End of the Year SEPAC Meeting May 13, 2010

Attendees: Wendy Feddersen, April Burns and other interested parties.

The meeting began with introductions, a reading of the last meeting’s minutes and a treasurer’s report.

Discussion began with ideas and concerns from members of the Special Education parent community. Some ideas included having better dialogue with the school committee perhaps through a liaison with items such as hiring and budget details and compiling a formal report for the School Committee.

Some parents voiced concern about the awareness of the academic teachers of IEP details. Parents would like there to be more direct connection between Special Education teachers and academic teachers. In response to these concerns, ideas such as scheduling meetings for more information and a discussion of the team process were offered. A reminder that there is a Problem Resolution flowchart online on the Special Education website was given.

Attendees discussed that some teachers use Edline and others do not making communication difficult especially at The Bromfield School. Parents would like to support teachers, but need information of what is going on in the classroom from teachers to do so.

New disclosure laws and new guidelines for fundraising were reported.

Responsibilities and roles of Steering Committee members were explained and nominations were made. The following positions were filled:

Co-Chairs-Wendy Feddersen and April Burns; Secretary-Leslie Doolittle; Treasurer-Heather Knowles; Website Coordinator-Ruth Smith; Liaisons-Charlotte Eiland, April Burns, Leslie Doolittle, Maria Kaufmann.

A discussion to look towards next year with requests for a presentation of the school structure began. Parents would also like more information concerning the pre-school programs and hope for an earlier notification of changes in the pre-school programs with a chance to give input and feedback.

Parents would also like a speaker and process explanation for Transition Planning. Other parent requests include updates on social skills opportunities and to revisit play coaches during recess. More teacher training as it relates to Special Education areas such as Executive Function and ADHD were brought up as positive opportunities.

Discussion on the best method for meeting with Pam DeGregorio to get more accurate and timely information on changes within the school system or to present concerns of the Special Education parent community concluded with a monthly meeting with one person being present on a consistent basis along with another rotating person.

Meeting concluded with a report of the New Anti-Bully legislation.