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, March 7, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the Boardroom at 500 Victoria Road North,
Guelph.
The following Association Members were present:
Pauline Busby, Community Living Guelph-Wellington, 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:
Carla Anderson, Leta Vos and Barb Tomkins, Special Education Consultants, Trudy
Counter, Coordinator-Communication, Language and Speech Services, Christine Kay,
Elementary Vice-Principal, Tracey Lindsay, Principal of Program, Doug Morrell,
Superintendent of Education, Sandra Szpular, Collaborative Projects Lead/Special
Education Coordinator and Bonnie Talbot, Superintendent of Education.
The following Trustees were present:
Marty Fairbairn and Jennifer Waterston
The following members sent regrets:
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) and Don Richardson, Integration Action for Inclusion in Education
and Community (Ontario).
The following members were absent:
Beth Haworth, Community Member-at-Large
Jennifer Waterston called the meeting to order and explained that Heather Boswell was
unable to attend the meeting due to bereavement. Jennifer welcomed Bonnie Talbot
who was filling in for Heather Boswell, Tracey Lindsay our new Principal of Program and
our guests John Potoska, Elizabeth Walmsley, Larry Lacey and presenters Randal
Wagner, Danielle Markovic and Jen Apgar.
Jennifer Waterston further mentioned that the draft letter to the Honourable John Milloy
in response to the Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) presentation at the February
meeting would be discussed in the other business portion of the meeting.
Special Education Advisory Committee Minutes … Page 2
March 7, 2012
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Moved by Katie Vanderyt.
That the agenda of the March 7, 2012 meeting be approved.
The motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Marty Fairbairn.
That the minutes of the meeting held on February 8, 2012 be approved.
The motion carried.
BLOGGING INITIATIVE AT JEAN LITTLE PUBLIC SCHOOL AND WAVERLEY
DRIVE PUBLIC SCHOOL
Randal Wagner, Principal of Jean Little Public School introduced teachers Danielle
Markovic from Jean Little P.S. and Jen Apgar from Waverley Drive P.S. and spoke
about how Jean Little Public School began to use blogs as a means of communication
for both parents and students and the variety of items contained within the school and
teacher blogs.
Danielle Markovic began by displaying her blog which contains her contact information,
upcoming events and links to the short story her class is currently working on. The
subject overview, outline, expectations, rubrics and how the subject is graded is also
contained in her blog as is information about the Homework Club and other activities
taking place in the school. She highlighted the fact that the information posted can be
as detailed as the teacher wishes it to be. In closing, she noted the information posted
on her blog is also posted in the classroom.
Jen Apgar talked about blogs and the ease of use for students, parents, teachers and
family. She has a “site” and a “blog” on her school website. The “site” is where she
posts her monthly calendar containing assignments and upcoming events. The blog
used in her classroom is slightly different as she uses this more as a review of the
activities her class has completed. She also adds links which she finds helpful for the
visual learners and is meant to engage students. Since students are in the UGCloud,
they are also able to add comments to things posted.
Sue Shaw thanked the presenters adding that students can use blogs as a homework
supplement or guide which can be very helpful.
Laurie Whyte inquired whether agendas and communication logs are still being used.
She also expressed concern around families and students who may not have access to
a computer or internet at home and therefore unable to access this information. Randal
Wagner responded that there are still some students using agendas however there are
very few parents who request hard copies of the school newsletter. Jen Apgar
Special Education Advisory Committee Minutes … Page 3
March 7, 2012
commented that computers at local libraries and at schools may be used to access this
information however the reality is that we are unable to move completely to using blogs
as a means of communicating all information.
Carrie Proudfoot inquired how teachers began taking part in using blogs. Randal
Wagner explained that staff started using blogs this fall and that more and more
classroom teachers are using blogs.
Katie Vanderyt asked if there is a way to tell if students have accessed the blog or site.
Jen Apgar responded that blogger does allow you to track statistics.
SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS AT THE UPPER GRAND DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD – PROVINCIAL STRATEGY
Collaborative Projects Lead Sandra Szpular presented the Provincial Strategy to
support mental health wellness at the Upper Grand D.S.B. As an introduction to the
Provincial roll-out, responses from Ontario educators about: their level of concern
surrounding children and youth mental health, how prepared educators felt they were in
dealing with mental health issues and the importance of mental health on student
achievement was displayed.
Sandra Szpular referred to the Ministry document “Open Minds, Healthy Minds
Ontario’s Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy” which will focus on
children and youth mental health during the first three years. The Mission Statement of
this document is to reduce the burden of mental illness and addictions by ensuring that
all Ontarians have timely access to an integrated system of excellent, coordinated and
efficient promotion, prevention, early intervention, community support and treatment
programs.
An “Overview of the Three Year Plan - Starting with Child and Youth Mental Health” was
distributed. This plan contained the Vision as well as the Themes, Indicators, and
Initiatives under the direction of the different ministries.
It was noted that additional staff have been hired through funding provided to support
this initiative at Dufferin Children and Family Services and Trellis to address mental
health. At the April SEAC Meeting, Sandra Szpular will be presenting further
information about mental health workers, the new resource guides which are expected
to be released and information about hiring nurses in schools through CCAC to assist
with linking services.
Laurie Whyte inquired about whether the mental health workers had begun working with
schools to which Sandra Szpular replied they started their work with schools in January.
Sue Shaw inquired about what we are doing to build knowledge on developmental and
mental health. Sandra Szpular responded that we are working to build upon the
Special Education Advisory Committee Minutes … Page 4
March 7, 2012
knowledge and expertise in our board and to make the links when needed. Trudy
Counter added that a lot of student needs are being met by the school teams and this
enhances the work we are doing.
CARE, TREATMENT, CUSTODY AND CORRECTIONS EDUCATION PROGRAMS –
SECTION 23
Vice Principal of Section 23 Education Programs and Youth Options Beth Charles,
presented through a Powerpoint. She began by explaining Section 23 refers to the
number in the Education Act which outlines the purpose of Care, Treatment, Custody
and Corrections Education programs.
There are 10 Section 23 sites housing 22 classrooms within the Upper Grand District
School Board where students who require a therapeutic learning environment attend for
their educational needs. The sites include Ariss Place, Avalon Children’s Residence,
Avalon Horizons, Avalon Specialized Services, Portage, Ariss Place, Cedar Heights,
Hopewell Children’s Home, Pine River Institute and Give Yourself Credit. There are
both day and residential treatment programs that address complex behavior, mental
health and social-emotional needs, extreme medical and developmental delays and
addictions. Some students attending these programs are also integrated into school.
Although these sites are not Upper Grand DSB sites, our board provides the Teachers
and Educational Assistants for each program.
The Trellis/Gateway program is a
specialized day treatment program for grade 6–8 Upper Grand and Wellington Catholic
students.
The Youth Options program is a suspension and expulsion program for Upper Grand
students in grades 6-12. This structured program is for students who have been
suspended or expelled from school. The program runs 3 days per week. Both
academic and social-emotional support is provided for the students. Community and
agency collaboration and consultation with the families and schools are also part of this
program.
Beth Charles spoke about Restorative Justice noting the Upper Grand DSB is moving
toward this practice. Training has been provided to all Social Workers and Child &
Youth Counsellors and at various inservices in the board. We are also collaborating
with the Student Support Leadership Initiative and providing additional training for new
support staff.
Marty Fairbairn commented on the Muskoka Woods trip which is used by the Alternative
Education Program at one of our local Guelph schools and inquired whether this may be
something to consider for students attending Youth Options. Beth Charles replied that
the focus of Youth Options is to teach goals and strategies that students can use at
home and in the school environment.
