Minutes. Regrets: Marilyn Dolmage Claude Oulette Margarita Isakov (Guest: Integration Action)

Transcription

1 Minutes Date: Monday, June 20, 2016 Location: Ministry of Education Toronto Regional Office Participants: In Person Katie Muirhead Diane Wagner Barb Cyr Via Phone Alison Morse Rhonda Quesnel Marianne Domm Tracy Grant Mary Cunningham Recorder: Regrets: Marilyn Dolmage Claude Oulette Margarita Isakov (Guest: Integration ) Guest(s): Deborah Thomson (Tourette Canada) Welcome from Co-Chairs Selection of Note Taker for the meeting Diane Wagner will take notes Business Arising from the April 25, 2016 meeting: Pro Grant Update: The English version of the Handbook has had a final review, and the final review of the French version should happen soon. The reference to the 2010 Special Education Checklist on Page 59 of the Handbook will be removed The filming of the Videos was completed over 2 days, with Katie and Alison there to make on the spot changes such as simplification of wording. Key points will be displayed in print. 1

2 2.2 Meltem will create a YouTube account for PAAC, so that the videos can be linked from the PAAC website. Accessibility YouTube has a closed captioning feature available for the print content, in addition to closed captioning in French. Voice over in French would be too expensive for the PRO Grant budget. A question was raised about gathering feedback on the new content on the PAAC website. YouTube will track views, Likes and Sharing. Communication Strategy: The announcement letter to school boards will be delayed until early September. It will be sent to Chairs of SEAC Committee members approved the draft letter, with the addition of a one sentence description of the videos, and the deletion of the word informal in the description of PAAC. Committee members liked the ad for the videos, which will be sent with the letter to school boards, but is meant mostly for electronic distribution. The new Handbooks and videos will be up on the PAAC website in early July, but messaging for an e-blast coordinated launch will be created for PAAC members to send to their constituents in August. Links on individual association Facebook pages will help with spreading the message. Distribution of the e-blast could include the Regional Ministry Offices and People for Education. Katie will ask Meltem if there is an easy way to imbed feedback questions on the website PAAC members were requested to ask their SEAC members for names of their SEAC chairs. PAAC members to participate in coordinated-blast launch Suggestions from PAAC members for other e-blast destinations can go to Katie and Alison Ministry Updates: New Minister of Education: Mitzie Hunter has been appointed the new Minister of Education in the recent cabinet shuffle. Concerns were expressed about expected delays in implementing Ministry initiatives while the minister is being briefed. A welcome letter will be sent once the Handbooks and videos are up on the PAAC website 2

3 Wellbeing Strategy: The very general documents released so far do not seem to apply to SEAC issues, but can be sent to SEAC members as an information item. Consultation on Special Education Guide: Paul Grogan had approached the co-chairs about having a PAAC consultation on the new Special Education Guide The co-chairs sent Paul the dates of future meetings, with the suggestion of the September date for the consultation. PAAC members were in agreement with participating in the consultation. New Business: Approval of new letterhead: PAAC members approved the letterhead and thanked Katie for her efforts. Executive appointments: Alison s term as co-chair is coming to an end so she needs to be replaced. No one was able to make the commitment at this time so the item will be on the agenda for September. The chart of Executive Terms is attached as an appendix to these minutes. Diane agreed to a one-year term as Secretary, with the understanding that the taking of minutes will continue to rotate among members. After a discussion about storage of historical and current materials it was decided to use the Dropbox set up by Paul Bandera. While the executive would be responsible for uploading documents, PAAC members would have access. It will be the responsibility of the Secretary to post agendas and minutes to the Dropbox. PAAC on SEAC calendar: The calendar needs to be updated for Paul will be asked to send some information in advance of the consultation session, e.g. a Table of Contents or a list of what resource guides were revised Katie will review the administration and membership list on the Dropbox Diane will change the dates and then Barb and Rhonda? will see if any changes or additions are needed 3

4 Motions passed by TDSB SEAC: David Lepofsky, Chair of the TDSB SEAC, had passed on three motions that his SEAC had approved, and he asked that they be shared with PAAC members and SEAC Chairs. The motions were approved at the June 13 th SEAC meeting but have not been approved by the TDSB board. PAAC members discussed sending the motions to SEAC members as examples. They could be reviewed, with credit given for what their board has already done, and other issues taken forward by SEAC. Special Needs Strategy Update: Proposals for Integrated Rehabilitation Services went in in October and are still being reviewed. Implementation is scheduled for Program Guidelines for Integrated Delivery of Rehabilitation Services were released on June 14 th We Have Something to Say Report: The Provincial Advocate for Children & Youth released a report from the We Have Something to Say Consultation on May 11 th : We Have Something to Say: Young people and their families speak out about special needs and change. Associations represented on PAAC may wish to respond to the recommendations. Accolades: Alison Morse was honoured by the Thames Valley DSB with an Award of Distinction for her volunteer contributions. Congratulations Alison! The Ministry team, which put together the SEAC Conference in May 2015, received a Public Service Realm Award under the Collaboration category. PAAC had sent a letter of support.? Alison will share the Guidelines with PAAC members 4

5 5.0 Next meetings: Monday September 26, 2016 Monday October 24, 2016 Monday November 28, 2016 Monday December 19, 2016 Monday January 23, 2017 Monday February 27, 2017 Monday March 27, 2017 Monday April 24, 2017 Monday May 29, 2017 Monday June 19, Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 12:15 Appendix PAAC on SEAC Example of how terms work for leadership positions. Year Past Chair Co-Chair (Senior) Marilyn Dolmage Co-Chair (Junior) Alison Morse Marilyn Alison Katie Muirhead Secretary Lynn Mclarnon Lynn Marilyn Alison Katie Ashley Maynard Treasurer Marilyn Dolmage Anne Smith Anne Marilyn Alison Katie Vacant Anne Alison Katie New Diane Wagner Anne Alison Katie New New Marilyn Katie New New 2 New Marilyn Katie New New 2 New Marilyn New New 2 New 2 New 2 Marilyn New New 2 New 2 New 2 New 5

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