LAMBTON KENT DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Thursday
Wallaceburg District Secondary School
19 00 hours

2000 12 14

Library

(7:00 p.m.)

M I N U T E S

PRESENT:

Duncan Longwell, Trustee (Vice-Chair)

 

Sharon Nickerson, Learning Disabilities Association of Lambton County

 

Donna Scherer, Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent

 

Wenda Vallee, Autism Society of Ontario (Chair)

 

Veronica Vaughan, Wallaceburg & Sydenham District Association for Community

Living

 

Jane Wright, Chatham & District Association for Community Living

REGRETS:

Sandra Blondin, Our Children's Voice

 

Jane Bryce, Trustee

 

Maureen Chandler, Member "at large"

 

Betty DeBruin, Kent Council of Home and School Associations

 

Norma Hills, Sarnia & District Association for Community Living

 

Marion Lennan, Lambton County Association for the Mentally Handicapped

 

Ted Scott, Member "at large"

ABSENT:

Pauline Adams, Sarnia-Lambton Parents for Total Communication

 

David Ashdown, Community Concerns for the Medically Fragile

 

Karen Hasson, Association for Bright Children of Ontario

 

Dawn Nevills, Member "at large"

RESOURCE

Ruth Mattingley, Superintendent of Education

STAFF:

Deb Ellacott, Mike Gilfoyle, Cathy Koolen and Cathy Telfer, Special Education

Co-ordinators

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1.0

CALL TO ORDER – 19 10 hours.

M. Gilfoyle introduced W.D.S.S. Special Class Teachers Julie VanDamme and Jennifer Gingerich, Tutor Escort Jennifer Wornock, and students Trisha and Carrie. ABLE Program students at W.D.S.S. prepared crafts, baked goods, and treats that were available at the meeting.

2.0

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 2000 11 23

 

There was not a quorum, therefore the Minutes of 2000 11 23 could not be approved.

3.0

BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES

 

3.1

Location of Special Classes and Programs

 

 

A listing of the special program school locations was provided. The programs included: Essential Skills, ABLE, Developmentally Disabled/Medically Fragile, Social Skills, Communication, Learning Disabilities, and Section 19 Care and Treatment Facilities.

 

3.2

List of Trustees

 

 

A list of the newly elected Trustees of the Lambton Kent District School Board was provided. Duncan Longwell and Graham McIntyre have been appointed to SEAC as the Trustee representatives.

4.0

PRESENTATION – A LOOK AT OUR DISTRICT

 

D. Ellacott gave a computerized slide presentation that included pictures of special needs students participating in various classroom activities throughout the District.

5.0

PUPIL ACCOMMODATION REVIEWS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION IMPLICATIONS

 

R. Mattingley explained that at the last meeting of SEAC recommendations passed by the Board with respect to Pupil Accommodation were outlined. Several schools, or families of schools, have been placed "on review" for further study. Prior to any final decision regarding changes in accommodation community meetings are being held in order to gather further input from parents and community members. Delegations may present information to the Board on January 16, 2000, at Lambton-Kent Composite School, beginning at 5:00 p.m. The Board will consider final recommendations on February 27, 2001.

R. Mattingley explained that there might be some implications related to special education since two of the schools under review, McKeough and Victoria Park, have special classrooms. Information is being gathered on alternative accommodations for these classrooms in the case of school closure. Items to be considered include:

social needs of students
input from school staff
individual needs of students
appropriateness of facilities
community needs

W. Vallee stressed the need for careful transition planning if students are being moved. Students require the opportunity to visit their new classroom(s) a few times in advance of the new school year in order to feel comfortable.

SEAC will be kept informed as information is received.

6.0

CORRESPONDENCE

 

6.1

Invitation from Thames Valley District School Board to Attend Training Session

 

 

An invitation to attend a training session, hosted by the Thames Valley District School Board, was received by SEAC. The session will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2001, beginning at 4:00 p.m., in London. Any SEAC members interested in attending were asked to contact R. Mattingley.

A local SEAC training session is planned for February.

7.0

NEXT MEETING

 

Thursday, January 25, 2000

 

Wallaceburg District Secondary School - Library

 

7:00 p.m.

8.0

SEAC RECOGNITION

 

SEAC members in attendance were presented with a token and certificate of appreciation in recognition of their service over the past three-year term.

Joan Sparks,


Recording Secretary.