A Brave Return to School: Special Education Parents’ Guide

Dear Parents,

We are so excited to welcome your children back to school in a few short weeks. We have spent the summer learning and planning to support students regardless of where they are learning this school year. Keep in mind that we expect to be faced with unforeseeable challenges this school year and expect that our students and families may, as well. You have the right and are encouraged to request an IEP team meeting at any time to discuss your student’s needs. We encourage frequent communication with your child’s teacher and Intervention Specialist as the year progresses.

In-Person Learning

Safety Measures

● Students with disabilities will follow the same safety protocols as their typical peers. Special considerations will be given to students with special needs in order to meet their individual academic, developmental, social/emotional, and sensory needs.

● Special Education staff will be provided additional protective equipment including table top sneeze guards, face coverings, and cleaning supplies.

● Resource rooms will be cleaned between students or groups of students with a focus on high-touch surfaces.

● For students K-8 who will be remaining in cohort/homeroom groups, students will be clustered to the greatest extent possible in order to reduce exposure and mobility for Intervention Specialists.

● If students are pulled to a resource room, every effort will be made to pull them individually or only with other students in their cohort/homeroom group

● For high school students, Intervention Specialist, Educational Aide and service provider schedules will be reviewed to minimize total number of contacts in a given day.

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A Brave Return to School: Special Education Parents’ Guide

● 6 ft of distance between teachers and students will be used, when possible based on individual student needs. If 6 ft is not possible, physical barriers (plexiglass, face masks, face shields) will be used.

● Students will be provided individual sets of materials. If individual materials are not possible, materials will be cleaned after each student use.

● Building Health Specialists will review student health plans and will contact parents to make adjustments, as needed, to address safety needs in the context of COVID-19.

Specially Designed Instruction & Related Services

● Services will be delivered as specified in students’ IEPs to the greatest extent possible while maintaining safety precautions.

● Both student and staff schedules are being analyzed to minimize exposure.

Plan B & C Contingencies

● IEP teams may consider in-person service delivery within a building on days when the student is scheduled to participate virtually as determined appropriate by their IEP team.

● Intervention Specialists will create supplementary sets of materials that can be sent home with students in the event of a switch to remote learning.

● Intervention Specialists will plan and collaborate with classroom teachers to ensure appropriateness of remote learning for all learners.

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A Brave Return to School: Special Education Parents’ Guide

Virtual Academy

Accommodations/Modifications

● Students entitled to accommodations and/or modifications per their IEP or Section 504 Plan will be provided those accommodations within the virtual academy model.

● Virtual Academy Intervention Specialist will consult with virtual classroom teachers to ensure lessons are appropriate for all learners.

Specially Designed Instruction & Related Services

● All services specified in students’ IEPs will be made available remotely in an online format

● If your student has assistive technology needs identified in their IEP, equipment can be provided for learning at home. Contact the Pupil Services Department
(513)272-4508.

● The district may be able to facilitate 1:1 in-person services in a designated part of a school building for students learning virtually as determined safe and appropriate by IEP team

Problem-Solving/Nonattendance

● In the event a student who has an IEP is not attending remote class meetings or engaging in classwork or Special Education services, the IEP team will convene to problem-solve

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A Brave Return to School: Special Education Parents’ Guide

Both In-Person and Virtual Learning

Meetings

● Meetings will be held via videoconference or phone if possible. If you feel that you cannot participate meaningfully via videoconference or phone, please contact your child’s Intervention Specialist to make other arrangements.

● If your child’s annual review was due after school buildings closed last school year and the review was not held remotely, your child’s Intervention Specialist will be contacting you to schedule that meeting prior to the end of September.

COVID-19 Building Closure Recovery Services

● All students likely experienced differences in their retention of information as compared to normal school years. However, due to the extended building closure at the end of the 2019-2020 school year, it might be necessary for a student with an IEP to receive recovery services to offset significant regression in academic or behavioral skills. These services may be provided in a variety of ways as determined appropriate by each student’s IEP team during their annual review.

If you have any questions, please contact your child’s Intervention Specialist, building Principal, or Director of Pupil Services.

A Parent’s Guide to Special Education

Sincerely,

Erica Leppert

Director of Pupil Services Erica.Leppert@ihsd.us (513)272-4508

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