August 29, 2024 Minutes
Town of Harvard
Special Education Parent Advisory Council
Minutes for August 29, 2024
Via Zoom
Present: Shannon Molloy, Jenny Gillard, Molly Vaughan, Aspen Ference, Jen Manell, Hannah Russel (joined 7:30), Naomi Ahuja (joined 7:30)
Absent: Elizabeth Brown
Others: Michelle DellaValle, Director of Pupil Services
Jenny Gillard, SEPAC co-chair, called the meeting to order at 7:04pm.
District updates:
Michelle DellaValle, Director of Pupil Services
- Summer ESY program went smoothly from admin perspective: about 35 students attended, no family feedback received so far. Shannon suggested finding a way to collect feedback and data to show how effective ESY is.
- Big area of work this summer: new IEP. Switched in new system now, some people got a system error with voiding digital signatures. Seems all set now.
- PD summer work around co-teaching went really well. Board feedback on this was to ensure families know when their students are in co-taught classes.
- A number of staff did training this summer in a specialized reading program. 1 staff member at Bromfield trained in OG and now going for certification. New sped teacher for 4th grade for Shaye–hired a new person who couldn’t work in the summer for OG but will this year, and 2 additional teachers who are Wilson trained will be getting OG certified this year with HPS students as their practicum students. Families will be asked permission for practicum participation.
- A lot of work went into the schedule, it was really challenging specially MS/HS. - Shift in the structure of programming means minutes might not exactly add up against IEPs.
- Worked on aligning systems, structures and procedures on both sides of the street, hopefully families will see changes this year.
- By tomorrow, families will get a note from the building Sped liaison with names and contact info for all providers in the student’s schedule
- For MS/HS, additional services that don’t show as a block on the schedule (counseling for example): by end of the week next week those service providers will send a note of
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introduction to families and describe when in the schedule they will be seeing individual students.
- World Language, MS: several parents have reached out about the change back to core foreign language in MS. Mostly not understanding the change or what it means for their students. Discussed SEPAC having a voice in the plan and protocols around potentially FL being made a graduation requirement this year. Michelle noted that students receiving services should be able to access the full curriculum, including FL.
- Once a month newsletter will be going out from Central Office this year (instead of a newsletter from just Michelle) to whole school community: parents, staff, older students.
- Shannon asked if the new 6th graders are getting more outside/free time this year after SEPAC gave feedback last year that the transition was tough for all students and even tougher for our different learners. Michelle did not have the information but will follow up. She mentioned there is concern about students having too much unstructured time, but indicated there has been discussion about increasing adult supervision. Jen raised a concern about outdoor times in terms of immunocompromised students having access to outdoor air.
- Michelle asked what things would be helpful to plan for this year with SEPAC. She suggested having service providers come and share what they do, and what they’re looking at when they look for norms. Or sped administrators coming to talk about things? Aspen suggested learning sessions for families on the new system
- Feedback to admin: Aspen: MA Partnership for Youth (MPY): we want this to be the year! Michelle said staff would be encouraged this year to take more advantage of MPY resources.
- Michelle said staff want us to adjust the survey to help teachers feel more appreciated. She suggests we add a question for highlighting positives.
- Aspen asked about putting SEPAC flyers in the backpacks again this year. Last year Aspen was given information about how many kids were in each class, and she counted out flyers and put them in the school mailboxes.
Public comment: none
Approval of meeting minutes:
- The minutes from May 23 were approved as amended.
- The minutes from June 27 were approved as presented.
Administration meeting update:
- No admin meeting has taken place since the last SEPAC minutes.
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SEPAC bank account:
- Jenny and Aspen are now co-signers on the account transferred from previous Harvard SEPAC chairs. Balance approximately $1300.
Board elections:
- Myjorie Philippe accepted Aspen’s nomination to the board.
- Board unanimously elected: Aspen Ference and Jenny Gillard, co-chairs; Shannon Molloy, Secretary; Molly Vaughan, Jen Manell, Myjorie Philippe, Hannah Russel, and Naomi Ahuja, Members-at-Large (8 members total).
Goals for the year:
- Adaptive sports, socials, survey, parent support groups, sponsoring workshops, SEPAC awareness month activities are what we did last year. Board agreed to do the same things this year that we did last year, but with the goal of getting the survey feedback to administration sooner.
- Responses so far: 53 total, 34 completed. Less than last year, probably because we sent during the summer
- Aspen will send membership a reminder to complete the survey
- Decided to meet for extra survey work on Sept 9, 11:30-12:45 at HGS; Sept 16, 11:30-1 at HGS; Sept 30, 11:30-1 at HGS
Adaptive sports: Aspen:
- Secured a coach; will reach out again to the TBS Boys’ varsity soccer team - Upper Depot, Sunday 1pm , fee $62, begins 9/7, 8 weeks, no game week of Oct 12 - Hannah will be there to help on the program days
Fall social: Aspen:
- Will work with Stephanie Green at Westward Orchards to reserve space - Target October 9, 2:30-4:30, Rain date Oct 16, 4:30-5:30
Parent Support Group:
- Friday September 20, 12:30, Marty’s in Devens: Shannon, Jen, and Hannah - Monday October 7, 11:30, HGS: Aspen, Jenny, and Molly
Future agenda items:
- Updates from the district
- Fall social
- Public comment
- Approval of minutes
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- Admin meeting updates
- Adaptive sports update
- Parent Support Group scheduling
- Survey update
- SC update
- Tabling at Nov parent conferences
- SEPAC Awareness Month planning
- Ask Michelle for org chart update (admin meeting agenda item)
Upcoming meetings and events:
- Next board meeting (4th Thursday): September 26, 7-9pm by zoom. Then October 24, November 21, December 19
- PSG: September 20, 12:30, Marty’s in Devens
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 9:14pm
Supporting documents (0 Total)
Minutes: Shannon Molloy
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