What is the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)?

The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is a group of enthusiastic advocates representing associations and organizations that support students with special needs. Our role is to review and make recommendations to the Board about Special Education programs and services for students with exceptional needs.

Our Vision

Creating a positive school community and atmosphere where all students feel they belong, experience success and reach their full potential.

Guiding Principles

• All students are valued and are contributing members to their school community and individual school experience.
• Strong relationships between school, students, parents/guardians and extended school communities where everyone feels engaged and supported.
• Programming and curriculum delivery uses Universal Design for Learning, Differentiated Instruction and a Holistic Approach to maximize opportunities and meet the needs of all students.
• Students and staff achieve success working in an innovative learning environment.
• Creating a sustainable culture of inclusion, respect, understanding and collaboration.

What We’re Talking About

Here are some of the topics that we have been talking about over the past year:

• Changes to programming like the ACE program
• Accommodations for students with special needs on field trips
• Work and Transition Support program (WATS)
• Budget

SEAC includes the following associations:

• Autism Ontario – Waterloo Region
• Easter Seals Ontario
• Epilepsy South Central Ontario (Kitchener-Waterloo)
• FASD ONE (Ontario Network of Expertise)
• Learning Disabilities Association of Wellington County
• Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy
• Parents for Children’s Mental Health – Waterloo Region
• Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society

Non-Association Members:

• Family and Children’s Services of Waterloo Region
• Waterloo Region Family Network
• WRDSB Student Representative

Trustees on SEAC:

• Trustees Cindy Watson & Kathi Smith

How I can get involved?

SEAC can have representatives of up to 12 community associations. If your association is not represented, there may be an opportunity to become part of the committee. If your association is already represented, check with that association to find out if there is a vacancy because each group can have a primary and an alternate representative.

If you are interested in becoming a member representing a community association, you must meet these qualifications:

• you must be a Canadian citizen
• at least 18 years of age
• a resident in the area of jurisdiction of the board
• a public school elector
• employees of the district school board are not eligible to be members

SEAC Meetings

You are welcome to attend and observe SEAC meetings. They are usually held on the second Wednesday of each month starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Education Centre, 51 Ardelt Avenue, Kitchener. Please call 519-570-0003, ext. 4235, to confirm meeting dates and times or check on our website.

Questions?

• Check out special education information on the board’s website.
• SEAC community associations are always happy to support you in any questions that you have about the exceptionalities that we represent.
• Please call 519-570-0003, ext. 4235 if you are interested in attending a meeting or would like to have your association added to SEAC.

Categories: Learning Tags: SEAC · Special Education Advisory Committee