UPPER GRAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
The Special Education Advisory Committee of the Upper Grand District School Board met
on Wednesday, December 14, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in the Boardroom at 500 Victoria Road
North, Guelph.
The following Association Members were present:
Kim Brenner, Parents for Children’s Mental Health-Wellington County, Sharon Dills,
Learning Disabilities Association of Wellington County, Jason Offer, Association for
Bright Children (ABC), Don Richardson, Integration Action for Inclusion in Education
and Community (Ontario), Sue Shaw and Carrie Proudfoot, Autism Ontario-Wellington
County, Stacey Stevens, VOICE for Hearing Impaired Children, Laurie Whyte,
FASworld Canada (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders) and Katie Vanderyt, VIEWS for
Children Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision.
Present from Staff were:
Heather Boswell, Superintendent of Program, Carla Anderson, Lesley Anne Jordan and
Barb Tomkins, Special Education Consultants, Trudy Counter, CoordinatorCommunication, Language and Speech Services, Jacqueline Foster, Special Education
Coordinator/Consultant, Christine Kay, Elementary Principal, Sandra Szpular,
Collaborative Projects Lead/Special Education Coordinator and Bonnie Talbot, Principal
of Program.
The following Trustees were present:
Marty Fairbairn and Jennifer Waterston.
The following members sent regrets:
Pauline Busby, Community Living Guelph-Wellington, Heather Clemmer, Easter Seals
Ontario, Beth Haworth, Community Member-at-Large and Sandra Roberts, Secondary
Vice-Principal
Heather Boswell assumed the role of Chair and called the meeting to order.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Jennifer Waterston explained that agenda item #6, International Baccalaureate (IB)
Program and the Upper Grand District School Board, will be presented at an upcoming
Program Committee Meeting and therefore will be removed from this agenda.
Moved by Laurie Whyte
That the agenda of the December 14, 2011 meeting be approved with the above noted
change.
The motion carried.
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December 14, 2011
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Don Richardson
That the minutes of the meeting held on November 9, 2011 be approved.
The motion carried.
ELECTION OF CHAIR OF SEAC
Heather Boswell called for nominations for the position of Chair of SEAC for the period
of December 1, 2011 to November 30, 2012.
Marty Fairbairn nominated Jennifer Waterston as Chair of SEAC.
nominations were made.
No further
Marty Fairbairn moved that nominations for Chair be closed.
The motion carried.
Jennifer Waterston was declared Chair of SEAC for the period of December 1, 2011 to
November 30, 2012.
Jennifer Waterston thanked Laurie Whyte for her years as Chair and expressed her
appreciation for the work Laurie has done in her role of Chair.
ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIR OF SEAC
Jennifer Waterston assumed the Chair position and called for nominations for the
position of Vice-Chair of SEAC for the period of December 1, 2011 to November 30,
2012.
In the absence of nominations, Laurie Whyte offered to hold the position of Vice-Chair
of SEAC.
Marty Fairbairn moved that nominations for Vice-Chair be closed.
The motion carried.
Laurie Whyte was declared Vice-Chair of SEAC for the period of December 1, 2011 to
November 30, 2012.
THE GUELPH-WELLINGTON FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER (FASD)
ACTION GROUP
Ray Gibbs, a member of the Guelph-Wellington Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
(FASD) Action Group presented this evening. He began by speaking about the broad
range of expertise amongst the Action Group members who include: parents, mental
health consultants, teachers, board consultants, a speech therapist and representatives
from Public Health, Trellis and Family and Children’s Services. The purpose and goals
of the group are to raise awareness of FASD and make a positive difference for those
affected by FASD and their families. Other goals include educating various aspects of
the community, promoting prevention and support services, and developing resources
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December 14, 2011
on effective strategies.
The Action Group has created a booklet and bookmarks which were distributed this
evening. An FASD Resource binder is also being produced for families and service
providers. They are developing a speakers bureau and continue to support local
agencies with knowledge about FASD, hold workshops for families on understanding
patterns, strategies, and support for coping with FASD. The Guelph-Wellington FASD
Action Group website was reviewed pointing out contact information and resources that
are available. They are also available to help schools and parents if they require
information about available support.
In closing, Ray Gibbs asked for assistance in gathering information about the
demographics for the Guelph-Wellington and Dufferin areas relating to FASD. This
information is required for funding, will help the group target their work plans and guide
them in how effectively and efficiently they are serving the community. It was
suggested that Consultants could inquire about the number of children with FASD at
each school while attending Consultant Supported Team (CST) meetings.
Jacqueline Foster responded that she will discuss the possibility of gathering this data
with the Special Education Consultants. This is similar to the information we gather on
students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in our Board. Laurie Whyte asked if
there is some sort of tracking system for students with ASD after the information is
gathered. Jacqueline Foster responded that it is used for future planning purposes.
