Special Education Advisory Committee Symposium Offers Exceptional Opportunity for Parents and Staff

Kemptville, ON – More than two hundred people gathered at St. Michael Catholic High School in Kemptville for the first ever Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Symposium. The event was hosted by SEAC with sponsorship from the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario’s Parent Involvement Committee (PIC).  

The evening brought together parents, community partners, service providers, Special Education staff, Catholic educators, Trustees, and Senior Administration to celebrate Special Education in the CDSBEO.   

Director of Education, Wm. J. Gartland, told the group, “Your attendance here tonight reaffirms our Board’s dedication and commitment to Special Education. It is a collaborative effort and we are so grateful to see so many of our stakeholders taking part in what promises to be a lively discussion about the needs and challenges of our special learners.”

The event allowed stakeholders in Special Education to target their own areas of interest. A carousel of information booths provided by agencies, associations, and educators was set up in the school’s auditorium, and three targeted workshops were offered in classrooms.   Demonstrations on the effective use of assistive technology to enhance our students’ learning were also provided. 

Prescott and Russell Counties Trustee, and SEAC Chair, Sue Wilson, shared, “In planning tonight’s symposium, we wanted to give our staff and parents the opportunity to choose specific areas to explore. We are so very grateful that so many of our partners are taking part to increase the amount of information we can provide.”

Superintendent of Education, Dr. Donaleen Hawes, said, “In a short period of time, parents and educators were able to pick up a great deal of information. It gave parents a wonderful opportunity to focus on the needs of their children and to increase their knowledge of specific support systems. It was the first time for most, educators included, to have these types of resources gathered in one place.”

Board Chair, Ronald Eamer, stated, “This symposium is a shining example of people coming together for the betterment of all.  It reflects our Gospel values in the way our parents, schools, and administration continue to work together to share ideas to help some of our most vulnerable students.”

The workshops offered attendees a wide variety of choices. The Individual Education Plan (IEP)/Individual Placement Review Committee (IPRC) workshop provided an overview of the importance of the process, clarified roles and responsibilities of those involved, and demonstrated how IEPs can be successfully implemented. The workshop also stressed the importance of the cooperative effort between the home, school, and in some cases, community partners in the development and implementation of IEPs.

The Anxiety and Our Special Needs Children workshop helped parents and educators recognize the symptoms of anxiety and how it can interfere with learning. The workshop explained that anxiety is on the rise, and that many behavioral problems can be the result of anxiety that has not been addressed. Tips and practical strategies for reducing, dealing with, and preventing anxiety, were also shared.

The Family Stressors around Special Needs Children workshop provided a forum for discussion on the issues that many families of children with special needs face. Sibling, parent, and home/school issues were all highlighted and discussed. Also presented was how community agencies help increase the success of children, families, and school teams in reducing stressors.

Principal of Special Education, Tom Jordan, said the evening was a great success. “The hardest thing that a parent of a special needs child can do is to try and raise them alone without any help. We wanted to make sure that we shared the message that we are here to help, and so are our partnering agencies. Those in attendance at the Symposium clearly received that message.”