PRINT ARTICLE

Print    Close This Window
Special Education Supports and Services
Dear Parents and Guardians,

The Pupil Services Department has been working diligently in an attempt to stay ahead of the evolving changes and restrictions that have been rapidly occurring during this unprecedented time. Area Special Education Directors have been collaborating and seeking guidance from the Ohio Department of Education regarding how to best support students during this extended school closure. We recognize that the special education supports and services we are able to provide your child during this time are going to be much different from what is typical. While we are aware that the alternate learning opportunities are not without limitations, and that some of our students with disabilities may experience challenges, we are working diligently to ensure all students with disabilities are able to access their designated learning experiences during this time.

Until further guidance is received from the Ohio Department of Education, the provisions we are currently making to continue supporting your student are outlined below:

• Your child’s service providers will be consulting with his/her teacher(s), and with you, to provide materials based on your student’s individualized needs, accommodations and/or modifications.
• We will be making every effort to hold ETR, IEP and 504 meetings digitally to stay within timelines for compliance deadlines.
• Special education evaluations that require face-to-face assessments will be delayed until school reopens.
• Your child’s Intervention Specialist/Case Manager and Related Service Providers (OT, PT, SLP) will make their very best effort to be in communication with you or your child at least once per week (except during the week of Spring Break) to monitor progress with the assigned work, provide support and address concerns as they arise.
• Related service providers will continue your child’s instruction as much as possible during this period by providing activity packets to address the goals they have been working on during their sessions. They are also exploring the possibility of creating and sharing lessons via virtual means.
• Your child’s case manager and service providers will be available for questions during regular school hours.
• Progress reports on IEP goals from the 3rd quarter will be sent home via email for Preschool - 12th grade students.
• Please Note: Due to logistics, 3rd quarter progress binders will not be handed out for any student in grades K-4 until we reconvene. Students in 5th-12th grade will be able to access grades electronically.

During this altered, nontraditional time period, we also must select the goals that can be most readily addressed under the current restrictions. Some goals will take precedence over others due to the nature of the various goals and the constraints of our current situation. While we value each and every goal in your child’s IEP, please understand that during this time some may not be the primary focus.

We will continue to monitor updates from Governor DeWine, the Ohio Department of Education (ODE), the Office for Exceptional Children (OEC) and the U.S. Department of Education for additional information related to students with disabilities. Things are likely to continue to change and remain fluid moving forward. Please know that throughout this time, we will be assiduously working to meet requirements and appropriately plan for students with disabilities.

If you have any questions or concerns during this home learning period, please do not hesitate to email your child’s Intervention Specialist, Related Service Provider or School Building Principal. As additional guidance is released, we will adjust accordingly to continue providing the best education possible for your student.

Sincerely,
Andrea L. Glesser, Ph.D.
Director of Special Education
Perrysburg Schools
[email protected]