HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-19-SEPAC-min Lexington Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAQ
Lexington Special Education Parent Teacher Association(S'EPTA),
Business Meeting Minutes
November 19,2020
Attendees: Colette Powell,Carissa Black,Carol Webb,flan Cheri,Roseanne Bonardi,Sarah Carter,Kelli Eggsware,Joyce Yang,
Heidi Mann,Mona Roy,Marina Bertram, Deb Osber,Arvind Sudarsanain,Christy Wallet-,Diane Celi,Bronte Abraham
Call to order: 7:04 pm
Location:Zoom
Carissa read Governor Baker's Executive Order from March 1.2,2020,which allows public meetings to be conducted remotely
due to the state emergency related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Adjourne&8:48 pm
Approval of minutes for 9/17/20 meeting:
* Approved and seconded.
Officer reports:
• Co-Chair Report: (Carissa and Colette)
* Quarterly Meeting Updates.Meeting with LPS Special Education Administration was held Oct.7,2020.Lexington
High School is having the most difficulties at the beginning of the school year.After general complaints that many
Students do not have the requisite number of blocks with Special Education staff, LHS has added support blocks
with Instructional Aides during the long lunch break.The blocks are assigned to students by liaisons on an as-
needed basis each week.For elementary schools.Asked for more frequent progress reports since the first orie now
comes out with the first report card in February.Administration did not agree to provide progress reports this fall
as requested.They did agree to ask Special Education teachers to attend fall parent-teacher conferences and will
consider implementing fall progress reports next year.Concerning plans if the district goes fully remote; Buildings
will be open and SPED teachers are being asked to volunteer to provide sorne in-person services.Regarding the
Community Input Team oil loclusiow Plan to hold meetings in Nov.-Jan.timeframe to look at how inclusion can be
accomplished in the era of COVID.
* Understanding Our Differences. Program was held for 3T'tr-ETrs grades with roughly 1,000 kids participating.
* Battle Green Run.31 SEPAC members participated raising$1,100 in donations,not including funds from the Battle
Green Foundation,
* Holiday Gifts.The gift committee arranged for individual decorated doughnuts from Kanes Doughnuts to be
delivered Nov.20 to each special education teacher and staff member,totaling more than 500 people.Carissa
discussed the compilation of a montage of thank you videos fair staff andasked fcamilies to participate.
* Therapeutic Learning Program support group.New group will be led by Joyce Losick-Yang who has twins at
Bridge Elementary.
• Treasurer; (Roseanne)
• Current balance of$15,632.No outstanding payments.
• Goal for 2020 does of$6,000 has been exceeded:$7,285 taken in so far.
• Membership: (Maria)
c 159 members,with 5 joining in the last 30 days.
No School Committee Update because no SC members in attendance.
School Liaison Updates:
--Harrington (Ileidi): Discussions with families about compensatory set-vices have started,focusing on highest-need kids.
--LHS(Carol, Mona): Problems with lopsided provision of supports and services due to four-week rotating schedule;kids not in
programs are not getting adequate support;problems with staff consistency; reluctance to let remote kids come to school for in-
person set-vices;hybrid kids can have remote teachers and remote liaisons,which presents problems; no proactive focus oil
mental health impacts of hybrid/remote schooling.
No Support Group Updates.
Upcoming Events:
--Harrington (Heidi): Discussions with families about compensatory set-vices have started,focusing on highest-need kids.
--LHS(Carol, Mona): Problems with lopsided provision of supports and services due to four-week rotating schedule;kids not in
programs are not getting adequate support;problems with staff consistency; reluctance to let remote kids cone to school for in-
person set-vices;hybrid kids can have remote teachers and remote liaisons,which presents problems; no proactive focus oil
mental health impacts of hybrid/remote schooling.
No Support Group Updates.
Upcoming Events:
--Harrington (Heidi): Discussions with families about compensatory set-vices have started,focusing on highest-need kids.
--LHS(Carol, Mona): Problems with lopsided provision of supports and services due to four-week rotating schedule;kids not in
programs are not getting adequate support;problems with staff consistency; reluctance to let remote kids come to school for in-
person set-vices;hybrid kids can have remote teachers and remote liaisons,which presents problems; no proactive focus on
mental health impacts of hybrid/remote schooling.
No Support Group Updates.
Upcoming Events:
--Harrington (Heidi): Discussions with families about compensatory set-vices have started,focusing on highest-need kids.
--LHS(Carol, Mona): Problems with lopsided provision of supports and services due to four-week rotating schedule;kids not in
programs are not getting adequate support;problems with staff consistency; reluctance to let remote kids come to school for in-
person set-vices;hybrid kids can have remote teachers and remote liaisons,which presents problems; no proactive focus on
mental health impacts of hybrid/remote schooling.
No Support Group Updates.
Upcoming Events:
--Harrington (Heidi): Discussions with families about compensatory set-vices have started,focusing on highest-need kids.
--LHS(Carol, Mona): Problems with lopsided provision of supports and services due to four-week rotating schedule;kids not in
programs are not getting adequate support;problems with staff consistency; reluctance to let remote kids come to school for in-
person set-vices;hybrid kids can have remote teachers and remote liaisons,which presents problems; no proactive focus on
mental health impacts of hybrid/remote schooling.
No Support Group Updates.
Upcoming Events:
--Harrington (Heidi): Discussions with families about compensatory set-vices have started,focusing on highest-need kids.
--LHS(Carol, Mona): Problems with lopsided provision of supports and services due to four-week rotating schedule;kids not in
programs are not getting adequate support;problems with staff consistency; reluctance to let remote kids come to school for in-
person set-vices;hybrid kids can have remote teachers and remote liaisons,which presents problems; no proactive focus on
mental health impacts of hybrid/remote schooling.
No Support Group Updates.
Upcoming Events: