HAMILTON-WENTWORTH DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD AGENDA SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Wednesday, April 29, 2015

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1 SEAC s KEY VALUES: Accountability Communication Honesty Positive Climate Respect HAMILTON-WENTWORTH DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD AGENDA SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Wednesday, April 29, 2015 Venue: Sir Allan MacNab Secondary School (Auditorium); Driving directions/map attached [145 Magnolia Drive, Hamilton, ON L9C 5P4] SEAC Meeting 6:00-6:30 p.m. 1. Call to Order J. Colantino 2. Approval of Agenda 3. Approval of the Minutes March 25, New Business 5. Business Arising from the Minutes (a) Report re Special Education and Secondary School Opportunities Update S. Woon 6. Members Update Members 7. Correspondence a) Upper Grand DSB Support for Mandatory Special Education Preparatory Courses b) Northeastern Catholic DSB Ontario Regulation 274/12 Hiring Practices c) Greater Essex County DSB Ontario Regulation 274/12 8. Other Business Executive Function Strategies 6:30-8:30 p.m. [A workshop by Sarah Ward, M.S., CCC/SLP Speech and Language Pathologist for parents, teachers and professionals] [IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND, PLEASE ADVISE CHIT REVILLA AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE , EXT or crevilla@hwdsb.on.ca] SEAC Future Meetings (Last Wednesday of the month, Time: 7 :00 p.m., Venue: Education Centre - Room 308 (Third Level) May 27 June 10 or 17 [To be decided - due to school graduations]

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3 SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THE BOARD Judy Colantino Lita Barrie Chair Vice-Chair Trustees: Christine Bingham (Ward 1 & 2) Fax: [c/o Director s Office] cbingham@hwdsb.on.ca Larry Pattison (Ward 3) fax: [c/o Director s Office] lpattiso@hwdsb.on.ca MEMBERS OF LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS Association for Bright Children of Ontario Susan Guzina Ph: abcguzina@gmail.com Rina Rodak (Alternate) Ph: rsrodak@gmail.com CNIB Hamilton Susi Owen C: H: s.owen@hotmail.ca Lisa Tyrrell (Alternate) B: , ext Fax: lisa.tyrrell@cnib.ca Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) Bernadine Nabuurs B: , ext fax: bernadine.nabuurs@hnhb.ccac-ont.ca Mary Jane Gable-Flock (Alternate) B: , ext fax: mj.gable-flock@hnhb.ccac-ont.ca Autism Ontario (H-W Chapter) Barbara Reeves H: rreeves1@cogeco.ca Mary Orlik (Alternate) mary.orlik@hotmail.com Community Living Hamilton Fran Doodeman B: , ext. 243 Fax: fdoodeman@clham.com Lynwood Charlton Centre Lynn Vanderbrug B: , ext. 235 fax: lvanderbrug@lynwoodcharlton.ca The Children s Aid Society of Hamilton Lorraine Sayles B: , ext fax: lsayles@hamiltoncas.com CHOICES Supporting People with Developmental Disabilities Doug Foster H: douglas41@sympatico.ca Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton Judy Colantino H: judycolantino@hotmail.com John Sanges (Alternate) jsanges@sourcecable.net McMaster Children's Hospital Developmental Pediatrics and Rehabilitation Portfolio Jenny McEwen-Hill B: , ext fax: hillj@hhsc.ca VOICE for Hearing Impaired Children Lita Barrie H: B: , ext lita.barrie@gmail.com Kim Kurceba (Alternate) Ph: Kim.kurceba@live.ca Hamilton FASD Parent & Caregiver Support Group Mark Courtepatte Jeff Gowland (Alternate) B: hamilton.fasd@gmail.com Member at Large: P.A.L.S. Parent Advocacy Learning and Support Network Tracy Sherriff H: p.a.l.s@hotmail.com

