AUBURN SEPAC MINUTES
Tuesday, May 3,2005
7 P.M. Randall School
The meeting was called to order at 7:25 p.m. The first order of business was the election of the Executive Board. The officers elected for the school year 2005-2006 are as follows:
Cheryl Chan-Co-chair
Bernadette Engvall- Co-chair
Mary Loughlin-Secretary
Cristi Corey- Treasurer
Congratulations to the newly elected officers.
Cristi Corey, Auburn SEPAC Treasurer, gave the treasurer's report. There is a $ 260.00 balance. Seven Hundred dollars recently purchased 28 gift cards to WalMart for Teacher Appreciation Day, as well as approximately $37.00 in gift bags, tissue paper, and Thank You notes printed at Staples.
NEW BUSINESS:
Some activities for the next year's meeting calendar were discussed. A possibility of a Auburn SEPAC newsletter what was to be placed in it was discussed. The newsletter would hopefully generate interest for teachers, new and established parents to attend future PAC meetings.
Rick McInerny, Director of Special Services, suggested that the PAC solicit preschool, high school, and out of district parents for the upcoming events in the PAC
Mr. McInerny agreed to Cheryl Chan's request to have the Auburn SEPAC ''Save the Date" Notice about upcoming events distributed to the schools.
The last meeting of the school year was also discussed. The meeting date will be on June 8, 7p.m. at Randall School. An ice cream social will be held. Linda Smith, SEPAC Secretary, will send out an e-mail to PAC members with the announcement and ask that all PAC members RSVP for a head count. The following items will be purchased for the ice cream social: rainbow sprinkles, chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream, whipped cream, cherries, chocolate syrup, spoons, napkins, bowls, and water. All family members are welcome. Also the notice will contain a request to bring posterboard and markers to make signs for the upcoming Yard Sale Fundraiser.
Amalia Webster, PAC member, suggested that maybe a portion of the proceeds go to the Project Lifesaver. The Lovejoy family of Auburn has become advocates of Project Lifesaver. The Lovejoys are raising funds for tracking equipment to be given to the Auburn Police Department and respective parents for the benefit of tracking special needs children should they become separated from their parents. It is also used for tracking special needs adults. The attending PAC members welcomed this idea.
Cheryl Chan announced to all members that 28 gift cards at WalMart were purchased for the entire Special Education staff for Teacher Appreciation Day. The gift cards would hopefully be able to lessen the supplies necessary to run a classroom.
Cheryl Chan presented a plan to lessen the planning of the monthly meeting schedule for the co-chairs. She suggested that all PAC members take a month and plan a meeting. All individuals would be responsible for creating the agenda, booking the speakers and providing the SEPAC Secretary with information two weeks before the meeting so that notices can be sent out. This would allow the co-chairs to complete several projects in various stages of completion. Attending PAC members agreed to do this.
The following PAC meeting dates have been chosen for the school year 2005-2006:
Tuesday, October 4,2005- idea overview
Thursday, November 3,2005-PAC member Amalia Webster agreed to chair this meeting. She would like to have MCAS discussed.
Friday, December 9,2005- Parents' Night Out
Thursday, January 5,2006-Cristi Corey agreed to chair this meeting. She would like to have a workshop for siblings who have siblings with special needs.
Tuesday, February 7,2006- George Henault agreed to chair this meeting. A Basic Rights Workshop was discussed.
Thursday, March 2,2006
Tuesday, April 4,2006
Thursday, May 4,2006
Tuesday, June 6,2006
The fourth annual Yard Sale Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, June 10,2006.
Rick McInerny thought a topic for discussion should be the new transition from high school. The way transition is being handled is changing and Rick thinks parents need to be aware of the changes.
Cristi Corey was hoping to attend a sibling workshop over the summer. She would give more information when she received it.
Cheryl Chan would like individuals or groups to coordinate activities with the guidance of the Executive Board:
· Holiday Party, Parent's Night Out, End of the Year Family Party
· Fall Fundraiser(s)-Papa Gino's and Magical Evening Of Giving.
