Haley Pilot School Parent Council (SPC) Meeting
December 7, 2022
Haley SPC website: https://sites.google.com/view/spc-haley/home
Inclusion and Q&A with Kathleen Sullivan
Inclusion means that special education and general education students are learning together. The commitment to inclusion is to keep students with different learning styles in the same room and to teach to the different learning styles.
Some history: Three years before Ms. Sullivan started at The Haley (at the time, was K-5th), the process of inclusion had begun with kindergarten and was growing up the grades. The co-teaching model had begun, and through a grant, a general educator, special educator, and a number of interns were working in the classrooms, allowing the model to grow. Prior to this, The Haley ran on a model of having general education classrooms and substantially separate classrooms, for students with special needs.
Since that time, The Haley added 6th through 8th grades, giving Haley 5th graders an opportunity to stay in an inclusive model. Previously, they would leave 5th grade and enter a school with substantially separate classrooms, although they had been included since kindergarten.
Ms. Sullivan holds dear the co-teaching model. In 1st through 6th grades, all teachers are identified as inclusion teachers, and they are all dual certified, in both general and special education. Most are also tri-certified, in ELL.
Minutes in a student’s IEP indicate if the student’s needs can be met through the inclusion model or if the student needs a substantially separate learning environment in order to be successful.
Inclusion is not a place, it is a practice and a philosophy, and it includes language. It is important that the culture is used in all aspects of the school and then trickles down to families too. One example is instead of saying, “This student cannot do this” we say, “This student is working on skills to do this.” It is a mindset. Another example is using the word “and” instead of “but.”
The Haley has an academic support team, consisting of an additional person at each grade level. This team looks at what kids’ needs are and how to service those needs. This can be both within and outside of an IEP, and the team works to provide services that will work for each student and figure out what their best learning style is.
There was also an announcement that The Haley is opening a classroom for 3 and 4 year-olds who need ABA services. The district needed some space and reached out to The Haley. Ms. Denise Washington is joining the Haley family to teach in this classroom.
Questions:
With the merging of schools happening in Boston Public Schools, and making schools bigger, how will we support our special needs students in these larger environments?
On January 10, The Haley will host a meeting in regards to the new grade configuration that is coming down in Boston.
The old Irving Middle School is going to house the Sumner (about 500 students) and the Philbrick (about 140 students). The Sumner building will then be able to house other students for consolidation and/or as a swing space if needed for something like renovation on an existing school. The plans for the Sumner building are still being considered.
Most Boston Public Schools are going K to 6 and 7 to 12.
No changes at The Haley next year, but this is a conversation for the future.
With regard to the Governing Board, who is on it, how are they chosen, and where can we find the notes from meetings?
The governing board makes decisions regarding budget and works on some hiring for The Haley.
People who are interested submit personal profiles for the community to review and are elected for a two-year term.
The board also consists of six community members who bring an unique perspective to the board.
The welcoming sign at the front door of The Haley has an omission of welcoming ability.
This was overlooked. Ms. Sullivan acknowledged that while other posters located inside the school include ability, it needs to be added to the sign at the entrance.
When are the lights coming to the field so the soccer groups can use the field in the dark?
If/when the lights come, there is an agreement to make the school park and field a community space that others can use.
A few things have to be in place before it can open to the community, including securing the windows of the building a bit more, etc.
Are there alternative spaces for students to eat when the cafeteria is too stimulating for students?
Space is limited, and Ms. Sullivan is in the midst of setting up some quiet background music to help the cafeteria be less stimulating.
Reminders:
Thursday, December 15, The Haley Winter Arts Festival, 6pm.
Parents and students are allowed into the building starting at 5:15pm, where pizza and snacks will be offered for purchase.
Next SPC meeting is on Thursday, January 19, 6pm, with Mr. Freeman, Haley School Psychologist. He is open to the topic, so if you have suggestions, please email haleyparentcouncil@gmail.com. One idea that came up tonight was about helping our children manage screen time.
Boston SpEd PAC Holiday Family Social, December 17, 1-4:15pm, at the Murphy School, in Dorchester. This is a great chance to meet other families and learn more about the Boston SpEd PAC.
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