4 SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP BOARD OFFICIALS/REPRESENTATIVES Shelley Woon Superintendent of Leadership and Learning , ext John Whitwell Principal of Special Education Services , ext Hamilton-Wentworth Elementary Teachers Local Tania Kerr, Vice-President of HWETL HWETL Office fax: Hamilton-Wentworth Principals Council - Elementary Maria Carbone Queensdale School fax: mcarbone@hwdsb.on.ca Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, District 21 Jeremy Abrahams ext (voice mail only) jabraham@hwdsb.on.ca Hamilton-Wentworth Principals Council - Secondary Brent Monkley Sherwood Secondary School , ext. 275 fax: bmonkley@hwdsb.on.ca Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union, Local 527 Wilma Minaker Green Acres School fax: wminaker@hwdsb.on.ca wjbminaker@gmail.com Chit Revilla, Recording Secretary Director s Office , ext fax: crevilla@hwdsb.on.ca

5 3-1 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Wednesday, March 25, 2015, (Room 180A, Education Centre) Those present: Judy Colantino, Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton and SEAC Chair Lita Barrie, VOICE for Hearing Impaired Children and SEAC Vice-Chair Christine Bingham, Trustee Larry Pattison, Trustee Fran Doodeman, Community Living Hamilton Doug Foster, CHOICES Supporting People with Developmental Disabilities Susan Guzina, Association for Bright Children of Ontario Bernadine Nabuurs, Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Community Care Access Centre Susie Owen, CNIB Hamilton Barbara Reeves, Autism Ontario (H-W Chapter) Tracy Sherriff, P.A.L.S. Parent Advocacy Learning and Support Network Lynn Vanderbrug, Lynwood Charlton Centre In attendance: Shelley Woon, Superintendent of Leadership and Learning John Whitwell, Principal of Special Education Services Jeremy Abrahams, Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, District 21 Maria Carbone, Hamilton-Wentworth Principals Council - Elementary Tania Kerr, Vice-President of Hamilton-Wentworth Elementary Teachers Local Regrets: Jenny McEwen-Hill, McMaster Children's Hospital Developmental Pediatrics and Rehabilitation Portfolio Wilma Minaker, Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union, Local 527 Lorraine Sayles, The Children's Aid Society of Hamilton 1. Call to Order/Welcome The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m., welcoming everyone. Item Discussion/Decision 2. Approval of Agenda On the motion of L. Barrie, seconded by B. Reeves, the Committee RECOMMENDS that the agenda be approved. CARRIED. 3. Approval of Minutes On the motion of S. Guzina, seconded by T. Sherriff, the Committee RECOMMENDS that the minutes of the February 25, 2015 meeting be approved. S. Guzina noted that the minutes did not reflect her regrets. 4. New Business (a) Consultation Process for Special Needs Strategy (b) SEAC Membership Update (c) Exceptionalities To the motion as amended, CARRIED. Consultation Process for Special Needs Strategy The Chair introduced the presenters Gary Sandor and Rick Beauchamp, the consultants who are facilitating the review of case coordination for complex needs and rehabilitative services within our community. They discussed the consultation process and then responded to the members questions. The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board s SEAC was invited to this presentation and their representatives in

6 3-2 Special Education Advisory Committee - 2 March 25, 2015 attendance included Linda Armour, Julie Byrne, Trish Muldowny Brooks, Toni Kovach, Tony Parry and Lauren Stanton. Highlights of the presentation were noted as follows: The ministries involved in this project were: Ministry of Education, Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Ministry of Community and Social Services and Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Key first steps of the Special Needs Strategy include: (a) a new standard developmental screen for pre-school children, (b) coordinated family-centred service planning for children/youth with multiple/complex special needs, and (c) an integrated approach to the delivery of three rehabilitation services: speech-language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy. Service providers and district school boards in 34 special needs service delivery areas will develop proposals for the Ministries approval. Timeline/due date: June 2015 Clarifications in response to questions included the following: The consultation process includes a mandate to meet with parent and youth groups with a focus on putting the needs of students and families ahead. There is no intent to replace existing community partnerships with this project. All groups have some level of individual roles. There will be a notion of service navigator from within and outside the system. Someone whom parents will feel more comfortable discussing their concerns and needs. The strategy is anticipated to bring all stakeholders together and work toward a common goal, particularly in terms of consistency with assessment, having comparative data, communication and information sharing. With regard to mental health, the strategy will be able to address duplication of services and address unique resources/links which are not available. SEAC Membership Update Hamilton FASD (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder) Parent & Caregiver Support Group Superintendent Woon introduced Jeff Gowland, who provided some background information about the organization. On the motion of L. Barrie, seconded by B. Nabuurs, the Committee RECOMMENDS that SEAC approve Hamilton FASD Parent & Caregiver Support Group s application for membership on HWDSB SEAC with Mark Courtepatte and Jeff Gowland as main and alternate representatives, respectively. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

