CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD OF EASTERN ONTARIO MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, January 27th, 2016 Board Office, Kemptville 6:30 p.m. Present: SEAC Members: Sue Wilson (Chair), Trustee Karen McAllister, Trustee Christina Nichols, Association for Bright Children of Ontario Dave Conners, Autism Ontario Lorraine Boyer, Member-at-Large Lorraine Fenn, Member-at-Large Fran Brauneisen, Association for Community Living Diane Bartlett, Alternate Member for Easter Seals Ontario Heather Brown, Best Buddies Tonya Vandruff, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Board Resource Staff: Donaleen Hawes, Superintendent of School Effectiveness Paula Perrault, Principal of Special Education Heather Bovey, Coordinator of Special Education

Approved Regrets with notification: James Borer (Vice Chair), VOICE Joe Sparling, Easter Seals – Ontario

Guests: Bev Illauq, Parent/Grenville Centre for Social Studies Rhonda Peterson, CUPE Rep

Meeting Called to Order Sue Wilson (Chair) called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., and welcomed all members and guests.

Opening Prayer Paula Perrault led the group in a prayer entitled “Saint Teresa of Avila”.

Minutes of the Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting January 27th, 2016 Page 2

I.

Motion to Excuse Regrets Received Motion: To excuse James Borer (Vice Chair), VOICE and Joe Sparling, Easter Seals – Ontario. Moved by: Lorraine Fenn

II.

CARRIED

Approval of Agenda Amended agenda; Item #4 deferred to February Meeting Moved by: Heather Brown

III.

CARRIED

Approval of Minutes – Meeting #1 and Meeting #2 – November 25th, 2015 SEAC minutes were electronically approved on December 4th, 2015. Motion: To receive minutes as presented. Moved by: Lorraine Boyer

IV.

CARRIED

Association Updates Association for Community Living – Fran Brauneisen No update at this time. Association for Bright Children of Ontario – Christina Nichols No update at this time. Autism Ontario – Dave Conners Upcoming Conference: Autism Awareness Centre – Ottawa Conference Speakers: Kerry Mataya – Problem Solving: A Step by Step Process for Success; and Anna Vagin – Turn It On – Using Media for Social Learning Dates: March 31st & April 1st, 2016 Location: Shaw Centre, Ottawa, ON Other Events: Recorded Webinar – ‘How to do Educational Advocacy Right’ You can view the panel discussion on the Autism Ontario website.

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Best Buddies – Heather Brown We had the opportunity last week to present the Best Buddies program at a Regional Principal’s meeting in Prescott. The presentation went well and we will be following up with interested schools. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) – Tonya Vandruff No update at this time. Members-at-Large Lorraine Boyer reported that she was moved by her opportunity to participate in an activity in the multiple exceptionalities class at St Jude Catholic School, Vankleek Hill. Guest Bev Illauq informed members that the Grenville Centre for Social Studies is continuing to work to secure funding.

V.

Department Update Special Education Resource Teacher in-services were held in January. The focus of the day was on transition plans, supporting students with hearing and vision loss, and self -regulation. It was a very hands on activity based day that was very well received. Secondary SERTs will be gathering in February. The Ministry visited our St. John Bosco Section 23 classroom as part of a three year review cycle. Students and staff shared many successes along with the essential components of the program. The Special Education Department participated in an internal audit during January. It is determined which departments participate using a five year cycle. During this school year, we were the first of three Boards focusing on Special Education. Results of the audit will be shared with SEAC at a future meeting. Members suggested that the Hearing and Vision teachers participate in the SEAC Symposium tentatively scheduled for next fall. They also inquired if these individuals would be available to present to outside groups such as Girl Guides.

VI.

