Special Education Services Update

April 5, 2020

Dear Families,

On behalf of Gill-Montague faculty and staff, I hope this communication finds your family healthy and well given these extraordinary and unprecedented circumstances. We miss you all so much!

Please carefully read this update regarding the delivery of special education services. In light of the extended closure, the Massachusetts Department of Education has issued guidance to all school districts regarding the provision of special education and related services to support and maintain students’ current levels of progress as best as possible. Model 1 ensures that student accommodations and modifications are present in enrichment based learning activities and lessons as designed by the general educator or sub-separate teachers. Model 2 speaks to the provision of instruction and services remotely. Staff will begin implementing model 2 next week. Your child’s special educator and related service providers will reach out to you with more information.

Our office is following guidance by the state, to “make every effort to use creative strategies to provide special education instruction and services to the extent feasible” (DESE, Coronavirus FAQs). Due to circumstances, we will not be able to provide all services in the way they were typically provided (i.e. one to one service delivery; hands-on physical therapy, occupational therapy).

Two Types of Remote Service Delivery Options

Frequently Asked Questions

Communication
I have not heard from anyone following the emergency closure? I don’t know my student’s special education teacher? If you have not heard from anyone please call your student’s school and we will be sure to assist you. As schools are closed you will need to leave your name, child or children’s names, and a phone number to reach you. You can also send this information via email through our website at http://www.gmrsd.org/welcome-gmrsd/contact-us

IEP Services & Instruction
Can I expect an individual service/lesson (i.e. Orton-Gillingham, Reading Mastery, or a related service) to be administered remotely during the closure? In these circumstances, services will be provided differently than they are when school is fully operational. Staff will continue to target IEP goal areas with learning activities designed to impact that area.

Will the special educator and related service provider match the frequency and duration as provided in the IEP? In these circumstances, services will be provided differently than they are when school is fully operational.

How will summer services be addressed? GMRSD will provide more guidance in the upcoming weeks regarding summer services.

My child has significant disabilities. I’m not sure if online learning will be an option. Remote learning comes in many forms and is not always online learning. Your child’s special education liaison will work with you to plan a different option.

How much time should I expect will be allocated for instruction and services? Frequency will vary depending on program and grade level. Adhering to state and district guidance, you can expect your child to receive a remote learning experience that encompasses half a day (approximately 3 hours). Please note: this is not all teacher directed. Students can engage in self-directed learning.

Can I record the lessons? No, we ask that you not record the online or telephone-based lessons/therapies. MA General Law requires consent for any video or audio recording of an individual.

How will my child’s social-emotional and/or behavioral needs be addressed during this time? Your child’s special education liaison and/or counselor will work with you to address any concerns you may have about social-emotional/behavioral challenges.

Will my child receive office hours from their teacher every week? The district requires all teachers/ support staff to offer multiple methods (email, phone message) in which families and/or students can reach them during this period of remote teaching. Families are advised to schedule contact times directly with the teacher.

IEPs- Is consent required to provide support and services remotely? No. According to the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, consent is not required. Will GMRSD hold IEP meetings during the emergency closure? GMRSD will provide more guidance in the upcoming weeks regarding virtual IEP meetings.

Will the Team reconvene to make changes to the IEP? No. DESE has shared that there is not a need to reconvene the Team and make changes to the IEP. Will the remote learning service delivery models change the IEP or impact “stay put” rights? This does not change the IEP or impact “stay put” rights.

Technology
Are the platforms (i.e. Google Meet) secure? Google Meet provides a more secure educational environment within the GMRSD G-Suite for Education Domain. This means GMRSD has control over the accounts. Google Meet, being within the G-Suite environment provides a familiar user interface for both staff and students with minimal training required vs introducing a new tool.

My child still does not have a device and/or Internet. How will he/she/they receive this? If your student does not have a device or Internet, please contact your child’s school office. The district has been steadfastly working to identify and address issues of Internet and technology access.

I don’t know how to use technology? Will GMRSD offer guidance and training for parents/guardians regarding Google Meet, Chromebook, etc.? If you are unable to use the technology, please contact your child’s special education teacher.

Instructional Resources for Families
Please note the links of instructional resources on our district webpage by school and by our specialists. In addition, our special educators and related services providers will continue to share further instructional support materials within respective Google Classrooms, through email, and/or in remote conferencing, that are designed to support individual needs and specific populations of students with disabilities, including those with more intensive needs. We want families to know you are not alone and that we are very much in this together. We have also included social /emotional resources for families on school websites and in our district newsletters posted on our website.

Meals Distribution/ Local Resources for Families
The district is committed to making every effort to continue our meals distribution. Linked here is the distribution schedule and menu from April 6 to April 26. This is also posted on our website. In addition, we appreciate that these emergency measures have created significant hardships and disruption for our families. We are also providing a resource list linked here and listed below, that includes supports for meals, economic assistance, substance use/recovery, and crisis/behavioral health services in our area.

Supporting One Another

We recognize that extended school closures creates a significant disruption to you and your children, as well as every member of our educational community. Our buildings are closed, our teachers & staff are home, we miss our students terribly, and everyone is taking this one day at a time. We are truly in unchartered waters and doing our best to support one another. We will continue to develop our systems of support during this unprecedented school closure. Please maintain communication with school personnel so we can implement remote learning and instructional services for your child or children. Engaging in learning structures and routines will benefit everyone as we look to the days and weeks ahead of us when we are able to welcome your children back to school.

Our best wishes are with you and your families at this challenging time.

Dianne Ellis

Pupil Services Director
Dianne.Ellis@gmrsd.org