A majority of ASEAC members must be parents of students with disabilities, but the committee also welcomes other parents and community members, and must include one teacher. The committee also values the support and contributions of several APS staff, who serve as consultants to the committee.
About ASEAC
ASEAC¡¯s role and duties are mandated by the Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia as defined by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). As described by the VDOE, Special Education Advisory Committees (SEACs) ¡°are extensions of local school boards since members are appointed by them, and SEACs provide reports and recommendations to their school boards.¡± ASEAC provides an annual report to the School Board, but also submits comments and recommendations throughout the year as needed. The Regulations state that ASEAC¡¯s official role is to:
- Advise the local school division of needs in the education of children with disabilities;
- Assist in the development of long-range plans designed to provide needed services for children with disabilities;
- Participate in the development of priorities and strategies for meeting the identified needs of children with disabilities;
- Submit periodic reports and recommendations to the school board;
- Assist the school division in interpreting educational plans to the community for meeting the needs of children with disabilities;
- Review the policies and procedures for the provision of special education and related services prior to submission to the school board; and participate in the review of the school division¡¯s annual plan.
Get Involved
All ASEAC meetings are open to the public, parents, teachers, and community members are welcome to attend. Every month, the committee sets aside time to hear the concerns of parents of students with disabilities. If you wish to speak to the committee, or join in committee discussions, simply attend a meeting. You are encouraged to let one of the officers know ahead of time so they can set aside enough time on the agenda, but that is not required.
ASEAC also sponsors an annual forum which typically combines a public presentation on a topic of interest to families of students with disabilities, with an extensive parent comment session. ASEAC is very interested in working with other APS advisory committees on topics of common concern, such as transportation, reading or math instruction and interventions, or students who are identified as needing both special education and ESOL/HILT services.
Membership
ASEAC is always interested in recruiting new members, including parents and a teacher and a student representative. The committee tries to have a membership that reflects the diversity of our school community.
Working Groups
Much of the committee¡¯s work is supported by working groups that focus on particular topics of concern, such as autism, dyslexia, or ADHD (the topics can vary with the interests of the committee members). ASEAC encourages all members to participate in and provide leadership for these working groups. Parents who are not committee members are also welcome to participate in these working groups. No application is needed to participate in working groups.
If you are interested in joining the committee or a working group, please feel free to discuss your interest with any of our officers or members.
ASEAC Meetings 2024-25
ÐÓ°ÉÊÓƵ Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting Schedule – 2024-25
Meeting Time: 7pm to 9pm
Syphax Education Center2110 Washington Boulevard, ÐÓ°ÉÊÓƵ, VA 22204
MEETING DATE | LOCATION |
September 10 | Rooms 454/456 |
October 8 | VIRTUAL Meeting – Use |
November 12 | Rooms 454/456 |
December 10 | VIRTUAL Meeting |
January 14 | Room TBA |
February 11 | Room TBA |
March 11 | Room TBA |
April 8 | Room TBA |
May 6 | Room TBA |
June 10 | Room TBA |
Committee Officers & Members
ASEAC 2024-25 Committee Members
Contact: aseac.mail@gmail.com?
FIRST NAME |
LAST NAME |
POSITION |
Jennifer | Wheelock | Chair |
TBA | ?Vice-Chair | |
Paige? | Shevlin | ?Past Chair |
David | Siu | Secretary |
Bryant | Atkins | Member |
Danya | Ayeh | Member |
Michelle | Best | Member |
Laura | Bryant Njanga | Member |
James | Catano | Member |
Raquel | Cepelak | Member |
Anjy | Cramer | Member |
Alexander | Fernandez-Pons | Member |
Ellen | Fitzenrider | Member |
Selam | Getahun | Member |
Kristin | Gillig | Member |
Matt | Leland | Member |
Brittany | Oman | Member |
Claudia | Ramirez Cuellar | Member |
Marguarite | Reed Gooden | Member |
David | Rosenblatt | Member |
Kurt | Schuler | Member |
Laura | Swanson | Member |
Paul | Timm | Member |
Sharmon | Thornton | Member |
Minerva | Trudo | Member |
Claire | Wulf Winiarek | Member |
Student | Member | VACANT |
Teacher | Member | VACANT |
ASEAC Recommendations to ÐÓ°ÉÊÓƵ School Board
- Discipline Disparities and Bullying Recommendations – May 2024
- Fall 2023 Recommendations
- Recommendation #1. Increase hourly staffing during unstructured time
- Recommendation #2. Open up classes currently available only to students with an IEP to those with a 504 and in the long term consider how these courses can be open to all students.
- Recommendation #3: Explicitly indicate that students with disabilities are eligible for ¡°rigorous courses¡± including new ¡°intensified¡± courses at the middle school level.
- ASEAC Inclusion Recommendations – June 2023