- Special Education
- Contact Us
- Roles and Services
- Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
- Special Education Programs
- Coordination of Services
- Individual Education Plan (IEP)
- Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC)
- Assessments in Special Education
- Accessibility, Equipment and Transportation
- Community Resources & Links
- Early Identification
- Student Transitions
- Health & Support Services
- Staff Development
- Ministry of Education Special Education Initiatives and Resources
- Provincial/Demonstration Schools
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
- About Us
- Members
- Meeting Minutes
- Contact Us
About the SEAC
SEAC members are expected to:
- advise and recommend to the Board of Trustees on special education programs and services relative to:
- annual review of Special Education Program
- special education budget
- staffing
- staff training and development
- program philosophy, design, modification and delivery
- instructional equipment and materials
- accommodation and playgrounds
- transportation - policies and practices
- community resources
- respond to the needs of all exceptional pupils within the board
- be available as a resource for parents of exceptional students
- acquire and maintain a working knowledge of special education programs and services
- advise SEAC colleagues of concerns relative to the students, parents and association whom he/she represents
Who Are We?
Autism Society, Waterloo County Chapter: dedicated to providing goals, to ensure a secure future for those with autism and pervasive developmental disorders.
Community Living Cambridge: believes that all people who have a mental handicap should live in a state of dignity.
CNIB Southwest Region: is a nationwide, community-based, registered charity committed to public education, research and the vision health of all Canadians. CNIB provides the services and support necessary to enjoy a good quality of life while living with vision loss. VIEWS: is a non-profit provincial support and advocacy organization, advocating for and providing opportunities to assist children who are blind or have low vision in reaching their full potential.
Community Living Cambridge: works with individuals, families, and groups to advocate for and provide support for, people with developmental challenges to be fully integrated members of the community.
Easter Seals Ontario: is dedicated to helping children, youth and young adults with physical disabilities achieve their full individual potential and future independence.
Family and Children's Services of Waterloo Region: to support the children and the families who require the care of Family and Children's Services of Waterloo Region. Along with its statutory responsibility to protect children in danger of physical and emotional harm, the FCS agency, itself a charitable, nonprofit social service organization, provides children with a nurturing environment in which to heal and grow, and provides parents with the help and opportunities they need to create a better life for their families.
Learning Disabilities Association: dedicated to assisting those with learning disabilities and their families in meeting their expressed needs by providing:
- support, guidance and resource information
- opportunities for sharing information and common concerns
- encouraging research and supportive appropriate legislative initiatives.
Mosaic Counselling and Family Services: is a non-denominational, not-for-profit counselling centre which is dedicated to providing to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families, individual and/or group counselling.
Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy: support group that provides a service of communication and advocacy through parent networking.
Waterloo Region Family Network: is dedicated to providing the support, knowledge and assistance families need in order to make informed decisions.
Waterloo Regional Down Syndrome Society: is a support group for parents and professionals. Through monthly meetings with guest speakers we provide network opportunities to share current information on Down Syndrome.
Waterloo Regional Police: committed to a leadership role within the community it serves and forming strong partnerships with the community. SEAC affords us an opportunity to realize our goals and foster positive relationships with a number of other agencies.
W-W Voice for Hearing Impaired Children: dedicated to ensuring that all hearing impaired children have the right to develop their ability to listen and speak and have access to services which will enable them to listen and speak. We are a support group for parents and offer workshops for parents and professionals.
SEAC Members
Chair: Rhonda Ruetz, Easter Seals Ontario
Staff Resources: Susan Hunt, Superintendent: Learning Services
SEAC Member Representatives
CHAIR: Rhonda Ruetz, Easter Seals Ontario
| Organization | SEAC Representative | Contact Information |
| Autism Society Ontario | Mary Bamber | 519-590-3471 |
| CNIB Southwest Region / VIEWS | Connie Wallbank | 519-742-3536 x 5166 |
| Community Living Cambridge | Ella Blazewicz | 519-623-7490 |
| Easter Seals Ontario | Rhonda Ruetz | 1-800-668-6252 x 327 |
| Family and Children's Services of Waterloo Region | John Spinak | 519-576-0540 x 3622 200 Ardelt Ave, Kit. |
| Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy | Tara O'Brien | 519-886-1670 |
| Waterloo Catholic DSB Trustee | Joyce Anderson | 519-578-3660 |
| Waterloo Catholic DSB Trustee | Greg Reitzel | 519-578-3660 |
| Waterloo Region Family Network | Shannon Geil | 519-804-1786 |
| Waterloo Regional Down Syndrome Society | Lori Maloney-Young | 519-884-0710 |
| Waterloo Regional Police | John Gilbert | 519-653-7700 |
Did You Know That...
School boards are legally required to provide appropriate programs and services to all students regardless of their needs. Further to that, the Education Act (Section 82, Subsection 2) requires that each school board "shall establish a Special Education Advisory Committee". In keeping with this legislation, and our own Catholic philosophy of serving all students in a Christ-centered environment, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board has a Special Education Advisory Committee.
SEAC is committed to ensuring that each student continuously grows in a holistic sense-spiritually, physically, emotionally and socially. Following this mandate SEAC is responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Trustees in respect of any matter related to the development, review, and provision of education programs and services for students with exceptional needs.
The legal definition of an exceptional student is one who's behavioural, communication, intellectual, and physical abilities are such that he/she needs a modified learning program. Special education services are the support personnel and equipment necessary to implement a special education program.
SEAC Committee membership is presently comprised of 12 local associations and community representatives, and two school board trustees, all of whom are appointed by the full Board of Trustees for a three year term. The Supervisory Officer responsible for Special Education serves as administrative resource to the Committee.
SEAC Meeting Schedule
SEAC meets normally on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Meetings take place in the Board Room at 35 Weber St. W., Unit A, Kitchener and are open to the public. Delegations wishing to address the Committee must register five calendar days prior to the meeting by calling 578-3660 and speaking with the office of the Superintendent of Student Services. Each delegation will be allowed 10 minutes to present.
Meeting Schedule
Upcoming Meeting Agenda
Meeting Minutes (Notes)
| 2011-2012 Minutes | ||||
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| 2010-2011 Minutes | ||||
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| 2009-2010 Minutes | ||||
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| 2008-2009 Minutes | ||||
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| 2007-2008 Minutes | ||||
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| 2006-2007 Minutes | ||||
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Contact Information
Special Education Advisory Committee
Waterloo Catholic District School Board
35 Weber St. West, Unit A
PO Box 91116
Kitchener, ON, Canada
N2G 4G2
Phone: 519.578.3660, ext. 2299
Email: info@wcdsb.ca (Please put SEAC in the subject line of your email).