Report to the Ministry of Education on the Provision of Special Education Programs and Services – June, 2016 The Timeline for Presentation & Review – 2016 was shared with SEAC members and input was gathered. Dr. Hawes encouraged members to review upcoming sections and direct any questions or feedback to us at any time, as we want to ensure they have an opportunity to have questions answered. Dr. Hawes also reminded members that we are currently involved in the four year implementation of the new budget formula which is designed to phase in over four years. Unfortunately we are one of the school boards that are negatively impacted and we

Minutes of the Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting January 27th, 2016 Page 4

know that we will experience a funding decrease again this year however, the amount is not known at this time but we anticipate it will be in keeping with last year. Members also discussed the process of providing changes to the annual report sections as they are presented. Members are encouraged to bring their copy of the current Report to the Ministry of Education on the Provision of Special Education Programs and Services. Pages that have changes will be highlighted and distributed at SEAC meetings.

VII.

Association Overviews Fran Brauneisen, Association for Community Living Fran Brauneisen, Association for Community Living provided an overview of the Association for Community Living, North Grenville (CLNG). This non-profit agency has been providing services to persons with intellectual disabilities and their families for 50 years. They are driven by a belief and vision that “all persons live in a state of dignity, share all elements of living in the community and have the opportunity to participate effectively”. CLNG helps individuals make choices about their future, find meaningful employment and affordable housing. The agency offers residential services in eight houses supported by full time staff. Twelve other environments are supported with part-time staff and many individuals still live with their families. The agency also offers respite services, community supports, recreational and volunteer activities and employment programs. More information can be obtained at www.communitylivingnorthgrenville.ca Christina Nichols, Association for Bright Children of Ontario Christina Nichols, Association for Bright Children of Ontario provided an overview of the association by outlining that they “support not only gifted students but students with a variety of gifts”. Giftedness, as defined by the Ministry of Education, does not always depict the variety of needs these individuals have. Often due to the fact that school is often easy they do not always learn to work hard, cope, persist at a task and develop resiliency. ABC Ottawa offers support and advocacy. They offer workshops and activities for students, Take off Programs, parent information sessions and support nights. They also have a library, web forum and a newsletter coming soon. More information can be accessed at www.abcontario.ca/chapters/ottawa, or at facebook.com/abcottawa/.

VIII. SEAC Orientation Binder The new updated SEAC Binders, designed to provide key information as well as a mechanism for organizing information, were distributed to all members.

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IX.

X.

New Business 

Draft Proposed Calendar 2016-17



The SEAC meeting on Wednesday, April 27th, 2016 has been changed. The new date will be Thursday, April 21st, 2016 at the Board Office, in Kemptville, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Correspondence Received 

Draft Proposed Calendar 2016-17 Members were provided an opportunity to provide feedback regarding the proposed calendar.



MACSE Communication: Collaborating with the Community The correspondence was distributed and discussed. It was decided that a response would be provided to MACSE expressing the need for longer timelines to complete the form in the future, as well as a request for feedback once information is submitted. Members were encouraged to each share the request with their association in order to provide feedback.

XI.

Next SEAC Meeting The next meeting of the CDSBEO Special Education Advisory Committee will be held on Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 at the Board Office, in Kemptville, starting at 6:30 p.m.

XII.

Good News Sharing Members and guests shared items of good news from across our eight counties.

XIII. Closing Prayer Paula Perrault led the group in the Board prayer.

XIV. Motion to Adjourn the Meeting Moved by: Lorraine Fenn

CARRIED

Minutes of the Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting January 27th, 2016 Page 6

P P P

P

P P P P P

P P

P

P P P P

CMHA – Champlain East

ABC

FASD

Best Buddies

Autism Ontario

P P

Total

P P P

P P

Member at Large - LF

P P P P

Assoc. for Community Living

Voice

P

Member at Large - LB

P P P P P P

Easter Seals – Ontario

August September October November November January February March April May June

Trustee

Trustee / Chair

CDSBEO SEAC Quorum Tracking

P

P P P P P P

P P P P P P

7 7 9 9 9 10

P P P P

(7 members are required to be in attendance in order to reach Quorum) ** Best Buddies not a member of SEAC until September, 2015. ** CMHA – Champlain East no longer has any representation at the present time, at our SEAC table.