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, November 13, 2013, 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, Kim Brenner and Carole Craig, Parents for Children’s Mental
Health-Wellington County, Sharon Dills, Learning Disabilities Association of Wellington
County, Jason Offer, Association for Bright Children-ABC, Laurie Whyte, FASworld
Canada, Don Richardson, Integration Action for Inclusion in Education and Community
(Ontario), Sue Shaw and Carrie Proudfoot, Autism Ontario-Wellington County.
Present from Staff were: Trudy Counter, Coordinator of Communication, Language
and Speech Services, Jacqueline Foster, Special Education Coordinator, Christine Kay,
Principal, Tracey Lindsay, Superintendent of Program, Sandra Szpular, Special
Education Coordinator / Collaborative Projects Lead, Sandra Roberts, Vice-Principal,
Cheryl Van Ooteghem, Principal of Program, Special Education Consultants: Carla
Anderson, Mark Howe, Lesley Anne Jordan, Barb Tomkins.
Trustee Present: Marty Fairbairn
Regrets: Jennifer Waterston, Trustee, Beth Haworth, Community Member-at-Large and
Stacey Stevens, VOICE for Hearing Impaired Children
Marty Fairbairn called the meeting to order and welcomed our guests.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Pauline Busby moved that the agenda of the November 13, 2013, meeting be
approved.
The motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Pauline Busby moved that the Minutes of the meeting held on October 2, 2013
be approved.
The motion carried.
REVIEW OF ACTION ITEMS
Tracey Lindsay, Superintendent of Program reported on the status of the action items
from the October meeting about the DSM-5 noting further information will be shared
during the year. Also reported was the Consultation Process will be discussed this
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November 13, 2013
evening and noted that the wording on the UG2GO login page has been changed from
“…for UGDSB students and staff” to “…for the UGDSB community” following a concern
raised at the October meeting.
SAFE AND ACCEPTING SCHOOLS
Bonnie Talbot, Superintendent of Education presented a powerpoint entitled “Bully Free
Zone”. She began by referring to the “Report Bullying” bracelets and the Ministry
document “Bullying We Can All Help Stop It” a parent guide distributed this evening.
The guide contains information about bullying including the definition and identifies the
four types of bullying – physical, verbal, social/emotional and cyber-bullying as well
providing information to help differentiate between conflict and bullying.
Bonnie Talbot referred to some things happening in our board in order to help prevent
bullying as well as responding to it. One tool is the School Climate Survey. The data
gathered from this survey is used to help inform the Bullying Prevention and
Intervention Plan which is updated yearly by the Safe Schools Team and posted on the
school website. It identifies what the school is doing to prevent bullying and what to do
when it happens.
The Report Bullying bracelets will be distributed to each K-12 student in our board as
part of Bullying Prevention Week. The bracelet contains the website address to report
bullying. This is available for students and parents to use 24/7 (with the exception of
holidays). There is also $500 available to each school for initiatives and resources to
help with anti-bullying messages. Explanation was given about how reports were
received by the Principal and also made note of the warning about giving false reports.
Carrie Proudfoot suggested encouraging schools to show students what the reporting
tool looks like so they are aware.
Don Richardson inquired about how our board monitors whether schools have a Safe
Schools Committee in place. Bonnie Talbot commented this is one of the items
Superintendents monitor during their school visits.
The information technology
department also notifies the Superintendent if the Bullying Prevention and Intervention
Plan is not posted on the school website so they can follow up. It was also noted that
as part of Bill 13, Principals are required to respond to each report of bullying, provide
support to the victim and alleged perpetrator with the goal of having this not be
repeated. The Principal must also contact the parents of both parties involved and let
them know what has been done. Following an inquiry made about the keeping track, it
was commented that the Principal does keep track of incidents and notes the action
taken in Maplewood.
