Special Education Parent Advisory Council November 14, 2016 ...
MEDFORD LAKES SCHOOL DISTRICT Neeta and Nokomis Elementary Schools Child Study Team Office 609-654-5155 x101
Special Education Parent Advisory Council November 14, 2016 - Meeting Minutes I.
II.
Introduction & Welcome – Kelly Scapellato a. Thank you for coming and happy to see the increase in parent participation compared to previous years b. Review function of meetings: topics of conversations, trainings/workshops, feedback from parents Review of Questions – Anthony Dent a. Update the website with meeting schedule and minutes i. Parent suggestion regarding notification of meetings including use of social media b. Review of other local districts for comparisons c. No specified parent representatives – all parents have equal participation d. Teachers are welcomed and encouraged to attend, but cannot be required to participate due to contractual obligations e. No installation of by-laws – few districts were found to have created by-laws, some that have were based on formation of a PTO i. Parent indicated that other districts have created by-laws in regards to how meetings run f. No budget line specific to SEPAC – would come from the Special Education budget line i. Parent asked if that would take money from the special education students/programs – while the money would come from the same budget, IEP programs/needs would have to be met first ii. Parent asked about bringing in outside speakers – Outside speakers are welcome and have been used in the past; however, we need to ensure parent participation
MEDFORD LAKES SCHOOL DISTRICT Neeta and Nokomis Elementary Schools Child Study Team Office 609-654-5155 x101
III.
IV.
g. Outside staff professional development is approved by the BOE and thus is listed on the BOE agendas each month h. Reference to state code requirements for SEPAC i. Communication of the meeting will be presented by Kelly Scapellato at the following BOE meeting as is done for other committees (i.e. Technology, Grading, etc.) i. Parents are welcome to add additional input during public comment at the beginning and end of each BOE meeting j. Dependent on continued rate of participation at the January meeting, more meetings can be added to the schedule between January and June i. If parents would like to meet as a support group themselves, they are welcome to request space by completing a facility usage form ii. Parent asked if attendance at SEPAC meetings could count towards attendance at H&S and MLEF meetings for classroom participation – Mr. Dent would bring that request to H&S/MLEF Open floor for questions/concerns – Kelly Scapellato a. Request of parents who are interested in taking minutes i. No parents volunteered; minutes taken by Victoria Ley, interim School Social Worker b. Open floor for questions/concerns – No questions/concerns presented Presentation on Anxiety – Robyn & Stephanie Barr a. See PowerPoint presentation b. Parent questions/discussions i. 504 question regarding high school/college – they are renewed annually but can follow students through college ii. Difference between a 504 & IEP – general education programming versus special education programming
MEDFORD LAKES SCHOOL DISTRICT Neeta and Nokomis Elementary Schools Child Study Team Office 609-654-5155 x101
iii. Parent asked about how the anxiety affected her relationships with students both in and out of the school setting – Stephanie shared her own personal experiences iv. Question regarding how a 504 can be obtained – differs based on individual student need; requests go to Mrs. Ramage, district 504 coordinator; parent had gone that route and been denied; referred to Mr. Dent
Special Education Parent Advisory Council November 14, 2016 - Meeting Minutes I.
II.
Introduction & Welcome – Kelly Scapellato a. Thank you for coming and happy to see the increase in parent participation compared to previous years b. Review function of meetings: topics of conversations, trainings/workshops, feedback from parents Review of Questions – Anthony Dent a. Update the website with meeting schedule and minutes i. Parent suggestion regarding notification of meetings including use of social media b. Review of other local districts for comparisons c. No specified parent representatives – all parents have equal participation d. Teachers are welcomed and encouraged to attend, but cannot be required to participate due to contractual obligations e. No installation of by-laws – few districts were found to have created by-laws, some that have were based on formation of a PTO i. Parent indicated that other districts have created by-laws in regards to how meetings run f. No budget line specific to SEPAC – would come from the Special Education budget line i. Parent asked if that would take money from the special education students/programs – while the money would come from the same budget, IEP programs/needs would have to be met first ii. Parent asked about bringing in outside speakers – Outside speakers are welcome and have been used in the past; however, we need to ensure parent participation
MEDFORD LAKES SCHOOL DISTRICT Neeta and Nokomis Elementary Schools Child Study Team Office 609-654-5155 x101
III.
IV.
g. Outside staff professional development is approved by the BOE and thus is listed on the BOE agendas each month h. Reference to state code requirements for SEPAC i. Communication of the meeting will be presented by Kelly Scapellato at the following BOE meeting as is done for other committees (i.e. Technology, Grading, etc.) i. Parents are welcome to add additional input during public comment at the beginning and end of each BOE meeting j. Dependent on continued rate of participation at the January meeting, more meetings can be added to the schedule between January and June i. If parents would like to meet as a support group themselves, they are welcome to request space by completing a facility usage form ii. Parent asked if attendance at SEPAC meetings could count towards attendance at H&S and MLEF meetings for classroom participation – Mr. Dent would bring that request to H&S/MLEF Open floor for questions/concerns – Kelly Scapellato a. Request of parents who are interested in taking minutes i. No parents volunteered; minutes taken by Victoria Ley, interim School Social Worker b. Open floor for questions/concerns – No questions/concerns presented Presentation on Anxiety – Robyn & Stephanie Barr a. See PowerPoint presentation b. Parent questions/discussions i. 504 question regarding high school/college – they are renewed annually but can follow students through college ii. Difference between a 504 & IEP – general education programming versus special education programming
MEDFORD LAKES SCHOOL DISTRICT Neeta and Nokomis Elementary Schools Child Study Team Office 609-654-5155 x101
iii. Parent asked about how the anxiety affected her relationships with students both in and out of the school setting – Stephanie shared her own personal experiences iv. Question regarding how a 504 can be obtained – differs based on individual student need; requests go to Mrs. Ramage, district 504 coordinator; parent had gone that route and been denied; referred to Mr. Dent
