Minutes - Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board

HASTINGS AND PRINCE EDWARD DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (S.E.A.C.)
November 29, 2007
Present:
Harry Marissen Trustee
Thelma Goodfellow Trustee
Bob Clements Association for Bright Children (ABC)
Dwayne Stacey Children’s Aid Society
Ralph Porter Member-at-large
Carol Booth Member-at-large
Jennifer Vincent Loyalist College, SOAR
Katie Cudmore Children’s Treatment Centre
Cheri Davidson Community Care Access Centre (CCAC)
Joanne TenWolde Community Living Prince Edward
Janice Quade Down Syndrome Support Network, Quinte
Susan Seaman Counselling Services of Belleville and District
Megan Luke Children’s Mental Health
Kelly Mathieson Family Space Quinte
Betty Jean Brookes Mohaw ks of the Bay of Quinte
Juulia Lindau Member-at-large
Regrets:
Carol Booth Member-at-large
Jennifer Meade Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF)
June Rogers Sagonaska Demonstration School, Sir James Whitney
Tonia Shelmerdine Ontario Principals’ Council (OPC)
Absent:
Megan Luke Children’s Mental Health
Resource:
Trish FitzGibbon Superintendent, Special Education Services
Cathy Portt System Principal, Special Education Services
Jennifer Meade Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF)
Tonia Shelmerdine Ontario Principals’ Council (OPC)
Anne Whitfield Principal of V.P. Carswell P.S.
Minutes:
Julie Kezar Administrative Assistant
Welcome
Chair TenWolde welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Approval of the Minutes
Moved: Thelma Goodfellow
Seconded: Cheri Davidson
That the minutes of October 25, 2007 be approved.
Carried

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November 29, 2007
Business Arising from the Minutes
There was no business arising from the minutes.
Safe Schools
Special Education Suspension Data
Superintendent FitzGibbon shared that as a result of a complaint initiated by the Ontario Human
Rights Commission against the Ministry of Education, a review of the safe schools provision of
the Education Act was undertaken. One focus of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School
Board is to ensure safe, effective, and respectful learning environments within our schools. Part
of this plan involves a review of suspension data.
At the last meeting, suspension data that related to the entire board was reviewed. The data
being presented at this SEAC meeting focuses on suspension incidents for exceptional students.
These students are formally identified, which is how the Ministry reports the data.
Superintendent FitzGibbon commented that the data is concerning as there are a significant
number of suspensions. When the Ministry requested that boards report on data, Hastings and
Prince Edward DSB reports on all aspects of same. The accuracy of the information is
somewhat in question as it has been gathered manually. The board is now moving to a system
where schools are creating the suspension letters and the required information is automatically
uploaded into a system database.
Superintendent FitzGibbon noted that we are improving in programming and pathway choice for
identified students, and shared that the board has put processes in place such as CODE Stat,
and Online to Success which are supportive to students with learning disabilities.
Various comments and suggestions were shared, including the importance of educating parents
to ensuring they fully understand what a suspension and/or expulsion is. System data collection
on student suspension should also consider capturing data on 1) students who go home, but are
not suspended, and 2) the incidents as well as individual data (incidents alone does not capture
the data, and an individual student with repeated suspensions or lengthy suspensions presents a
different context for analyzing the data). Kelly indicated that supporting students is a community
responsibility as it is everyone’s issue, and that this data needs to be used as a measuring stick
to gage how organizations are doing. She noted that we need to look at how the services and
community agencies can support the schools.
Superintendent FitzGibbon shared that a Safe Schools Advisory Committee (involving outside
organizations) has been established and that representation from a member of SEAC would be
beneficial. Recommendations and information from SEAC meetings would be shared with the
Advisory Committee. Chair TenWolde asked members if anyone was interested in participating.
Thelma indicated she would represent SEAC at the next meeting on December 19 at 1:00 p.m.
Chair TenWolde requested that if committee members had some formal recommendations to
take forward to the advisory committee, to please bring this information to the next SEAC
meeting on December 13, 2007.
A review of PPM #141 and #142
Superintendent FitzGibbon shared that PPM #141 relates to school board programs for students
on long-term suspensions (in excess of 5 days). School boards are to have a program in place
for students so it continues their engagement in learning. The program can range from a
homework package to an actual destination that students attend. The student is offered an
opportunity to participate in a program, which parents may decline. If the parent agrees, then a
Student Action Plan (SAP) is created. The program for students who are suspended 11 days or
more will consist of both an academic and a non-academic component, which includes
counselling.

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November 29, 2007
There are very short time lines with a February 1, 2008 implementation date in terms of
developing board policies and procedures. Chair TenWolde suggested that members review the
information and bring written recommendations to the next meeting.
A principal’s perspective
Superintendent FitzGibbon welcomed Anne Whitfield who is the principal at V.P. Carswell P.S.,
and commended her on her experiences working with families and students.
Mrs. Whitfield provided background information of the demographics of V.P. Carswell P.S. which
is located in Trenton. She further shared that they practice the Fish Philosophy and realize the
importance of open communication with families and the community. Mrs. Whitfield further
discussed some of the approaches that she implements when dealing with students and parents
and commented that we need to take advantage of our community partners. She spoke to the
importance of the child and youth counsellors within our schools, and mentioned some of the
preventative programs that are incorporated from a progressive discipline approach. Various
questions were directed to Mrs. Whitfield, and the committee thanked her for attending the
meeting and providing useful information.
A Special Connection - communication brochure
Katie shared that the working group had a very good meeting with members, who felt that it was
very important to take time for members to provide input in terms of understanding the role of
SEAC. A handout was distributed to collect input from members which will be collated and
presented at the December meeting. Members were asked to take the form home and return it
to Julie Kezar by email (jkezar@hpedsb.on.ca) or fax 613-966-9322 by Thursday, December 6,
2007.
Shared Solutions Update
Thelma shared a summary from the Shared Solutions Conference that she recently attended in
Ottawa, and distributed a handout to committee members.
December SEAC meeting
Chair TenWolde shared the next meeting date of Thursday, December 13, 2007. Some
members are unable to attend the meeting; however, the committee decided not to change the
date. Katie Cudmore will act as Chair in Joanne’s absence.
Report from Members, Resource and Staff
Jennifer Vincent - posed a question relating to a Grade 7/8 student workshop to prepare students
for secondary school transition. Superintendent FitzGibbon responded that it was most likely a
Student Success initiative, which is in partnership with Loyalist College.
Joanne TenWolde - read a letter from Carol Booth regarding her move out of the area in
January, resulting in a vacant position within SEAC. If members are aware of individuals who
are interested in participating on the committee, please pass this information to Superintendent
FitzGibbon or Julie.
Ralph Porter - indicated that he will attend the Director’s Meeting. Julie to follow-up with Natasha
Reid to confirm his attendance.
Correspondence
Received as information:
- PPM #141 and #142
Adjournment
Next Meeting: Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.
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