Dear Parents,
We realize that there has been a number of changes that have happened very quickly and have completely turned our lives upside down. We wanted to reach out to you to let you know how we are attempting to provide special education services and support to our students with IEPs.
By now you should all have received some communication for online learning for your child from their building principals. If you are still in need of any technology, chromebooks or internet, please let us know.
Our special education teachers will be working with their grade level colleagues to continue to provide your child with supports to access the curriculum. They are also working on a variety of tools to be in touch with both you and your children to help us all become more comfortable using technology as a means to learn.
Our related service providers (counseling, speech, OT and PT) will also be using a variety of ways to continue therapy with those students who receive these services. This may be in the form of videos or emailed activities. BOCES Itinerant providers such as Audiology, Vision Services or TOD will be in touch as to how they will provide services.
We are doing our best to provide special education services to our students though it will certainly look different. The number of days or minutes will not look like it does during a day when your child is at school. We have to be realistic as to how often we can expect students to sit at a computer so we are going to spend the next two weeks learning along with you. If the closure goes longer, we will have an idea of how to plan moving forward. We are still waiting for further guidance from the State Education Department as to what special education will look like in the event of a longer closure.
Though not ideal, CSE meetings will be held after break by phone conference. Please watch for letters to inform you of dates, times, and how the meeting will be held. Any cancelled meetings will be rescheduled.
If you have questions or concerns please contact us at any time and we will do our best to help out. Our office phone (315-487-4698) is still working, you may need to leave a message but we will get back to you. Feel free to email us as well.
Thank you and we hope everyone stays healthy and safe!
Sue Murray: smurray@westgenesee.org
Darlene Chapin: dchapin@westgensee.org