May 7th, 2014
Durham Catholic District School Board - SEAC Committee Report to the CLC
by Tia Vetere
School board Changes and new Appointments for 2013-2014
Director of Education - Anne O’Brien
Superintendent of Student Services - Janine Bowyer
New Postion of Mental Health Leader - Diane Mullane
New Coordinators: Teresa Ezquerra and Lisa Coghlan
Behavior Intervention Team (BIT): Steve Beltrano and Fran Hurst
DCART Lead: Helen Killoran
Senior Administrative Assistant: Cynthia Mackey
Chair of SEAC - Lynne Smart of LDAO
Vice Chair - Trustee Kathy Lefort
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the committee provides input on the Board Improvement Plan, and also the Special
Education Plan every year.
at every meeting there are various presentations and the board is encouraged to present
for their associations or suggest and request different topics.
at every meeting there is a Coordinator’s Report from Student Services staff as well as
report Superintendent of Student Services, Janine Bowyer.
The meeting closes with Association Reports where each association has an opportunity to
share their news. I give information at this time on the chapter, such as our family events and
support groups, upcoming fundraisers, and our Potential Programs.
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trustees are Kathy Lefort and Theresa Corless
The following workshops were available for Teachers and Support staff during the week
of August 26, 2013:
ASD Level 1 Institute – Presented by Kinark Child and Family Services
"So You Are Getting A Student with ASD For the First Time" – Presented by Kinark Child
and Family Services
TEACCH – The Fundamentals of Structured Work Systems - Presented by Cindy Waugh
Program Support Teacher Mentoring
This year, DCDSB has 11 teachers who are new to the PST role. To build
Capacity and support our new staff, Student Services has established a Program Support
Teacher Mentoring Program. Experienced PSTs have volunteered to be paired with PSTs new
to the role. In addition to the time at monthly meetings for these pairs to share and ask
questions, there will also be four sessions where the mentors and mentees meet as a whole
group for some in-servicing.
Presentations
September 10, 2013
Mental Health Leader – Diane Mullane
Diane Mullane introduced herself to members and explained her new role. As Mental Health
Leader, she will provide leadership and coordination in the implementation of mental health
initiatives and support within the board.
In particular, in partnership with Mental Health Assist, she will assist with the development of
board strategy for mental health and addiction, resource mapping in schools, Suicide
Prevention, Intervention and Postvention, as well as the continuation of Mental Health First Aid
Training for staff.
She will also support the junior and intermediate transition classes, and the Behavior
Intervention Team, and will present to the SEAC committee throughout the year.
October 8, 2013
Speech and Language – iPad Inquiry
Dr. Carla Baetz introduced Nicola Dunning, Speech and Language Pathologist, and Christine
Munoz, Communicative Disorders Assistant, who presented their departmental inquiry on the
use of iPad Minis as an augmentative communication tool for non-verbal students. Using iPad
Minis and speech-generating software such as Proloquo2Go, students have increased their
independence and level of communication, as well as their interaction with peers. The results of
the inquiry demonstrated that all students experience significant success at using the iPad Mini
for the purpose of communicating by the end of the three month period of observation.
November 5, 2013
Mental Health and Well-Being – Diane Mullane
Diane Mullane, Mental Health Leader, outlined her progress to date in developing the Board’s
Mental Health and Addictions Strategy. Working with the Mental Health and Addictions Steering
Committee, Diane has provided a series of presentations to groups of stakeholders to increase
awareness of student mental health and well-being. She has also been surveying stakeholders
and conducting resource mapping in order to gain information to inform and shape the Mental
Health and Addiction Strategy.
She emphasized the key role that schools play in reducing stigma, promoting positive mental
health and well-being for all, building social-emotional learning skills, identifying and preventing
mental health problems in high risk groups, and building pathways to care in collaboration with
community partners. Diane also shared the provincial context for school mental health, as well
as several initiatives that are already in place at DCDSB. She ended her presentation by asking
SEAC Members to participate in a table activity, where they provided input into their perceptions
of student mental health in DCDSB.
