HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-02-10 Speical Education Parent Advisory Council Minutesi Obi Or
y Town of Reading
b { Meeting Minutes
M �
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Parent Advisory Council
Date: 2016-02-10
Building: School - Memorial High
Address: 62 Oakland Road
Purpose: Business Meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Alicia Williams
Nicole Fidas
Kate Goldlust
Terri Teixeira
Rob Carney
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Time: 6:30 PM
RECEIVLU j
MING. M:..
01b!'' ! A &31
Location: Superintendent Conference Room
Session: Open Session
Carolyn Wilson, Director of Student Services
Linda Snow Dockser, School Committee Liaison
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Teresa Teixeira
Topics of Discussion:
1) Call to Order: Alicia Williams called the meeting to order.
2) Extended School Year Services (ESY): Carolyn Wilson introduced Kelly DiCato, ESY
coordinator, who presented information on this year's ESY program.
A. The full presentation is attached to this document.
B. Some general facts about the program:
1. The ESY program is a 5 week program for students who require instruction over the
summer in order to prevent regression (as decided by their IEP team).
2. The dates for this year's program will be 7/11-8/11.
3. Hours vary depending on the program.
4. Parents whose children will receive summer services will receive specifics (i.e.,
names of teacher(s), therapists, etc.) in June. General program information (hours,
location, etc.) is attached to this document.
5. Kids' Club can supplement ESY programming, as it is held in the same elementary
school as the ESY elementary program (Wood End). Parents are asked to tell their
child's ESY teacher if he/she is participating in Kids' Club to ensure a smooth
transition.
3) Preparing for Key School Transitions: Director of Student Services Carolyn Wilson presented
information on transitions, including preschool -to -kindergarten, elementary -to -middle
school, middle school -to -high school and high school to post -graduate.
Page 1 1
A. The presentation is attached.
B. Some general facts:
1. Improved communication about transitions is a goal.
2. There are several programs: DLC 1 &2 (mostly Birch Meadow, Coolidge, RMHS), ILP
(Wood End, Coolidge, RMHS), LLD (Joshua Eaton, Parker, RMHS), SSP/TSP (Killam,
Coolidge, RMHS), Compass (Coolidge), POST Academy (for 18-22 year olds; will now
be in Wakefield).
3. If the IEP team decides that a student may benefit from a program, there is a
process called "program exploration," which includes teachers from the student's
current program visiting the options, teachers from the potential programs
observing the student in his/her current placement, and the families visiting the
potential program's schools. This process begins in January. The goal is to have the
receiving program attend the student's IEP meeting in the spring.
4) Bylaws: Nicole O'Neill presented the revised bylaws as drafted by the Bylaws
Subcommittee Meeting.
a. Discussion on whether School Committee Members would be able to vote at SEPAC
meetings, as that situation could be similar to School administrators (i.e., puts them
in a position of advising themselves). The general consensus appears to be that if a
School Committee member has a child with special needs, he/she should be able to
participate in SEPAC meetings.
Alicia moved to approve the SEPAC bylaws as written. Rob seconded. Motion
passed.
5) Miscellaneous:
a. World Cafe Meeting: We need a planning committee for the World Cafe. Interested
parents are asked to volunteer.
b. Email Distribution List: Interested parents are invited to sign up to be on the SEPAC
distribution list to receive news and information about special education in Reading.
c. The next meeting is March 15.
Alicia moved to adjorn the meeting. Nicole Fidas seconded.
Page 1 2