SEPAC
April 16, 2020
Haitian Creole | Portuguese | Spanish
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The Brockton Public Schools will begin to hold annual review meetings remotely during the school closure for IEPs that are due to expire between March 13, 2020- May 4, 2020. During this annual review meeting, your child’s progress will be reviewed through March 13, 2020 which is the date school closed due to the Governor’s Executive Order. The special education teacher and /or related service providers will update the progress report. During the TEAM meeting, staff will update student progress towards goals and objectives. The general education teacher will provide an update on progress while student was in school.
TEAM Chairs are reaching out to parents via a phone call or email. We have several parents interested and will hold as many meetings as we can in the time available. You can contact me via email at laurieamason @bpsma.org. I will forward your name, number and email to the appropriate TEAM Chair.
If we are unable to arrange with you for a remote annual review meeting or you do not choose to participate in a remote meeting, we will convene a team meeting once school reopens.
Stay Safe!
Laurie Mason
Director of Special Education
April 13, 2020
Haitian Creole | Portuguese | Spanish
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Since the state has ordered schools to remain closed until May 4, 2020, it is important for us to work with you to keep your child engaged in learning. The Special Education Department has been collaborating with the general educators to develop plans to ensure students with disabilities have equitable access to curriculum, supports, and services.
The Federal and State government require districts to provide Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to students with disabilities. It is clear that FAPE does not mean that districts are required to fully implement a student’s IEP during the period of extended school closure. The determination of how FAPE is to be provided may need to be different in this time of unprecedented national emergency.
The focus of distance learning during this time is to reinforce skills already taught this school year and to apply and deepen these skills. It is important to know that distance learning will be accessed in different ways depending on the needs of each student. While special educators will be working closely with classroom teachers to modify assignments to meet the needs for students with disabilities, we recognize that students will experience distance learning differently than many of their non-disabled peers. With that in mind, our staff of teachers, related service providers, therapeutic staff will work closely with students and families to support the individualized needs of our students with disabilities so that all students can access our high quality education and special education. Staff will communicate a weekly schedule of office hours, resources and recommended remote learning opportunities for students. It can be a combination of district resources from the BPS website and/or review lessons designed by teachers that address the IEP goals and services on your caseload.
We understand that parent/guardian involvement is important in your child’s education at this time. We are also mindful that you as parent/guardians will have many extra responsibilities now and we appreciate your work.
As we work through this collaboratively, we know there will be a learning curve for us as educators, you as parents, and for your students. It is through the presumption of positive intentions, and understanding we are all doing the best that we can, we will find success.
If you need any assistance, please contact me laurieamason@bpsma.org.
Be Safe!
Laurie Mason
Director of Special Education
Meetings are held monthly at the Brockton High School, Azure Access Center. If you would like to attend please contact one of our officers to confirm the date and scheduled time. Meetings are held to discuss SEPAC workshops and Special Education.
SEPAC Officers
Michelle Keene: keenefamily520@comcast.net
Teresa McIntosh: terryandbill@yahoo.com
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UPCOMING SEPAC MEETINGS
Click "Read More" to view the topic of each meeting. A printable PDF of the full calendar is available here.