SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY GROUP
District Meeting: October 18, 2017
District Attendees:
Special Services- Debbie Herold (Director), Karen Riley, Kathy Leon
Guidance- Annie Mapes (Coolidge), Erica Ward (EMS), Paula Rubenacker (Washington), Lynn Wiebe (Lincoln), Pam Noblin (Sicomac)
Parent Group TopicsTo Be Discussed:
Parents requested a round table discussion with guidance departments (guidance from each elem school & one from EMS):
- Groups that are currently available through guidance. Specific interest from parents regarding social skills groups.
- Guidance lessons done throughout the year- and include a handout for parents to discuss and reinforce the lesson at home.
- Buddy program to promote socialization, acceptance, inclusion, and friendships where social interactions may be difficult. Maybe once a week buddy at recess?
- How to improve recess & lunch- including pushing the responsive classroom approach to these less structured and less teacher led activities, including alternate activities like board games outside, and teacher/aide led activities to get activities and socialization started. Lincoln started having PE teacher at recess twice a week to organize game.
- Anxiety and other behaviors and the techniques the schools use.
Parents would like to meet new Behaviorist.
What training do classroom aides get? Is there a set behavior training/plan? Do they review the IEPs and diagnosis to understand how to address behaviors?
Parents of Kindergarten (LLD) specifically would like to see more communication home- daily folder with sheet on what was done that day. Easy way to communicate back and forth teacher/home. Other grades receive this.
Meeting Recap:
District Agenda:
- Progress Reports
Progress reports will be online this year through Genesis. Directions were provided in the Spec Ed mailing that went out in October. Contact Karen Riley () with any problems accessing the report.
- Website- Debbie Herold reviewed what is available on the Special Services website- then click on Special Services
Parent Group Agenda:
- District Behaviorist
Parents wanted to meet/get more information on the replacement for Sibley who is out on leave this year.
The district has a temporary replacement until December and then another replacement after that. It is best to go through your case manager who will reach out to the behaviorist if there is a need.
- Special Ed Aides
Parents were interested in the training the teacher’s aides go through, whether there was a set behavioral plan they use, and how much knowledge of each child’s IEP they have.
Typically MLK day is used as a full day training for aides but this year they will revise that as the whole day isn’t a teacher in-service day. Next year they are proposing to start aide training in the end of August. Training is ongoing through the social workers & behaviorists and as new needs arise. Case managers meet with the aides to go over the child/children they will be working with. All behavior plans are individual and the case managers make recommendations for that child.
- Recess
Parents expressed concerns over improving recess and lunch- pushing the responsive classroom approach to these less structured and less teacher led activities, including alternate activities like board games outside, and teacher/aide led activities to get activities and socialization started. Lincoln started having PE teacher at recess twice a week to organize game.
The district thought that this wasn’t exclusive to special education children so should be brought to each school principal not as a special services issue. Parents disagreed and think that it should be a policy at a district level to improve recess- not just for special education students but that population is certainly at risk for difficulties engaging in activities, finding activities that are appropriate & enjoyable, socializing with peers, etc. We’d like to see work in this area and not just if a teacher/aide is available to help but making that a priority. Alternate activities could include board games outside, possibly games or time in the makerspace rooms once a week inside, adult led games/activities, etc.
The guidance counselors and Debbie Herold will share the parents’ concerns with the principals.
- Guidance Lessons
Parents were interested in the guidance lessons done throughout the year and would like to see a handout sent home so they can discuss with their children at home.
The district will be working on a list of topics by grade on the school’s websites under guidance.
It was noted there are curriculum guidance lessons and some lessons are done based on need as requested by the teachers or parents.
- Guidance Groups- especially social skills groups
Many parents have expressed interest in social skills groups and want to know what groups are available.
Groups are created as the need arises. The guidance counselors discussed some of the groups that have been done or are currently done. It was recommended that if you have a need to contact your case manager.
- Buddy Program
Parents expressed interest in a buddy program for children where socialization may be difficult.
It was discussed that pairing a child with a typical child could lead to friendships, acceptance, and more social opportunities.
The district wanted more information on this topic and recommended to go to your case manager. The district did not believe that a universal program was the way to go.
- Communication Home
Parents (specifically in K @ Sicomac) noted that they do not receive daily or weekly communication home. Parents would like to know how their children are doing and info about their day to be able to discuss with their children.
The meeting ran out of time so this was not discussed. Jill Dyer sent to Debbie Herold post meeting and Debbie Herold shared the concern with Dr. Lancellotti (case manager) who will discuss with the teacher ways to communicate.
- Anxiety and other behaviors and the techniques the school uses
The meeting ran out of time so this will be discussed at a future meeting if parents want information.
Parent expressed interest in sharing resources for activities outside of school, especially for preschool.
Next Meetings:
- Next Parent Meeting: November 30, 2017 @ 7pm (this is a date change!)
Please RSVP if you are able to attend to .
The meeting will not be Nov 15/16 as initially posted as our speaker is not available. A special ed attorney will come to speak to parents.
** Please submit questions/topics that you would like discussed to
- Next District Meeting: February 9 @ 9am at Sicomac
If you have any ideas for future meetings please contact Jill Dyer at
Please feel free to pass this along to anyone else that may be interested.