Weekly Message
Week of September 21st - 25th
Time keeps moving and sometimes with a perceivable speed or momentum, as often happens as the school year flows forward with a force of energy and excitement. Today, let’s pause in the wake of time and celebrate the movement that has been supported by those before us. Our call for supporting and honoring the lives of students who experience disabilities is possible because of a movement that has been strong and powerful and persistent as it was supported by so many. Today, we come together to reflect, mourn, and celebrate the life of the U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Associate Justice Ginsburg, wrote the landmark opinion grounding our country in the right of all individuals who experience disabilities to receive services and participate in their community rather than in a more segregated environment. She has been an influential leader in the movement for human dignity and we must continue it.
In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was created as a civil rights law that prohibits the discrimination of individuals based on the experience of a disability. This law paved the way for individuals who experience disabilities. In 1999 Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson, two brave women who experienced disabilities in Georgia came forward to demand that their voices be heard and to receive the services that they needed in the least restrictive environment for them, their homes and their community. The case went to the highest court in the country, the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, in an opinion written by Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg agreed with the pioneering advocates of Lois Curtis and Elain Wilson. They agreed that under the Americans with Disabilities Act it is against the law to discriminate against a person based on his or her disability and unjustified segregation is discrimination.
This is a moment to pause time, call to action and recommit to inviting our students to celebrate and thrive in our shared learning environment and to break the cycle that, “perpetuates unwarranted assumptions that persons so isolated are incapable or unworthy of participating in community life.” (Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581, 1999). We know, through our community, through the individuals who we support to amplify their voices and through the trail blazers before us, that we have the moral clarity and responsibility to stand up for our students. We will continue to support the path for those who will come after us. We are so proud to be holding hands and partnering in this work with you.
Liz Kinder Jumps Right in with Student Centered Differentiation
Liz worked diligently to create a google document for the student and it even starts by saying, "Student, Let's catch you up on what Geometry has been studying so far . . ." Liz immediately added comments for the student asking for their feedback on the format and offering that she can add audio to the google document, as well.
Liz started with the what all students are learning in Geometry and layered supports for this student. The document includes the WHY by explicitly sharing the lesson goal and includes videos, notes and examples for the student.
Thank you Liz for creating such a strong example of incorporating student voice into your planning and differentiation of instruction!
Unpacking Limited In Person Instruction
As you know, we have been going slow to go fast when considering ODE’s guidance around Limited In Person Instruction (LII). We know that in person instruction can be a powerful tool for some students. We are continuing to grapple with how to keep robust educational experiences at the forefront of our planning while balancing the health and safety of our students, staff, and families during this global pandemic.
We have been watching our county virus numbers and metrics closely and noting that the spread of the virus has been decreasing. We hope to begin considering how LII may best support our students.One critical step to considering LII is finalizing our Operational Blueprints. These blueprints were presented to the board this past Monday and are awaiting approval from the County Health Department and State. We know that this work requires collaboration and connection across all professionals and families. We have begun the conversation with our associations to consider how to begin LII. We want to plan together and go slow and steady.
Our initial thinking is start LII one step at a time. First with our students and families who are not able to access internet at home and those who are needing evaluation components that are not able to be conducted virtually. The next phase may be to consider our students, who despite our best efforts, are not able to access Comprehensive Distance Learning. For example a student who is not able to attend to a computer. This is our initial thinking of how to step into this work of LII.
We would like to harness your thinking around Limited In Person Instruction, as well, in an optional Information and Input session this Friday at 2:00. A zoom link will be shared in a subsequent email. This is an opportunity to come together and share in the planning and work to meet the needs of our students and staff.
WHAT: Optional Information and Input Session for Limited In Person Instruction
WHEN: Friday September 25th at 2:00
Florida Virtual Access for Co-Planning
Adobe eSign
Our very own Maria Swanson has taken a leading role in understanding Adobe eSign. She is here to help you navigate the system and has also created some very helpful tools to get your started.
Workshop Wednesdays
Virtual Staff Room | September 23rd
September 30th | Co-Planning
What does co-planning look like in Comprehensive Distance Learning!? Let's talk about it at the September 30th Workshop Wednesday. Please be thinking if there is a general education partner or grade level team that you would like to invite to join you in this learning opportunity.
*Look out for the zoom links in your email!
Friday ParaEducator PD
September 25th | Virtual Access Tools
October 2nd | Aimsweb
The following Friday on October 2nd, we will be hosting a session on Aimsweb, a tool for assessment and progress monitoring.
*Look out for the zoom links in your email!
Remind your families to opt into our Parent ListServ
As a reminder, signing up does require a passcode. If parents do not remember their passcode, they can select "Forgot your passcode?/Don't have a passcode?" and a passcode will be sent to their email address.
Reach out to us with your successes and opportunities for collaboration!
Lauren Brigsby | Director of Special Education
Stephanie Clawson | Assistant Director of Special Education
Jennifer Spencer-Iiams | Assistant Superintendent of Student Services
"Real change, enduring change happens one step at a time" - Ruth Bader Ginsburg