Special Services Parent Advisory Committee

1. Thursday August 13, 2009 Special Services Parent AdvisoryCommittee “ Parents, staff, administration, and board of education members collaborating through partnership to enhance the special education services in District 158.”

2. Mr. Perry Yates • Professional Background • LaGrange Area Department of Special Education • Communication Development Network Program Coordinator • Managed cooperative’s five multi-district Autism programs serving students from ECE-8th grade. • Program coordinator for District 103 ECE program. • Lawn Manor Primary Center • Special Education Coordinator / School Social Worker • Facilitated all facets of special education services at Lawn Manor, which served students ECE-2nd grade. • Provided individual, group, and classroom school social work services to all grade levels. • Family Therapist • Provided outpatient therapy to children, adolescents, and families • Forest Academy Day School • Clinical Education Assistant • Responsible for crisis intervention, group therapy, and behavioral consultation for students with severe

3. Mr. Perry Yates Did You Know… I live in LaGrange, Illinois with my wife, Mimi, and two daughters Anna (13), and Abby (11). We have a red Labrador retriever named Red (original huh!), an African Grey parrot named Paulie, and Oscar the hamster. The whole family loves to play tennis, go camping, and to the beach.  As you can see by the photos, the girls and I enjoy fishing. Our favorite summer vacation spot is Lake Geneva.

4. Mrs. Stacy O’Dea • Professional Background • Masters of Science in Educational Administration, Northern Illinois University • Masters of Science in Special Education, Northern Illinois University • BS in Special Education, Learning Disability/Emotional Disability, Eastern IL University • Special Education District of McHenry County, Woodstock, IL August 1999-June 2000 • Self-Contained Special Education Teacher • Consolidated School District 158, Algonquin, IL August 2000-present • Middle School Special Education Teacher • Cooperating supervisor for student teachers • Marlowe Middle School Team Leader • Chairperson for school’s Social Committee responsible for budgeting and planning events • Huntley High School Girls’ Softball coach for 5 seasons • Member of School Improvement Plan team (SIP)

5. Mrs. Stacy O’Dea Did You Know… Two children… McKenzie (4) Kendall (1) Black Lab Josie (15) New chocolate lab Sibley (4 months) Enjoy water skiing; watching Sci-Fi movies; playing with kids; Date night with hubby, Ben

6. Mrs. Karen Aylward Professional Background • BS in Special Education – NIU • MS Ed in Educational Administration – NIU • Type 75 Director of Special Education Endorsement • Northwest Academy HS –ED/BD teacher • Huntley Middle School – 7/8th Special Services Teacher • District 158- Assistant Director of Special Services • Special Thoughts: • Strong Advocate for Student led IEPs • Career goal to complete PhD in Education

7. Mrs. Karen Aylward Did You Know… • Two kids = Nicolas 10 Kayla 4 • Parent in District 158 • Very competitive • Vacationing in LA at the time of Michael Jackson’s infamous death • Addicted to Facebook • My little brother had an IEP • Played Division I Softball at Loyola on full ride

8. Meeting Agenda • Review Mission Statement • Recap of Committee Purpose • Effective/Efficient Meetings • Program Enhancements • IEP Parent Survey • Confirmation of Future Meeting Dates

9. Mission Statement Special Services Parent Advisory Committee Mission Statement • Parents, staff, administration, and board of education members collaborating through partnership to enhance the special education services in District 158.

10. Reacp of Purpose • Functions • Bridge the gap between D158 and parents • Collaboration Efforts • Decision Making Process • Autocratic • Democratic • Consensus (Fist-Five) • Consultative • Majority of decision making for parent advisory will be Consensus and Consultative • Strengths and Opportunities for Improvement

11. Effective/Efficient Meetings • Agenda Specific • Respect Open Forum • Protocol • Maintain a global perspective as we continue to improve our district • Addressing goals at hand

12. Program Enhancements • Transition • Protocol • Elementary to MS Parent Night Orientation • Descriptions of Programs on Website • Communication • Mass email for Parent Advisory • Volunteer for Parent newsletter/merge with blog? • Staff Development • Aide training 8/12 • Autism specific training • Additional opportunities for SEDOM professional development • SEDOM Transition and Careers

13. SEDOM Transition/Careers • Sharon Slover-Transition Specialist • Karen Hansen-Transition Specialist • The Education & Careers Department is designed to assist districts in meeting their obligation of post-school goals and transition outcomes according to IDEA 2004. • www.sedom.org

14. SEDOM Transitions/Careers • IDEA 2004 (1)(A) ensures that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living. • The Mission of SEDOM Education & Careers is to serve as a catalyst for coordination of research, education and service relating to youth and young adults with disabilities, as they make and act upon community, employment, and personal/social choices. • The Goal of the Education & Careers is to enhance education and provide access to comprehensive career development for every student. This is accomplished through academic support, career information, real-life experiences, a diverse curriculum and community involvement.

15. SEDOM Transitions/Careers Education and Careers Business Partners McHenry County College Pet Vet Sam’s Club Target Harley Davidson Champion Pizza Centegra Health Services Noodles and Co. Jewel Wal-mart Holiday Inn

16. Program Enhancements • Parent Mentor Speaker • Exploration of local district parent mentoring programs • Orland D135 and Wheaton D200 • Parent Survey Review (tonight) • In-District survey and Special Services parent survey development as discussed at last Board of Education meeting • Staff-student ratio for caseloads of all programs have been reviewed and meet IL School Code 23-226.730(bc) • Collaboration with Building and Grounds and Chief Operations Manager for Autism observation • Community Resources Link • Review of curriculum in programs and ensuring consistency

17. Program Enhancement • Social Skills Programs through ARRA and Social Emotional Learning Standards • Advisory programs • Social Work services delivered • OT/PT services monitoring sensory needs takes place at all schools • District-wide continued RtI staff development and strengthened partnerships with Special Services and Curriculum • Staff Development for co-teaching in progress • Collaborative decision making process through the IEP meeting • PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Systems), CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute), Advisory, Character Education, Best Practices for in locoparents (as per IL School Code)

18. Program Enhancements • Partner with Health Services • Visible leadership and new Special Services team dynamics • Highly qualified staff/related service personnel • Communication between team members to provide services • Wilson Language has been purchased and moving toward implementation • Interactive books and books on tape available in LRC at each building • Staff knowledge of resources • Board Policy for teacher recommendation • Representatives from each building to attend Special Services Parent Advisory Committee

19. IEP Parent Survey Input • Handout of current parent survey • Discussion of modality of survey • Online • Paper • Handouts of survey examples

20. Meeting Schedule • Currently held second Thursday of the month • Do we want to rotate? • Suggestions?

21. Questions??