LAMBTON KENT DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday
Wallaceburg District Secondary School
19 00 hours
2002 12 12
Library
(7:00 p.m.)
M I N U T E S
PRESENT:
Jennifer Adam, St. Clair Child and Youth Services
Jenny Greensmith, Pathways Health Centre for Children
Norma Hills, Sarnia & District Association for Community Living
Marion Lennan, Lambton County Developmental Services
Duncan Longwell, Trustee
Sharon Nickerson, Member "at large" (Chair)
Donna Scherer, Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent
Wenda Vallee, Autism Society of Ontario
Veronica Vaughan, Wallaceburg & Sydenham District Association for
Community
Living
Jane Wright, Community Living Chatham-Kent
REGRETS:
Graham McIntyre, Trustee
Ted Scott, Member "at large"
ABSENT:
Julie Wolfe, Learning Disabilities Association of Lambton County
RESOURCE
Warren Kennedy, Superintendent of Education
STAFF:
Deb Ellacott and Denise Emery, Special Education Co-ordinators
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1.0
CALL TO ORDER - 7:05 p.m.
2.0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 2002 11 21
Referring to Page 3, 2nd Paragraph, of the Minutes, D. Scherer requested
a change regarding the development of checklists. At the previous meeting
she had suggested a wholistic approach of identifying learning disabilities
which may include developing checklists for parents, teachers, or whoever
would be involved with the child (not just Psychology Department Staff).
SEAC agreed to change the words “Psychology Department Staff”
to “all stakeholders”.
The Minutes of 2002 11 21 were approved, as amended.
3.0
BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES
3.1
Field Trips and Educational Tours Policy and Regulations
As requested at the previous meeting, SEAC received
copies of the Board Policy and Regulations on Field Trips and Educational
Tours and an opportunity to ask questions was provided.
3.2
Questions Re: School and Board Guidelines on Reporting
None.
3.3
Draft Letter to the Minister of Education Re: Alternative Diploma
After reviewing a DRAFT letter to the Minister
of Education re: Alternative Diploma, SEAC provided further input.
D. Scherer stated she was not sure that the Learning
Disabilities Association of Ontario would support the concept of an
Alternative Diploma.
SEAC suggested a few revisions to the letter
including: adding the words “unions and associations” to
the fourth sentence of the third paragraph, and changing the last paragraph
to read: “We are interested in exploring the possibilities of
an Alternative Diploma if the appropriate planning and consultation
takes place”.
SEAC agreed to forward the revised letter to
the Minister of Education.
3.4
Support for Devine Street School
At the last meeting of SEAC, Trustee D. Longwell spoke about his visits
to Devine Street School and their urgent need for additional supports.
Devine Street School has a large number of exceptional pupils in a unique
environment. D. Longwell suggested that SEAC make a recommendation to
the Board requesting the use of reserve funding to provide additional
resources at Devine Street School.
Motion: Moved by D. Longwell, seconded by J.
Greensmith, that the Special Education Advisory Committee recommend
that the Lambton Kent District School Board provide additional resources
to Devine Street School for the remainder of the 2002-2003 school year.
The Motion CARRIED.
4.0
PRESENTATIONS
4.1
Year-Round Schooling
John Dawson, Principal of Alexander Mackenzie
Secondary School, provided SEAC with information on the proposed “balanced
school year”. A balanced school year is an alternate form of a
school year calendar that redistributes vacation days so that the traditional
long summer vacation period is replaced by several shorter vacations
throughout the year. Students attend school the same number of days
during the year as students on a traditional schedule.
J. Dawson highlighted some of the advantages
and disadvantages of a balanced school year (see attached). He informed
SEAC that, after a lengthy study, Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School
has opted not to move forward with instituting a balanced school year
program for the 2003-2004 school year.
SEAC was provided the opportunity to ask questions.
J. Dawson encouraged SEAC members to visit Alexander
Mackenzie Secondary School or contact him at 542-5505.
4.2
Best Buddies Program
Jane Wright provided SEAC with additional details
on the “Best Buddies High Schools Program”. The Program
is dedicated to fostering friendships by pairing students with intellectual
disabilities with a peer “buddy”. J. Wright has been in
contact with staff from the “Best Buddies Canada” office
in Toronto and they are prepared to come and make presentations to SEAC,
Principals, and, if necessary, the Board.
W. Kennedy agreed to contact the Best Buddies,
Canada office and arrange a presentation to Secondary School Principals
and possibly SEAC.
4.3
Video Presentation
D. Ellacott and D. Emery presented SEAC with
a festive video slide arrangement entitled “Cruising the District”,
featuring snapshots of students from throughout the District.
5.0
2002-2003 EXCEPTIONAL PUPIL STATISTICS
A chart summarizing the total number of exceptional
pupils was reviewed. The chart revealed a total of 3263 exceptional
pupils as of October 31, 2002. W. Kennedy stated that more detailed
information summarizing the exceptional pupil section of the Ministry
of Education “October Report” will be provided to SEAC in
January.
W. Vallee and D. Scherer questioned the statistics
provided for Autistic and Learning Disability exceptionalities.
6.0
SPECIAL EDUCATION PLAN – SECTION 2.10 – PROVINCIAL AND DEMONSTRATION
SCHOOLS
Section 2.10 of the Special Education Plan, Provincial
and Demonstration Schools, was reviewed.
Suggested changes:
· Update the number of Lambton Kent District
School Board students attending Provincial Schools immediately prior
to submission to the Ministry of Education.
· Page --add the title “Provincial
Schools for Students with Severe Learning Disabilities” and move
to after “Provincial Schools for the Deaf”.
SEAC agreed to the changes.
7.0
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PROGRAM REVIEW UPDATE
D. Ellacott reported that the Speech and Language
Program Review Committee has met twice and a sub-committee is in the
process of developing a parental survey. They are also meeting with
various community agencies to gather information.
8.0
CORRESPONDENCE - None.
9.0
ASSOCIATION REPORTS AND OTHER BUSINESS
D. Scherer distributed information pamphlets
from the Learning Disabilities Association announcing:
· Winter/Spring 2003 Tutoring and Social
Skills Programs in Chatham-Kent
· Workshops by Richard Lavoie and Dr.
Larry Silver on September 25 and 26, 2003, in Toronto.
J. Wright submitted an article from Science Daily
“Kids with Down Syndrome Learning Language Beyond Adolescence”,
as well as information on a writing competition for Gifted students.
V. Vaughan informed SEAC that she recently completed
a questionnaire through her association requesting information on SEAC
representation.
10.0
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC - None.
11.0
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
· Autism/PDD Program Review Recommendations
Progress Report
· Professional Development
· Booklet of Strategies, Accommodations,
and Tips for all Exceptionalities
· Tour of Transportation Services
· Transportation and Board Website Demonstration
· Kurzweil Software Demonstration
· Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA)
· Exceptionality Presentations
· Double Cohort and Possible Effects on
Secondary Special Programs
· Safe Schools Act and Its Effect on Exceptional
Pupils
· Impact of Special Education Programming
Changes and School Closures
· Space and Equipment Needs for Community
Agency Staff Visits to Schools
· Link between IPRC, IEP, and Transition
Plans, etc.
12.0
NEXT MEETING
Thursday, January 23, 2003
St. Clair Catholic District School Board Office, Transportation Services
Department,
420 Creek Street, Wallaceburg
7:00 p.m.
13.0
ADJOURNMENT - 9:30 p.m.
Joan Sparks,
Recording Secretary.