· Spring Fundraiser(s)- TBA and Annual Yard Sale
· Meet the Candidates Night in May
· Teacher Appreciation in May
OLD BUSINESS:
Cheryl Chan announced that Candidate's Night would be held on Thursday, May 12,2005 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall. Cheryl Chan asked Linda Smith to make an announcement to be placed in the local cable access channel and the Auburn News as follows: The Auburn SEPAC is pleased to announce that they will be hosting the 3rd Annual Meet the Candidates Night to be held on: Thursday, May 12,2005 7-9 p.m. at the Auburn Town Hall. Cheryl also was hoping to ask former Auburn Director of Special Services, Dr. Ralph Hicks, to moderate the night. She also asked for volunteers to help with this endeavor.
The Auburn SEPAC would be presenting the yearly accomplishments to the Auburn School Committee on Monday, May 16,2005. This date has not been confirmed as of this meeting date. George Renault would be presenting with CO-chairs Cheryl Can and Bernadette Engvall.
The 3rd annual Yard Sale Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, June 11,2005 (with a raindate of June 12) from 8 am-12 pm at the Auburn Middle School. Announcements will be going out shortly.
Rick gave his thoughts about the ongoing school budget crisis.
The meeting adjourned at 9:32 pm.
There were 7 people in attendance.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Smith
Auburn SEPAC Secretary
AUBURN SEPAC MINUTES
Monday, April 4,2005
7p.m. Auburn Middle School
The meeting was called to order at 7:16 p.m. The Auburn SEPAC's Executive Board members were introduced. Tina Coderre, audiologist from the UMASS Rehab, was then introduced as the evening's guest speaker. Ms. Coderre gave a brief personal history and gave an explanation of the history of Central Auditory Processing Deficit. She explained what it is and gave the steps she uses to determine Central Auditory Processing Deficit in a child. Tina writes her assessment to be used as one of the tools in determining accommodations in the IEP process for that child. Ms. Coderre answered many questions during and after her presentation.
OLD BUSINESS
A brief business meeting was held before the evening's guest speaker was introduced.
Cheryl Chan, Co-chair, announced that nominations for the Auburn SEPAC's Executive Board would be taking place this evening. She explained that all of the board's positions are open for nominations and that ballots would be placed around the room for the nominations. Cheryl encouraged everyone to nominate themselves for a position on the board. She also told everyone who wished to be on the board that the other executive members would support them through the process.
Cheryl also announced the date of the 3rd annual Yard Sale Fundraiser as : Saturday, June 11 with a raindate of Sunday, June 12 from 8 a.m.-12 noon at the Auburn Middle School. She also told members that the PAC would need a set up crew and a break down crew to make it easier for all. Cheryl also told members that this year we would not be taking donations from the public.
Cheryl spoke to the members about the annual Candidates Night to be held one week before the town's elections in May. There are 2 positions for Selectman and 2 positions for School Committee open. She would need a few volunteers to help with this endeavor.
She also told members a business meeting would be held for the May meeting. The Executive Board Elections will take place as the first business of order on that night. Some planning for next year would also be spoken about. Cheryl encouraged PAC members to bring their ideas and ways to improve the PAC to benefit everyone.
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
There were 16 people in attendance.
AUBURN SEPAC MINUTES
THURSDAY, MARCH 10,2005
7 P.M. RANDALL SCHOOL
The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. Auburn SEPAC introductions were made to new members. Mary Loughlin of the Federation For Children With Special Needs, was introduced as the evening's guest speaker. Mrs. Loughlin gave a brief personal history and gave an overview of the topic Yelling Doesn't Work. She spoke about the author, Rebecca Goniwich, and that due to health concerns; Mary would be filling in for her. Mary went on to give the presentation, using many family stories to compliment the presentation. She also answered many questions during and after the presentation.
NEW BUSINESS:
Cheryl Chan, co-chair, asked Director of Pupil Services, Rick McInerny, to give his thoughts about the school budget crisis. He gave his thoughts and also spoke about Auburn Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Helene Skrzyniarz's, wish to create an educational continuity between schools within the district.
Mr. McInerny also asked for the PAC's input on possible links to add as he updates the Auburn Public School website. He wanted the links to be simple and clear such as complaint resolution (where to go if you are not happy with a decision made by the school district) or a link to the Department of Education. Cheryl Chan offered some input from the Auburn SEPAC's website.