ACCESS UPPER GRAND – THE ANNUAL ACCESSIBILITY PLAN OF THE UPPER
GRAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 2011-2012
Sandra Szpular introduced Jim Bowie, Health and Safety Officer from the Upper Grand
DSB who presented “Access Upper Grand – The Annual Accessibility Plan of the Upper
Grand District School Board 2011-2012”.
Jim Bowie provided an introduction noting that people with disabilities represent a
significant part of our population. In compliance with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act
(ODA) 2001, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) 2005, and
its regulations, our board continues to work towards improving accessibility for all. The
Accessibility Steering Committee has been expanded to include more expertise. The
Committee meets each month and welcomes feedback.
The Accessibility Plan is
reviewed and presented to SEAC annually. This is also posted on the Board website.
The Accessibility Plan describes the measures the Upper Grand DSB has taken in the
past and measures that will be taken during 2011-2012 to identify, remove and prevent
barriers for persons with disabilities who work, use services or visit school board
facilities. The recent barrier removal initiatives under the categories of: physical,
architectural, informational, communication, attitudinal, technological and policy and
practice barriers were reviewed. Highlighted was the number of people in the Upper
Grand DSB that have taken the Customer Service Standards training. The 2011-2012
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December 14, 2011
work plan was outlined as described in the annual report.
Sue Shaw noted she does not see communication between home and school in an
accessible format outlined in the plan. Carrie Proudfoot added to this question inquiring
about how parents would receive information that was shared at school (ie.
announcements) to help support their children at home (ie. school sports).
Sandra
Szpular responded that this would not be part of the Accessibility Plan as this type of
communication is more suitable to special education supports.
Marty Fairbairn asked for further information about the resource for educators “Making a
Difference: An Educator’s Guide to Child and Youth Mental Health Problems”
referenced in the plan. Sandra Szpular responded that this item will be presented at the
Program Committee meeting in January.
Don Richardson commented on the positive work he has seen around accessibility (ie.
more accessible parking spaces). He suggested that we consider adding the Ontario
Human Rights Code information at the beginning of the Accessibility Plan and adding
the definition of disability would also be helpful. Don Richardson also recommended
that the Equity and Inclusion policy be considered/intertwined with the Accessibility
Plan. He also suggested it may be helpful to see information on goals, measurable
indicators and objectives incorporated. Sandra Szpular thanked Don Richardson for his
feedback.
Jim Bowie concluded saying he hopes to share additional positive results with SEAC
next year.
OPEN FORUM
Carrie Proudfoot reported on behalf of Autism Ontario and spoke about the Potential
Programme, designed to support families and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
(ASD) through programming, connections to resources, access to ASD support, and a
help-line. Autism Ontario and the Geneva Centre are hosting “From Diagnosis to Daily
Living: A Lifelong Approach to Working with Individuals with an Autism Spectrum
Disorder” on February 17 and 18, 2012. Carrie will be speaking at Laurier University
about Learners with Exceptionalities.
Don Richardson reported that Anti-Bullying Legislation has been introduced. A related
Private Member’s Bill has been tabled. A resource about Bystander Syndrome and
Peer Interaction around bullying is being developed by Integration Action for Inclusion in
Education and Community.
Sharon Dills referred to the Annual General Meeting of the Learning Disabilities
Association of Wellington County’s (LDAWC) which was held on December 7th. Brenda
Sherry presented on new technology and they have invited her back to present in the
spring. LDAWC is looking into repeating the Parent Stress Workshops recently held.
Further information will be provided on both. The Newsletter is expected shortly and will
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December 14, 2011
be distributed to SEAC members through Donna Glodziak.
UPDATES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PROGRAM
Heather Boswell referred to the Kiwanis Christmas Luncheon which is held for students
in our developmental disability programs each year and showed a photograph of a
student with Santa featured on the front page of the Guelph Mercury.
Leta Vos, Special Education Consultant held a full-day workshop recently for all
teachers of developmental disability classrooms which was well received.
The Special Education staff have been busy working on Special Incident Portion (SIP)
Claims. Noted was there has been an increase in the number of claims.
Sandra Szpular spoke about the Ontario Council of Administrators in Special Education
(OCASE) and The Ontario Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) conferences
members of the Special Education department recently attended.
The Special Education Class Placement process is underway. Schools have been
preparing submissions for students to be considered for special education class
placements. Decisions for 2012-2013 will be made by the Placement Committee in the
New Year.
MEETING SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATION(S) AND MOTION(S)
The Equity and Inclusion Policy, the Special Education Report and the Parent Guide to
Special Education will be presented at the January SEAC Meeting.
TRUSTEE REPORT
There was nothing reported this evening.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Marty Fairbairn that the meeting be adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
The motion carried.