LAMBTON KENT DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD



SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE



Thursday
Wallaceburg District Secondary School
19 00 hours

2002 10 17
Library
(7:00 p.m.)

 

 

M I N U T E S

 

 

PRESENT:
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


Ted Scott, Member "at large"


Wenda Vallee, Autism Society of Ontario


Veronica Vaughan, Wallaceburg & Sydenham District Association for Community

Living


Jane Wright, Community Living Chatham-Kent




REGRETS:
Jenny Greensmith, Pathways Health Centre for Children


Bernie Martin, Trustee (Vice-Chair)




ABSENT:
Jennifer Adam, St. Clair Child and Youth Services


Julie Wolfe, Learning Disabilities Association of Lambton County




RESOURCE
Warren Kennedy, Superintendent of Education

STAFF:
Deb Ellacott and Chris Gordon, Special Education Co-ordinators

 

*********************************************************************************

 

1.0
CALL TO ORDER – 7:10 p.m.

 

 

2.0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 2002 09 26

 

The Minutes of 2002 09 26 were approved as written.

 

 

3.0
BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES

N. Hills reported that the Sarnia and District Association for Community Living, in response to a request from the Transportation Officer, developed a form that could possibly be used to arrange transportation for students using respite services. They have e-mailed the form to Kevin Fitzpatrick. J. Wright reported that the person responsible for Respite Services with the Chatham and District Association for Community Living has arranged to meet with Transportation Department staff to discuss the issue.

 

 

4.0
PRESENTATIONS






4.1
Teacher Performance Appraisal Guidelines

Paula Child, Manager of Staff Development and Training, presented information on the new Teacher Performance Appraisal Program. The Ontario government passed the Quality in the Classroom Act, 2001, which establishes teacher performance

appraisal standards and processes. A portion of the performance appraisal process involves student and parental input on teacher communication and promotion of learning. In order for principals to collect this information two locally developed forms have been designed. P. Child distributed draft copies of the two forms and requested SEAC input:

· Student Input on Teacher Communication and Promotion of Learning (for the use of students in Grades 11, 12, and OAC only, beginning in 2002-2003)

· Parental Input on teacher/Parent Communication and Promotion of Learning (for the use secondary school parents beginning in 2002-2003, and elementary school parents beginning in 2004-2005)

 

SEAC provided the following suggestions:

· determine how (or if) a student with developmental disabilities would complete the Student Input form.

· provide additional information on the form as to how a student or parent can request removal of their name prior to use.

· provide additional information on the form on how the form will be used.

· make parents aware when their child receives the Student Input form to complete.

· student input forms should be sent home and completed at home with the assistance of their parents (not at school where student may be subjected to peer pressure, etc.).

· on the Parental Input form change the one question to: “Did you return the comment page of your child’s provincial report card?”

 

SEAC was informed that if they had additional questions or comments they could contact Paula Child at 336-1500, Ext. 464 or 1-800-754-7125, Ext. 464.






4.2
Giftedness Exceptionality

Rosanna Waldram, Secondary Enrichment Resource Teacher outlined the continuum of services she organizes in relation to Gifted Education Programs. Opportunities for secondary school Gifted learners include:

· subject specific classroom enrichment

· enrichment opportunities outside of the regular classroom

· extending activities (Grades 9 and 10)

· independent projects (Grades 9 and 10)

· personal programs (Grades 11 and 12)

 

R. Waldram provided details on each of the above mentioned.

 

R. Waldram may be contacted at Chatham-Kent Secondary School.

 

 

5.0
HOMEWORK POLICY AND REGULATIONS

 

SEAC was provided with a copy of the current Homework Policy and Regulations of the Lambton Kent District School Board.

 

W. Kennedy reviewed the Board’s Homework Policy and Regulations. The Regulations state that “every school shall develop a detailed homework policy and ensure annually that all students, staff and parents are aware of the policy”. W. Kennedy distributed samples of individual elementary and secondary school homework policies and highlighted the contents of each.

 

W. Kennedy stated that school administrators are very aware that most students are doing more than what their guidelines state, and are concerned about the amount of homework that the new curriculum dictates.

 

D. Ellacott offered some solutions for parents that are struggling with their children during homework time, emphasizing that communication with the school is key.

