HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-12 Speical Education Parent Advisory Council MinutesTown of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
RECEIVED
FOWN CLERK i1
READING. MASS.
Special Education Parents Advisory CouJlb NOV 30 P 5: 211
Date: 2016-04-12
Building: School - Memorial High
Address: 82 Oakland Road
Purpose: Regular Meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Superintendent Conference Room
Session: Open Session
Version: Final
Alicia Williams, Kate Goldlust, Melissa Davis
Members - Not Present:
Terri Texeira, Nicole Fidas
Others Present:
RPS Team Chair Kelly Bostwick, School Committee liaison Linda Snow
Dockser
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kate Goldlust
Topics of Discussion:
1. Call to order: Alicia Williams called the meeting to order at 6:40pm
2. Karen Serevitch to act as nominations coordinator for 2016 SEPAC election process.
3. A unanimous vote was taken among membership in regards to asking Reading school
PTOs to donate towards funding SEPAC guest speakers. Discussion of other possible
funding sources. -Northern Bank or Kohls were possibilities
4. Discussion re: RMHS LLD Reading Specialist -Carolyn Wilson addressing concerns and
letter to be going out to parents of affected students. Questions also raised re: LLD
room at J. Eaton and DLC space at Birch Meadow -Kelly Bostic to relay questions to C.
Wilson.
5. Discussion of formation of SEPAC LLD subcommittee to focus on educating community
on the students' needs and different styles of learning needs. Investigate
resources/trained teachers to utilize skills and match. Per Kelly Bostic, conversations
have been started to identify resources, materials that may have been misplaced/lost
due to teacher turnover, department changes, etc. Kelly to continue discussions and
relay questions/concerns to C. Wilson.
6. Understanding Disabilities Presentation by K. Serevitch, D. Koster, L. Wilson, A.
Northrup. A slide show and oral presentation by the speakers. Included information
about the U. D. programing geared towards 1st through 5th grade with 6 different
lessons. Guest Speaker programs for Middle School level. Program is independent from
school district -not funded by district. Offers community events. New curriculum being
implemented with grant funding. Goals: to better meet today's inclusion needs, to further
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learning at home -UD home portal, outreach to other communities. Social/Emotional
Behaviors Lesson being added. Emphasis on friendship and support.
7. Motion to approve 3/15/16 by A. Williams. Seconded by K. Goldlust
8. Discussion re: Buddy Project -Samantha Gibbs Girl Scout Silver Award Project. Members
to check with school principals for fundraising ideas.
9. Linda Snow Dockser mentioned upcoming Youth Mental Health First Aid Course
presented by RCASA on May 4^
10. June SEPAC meeting: June 6th. Agenda to include presentation of Special Education
Program descriptions, new names, entrance/exit criteria
11. Motion to adjourn by A. Williams, Seconded by K. Goldlust
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