During this period of school closures due to Covid-19, Vancouver Public School’s Special Education office would like to communicate with you our current plan for students with disabilities.
Current guidance from OSPI has directed school districts to prioritize their work in the following targeted areas:
- Health and safety of students, staff, and communities
- Considerations for supporting educational opportunities during school closures
- Maintain timelines for re-evaluations and annual IEPs
As we receive new information from OSPI and the VPS district office, this plan may be updated. The following is an update on two aspects of your child’s special education programming:
1. Special education staff and IEP teams may still hold re-evaluation, IEP team, and evaluation meetings during the closure. However, these meetings will be held in a method that allows for social distancing which may include virtual or phone participation. District staff will be making every effort to maintain timelines during the school closure. We ask for your understanding as we work to develop these new norms and systems of operation. We are working on developing staff resources and training to allow for this.
Your student’s case manager will be reaching out to schedule applicable meetings.
If you prefer to wait until after the closure ends for a meeting, please notify your child’s school psychologist and/or case manager. Per guidance from OSPI at the state level, we will be documenting any missed deadlines due to the closure.
2. It is our desire to assist parents and caretakers in supporting their children during this statewide emergency which has closed schools. With that purpose in mind, the district will be communicating about online learning resources that can be implemented at home for all students and for students with disabilities (online learning resources). These online learning resources are to be considered supplemental learning opportunities for students. Students will not be required to complete any schoolwork nor will teachers be providing grades for any completed work. We continue to receive guidance from OSPI and will communicate if any changes to services occur.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this new challenging experience. While responses may be delayed during the closure, we are monitoring emails and voicemails and welcome your questions. You can reach the special education office at 360-313-1158.