 

 

6.0
SPECIAL EDUCATION PLAN – SECTION 2.8 – SPECIAL EDUCATION PLACEMENTS PROVIDED BY THE BOARD

Section 2.8, of the Special Education Plan, Special Education Placements Provided by the Board, was reviewed. A revised copy of Section 2.8, based on amendments made and approved by the Board in June, 2002 was distributed. D. Ellacott outlined the approved amendments and additional changes. SEAC had the opportunity to recommend further changes.

 

Additional revisions from SEAC to Section 2.8 included:

· Change the first sub-title on the 1st Page to Special Education Philosophy (not Policy).

· Change the second sentence of the first paragraph on Page 1 to read: “To that end, the Board believes in and actively supports inclusionary programs that will meet students needs in the most enabling environment.”

· Under Item 1.1, 1st sentence, change Psychology Department Counsellors to Psychology Department Psychometrists.

· Under Item 1.1, 4th sentence, remove the word “primary”.

· Under Section 2.1.1, 2nd paragraph, last sentence, and Section 2.3.1, 4th paragraph change Elementary Itinerant High Needs Resource Teacher to Itinerant High Needs Teacher.

· Under Section 2.4.2, 2nd paragraph, 1st sentence, change self-contained to transitional.

· Change the second sentence of Appendix 2.8.1 to read: “To that end, the Board believes in and actively supports inclusionary programs that will meet students needs in the most enabling environment.”

 

SEAC approved the new amendments to Section 2.8 of the Special Education Plan.

 

 

7.0
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PROGRAM REVIEW UPDATE

 

D. Ellacott announced that the Speech and Language Program Review Committee has been established. J. Greensmith has agreed to represent SEAC as well as the Pathways Health Centre for Children. There is also representation from the Prism Centre in Chatham-Kent, and board staff. W. Vallee suggested that representation from the Autism Society be included on the Committee. D. Ellacott agreed.

 

 

8.0
CORRESPONDENCE – None.

 

 

9.0
ASSOCIATION REPORTS AND OTHER BUSINESS

D. Scherer announced that the Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent has been involved with a project along with Victim Services and the Suicide Prevention Education Committee. A “Help Card” has been produced that outlines the warning signs of suicide and where to look for assistance. D. Scherer also distributed details of a Parent Support Group Workshop and Discussion on Social Skills, Learning Styles, and Strategies to Help Children Learn to Manage Anger, to be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2002 at Chatham-Kent Secondary School, 5:15 p.m. (Ages 5-8) and 6:30 p.m. for (Ages 9-13).

 

W. Vallee reported that the Autism Society of Chatham-Kent has elected a new President, Elizabeth Carnegie, who may be contacted at 352-7827.

 

Dr. Vaughan emphasized that the Wallaceburg & Sydenham District Association for Community Living continues to be committed to total integration.

 

J. Wright informed SEAC that the Chatham and District Association for Community Living has changed their name to “Community Living Chatham-Kent” and a new Transition Committee has been established with representatives from both school boards. She also reminded SEAC of their current Tootsie Roll fundraising campaign.

 

D. Longwell reported that the Board will receive the annual School Accommodation Report from the Director of Education next week.

 

 

10.0
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

A. Kuhn enquired about the handicapped parking spaces at schools. The parking space at Wallaceburg District Secondary School does not allow enough space on the right side of a vehicle and is not well marked. W. Kennedy has reported this to the Principal of the school who has contacted our maintenance personnel.

 

W. Vallee would like a copy of the “school and board guidelines on reporting” as mentioned on the Parental Input on Teacher/Parent Communication and Promotion of Learning form.

 

 

11.0
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

T. Scott would like to receive the annual exceptional pupil statistics once available.

 

J. Wright would like to discuss the “Best Buddies” program at a future meeting.

 

W. Vallee requested information on the impact changes to special education programming and school closures have had on students.

 

· Autism/PDD Program Review Recommendations Progress Report

· Professional Development

· Booklet of Strategies, Accommodations, and Tips for all Exceptionalities

· Transportation Chart and Tour of Transportation Services

· Transportation and Board Website Demonstration

· Kurzweil Software Demonstration

· Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA)

· Early Intervention Pilot

· Exceptionality Presentations

· Crisis Intervention Training Program

· Double Cohort and Possible Effects on Secondary Special Programs

· Safe Schools Act and Its Effect on Exceptional Pupils

· 2002-2003 School Accommodation Committees

 

 

12.0
NEXT MEETING





Thursday, November 21, 2002


Wallaceburg District Secondary School - Library


7:00 p.m.

 

 

13.0
ADJOURNMENT – 9:10 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Joan Sparks,


Recording Secretary.