HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-17-SEPAC-min RECEIVED
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TOWN CLERK
LEXINGTON MA
Lexington Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
Lexington Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA)
Business Meeting Minutes
March 17, 2022
Call to order 7:05
Attendees: Colette Powell, Carissa Black, Susannah Hoch, Swapna Katamaraja, Sara Cuthbertson, Anna
Miller, Mona Roy, Rian Chen, Nicole Locher, Pamela Goldstein, Christy Waller
Meeting minutes from 1/20/22—can't approve, no quorum for LexSEPTA
Co-chair reports
• Quarterly Meeting on March 8
• Extracurriculars at LHS- problem is that some activities like a Capella aren't available to
all students; need to take in a sequence, prerequisites conflict with special education
supports.Johnny Cole has been investigating; answer is that accommodations can be
requested so students can take participate.Asked how to ensure that parents and
liaisons know this, and requested guide to share.
• Staffing shortages - larger than typical number of openings in the district, most are
student support positions. Asked about how being addressed, highlighted long-term
implications. District is partnering with outside agencies where they can, and have
some long-term substitutes.
• DEI Curriculum update - want to make sure that disability and neurodiversity are
included in DEI. `Learning for Social Justice Standards' framework to be used; disability
and Understanding Our Differences program can be worked in. Curriculum to be rolled
out in 4 phases, details to be determined over summer.
• Elementary Fall progress reports - recommendation out of 2019 survey. Ellen agreed to
come up with proposal, add into LEA negotiations. Ask to this group: any known models
from other districts? (Option for full report cards in fall?)
• Film Screening March 31st - In a Different Key. Hoping to have a big turnout. Will be at LHS
auditorium, followed by panel discussion. Will send flyers that members can distribute.
• Understanding Our Differences (LLT and parent presentation May 3rd) - presentation last Friday
for staff; feedback was that it went well.
• Recruiting for next year's Board - Slate will be presented in May meeting, voted on in June.
Open: co-chair, membership, transition, resource fair, autism support chair, several school
liaisons, school committee liaison
• Social Events - hope to plan one in June at Revolution Hall
Resource Fair Update - will take place on April 9th, with 23 vendors registered so far. Co-Chairs have
a to-do list and would appreciate help. They need help with publicity - can leverage same channels as
film screening. Also need high school volunteers - can post through school's Google form
Treasurer Report- nothing major of note. The money from Battlegreen Run came through. Also made
deposit for In a Different Key;waiting on sponsorship donation from Takeda to come through.
School Committee updates - next school committee meeting will be short, since during town meeting
Support Group updates
• Dyslexia - Dyslexia Task Force extending timeline. Discussing more frequent reporting on
screening, and literacy being brought into Systemic Barriers Report. Parents have lots of
questions about how to get their kids evaluated, etc. The group continues to request a parent
seminar but the district is not receptive currently, so we are exploring an outside seminar. Have
begun planning for Dyslexia Awareness Month in October. Looking at film screening of'There is
No Normal'. Would like to begin discussing budget for next year.
Other Events- Housing presentation on April 5; Inclusive kids gym classes with Concord SEPTA in April or
May; Estate planning in spring
Meeting adjourned 8:31pm