7 3-3 Special Education Advisory Committee - 3 March 25, Business Arising from the Minutes (a) Survey Results for SEAC PD Exceptionalities Superintendent Woon advised that staff is presently looking at Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) gathering information from other school boards and the Ministry to determine the criteria and categorization for identification of students diagnosed with FASD. Survey Results for SEAC PD (continuation) No discussion. 5. Members' Update L. Barrie assumed the Chair. Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton J. Colantino presented a report on Special Education and Secondary School Opportunities which included recommendations for the Board s consideration. Trustee Bingham joined the meeting. On the motion of B. Nabuurs, seconded by L. Vanderbrug, the Committee RECOMMENDS that: a. this report be sent to the Board following a review by the Superintendent of Human Resources with permission to revise content that has implications for Collective Agreements. b. a delegation present before the Board to provide trustees an understanding of the successful experiences occurring for students with special needs within our high schools. CARRIED. J. Colantino resumed the Chair. 6. Correspondence (a) Hamilton FASD Parent & Caregiver Support Group (b) Durham Catholic DSB - tabled motion (from November 26, 2014 SEAC meeting) (c) Ministry of Education (Barry Finlay) Invitation to 2015 Provincial SEAC Conference (d) Ministry of Education (Minister Liz Sandals) Ministry s new SEAC Website Trustees Trustee Pattison apprised members about his motion at the March 12, 2015 Program Committee meeting regarding the feasibility of Offering Grade 9 and 10 classes at Mountain Secondary School in September He noted further that a complete Secondary Special Education Report will be presented to the Program Committee s April 2015 meeting. Correspondence The members agreed to receive and file the following letters: (a) Durham Catholic DSB Mandatory Special Education Qualifications (b) Ministry of Education (Barry Finlay) Invitation to 2015 Provincial SEAC Conference (c) Ministry of Education (Minister Liz Sandals) Ministry s new SEAC Website (d) Upper Grand DSB Mandatory Special Education for OCT Graduates

8 Special Education Advisory Committee - 4 March 25, 2015 (e) Upper Grand DSB Mandatory Special Education for OCT Graduates (f) Upper Grand DSB Special Education Report and Special Education Plan (request for Ministry clarification) (g) Grand Erie DSB Ontario Regulation 274/12 Hiring Practices (h) Renfrew County DSB Ontario Regulation 274 (i) Thames Valley DSB Ontario Regulation (e) Upper Grand DSB Special Education Report and Special Education Plan (request for Ministry clarification) (f) Grand Erie DSB Ontario Regulation 274/12 Hiring Practices (g) Renfrew County DSB Ontario Regulation 274 (h) Thames Valley DSB Ontario Regulation Other Business April 29, 2015 SEAC Meeting The Chair reminded the members of the workshop presentation by Sarah Ward and the venue will be at Sir Allan MacNab Secondary School. She noted that the committee may hold a short April SEAC meeting prior to the workshop. May 2, 2015 Provincial SEAC Conference Superintendent Woon noted the upcoming SEAC Provincial Conference to be held in Toronto on Saturday, May 2, 2015, adding that Ministry funding has been provided to school boards for this. The conference is intended to provide a forum for open dialogue on opportunities for enhancing the capacity of SEACs across the province. Adjournment: On the motion of B. Reeves, seconded by B. Nabuurs, the Committee RECOMMENDS that the meeting be adjourned, this being done at 9:04 p.m. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. rr

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