December 3, 2013
FDK Program – Katie Plaunt and Christine Munoz
Superintendent Bowyer introduced Katie Plaunt, Speech and Language
Pathologist, and Christine Munoz, Communicative Disorders Assistant, who,
along with Dr. Carla Baetz and Amanda Scott, SLP, recently presented
their Communication and FDK Program at the Council For Exception Children
Provincial Conference in Niagara Falls.
Katie and Christine used a power point presentation to provide information about
“Communication Enrichment Through Play”
The presentation focused on the research question: “Will a play-based language
and phonological awareness intervention result in improvements in
communication skills for at risk students?” and included video and information
about the early screening which was implemented in 16 Full Day Kindergarten
classes within Durham Catholic District School Board during the 2012-2013
school year.
BEHAVIOUR INTERVENTION TEAM – Diane Mullane
Diane Mullane, Mental Health Leader, gave an overview of the DCDSB Behavior
Resource Team and Alternative EducationPrograms.
She described each program and provided a handout detailing the programs and
the referral process for each. The handout will be attached to these minutes.
Her presentation focused primarily on the elementary programs: Durham
Catholic Behaviour Resource Team (D.C.B.R.T.), Durham Catholic Autism
Resource Team (D.C.A.R.T.), “Reach Ahead Transition Classes (Junior and
Intermediate) and the Early Intervention Class (EIC) (Oshawa and Ajax sites).
Information will be provided about the secondary alternative programs at a future
meeting, including : Catholic Return Ticket, Reconnect Program – Learning to
18, Ajax and Oshawa Re-engagement, CITE (Centre for Innovation, Technology
and Entrepreneurship) and the Centre for Success at Durham College Oshawa.
January 7, 2014
Transition Planning – Parents Reaching Out Grant – Michelle Meraw
Michelle Meraw spoke about the Transition Planning Day which will be held at the CEC
Conference Centre on Thursday, February 13, 2014. This event will provide information
to educators, parents and students about the transition planning for our students with
special needs as they leave secondary school. There will be 3 sessions:
9a.m – 11a.m – Open to Program Support teachers and Administrators
12 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Afternoon session for Parents and Students
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Evening Session for Parents and Students
Community agencies have been asked to save the date and participate in the
carousels. Several agencies have already committed to participate. SEAC agencies
and members are also invited and further information will be sent with details about setup
of carousels.
Invitations and flyers will be hand-addressed by Program Support teachers in our
schools and sent home to parents of our children with special needs. The event is
geared to the 16 and up age group, but grade 7 and 8 students will also receive
invitations in order to facilitate future plans for post-secondary transitions.
A discussion took place among SEAC members resulting in further suggestions for the
structure of the event as well as website and social media information strategies.
Superintendent Bowyer asked for volunteers to provide support at a SEAC carousel.
February 4th, 2014
Transition Planning – Teresa Ezquerra
T. Ezquerra provided information about the Pathways to the Future” even at the DCDSB
Conference Centre on February 13, 2014. Invitations have been sent to all exceptional
learners and their parents. SEAC members were asked to notify any families who they think
might like to attend. The flyer detailing the event was emailed to all members and
shared with our school. Along with many agencies, SEAC will also be represented at the event.
Mental Health Update – D. Mullane
D. Mullane, Mental Health Leader, provided the following information:
TAMI – a full day summit was held on January 20th with 18 DCDSB schools
represented. Trustee Margaret Stack was in attendance, along with several mental health
agencies.
Mental Health First Aid Training – several training sessions have been held this
year: 2 sessions in November, 1 in January, with another planned for the end of March.
Plans are in place to train the “Gatekeeper” staff, i.e., Guidance, Program Support,
Chaplains, Administrators, Student Services staff. More training is being considered for the
summer which will be geared specifically toward Administrators.
ASIST – 4 staff have been trained through the ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention
Skills Training) with a plan to offer again in May for Student Services staff and secondary
school “Gatekeeper” staff. Diane has continued her work on getting ASIST’s key messages
out about positive mental health.
Work/Documents in progress: Developing Suicide Intervention Protocol and updating
Postvention protocols – Mental Health and Addictions Strategy – Guidelines for mental
health presentations in schools – intent is to support high quality activities while avoiding
harmful outcomes.
