Minutes
Date:
Location:
Participants:
In Person
Katie Muirhead
Diane Wagner
Barb Cyr
Monday, June 20, 2016
Ministry of Education Toronto Regional Office
Regrets:
Marilyn Dolmage
Claude Oulette
Guest(s):
Deborah Thomson
(Tourette Canada)
Margarita Isakov (Guest:
Integration Action)
Via Phone
Alison Morse
Rhonda Quesnel
Marianne Domm
Tracy Grant
Mary Cunningham
Recorder:
Agenda Item/Discussion
1.0 Welcome from Co-Chairs
1.1 Selection of Note Taker for the meeting
2.0
2.1

Action
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
3.0
3.1
Agenda Item/Discussion
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.
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.
Action

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

A welcome letter will
be sent once the
Handbooks and videos
are up on the PAAC
website
2
3.2
3.3
4.0
4.1
4.2
4.3
Agenda Item/Discussion
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.
Action

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 2016-17
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
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
Agenda Item/Discussion
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 13th 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 2017-18.

 Program Guidelines for Integrated Delivery of
th
Rehabilitation Services were released on June 14
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 11th : 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.?
Action
Alison will share the
Guidelines with PAAC
members
4
Agenda Item/Discussion
5.0
6.0
Action
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, 2017
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 12:15
Appendix
PAAC on SEAC Example of how terms work for leadership positions.
Year
Past
Co-Chair
Co-Chair
Secretary
Chair
(Senior)
(Junior)
2012-13
Marilyn
Alison
Lynn
Dolmage
Morse
Mclarnon
2013-14
Marilyn
Alison
Katie
Lynn
Muirhead
2014-15
Marilyn
Alison
Katie
Ashley
Maynard
2015-16
Marilyn
Alison
Katie
Vacant
2016-17
Alison
Katie
New
Diane
Wagner
2017-18
Alison
Katie
New
New
2018-19
Katie
New
New 2
New
2019-20
Katie
New
New 2
New
2020-21
New
New 2
New 2
New 2
2021-22
New
New 2
New 2
New 2
Treasurer
Marilyn
Dolmage
Anne
Smith
Anne
Anne
Anne
Marilyn
Marilyn
Marilyn
Marilyn
New
5
6