SCUC Special Education/504
Parent Newsletter - April 3, 2020
You are Awesome and We Miss You!
Jordan Intermediate special education teachers Ms. Williams, Mr. Maffei, Ms. Emmons, Ms. Krambeck, Ms. Kolo, Ms. Kiel, Ms. Kindice, and Ms. Hoffpauir, along with Principal Tina Curtis and Assistant Principal Erin Holladay, share a message with their students and families.
April 3, 2020
Dear Families,
Firstly, I want to thank you all for your patience and flexibility as we navigate this new environment and many new challenges. Our team is in meetings with the Region 20 service center and TEA weekly (sometimes daily) to make the best plans possible for our students. Our amazing teachers, LSSPs, diagnosticians, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and many more are working hard to individualize plans for students and families.
This morning, my 6-year-old daughter was video chatting with her kindergarten teacher. They talked about math and reading, sight words, caterpillars, unicorn drawings and all of the fun things kinder kids (or at least mine) love. Then her teacher asked if she had any questions. She thought for a minute and said, "I have a question. Why is the virus spreading?" This surprised me, because I've tried hard to shield her and her 4-year-old brother from the anxiety her dad and I are feeling now working full time and parenting full time at home. It reminded me that kids understand and absorb so much more than we sometimes realize. And that they have worries and anxieties about this, too, even though they may not express them in words.
If you need visual supports, social narratives or some support from our Autism/Behavior Coaches during this time, please reach out. We can help with visual schedules, reinforcement systems, coping skills, etc.
I know that so many of you are in the same boat - worrying about finances, groceries, home learning, parenting and comforting your kids through this, caring for parents and relatives and neighbors, etc. etc. etc. We don't want to add to this stress. It's a balancing act to support over 2,000 students and families with the right amount of supports and services during a time and in a situation that none of us have any experience with. So please reach out. Please tell us if we're sending too much or too little for your family. Communication is going to be key to ensuring we meet your needs during this time.
And please, please afford everyone you come into contact with some additional grace. We know you are doing your absolute best. Please know that we are, too. If it's not enough or just cannot be done remotely, we'll make it right when schools resume normal operations and do whatever it takes to ensure your child thrives.
Stay well,
Kimberly Ferguson
Director of Special Education
Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD
In-Home Obstacle Course
National Autism Awareness Month
Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
Digital Resources for Students with Special Needs
Parent Resource Livebinder
Access code: Parents
Dear Parents,
As we continue to navigate remote learning together I want to remind you that you are doing an amazing job. Our teachers have shared so many celebrations about the partnerships they are developing with you.
As a parent myself, I have come to the realization that learning in my home may not look perfect and it may not look my neighbors but we are making it work for our family. We have a college student, high school student and two adults working from home. I think it's fair to say that we are all becoming experts in online meetings and at times we are all talking at once. I feel like this goes against all manners 🙂
Additionally, the time away from our co-workers, friends and family has reminded us to be thankful and to not take advantage of what we had. I didn't think I would ever hear my high school son ask when he could return to school. Like the rest of us, he misses his routine. I believe that once he returns to campus he will have a greater appreciation for his teachers, at least I know I do!
As your family continues to persevere through this new but temporary normal remember to give yourself grace. We are a team. We care about your family and cannot be more appreciative for the role you are playing in helping us provide learning opportunities to your children. If we can do anything for you, please reach out.
Kindly,
Windi Hughes, M.Ed.
Coordinator for Section 504/RTI and General Education Homebound
Learning A-Z Resources For Parents
12 Essentials Tips for Doing School at Home
Home with the kids during school closings? We’re here to guide you through this challenge with useful insights and powerful advice. Let us help make this time productive and positively educational.
We’ve put together this comprehensive set of guidelines to specifically address this unique set of circumstances. Follow these tips to start this unique journey on the right foot!