No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-27 Speical Education Parent Advisory Council Minutesk Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Bal+lf1�OP� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Parent Advisory Council Date: 2017-07-27 Building: School - Memorial High Address: 62 Oakland Road Purpose: Business Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Alicia Williams Kate Goldlust Terri Teixeira Members - Not Present: Others Present: Time: 9:00 AM la SSP — S P ; 5�1 I Location: Superintendent Conference Room Session: Open Session Carolyn Wilson, Director of Student Services Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Teresa Teixeira Topics of Discussion: 1. Call to Order: Kate Goldlust called the meeting to order. 2. Public Comment: • A parent expressed the view that it is difficult to meet during business hours. • This year's ESY program is receiving mixed reviews from parents 3. Old Business: a. Elections: We are still looking for an election coordinator for the 2017-18 SEPAC elections (scheduled for October). This is a short-term, one-time position which consists of accepting nominations from parents, checking with the nominees to ascertain if they will accept or reject the nomination, providing voting slips for the election, and tallying votes. 4. Update from Director of Student Services: Carolyn Wilson, Director of Student Services, provided an update on special education developments: a. New Team Chairs: Reading Public Schools is in the process of hiring a new team chair for the high school to replace Jane Finger. Melissa Forbes will work with Adam Blaustein at RM HS. In addition, they are in the final stages for hiring the new team chair for Birch Meadow and Wood End. Kelley Bostwick will mentor. Page I 1 b. New Teachers: Several teacher positions are being/have been filled. Of note: a new special ed teacher certified in the Orton -Gillingham and Wilson reading programs has been hired for RHMS. In addition, an existing teacher at RMHS will finish his/her Wilson certification in October. c. Other Staff Changes: RMHS is attempting to fill two positions due to resignations: for a 0.6 school psychologist and speech pathologist. We may use an agency to temporarily fill the school psychologist position. (This position is used for testing.) Joshua Eaton has also filled a school psychologist position (open due to a leave). In addition, Sarah Burd has resigned. This position will be converted to a behavioral health coach and is being advertised. d. Professional Development: Funding for professional development for the upcoming school year will be coming solely from grants; as a result, the scope of topics may be more limited than in prior years. e. Mid -Cycle Review: We have received the Mid -Cycle Review. Ms. Wilson will report on this to the School Committee in early September. Office of Civil Rights Complaint: The Office of Civil Rights is finalizing a complaint regarding space issues at Joshua Eaton. Ms. Wilson will report on the findings of this (no personally identifiable information will be shared). g. Ms. Wilson will renew our MassPAC membership. 5. New Business: Review of DESE Parent Survey: Copies of results were provided at the meeting. We will review and discuss next month. b. Discussion/Planning of Meeting Dates and Topics for Upcoming Year: i. An IEP For My Child (Debbie Sharp) — scheduled for October 26 ii. Executive Functioning (Sarah Ward) —scheduled for March 20 (Stoneham SEPAC will co-sponsor) iii. Other possible speakers: 1. President of the International Dyslexia Association - TBD 2. Lisa Studer, BCBA — possible speaker for November 3. Other possibilities: a more general speaker on language -based learning disabilities; Dr. Olivardia; Karen Janowski/technology to help struggling students; EMARC (short presentation attached to a business meeting) iv. Early Fall Meeting Dates: 1. September 14 —Welcome Meeting; review of business, meet and greet of staff/new team chairs 2. October 4 — Elections c. Ideas for Increasing Parent Involvement i. Speak at School Curriculum nights Page 1 2 ii. Connections to parent groups like Connect The Tots, Early Intervention, EMARC iii. Coffee and conversation events at schools d. Parent University: The district will be hosting a Parent University on Saturday, October 28 from 8 AM -12 PM. Topics will be discussed with the goal of providing training and support to parents. There will be a keynote speaker, and workshops on various topics, i.e., college search. Ms. Wilson will host a workshop on special education topics. e. Questions/Action Items: Bridge Program: A parent has asked if we can we look at Winchester's program for ideas. Ms. Wilson appeared open to the idea. She reported that they have reviewed several districts' programs and also consulted with Landmark. She is currently looking for someone to do a program evaluation of the Bridge program. (Landmark does not conduct evaluations.) Post -IEP Surveys: Ms. Wilson would like to review questions on the survey which parents are asked to fill out after their IEP team meetings. This will be placed on the September agenda. iii. International Dyslexia Association: There is a fee to join, but parents would be allowed access to resources. We need to decide if we are interested. Kate Goldlust moved to adjourn the meeting. Terri Teixeira seconded. Page 1 3