Guilford Public Schools  
HomeDistrict InformationBOE InformationSchoolsCalendarContact Us
enter search term

Guilford Public Schools Parent Academy

The Parent Academy is a new initiative of the Guilford Public Schools Pupil Services Department that will provide a network of support for parents of students with disabilities. Under the umbrella of the Parent Academy will be four primary areas of support: Parent Training, the Parent Resource Center, Parent Support Groups, and the Parent Advisory Council. The Parent Academy operates under the leadership of Dr. Patricia Brett, Director of Pupil Services. She can be reached by calling (203) 453-0128 or via email at brettp@guilford.k12.ct.us

The Parent Academy was developed following careful examination of the results of the 2008-2009 Connecticut Special Education Parent Survey. This past spring the Guilford Public Schools district participated in the State's survey designed to collect information on family satisfaction and parents' involvement in their child's special education program. Responses from Guilford parents indicated that while they were generally satisfied with many aspects of their child's program, questions regarding Parent Training and Support generated less favorable results.
2008-2009 CT Special Education Parent Survey Report.

Parent Training

The Parent Academy will offer a series of training and information sessions for parents. Topics will focus on special education issues. While the selected topics may have more relevance for parents of children with disabilities, all parents are welcome to attend these presentations.

Parent Advisory Council

The Pupil Services Department has formed the Parent Advisory Council (PAC). The purpose of the PAC is to provide opportunities for parental involvement and to enhance communication to and from the Pupil Services Department Director, the Special Education Coordinators and Superintendent regarding systemic programmatic services for students with special needs. PAC membership is on a voluntary basis.

We want to ensure that PAC consists of a diverse group of parents which represents students of various disabilities, grade levels, ethnicity and gender; therefore we have established an application process. Dr. Thomas Forcella, Superintendent, and Dr. Patricia Brett, Director of Pupil Services review the applications and select applicants based on the following criteria:

• A representative for each disability category to the extent possible
• A representative for each level: elementary, middle and high school
• Unique skills and/or experiences
• Ability to serve the maximum of a two-year term and meet at least four times annually

The Parent Advisory Council Co-Chairs for the 2009-2010 school year are Tom Gray and Gina Little.

Parent Advisory Council Members

Parent Resource Center

The Parent Resource Center will provide information for parents about special education and related services. Information will be available online through this website and at locations within our schools - still to be determined.

The following link provides a list of books available through the Guilford Free Library on Autism: Autism Book List

Parent Support Groups

It is clear from the 2008-2009 CT Special Education Parent Survey results and from general feed back to the Pupil Services Department that parents want the support of other parents who have children with similar disabilities. Under the umbrella of the Parent Academy a network of support groups will be established and made easily accessible to parents.