Special Education Services and Remote Learning

March 17, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Please find this message which is of particular interest to those parents and guardians with children who receive services through an Individualized Education Program [“IEP”]

By separate communication you received notice of the decision to close school until April 6, 2020.  The ConVal School District will make its best efforts to support all children during this closure and will work to maintain skills for students. This will involve electronic and/or telephonic access to our teachers, case managers and service providers. These staff will collaborate together to help support education planning for your child during school closure.   We recognize that during this closure, we may not be able to provide the same level of special education services that your child receives in their school setting. However, we will strive to provide your child with equal access to educational opportunities while respecting the health and safety of your family and our staff.

Staff will be reaching out as appropriate to speak with parents, guardians and caretakers about the educational programming for your child. Our case managers, service providers and other professionals will collaborate and communicate with classroom teachers and families to support the learning plans and activities teachers are developing for students.  Together, we will seek to creatively make the best of this challenging set of circumstances.

Since this closure is an extended school closure (one which exceeds ten (10) school days), we are prepared to take further measures to address the needs of students eligible for special education who may have sustained educational losses from the lack of structured programming.  It is our hope that we will be able to support each child’s special education programming needs during the period of closure. However, that may not be possible in all cases. Depending on your child’s educational need and whether we have been able to offer the necessary programming, we intend to discuss potential remedial opportunities through an IEP Team meeting, once school resumes. The decision as to what is appropriate for each child may differ and will be an individualized determination. For example, if remedial opportunities are warranted, we will explore the possibility of providing them during Extended School Year (ESY), a model which may include, but not be limited to the following:

If your child was already determined to be eligible for Extended School Year (ESY), the IEP Team and the District  will consider whether it should extend the length of ESY summer programming. In those circumstances where it is appropriate, we will also explore whether we can provide alternative solutions during ESY, such as increasing ESY hours or days per week of ESY.  Rest assured, the decision as to what is appropriate for each child may be different and will be an individualized determination.

If your child is not currently eligible for Extended School Year (ESY) services, or this decision has yet to be made, and based on the loss of programming you wish to have the IEP Team consider or reconsider ESY eligibility, please promptly connect with your child’s case manager. Case managers will also reach out to you. Upon return to school, a conversation/IEP Team meeting will be offered for each student as to whether it is appropriate for them to receive some or all ESY services, and if so, the type of services that will be appropriate. Once again, the decision as to what is appropriate for each child may differ and will be an individualized determination.

These contingent plans are designed to support your child’s individualized education and to enhance your child’s access to an appropriate education.  We acknowledge that educational planning occurs through the IEP Team process, and nothing about these plans is intended to supplant or replace the individualized educational planning for your child.

Our thoughts and support are with you and your children as we partner with you to support their education. We remain dedicated to ensuring that your child receives a meaningful education at ConVal.  If you have further questions, please reach out to your child’s case manager. An additional contact for you is our special education coordinators and high school special education administrator who will be closely monitoring planning and programming for students.

Dianne Fitch 
Preschool Coordinator
dfitch@conval.edu

Diane Johnson
Elementary Special Education Coordinator
djohnson@conval.edu

Amelia Joseph 
Middle School Special Education Coordinator
ajoseph@conval.edu

Michael Lucow
CVHS Special Education Administrator
mlucow@conval.edu

Respectfully,

Ben Moenter
Director of Special Education
ConVal School District
bmoenter@conval.edu
603-924-7503 x2031