SEAC Membership Update

Posted On Tuesday November 16, 2021

The Durham District School Board (DDSB) is pleased to announce the addition of two new Advocate Members and a new Member at Large to the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC).

The Black Parent Support Group and Durham Region Early Years Child Care Consortium have been welcomed to the membership of SEAC. Both organizations will start their role at the SEAC table beginning November 18, 2021.

The Black Parent Support Group was established in 2020 and supports Black caregivers of children and adults with a disability, while providing families with a safe place to network, build connections, problem-solve, share resources and to become less isolated. 

The Durham Region Early Years Consortium brings together a group of early years and child services committed to the delivery of high-quality programs that provide consistency and continuity for children as they transition between community and school, core day and extended day programs.  The Early Years consortium exists to promote the healthy development, security and safety for all children and families through neighbourhood collaboration and service integration. 

The DDSB is also pleased to welcome new Member at Large Donna Edge-Bean. Donna is currently Director of the Access Centre for Success for Durham College working with students and faculty to provide full opportunities for academic success.

Both organizations and new Member at Large were approved at the DDSB November 15, 2021 Board Meeting as SEAC members advocating for the rights of students with special learning needs.

Background

Under Ontario's Education Act, every student is entitled to a program which meets their needs.  In Durham, our Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) helps the Board protect the rights of students with special learning needs.  SEAC provides information, advice and assistance to parents/guardians whose children may require additional support.

SEAC advises and makes recommendations to the Board concerning the establishment and development of special education programs and services.

Quote

“To support inclusive education, we are so pleased to welcome new members from the Black Parent Support Group - Jenny McLaughlin and Carrisa Foston-Lewis, a representative from the Early Years Consortium, and new member at Large Donna Edge-Bean. The new members will bring different and diverse voices to SEAC to provide input on special education programming and services to better serve all students with disabilities.” Eva Kyriakides, SEAC Chair and Donna Edwards, Trustee – Town of Ajax.

The Durham District School Board (DDSB) is responsible for public education in the rural settings of Uxbridge, Brock and Scugog Townships and the urban settings of Ajax, Whitby, Pickering and Oshawa. The DDSB employs 7,000 teaching and educational services staff. With 136 elementary and secondary schools and learning centres, the DDSB accommodates more than 70,000 regular day students and thousands more who take advantage of a wide variety of continuing education and adult credit courses. More information can be found on the DDSB’s website at www.ddsb.ca. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @DurhamDSB, Instagram @durhamschools and YouTube at DurhamDSB.

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