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Marquette Area Public Schools
Special Education Department
Graveraet Elementary School
611 North Front Street
Marquette, MI 49855
Phone: (906)225-4319
August 13, 2020
Return to School – Special Education
Dear Special Education Parents, Guardians, and Students,
After the school board’s decision to accept MAPS COVID Preparedness and Response Plan and the Tiered Response Plan, I want to update you regarding Special Education Services for the upcoming school year. The Special Education Department, classrooms, and therapies will follow the MAPS re-opening plan. This includes all requirements for masks, social distancing, and hygiene.
The re-opening plan does not require ECSE students to wear masks in the classrooms. This is subject to change based on the level of possible infection in buildings and/or teacher needs. All students will be required to wear masks on busses and when moving through buildings. There will be ample opportunities for breaks outside where masks do not need to be worn. As we begin the school year, all teachers will be reviewing your student’s IEP and medical plan (if in place) to determine what, if any, recovery services and adjustments may need to be made.
The district is currently offering three options for education this year. The options are:
- Face-to-Face Instruction – all instruction will be delivered in the general education and special education classrooms as feasible.
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Virtual Instruction – all instruction will be delivered virtually with the special education case manager/teacher delivering special education instruction and resource support. Case mangers will be working closely with general education teachers to deliver a modified and accommodated curriculum as indicated by student needs and student IEPs. There is also the possibility that an instructional aide, working under the supervision of both the special education and general education teachers, will deliver instruction and assistance virtually as well.
- Hybrid Instruction – most of the student’s curriculum will delivered online by MAPS teachers and special educators. Students could attend for electives/specials and special education resources, instruction, and therapies. There is also the possibility that an instructional aide, working under the supervision of both the special education and general education teachers, will deliver instruction and assistance virtually as well.
Therapies such as Speech and Language, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy, etc. will be delivered in a modality that offers FAPE. A face-to-face student and a hybrid student will likely receive therapies while they are in attendance in a building. Depending on your student’s needs, a virtual student could be delivered therapy virtually or asked to come in to meet one-on-one with the therapists in a hygienic and safe setting.
It is our intention that, no matter which option your family chooses, your student will be able to move seamlessly between the options. This is especially important in the event we are forced to close a classroom, building, or the district based on levels of infection, attendance, or Governor’s orders.
I cannot offer guidance on which option/s your family should proceed with this year. This must be a personal, family decision based on each family’s/student’s personal or health needs. Please feel free to email me at sbarnes@mapsnet.org or call me at 906-225-5329 if you have further questions or feel you have special circumstances that need to be addressed before the start of the school year.
Sincerely,
Sandra L. Barnes
Sandra L. Barnes
Special Education Supervisor
Marquette Area Public Schools
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