Cheryl Chan, co-chair, announced that the PAC will continue to e-mail its members as to upcoming events.
Cheryl also asked the PAC for as many volunteers as possible for the upcoming Candidates Night that will be held in May, the date yet to be announced.
OLD BUSINESS:
Rick also gave the PAC members reassuring news that a new speech and language pathologist had been hired for the district. Her name is Sherri Kelleher. She is working on a way to give compensatory services for those students.
Cheryl Chan, co-chair, announced the annual executive board's nominations coming up for the April meeting. She asked PAC members to think about being nominated for one of the positions. Cheryl explained that the secretary's position would be open as Linda Smith would not be returning and that the other board members would like to step down as well.
Cheryl also announced that the yard sale would take place in June, the date to be announced. Also that Teacher Appreciation Month will be coming up in May and that she would need plenty of volunteers to help out.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. There were 14 members in attendance.
AUBURN SEPAC MINUTES
Tuesday, February 8,2005
7 p.m. Randall School
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. Holly Neal, from The Federation For Children With Special Needs, was introduced as the evening's speaker. Holly presented a workshop entitled, "Celebrate Yourself". The workshop is designed for students with special needs in the middle school years to empower and advocate for themselves. She also gave the members a personal history of herself and her family. She shared with the PAC her disabilities. Holly explained that despite her disabilities, she was able to graduate from college and become a special education teacher. Her experiences as a special education teacher helped her create this workshop She explained to the PAC members to know that it was possible to achieve any goal the student wished. Ms.Neal also shared many handouts that pertained to the workshop and answered questions.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
There were 8 adults and 3 students in attendance.
AUBURN SEPAC MINUTES
Wednesday, January 12,2005
7 p.m. Randall School
The meeting was called to order @ 7:07 p.m. Introductions were made to the new members of the PAC. Mr. Richard McInerny, the new District Director of Pupil Services for the Auburn Public Schools was introduced and welcomed. Mr. McInerny gave a bit of his personal history as well as his educational history. He explained to the PAC that during his interview process that he just felt "comfortable" with the interviewers. Rick also told the PAC that he was excited to be in Auburn and will join the Auburn District on a full time basis starting January 28,2005. He also noted that he already sees opportunities for change within the school district, however, he will make the changes gradually. Rick then answered questions from parents attending the meeting. He addressed some immediate concerns about services not being rendered at this time. Cheryl Chan, co-chair, then asked Mr. McInerny if he had any questions for the PAC. He did ask what the Auburn SEPAC was all about. Cheryl Chan and Bernadette Engvall, co-chairs, explained that the PAC was not a gripe session and gave him some accomplishments that the PAC has already attained and some goals that the PAC wishes to reach in the future. They explained that the Auburn SEPAC has done a couple of successful fundraisers, has done presentations before the school committee, and upon occasion has gone before town meeting to express concern over budget issues, and how the PAC tries to offer workshops that pertain to many parents and sometimes children, of all kinds of disabilities. Linda Smith, SEPAC Secretary, asked Rick if he could assist at better distribution of the PAC's notices amongst the schools. She explained that it is an ongoing issue. He listened to how notification was presently done and thought the PAC was doing every thing that it could to notify parents. He also suggested that the PAC join and have a voice in the student council meetings within each of the schools. Rick thought it would a good collaboration.
OLD BUSINESS
Mary Loughlin, SEPAC member, and employee of the Federation for Children with Special Needs, announced to upcoming workshops for the next three meetings:
Tuesday, February 8,2005-CelebrateYourself! Self-determination and successful students. This workshop is designed for individuals with special needs and their parents. It emphasizes knowledge of your learning styles, teaching others how best you learn, recognizing your talents, abilities and strengths developing leadership skills. Bring your kids, it's for them!
Thursday, March 10,2005- A workshop called: Yelling doesn't work! What you can do to help a child to comply at home and in the classroom using positive behavior supports. It's not just for kids with special needs, bring a friend!
Monday, April 4,2005-Central Processing Disorders- Tina Carrere from UMASS rehab, will speak about these disorders, diagnosis and assessment, testing and treatment.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. There were 17 people in attendance.