Hopewell City Public Schools

What is the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)?

A committee that works with the school board, administrators, educators and parents of children with special needs. In Virginia, this committee is mandated for every school district by the "Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia."  Below are the members for Hopewell City Public Schools’ SEAC:

• SEAC Leadership Members
  • Chairperson: Erika Jenkins- SEAC Parent Member
  • Vice Chairperson: Vacant
  • Secretary: Nyeesha Mcfadden-SEAC Parent Member
• SEAC Committee Members
  • Mr. Jenkins: SEAC Parent Member 
  • Mrs. Ciancio-Brown: SEAC Parent Member  
  • Ms. Holloway: SEAC Teacher Member (HCPS Special Education Teacher) 
• HCPS SEAC Consultants
  • Mrs. La-Donna Mills, Ed. S. Director of Student Services
  • Ms.Juanzel Cardoza-Felder, Supervisor of Special Education Compliance

When are meetings held?

Meetings are held quarterly. Dates and times of the meetings are published on our school website, Parent Resource Center Newsletter, and or Social Media page. If interested in attending SEAC meetings please contact the SEAC Chairperson at SEAC Hopewell for more details. Please specify if you require any accommodations to attend meetings. 

DATES: 

• September 10, 2024
• November 12, 2024
• January 21, 2025
• March 11, 2025

What are the functions of the Special Education Advisory Committee?

• Advise the local school division of needs in the education of 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 regarding the education of children with disabilities to the division superintendent for transmission to the local school board; 
• Assist the local school division in interpreting plans to the community for meeting the special needs of children with disabilities for educational services; 
• Review the policies and procedures for the provision of special education and related services prior to submission to the local school board; and
• Participate in the review of the local school division's annual plan.

We need your help!

Please join us in our effort to increase parent participation and involvement in the Hopewell Special Education Program through the local Advisory Committee. We need your presence and commitment to fulfill the intent and mission of this committee. All meetings are open to the public. The committee welcomes anyone interested in Special Education programs for students of HCPS and encourages participation. Your attendance at these meetings can make a difference! Make the commitment to help students receiving special education services reach their full potential. Our first goal is to establish a committee that truly reflects the diversity of the Hopewell community. 

Additional goals to be considered and prioritized by the committee include:

• Revisions to the by-laws;
• Improvements for the special education website;
• Ideas for meeting the needs of students with disabilities and their families in the Hopewell community;
• Creating Disability Awareness for Hopewell City Public Schools and the community; and
• Maintaining the support and involvement within the committee. 

Why should you attend Special Education Advisory Committee meetings?

This committee offers a way to get to know other parents, be informed about what is going on in the Hopewell School System, and to work with the school division and make recommendations on how special education can meet the needs of students with disabilities.