Laurie Whyte inquired about the percentage of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
Special Education Advisory Committee Minutes … Page 5
March 7, 2012
Disorders (FASD) attending Youth Options. Beth Charles responded that she is aware
of one student however there are other children with FASD at the different sites.
OPEN FORUM
Stacey Stevens spoke about a Professional Development Workshop on May 4th
“Supporting Success for Children with Hearing Loss” being held at the Delta Guelph
Hotel and the Voice Annual Conference “I Believe” scheduled for May 5 at the
University of Guelph. Information will be distributed to SEAC members through Donna
Glodziak.
Katie Vanderyt spoke about the VIEWS event cancelled due to inclement weather. This
will be rescheduled and information shared with members.
Laurie Whyte spoke about the “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder/Neurobehavioural
Conditions: A Model of Understanding” session on April 26th in Thorold. There is also
an event scheduled for May 26th. There will be Educational Assistant training offered on
FASD on the April 23rd PD Day. FASD1 have invited Action Groups to attend and share
what is happening at the community level on March 23 and 23 in Toronto.
Carrie Proudfoot spoke about the March break activities scheduled: Movie Morning
which is scheduled for March 13 and Swimming is scheduled for March 17. The
Wellington Chapter of Autism Ontario is organizing the Guelph Speakers Series. The
first will be held on March 20th at Playsense featuring Elizabeth Bell. The Parent
Support Group meetings are held the last Tuesday of each month also at Playsense.
Pauline Busby spoke about the 2012 Spring Fashion Gala being held on April 4, 2012 at
the Italian Canadian Club.
UPDATES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PROGRAM
Bonnie Talbot, Superintendent of Education spoke on behalf of Heather Boswell who
was unable to attend the meeting this evening and informed SEAC that Heather will be
retiring as the Superintendent of Program on March 31, 2012. She began by saying
that Heather Boswell is most passionate about special education and has always
enjoyed this aspect of her position as Superintendent of Program. Heather Boswell
wished to thank everyone on the Special Education Advisory Committee and express
her appreciation for everything that they do.
Doug Morrell who is currently a Superintendent of Education will be assuming Heather
Boswell’s position beginning on April 1, 2012. He provided some background and
talked about his experience in his roles as Special Education Teacher, Head of Special
Education, Vice-Principal and Principal and President of the Ontario Principals’ Council
(OPC) before becoming a Superintendent of Education.
Special Education Advisory Committee Minutes … Page 6
March 7, 2012
TRUSTEE REPORT
Marty Fairbairn commented on the boundary reviews noting that the Edward Johnson
boundary review is complete and the Lee Street boundary review is now beginning.
The Summit for Child & Youth Mental Health Summit is scheduled for October 25-26,
2012. This is a major focus of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA).
Lastly, he noted we have not received any information about the Grants for Student
Needs (GSN) at this time.
MEETING SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATION(S) AND MOTION(S)
Laurie Whyte commented she had heard that there were changes to how the numbers
of students are counted for Junior Kindergarten (JK) and Senior Kindergarten (SK)
classes. Jennifer Waterston spoke about the regulation from Ministry of Education
which outlines how Kindergarten classrooms are staffed versus what our current
Collective Agreement reads. Doug Morrell commented that due to Provincial Discussion
Table (PDT) agreement discussions that are currently taking place we are not able to
answer the question at this time.
Jennifer Waterston spoke about the draft letter addressed to Honourable John Milloy,
Minister of the Ministry of Community and Social Services that was distributed this
evening and asked for feedback. The feedback gathered will be reviewed and the letter
will be revised to incorporate this feedback. Once completed, we will ask Dr. Mary
Susan Crawford, Chief Psychologist to review the content for accuracy with the final
draft presented for review at the April SEAC Meeting. Sue Shaw asked if it would be
possible to have SEAC members on the UGCloud as we could use this for this type of
business.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Laurie Whyte that the meeting be adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
The motion carried.