SST3 Parent Leadership Council Meeting
Minutes
March 13, 2015
Attendees: Deborah Factora, Stephanie Fitzpatrick, Paula Grant, Deborah Greenberg, Saundra Jordan, Mark Levin, Rachel McDonnell, Kelli Mihal, Stacy Miner, Cathi Patton, Eileen Pech, Leslie Rotsky, Valerie Rudar, Natalie Senra, John Snell
SST3 Staff: Terri McIntee, Ed Flegel
ITEM / DISCUSSION / ACTIONWelcome & Introductions
Agenda Review / Terri McIntee called the meeting to order at 9:30 am after parent networking and review contents of folder.
Recorder: Terri Mc. / Minutes to be sent out with attachments of activities.
SST3 Updates / · Reminder members of Agency and Org Meeting scheduled for
o March 17, 2015 speaker will be Lea Travis (ESC Curriculum Consultant) will talk about PARRC assessments and what parents need to know about changes.
· Parent Information Forums –
o April 16. 2015 speaker will be Ellen Riehm, NAMI – Mental Health & Education.
· Terri McIntee shared:
o Legislation to watch:
§ ESEA Reauthorization as it impact SWD (students with disabilities)
· Currently moving slowly through the House – very partisan at this point. Republicans cannot seem to be able to come up with votes for HR 5.
· Senate is working to come up with a bipartisan agreement. Alexander/Murphy are committed to being able to mark up a bill – Success for All Students Act, week of April 13th.
§ Family Engagement in Education Act – HR 1194, was reintroduced. Seeks to earmark funds to develop systems that would encourage more parents to become involved in their local public schools.
§ USDOE web link – Overcoming Challenges – about Thomas Ledbetter who has used his graphic art to promote no bullying campaign.
§ Ohio State Budget process – shared administration budget highlights – budget agreement must be reached by June 30, 2015.
· Ed Flegel shared:
o Transition Expo flyer. The event will be Saturday, April 18, 2015 located at Notre Dame College this year (former Regina HS building). Theme: Earning, Learning and Living. Registration is online.
o Talked about HB 487 requires all students to have career advising in grades 6-12 with a Student Success Plans in place - districts have to have local policy in place for 2015-2016 school year. All s staff will be trained.
o Career Tech Ed 2015-2016 will be dropping down to grade 7 with activities embedded in classwork/curriculum/instruction.
o Internship programs for grades 11 & 12 (ages 16-18) – Ohio Career Exploration Internship Program with local businesses. / Attachments:
· PIF – April 16, 2015
· Transition Expo – April 18, 2105
· Elle’s Enchanted Forest
Other Updates / · Natalie Senra, Mayfield PM, shared:
o April 13, 2015 – 7 pm – D. Sawan-Caruso will be speaking on Sensory Challenges at Millridge Elementary
o May 12, 2015 – there will be speaker on Addiction & Mental Health.
· Rachel Mc., Berea PM, shared:
o Berea did their Principle Concept survey – received 190 surveys!
o Developing a Welcoming Pack that will go to all new parents.
o Continuing their Workshop series.
· Saundra Jordan, CMSD PM, shared:
o March 21, 2015 will hold their Family Support Team meeting at the Lee/Harvard Library.
o April 11, 2015 FACES will hold their spring Parent University – 9 am to 1 pm at John Adams HS – 3817 MLK Drive, (north of Harvard Rd). Saundra will be doing a breakout on Advocacy.
· Stacy Miner, Rocky River PLC Rep, shared:
o Working with the city to develop a playground that is accessible – project is called Elle’s Enchanted Forest – Playground for everyone.
· Stephanie Fitzpatrick, Westlake PLC Rep, shared:
o Local group – Connecting for Kids, is hosting a Meet and Greet on March 26, 2015 at 6:30 pm At the Rocky River Civic Center.
o Also completed a personal book – Looking Back and Laughing – Our Journey through Autism.
· Paula Grant, Olmsted Falls PLC Rep, shared:
o They held their Challenge Dance – 3,000 kids registered to dance. Generated $12,000.00 – funded Helping Hands, teachers classroom scholarships.
· John Snell, North Olmsted PLC Rep, shared:
o About the Rocky River Reservation’s Maple Sugar program that is a great outdoors event for families. Very hands on and educational.
· Val Rudar, PEP PLC Rep, shared:
o PEP in the process of developing another Parent Curriculum – LCI (Lifescape Crisis Intervention).
Commitment & Volunteering Making Module – SPDG project / Terri spoke about special ed parents highly motivated to be involved and committed to their children’s educational needs. They were always the premier group to step up and be engaged and many parent leadership groups follow that model.
Some in the audience still felt parents needed support in that area. They needed to learn more. How to reach those still not committed, standing in the wings rather than stepping up.
Terri asked the participants to look at the three areas of commitment:
1. Be sensitive to emotional needs
2. Be available and accessible
3. Go “above and beyond”
Each group reflected on their strengths, weaknesses and needs.
· One table mentioned the lack of time. Often feeling stretched and overwhelmed.
· The next table mentioned being available but not accessible.
· Another table talked about the uncertainty of moving on. What happens after their two year commitment to the PLC? Some felt time was spent learning skills and have not seen any movement in the direction of district action plan. What do they do?
Epstein’s work talks about Volunteering as a key area of involvement that ties to Commitment. Terri shared the volunteer survey located on page 308 in the Beyond the Bakesale book as a sample of how to begin to reach out to availability and assessment of volunteer needs in the district/building. She also share the national PTA book on Building Successful Partnership: A Guide for Developing Parent & Family Involvement as an additional resource – there is a whole chapter supporting volunteering activities.
Terri went through an outline of 7 steps for successful volunteer program:
· Assess needs
· Work with and train school personnel on effective use of supervising volunteers
· Set goals and objectives for volunteer assignments
· Recruit volunteers
· Train and orient volunteers
· Retain and recognize volunteers
· Revaluate volunteer performance and program success.
The research state that parents and other adults perform literally millions of dollars’ worth of volunteer services each in the public schools. Research reinforces the fact that welcoming parents into the school and seeking their support and assistance can benefit everyone.
If you have access to Epstein’s book –School, Family and Community, look at pages 226-234 for additional examples. Participants shared out what kind of volunteering is available in their districts. / Attachment –
· PowerPoint
· Summary Type 3 - Volunteering
Next meeting / Next:
Joint Parent/Professional Meeting – April 28, 2015 – 9:30 am – 11:30 am. Dr. Barbara Boone will be guest speaker.
PLC Meeting – May 8, 2015 - 9:30 am – 11:30 am. / Terri M. will send out minutes, attachments, flyers, etc.
Educational Service Center of Cuyahoga County/State Support Team Region 3
Parent Leadership Council Meeting – Minutes
January 9, 2015