive Relationships • Record - keeping • Letter writing • To document oral agreements or disagreements of significance • How -Letter writing • As Joe Friday from Drd¢net says, lust the facts, ma'am" —no Pl^o--pvl rk_Vw • Hand deliver or send certified mail ,�2 -to �3 0- MOs T(P s rtro d 4yl s.. s -Isere a �,,��1`,tr (�t h ft�f 5Vkx 54, V3A by IOAA) 3 Maintaining Positive Relationships Team meeting preparation • Request assessments prior to meeting • Create your own agenda /talking points • Think about goals for your child • Ask your child for input • Invite helpful people to attend • Find out who is coming from the school Maintaining Positive Relationships At the meeting: • Act professionally • Think about where to sit • Considertaping • Ask for copies of attendance sheet and meeting notes (and /or service delivery grid) • Take notes or have friend take notes • Who is present • Major issues • What has been offered, what has been rejected Maintaining Positive Relationships At the meeting: • Focus on the positive/try to work collaboratively • Focus on current issues when choosing your battles • Separate people from the problem • Try to understand where the school is coming from • Ask questions • Generally, don tsign anything • Ask for a break if you need it °a sw.n, [..-try Maintaining Positive Relationships At the meeting: Remember that you are your child's best advocate Maintaining Positive Relationships If a problem arises: • Speak with your child's teacher or team chair first • If necessary, write a letter • Ask for a meeting • Copy the principal and special education director • Set a time for response and follow -up Maintaining Positive Relationships If a problem arises, there are several free resources • PQA • Filing a complaint • BSEA • Mediation • Advisory opinions • Hearing • Settlement conference — only with attorney When to Consider Hiring an Advocate or Attorney There are one or more of the following possible signs for concerns: • your child has an IEP or SO4 Plan, but the school is not following it • your child is not making progress, or their grades are slipping • Your child is repeatedly suspended orexpelled • The school refuses to give you copies of your child's records • You are told that your child is not eligible for services REPORT C,.no When to Consider Hiring an Advocate or Attorney Possible signs for concern: • Your child cannot read or is significantly below grade level • Your child is overwhelmed with schoolwork Wour child is struggling socially and /or is being bullied • The school will not pay for an outside evaluation • The school is not giving your child the necessary educational support • The school is not preparing your child to transition to post - secondary life When to Consider Hiring an Advocate or Attorney You feel too emotional to effectively advocate for your child • Lack of self - confidence, disempowerment • Anger • Tears • Lack of trust • Conflict within family When to Consider Hiring an Advocate or Attorney You don't feel "heard" Time constraints make it difficult for you to advocate for your child ,You're not sure what your child needs and what to do next When to Consider Hiring an Advocate or Attorney The school district has an attorney You are not making progress with the school district • Unwillingness on school district's part to listen, negotiate, take your concerns seriously, and /or respond to your concerns • Delay tactics • Blanket statements about what the district does or does not do • Denial of services you feel are essential When to Consider Hiring an Advocate or Attorney Crisis • Expulsion /suspension • Lack of appropriate placement for your child • Safety concerns • Very heated meetings, total communication breakdown • Significant behavioral changes or issues Why Hire an Advocate or Attorney Benefits • Changes the dynamic with the school district • Provides legal guidance • Gives emotional support • Teaches you how to become a better advocate • Advises on a strategy Why Hire an Advocate or Attorney Benefits • Helps you articulate your goals for your child more clearly • Provides objective and unbiased perspectives • familiar with the special education system and school districts • Reviews your child's file chronologically and in -depth • Connects you with evaluators, service providers T Differences Between Advocates and Attorneys Training Ability to represent you in court and at settlement conferences Rate Expertise /Background Reimbursement on Fees Impact at a team meeting level and on school communication What to Look for in an Advocate or Attorney Responsiveness, accessibility Connections with evaluators, service providers Familiarity with the school district Flexible rate Experience Personality /style • Collaborative vs. adversarial 11 Role of Advocate or Attorney I5: • To listen with "ears more than heart" • To communicate on your behalf with school district • To explain assessments, findings, and recommendations • To review appropriateness of IEP based on assessments • To provide strategic guidance and suggestions for improving your child's IEP and services To help you navigate the process You've Hired Someone - How to Keep the Cost Down Talk with your advocate /attorney about the key important issues Stay organized and take good notes Do as much as you can (and feel comfortable with) • Attending meetings —will advocate /attorney help you prepare? • Letter - writing —will advocate /attorney review? 12 Questions ? ?? Please feel free to contact me: Law Office of Beth Ross, LLC (781) 670-3373 beth@roswducationlaw.com 13