ACCESSIBILITY
Bonnie Talbot, Superintendent of Education provided copies of the Annual Accessibility
Report as well as a sample Board Report in an accessible format. She began by
reminding everyone of the legislation and regulations outlined in the AODA
(Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005) and timelines. The Annual
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November 13, 2013
Accessibility Report was created to report to the board the progress made in identifying,
removing and preventing barriers for persons with disabilities and provides information
in the areas of physical, information and communication, attitudinal, education and
training and employment.
The Accessibility Standards Policy – 214 and Procedures was adopted by the board in
March 2013. The Multi-Year Plan 2013-2018 guides the work that we will be doing to
address barriers for persons with disabilities. The Policy statement was reviewed and
key points outlined including the definition of a disability according to the Human Rights
Code.
While the Built Environment area is not yet part of legislation, we are moving forward
with three priorities determined by the Accessibility Steering Committee following a
review of all board facilities. The Steering Committee’s three priorities are: accessible
front entrance (including handicapped parking spots, door openers and ramps or flat
sidewalks at front doors), accessible public washrooms and accessible student
washrooms. Additional project examples are specific equipment for students with
special education needs outside of those funded through SEA, ramps for staff and
public. In the area of Information and Communication, we are working on redesigning
the board and school websites to make these more user-friendly and accessible to all
users through various devices. The board is also working toward having all Board
Reports in an accessible format for use with screen readers. The Education and
Training section provides information about the educational materials, equipment and
software available for students i.e. Speak Q, Kurzweill, UG2GO, Read and Write for use
with Chrome. The Employment section highlights information about the Emergency
Response Plan and Individualized Accommodation Plans.
Bonnie Talbot spoke about the plans to continue providing educational material in
accessible formats as well as board reports, minutes and course calendars. Training
on Integrated Standards will be provided to SEAC at the January 2014 meeting. The
Accessibility Awareness Training for Educators workshop was provided to two teachers
in every school and resources suggested through The TeachAble Project website were
distributed. They are also working on the format for Individual Transportation Plans and
will be using these by the end of the year.
Sue Shaw asked how the board receives feedback from parents and public. Bonnie
Talbot responded this is through Accessibility Feedback Forms which are in school
offices as well as the board and school websites. All feedback received is forwarded to
her, then shared with the Committee and is responded to.
Following an inquiry from Don Richardson regarding there being a plan and report,
Bonnie Talbot confirmed there was both and reminded that the 5 Year Plan was posted
on the board website. Both documents correspond with each other. Don Richardson
then asked if the plan and report could be combined into one document. Bonnie Talbot
thanked him for the suggestion.
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November 13, 2013
Bonnie Talbot concluded by referring to the resources that were passed around. If
members have suggestions for other appropriate resources pertaining to accessibility,
please provide these to her.
Tracey Lindsay commented that members can provide their suggestions to us at the
December meeting and we will forward these to Bonnie Talbot.
ASSOCIATION CONSULTATION CHART
Tracey Lindsay referred to the Association Consultation Chart distributed which
contains information gathered from members at the October meeting noting this is a
working document and can be added to or changed as necessary. Tracey Lindsay
spoke about the common feedback which included consultation agenda item materials
being sent to members for review before the meeting. Members suggested that
receiving presentation information or an overview ahead of time would allow them time
to review and develop questions for the presenter. Tracey Lindsay responded that in
some cases, receiving information beforehand may not be possible however we will
consult with future presenters regarding this request and bring presentation items back
when required.
COMMUNITY CONSULTATION KIT
In response to the Ministry of Education’s “Building the Next Phase in Ontario’s
Education Strategy - Great to Excellent” information received requesting feedback, it
was decided we would complete and submit this as a group. The information was
forwarded to members for review prior to the meeting. This evening, members were
asked to gather in groups to discuss ”The Seven Questions” so we could collectively
gather input and submit our feedback as SEAC through the on-line survey. The
information gathered will be compiled and sent to members for review prior to this being
submitted by the November 30th deadline.
INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLAN (IEP) ENGINE FOLLOW-UP
Tracey Lindsay spoke about the request for this to be an item on the agenda this
evening and referred to the email correspondence regarding the IEP Engine and the
number of accommodations sent to members prior to the meeting.
Tracey Lindsay asked Don Richardson if he would like to speak about this item. He
responded by inquiring what will happen differently in the future with the limit to the
number of accommodations in IEPs. Tracey Lindsay explained that our board chose to
limit the number of accommodations to 10 following comments from the IEP
review/audit. She added that the number of accommodations listed for a student can be
increased if necessary but stressed the need to make sure the accommodations are
purposeful, precise and individual for each student and that staff consult with parents in
developing the IEP. We will continue to communicate the message to staff that the IEP
is not limited while reminding them of this. She further noted the IEP can change if the
accommodations contained are not working.
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November 13, 2013
Following inquiries and discussion regarding the reason for the limit of 10
accommodations used by our board, Lesley Anne Jordan commented that there is
space to include 10 accommodations in each of the three categories: instructional;
environmental; and assessment, therefore the total number of accommodations can be
30 however this number can be overwritten. Tracey Lindsay added that information
from the review/audit talks about the importance of the accommodations being
personalized and precise rather than an exhaustive list and noted we want staff to
consider what is best for the needs of the student. Tracey Lindsay also mentioned that
if parents are unhappy with the number of accommodations in their child’s IEP they can
speak with the Principal or contact her.
Don Richardson expressed concern regarding the limit chosen. Pauline Busby
commented about the IEP being a workable document for teachers and the need for the
goals listed to be attainable. Sharon Dills commented on the importance of the parent
being able to understand the IEP as well.
Following comments by Carrie Proudfoot regarding the IEP listing everything, Cheryl
Van Ooteghem explained that the IEP should be created in consultation with parents
and the student when possible and should be able to demonstrate ongoing progress
noting the goals and accommodations are to assist the child to be successful.
Following this discussion, Don Richardson tabled the following motion:
That the Board dispense of the limit of 10 accommodations per category in the
IEP Engine software.
The motion carried.
Sandra Roberts referenced the information she distributed “A Sampling of Best
Practices in IEP Accommodations from across North America” which contains helpful
information pertaining to IEPs.
Marty Fairbairn will present the motion tabled this evening to the Board.
BOARD IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Tracey Lindsay spoke about the Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement
distributed this evening. Changes made to the BIPSA for this upcoming year have been
made as a result of consultation with various groups. These changes appear in red.
The Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement was submitted to the Ministry of
Education on October 31, 2013.
We will discuss this further at the December SEAC meeting.
OPEN FORUM
Pauline Busby reported the Open House will be held at ARC Industries on Royal Road,
Guelph on Saturday, November 16th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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November 13, 2013
Don Richardson commented on the flyer for the Emergent Balanced Literacy Workshop,
November 21st from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Waterloo distributed to members by email.
Sharon Dills reported the Learning Disabilities Newsletter is expected soon and will be
sent to members. The workshop on Nonverbal Learning Disabilities presented by
Barbara Post on November 12th was well attended.
UPDATES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PROGRAM
Tracey Lindsay reported that we are working on a French as a Second Language (FSL)
3 year and 10 year Plan for French Immersion and Core French. We are also working
on a Math Action Plan as a result of our EQAO scores.
The International Baccalaureate meeting was held on November 12th and was well
attended.
A reminder of the election for Chair and Vice-Chair of SEAC next month was provided.
TRUSTEE REPORT
Marty Fairbairn noted the Accessibility information presented this evening was also
provided at the November 12, 2013 Business Operations meeting
ACTION ITEM
Action Items include:
• If members have suggestions for other appropriate resources pertaining to
accessibility, please provide these suggestions to us.
ADJOURNMENT
Laurie Whyte moved that this Committee adjourn at 9:43 p.m. to report to the
Board.
The motion carried.