March 4th, 2014
Coordinator’s Report - Corrie Plommer
Update from Mental Health Lead:
Draft Mental Health and Addictions strategy due to Ministry by March 31
Mental Health First Aid session March 25-26
Guidelines developed and being shared with schools to support them in making
informed decisions around school-based mental health awareness and literacy
activities (e.g., what to keep in mind when considering whether or not to bring in
or use outside presenters, videos, web resources, and so on)
Behaviour Resource Team (BRT) actively involved in several cases in schools;
also working on capacity-building within schools and will be doing Inclusion in
Practice workshop for staff in April.
Transition Event- (Tia Vetere represented SEAC and manned the table)
We had a very successful ‘Pathways to the Future...Looking Beyond Secondary Event’
on February 13th. Approximately 150 people, which included parents, students, PSTs
and administrators, dropped in over the 3 sessions to interact with the 19 agencies who
offer programs and services to students with special needs after secondary school. We
received positive comments about the carousel set up and the expertise of the people
representing the agencies. Thank you to SEAC for your support.
Assistive TechnologyA series of workshops on the use of iPads in Special Education is being offered for
Board personnel (teachers, ECEs, EAs, Student Services). Topics include iPad Basics;
Integrating Classroom Technology; Special Education Apps; Accessibility Features; QR
Codes and Other Cool Stuff; iPads and Learning Disabilities; and Beyond the iPad.
Many of the workshops filled immediately (with waiting lists) so there is a possibility of
running additional workshops.
Autism Ontario – Durham Region - Tiffany MacDonald
Tiffany MacDonald was introduced by Tia Vetere and gave a presentation outlining her
role as Family Support Coordinator for Autism Ontario - Central East Region.
She provided information about programs and services offered to families of children
with autism in the Durham, Kawartha and Lindsay areas, including social learning
opportunities such as bowling, skating and family movie nights, as well as programs for
young adults with autism, support groups, and partnerships with other organizations.
The programs are constantly developing in order to meet the needs of families.
Further Information about programs and services is available on the Autism Ontario
website: www.autismontario.com.
Continuing Education – Post Secondary Pathway – Ellie Borchuk
Superintendent Bowyer introduced Ellie Borchuk, former Coordinator of Student
Services, who gave a presentation outlining a new Continuing Education class for
young adults with exceptional needs: Post Secondary Pathway for Exceptional Young
Adults.
The program will be held in the classroom at the new Ajax Continuing Education site at
458 Fairall St. This is a program for young adults with exceptional needs, 21 years of
age and older, who have left secondary school. This non-credit course will upgrade
functional living and vocational skills as well as provide general interest and
socialization opportunities. The course will involve safety awareness, cooking, fitness,
technology, and other real life experiences. The young adults will enhance their Godgiven
potential to live in a supported group/home environment and where possible work
or volunteer in the work place as a 21st century citizen.
April 8th, 2014
Learning Disabilities Association – Durham – Lisa Fasken
Lisa Fasken, Resource Facilitator at Learning Disabilities Association of Durham Region
was introduced by Lynne Smart. Lisa provided information to members about the
support given to families of children with learning disabilities while raising awareness
and providing research and materials. Lisa distributed a handout detailing Transition
Plans for students, as well as different strategies to balance workloads and the
development of self-advocacy skills for students throughout their school years. A copy
of the material provided was emailed to members and will be attached to the minutes.
Further Information about programs and services is available on the Learning
Disabilities Association – Durham website: www.ldadr.on.ca.
Committee Structures – Lynne Smart – SEAC Chair
Lynne Smart spoke to SEAC members about next steps to promote involvement and
engagement and suggested the creation of committees which would meet briefly before
or after regular SEAC meetings in order to share ideas, provide input for topics or
discuss issues with other representatives and staff members from the Board.
A discussion took place among members during which suggestions were made
pertaining to this idea and the various opportunities which would be presented as a
result. Superintendent Bowyer indicated that she would be asking for input from
members regarding the Special Education Plan which will be reviewed and updated
shortly. Copies of the current plan were made available to members and those
interested in discussing the plan are invited to meet at 7:00 on Tuesday, May 6 before
the regular meeting time of 7:30.
School Board website is www.dcdsb.ca