Franklin SEPAC Monthly Meeting – June 16, 2010

The Franklin Special Education Parent’s Advisory Council (SEPAC) had our last monthly meeting of the school year on June 16, 2010 in the 3^rd floor training room at Franklin’s Municipal Building.  The SEPAC President, Sharon Miller called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM.   There were 9 people in attendance in addition to the 4 officers and 3 speakers. 

At the start of the meeting we voted on the below donation proposal which passed with an additional 20 on line votes to have it pass.

• Having $1,200 go towards a Unique Learning System to assist Franklin Special Education.

We are still in need of a secretary for next year’s SEPAC.  Position entails taking monthly minutes at meeting at writing the minutes up to be posted onto the website.  If anyone is interested please contact us at FranklinSEPAC@gmail.com

Beth Fitzmaurice (Franklin’s Director of Special Education) was introduced.

Nicole Corliss-Williams did a lot of work preparing a packet of information on area things to do that was handed out to all.  What a great job!

2010-2010 Workshop Dates:

September 15, 2010

September 26, 2010 ***Harvest Festival***

October 6, 2010 ***Pump It Up Party***

October 20, 2010

November 12, 2010 ***Comedy Fundraiser***

November 17, 2010

January 19, 2011

February 16, 2011

March 16, 2011

April 13, 2011

May 18, 2011

June 15, 2011

1^st Speaker” Jaime Estrella YMCA Integration Coordinator

774-235-2722, jaimee@hockymca.org

She handed out a large booklet on their summer programs

• ALL programs can be integrated (year round)
• Summer Camps:
  1. New Horizons is a Special Needs Camp.  Offered at the beginning and end of each summer.  “A stepping stone in to camp life”
  2. General camp has a 1:2 ratio.  There is a specialty counselor at each area of learning.  As well as 2 counselors in training.

·        Camp Wiggy (outdoor even in the rain!)

·        Summer Fun (2 Field trips per week, indoor & outdoor)

If your child gets transportation through the Franklin school van service, they will bring your child to the Franklin YMCA after summer school instead of home if requested.

100% confidential scholarships are available…

2^nd Speaker Elisabeth Kranz of Therapy Connections, MA

607-448-9418 elisabethkranz@hotmail.com 31 Hayward Street Suite B-5 in Franklin

She is a Speech & Language Pathologist who offers 1:1 speech and social pragmatics groups here in Franklin.  She also has a 4^th & 5^th grade book club.  She does accept Blue Cross BS/Harvard Pilgrim for her 1:1 speech services

3^rd Speaker Jean Croll is an OT therapist of 30 years, and runs the Iteam since 2004.  

508-560-4007    theiteam@gmail.com

She offers after school and summer social pragmatics and skill development group called the Iteam. 

• After School:  Thursdays 3:30 – 4:30 (Grades 1-5) and 4:45 -6:00 (Grades 5-8) in 6 week periods.  There are usually 4-7 kids per group.
• Summer: There are also two weeks at the end of June where 3 day summer program is available.

We had planned on having a 4^th speaker, but they were not able to come at the last minute.  They were to discuss the Project Lifesaver (GPS) service for kids offered through the Franklin Police.

Note from the secretary:   I really enjoyed being the secretary this year, SEPAC is such a great group to be a part of.  I hope to hold another position within SEPAC in the future when my children are a little older and needing me less.  I still plan to attend many of the meetings and will continue to help out when I can.  Thank you for my flowers and card, that was very kind.    All my best, Sara

The meeting ended at 8:10 pm.  See you at our next meeting on September 15, 2010.  Have a wonderful and safe summer!

Respectfully submitted,
Sara Madden