Minutes of the "HES Chat with Charles" meeting

Wednesday, October 11, 2006, Bromfield Library

In attendance were Charles Horn, Will Verbits, several Steering Committee members (Wendy Feddersen, Maria Kaufman, Sue Tokay, and Janet Zimmerman), and several other SEPAC members and other interested parties.

Concerns over continuity of Learning Assistants and the use of communication books were addressed. Charles indicated that if Learning Assistants were changed during the year, parents should be notified. The possibility of making communication books standard practice for kids on an IEP was discussed, though this may need to be incorporated into individual IEPs.

Procedures for dealing with aberrant behaviors for kids on an IEP and those not on an IEP were addressed. It was suggested that some kids with behavioral issues who are not on an IEP may need to be evaluated sooner to determine if they do need to be on an IEP.

Charles agreed to draw up a Communication Map that would indicate the levels of communication and interaction between teachers, staff, special education staff and relevant others concerning special education and/or behavioral issues.

The possibility of incorporating the Lion's grant into a Special Needs training seminar that is currently being drawn up was discussed. The idea would need to be approved by the Lion's.

The seeming increase in suspensions in first and second grade was discussed. The negative connotations associated with “suspension” were addressed.

The possibility of setting up a talk with Charles next semester and making it a regular meeting was discussed. The meetings would include a few parents of preschool kids and elementary kids. Charles indicated that regular meetings would be fine, but that they should be scheduled at the beginning of the year for the whole year.