Austin ISD Special Education
Parent Communication Newsletter Issue #1 April 5, 2020
We're Here with You!
Welcome to our weekly parent newsletter! We are here to assist you during this unprecedented time. All students within Austin ISD will be utilizing Continuous Learning plans during the time schools are currently closed during COVID-19, but is subject to change per the Texas Education Agency (TEA). During the school closure students will be receiving special education supports and services online or through virtual instruction, through instructional telephone calls, and/or other curriculum-based instructional activities. We are committed to ensuring student IEPs are implemented and quality instruction is provided.
This newsletter will provide helpful tips, contact information you may need, and resources to assist with the new Continuous Learning format.
We are in this together, and we are here with you.
Executive Director Message
Dear AISD Special Education Parents,
Things are moving fast and are ever-changing! I want you to know that we are all in this together. During this unprecedented time, first and foremost, I am hoping this letter finds your children and families are safe and healthy.
Several different platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Smore, and digital letters will be utilized to keep you updated and apprised of the broad-based ongoing efforts in special education during this time of continuous learning.
Campuses and/or the District will provide individualized student communication in electronic formats, addressed directly to you. We are exploring options to distribute information swiftly.
Coming your way soon...
- Contact from your Special Education Providers
- Notice Regarding Participation in Virtual Small Group Lessons/Teleservices/Telephonic Instruction
- Individualized Continuity Plans detailing service delivery designed for your student
- Notification regarding evaluation status
- Virtual and telephonic ARD committee notices
More information is coming soon.
Please know that I am here for every one of you.
Dr. Akweta Hickman
Executive Director of Special Education
Austin Independent School District
April is Autism Awareness Month
In 1970, the Autism Society launched an ongoing nationwide effort to promote autism awareness and assure that all affected by autism are able to achieve the highest quality of life possible. In 1972, the Autism Society launched the first annual National Autistic Children’s week, which evolved into National Autism Awareness Month (NAAM). This April, we continue our efforts to spread awareness, promote acceptance, and ignite change.
The Autism Society of America, the nation’s oldest leading grassroots autism organization, is is proud to celebrate National Autism Awareness Month in April 2020 with the its new “Celebrate Differences” campaign. Designed to build a better awareness of the signs, symptoms, and realities of autism, #CelebrateDifferences focuses on providing information and resources for communities to be more aware of autism, promote acceptance, and be more inclusive in everyday life.
The Autism Society recognizes that the prevalence of autism in the United States has risen from 1 in 125 children in 2010 to 1 in 59 in 2020 – recognizing this continued increase, the goal for NAAM is to further increase awareness about autism signs, symptoms and opportunities through: information and referrals, events, printable and digital resources, and community partnerships with businesses and organizations dedicated to building inclusive experiences.
The Autism Society has a variety of resources designed to inform and encourage communities to celebrate differences, and become more inclusive of individuals with autism. The campaign will overlap with World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd, and continue throughout the month. These resources will be made available on social media for sharing as well as on www.autismawarenessmonth.org for download.
Article from: Autism Society
Austin ISD's Special Education Professional Learning Network (PLN) Contacts
Tips
9 tips for parents navigating online learning with their children due to Coronavirus By: Jennifer Fabiano
A “digital quarantine” might be necessary to keep your child’s attention focused on their schoolwork. You should limit their use of their devices, other than what is needed to complete their work, until their schoolwork is done. If you choose, you can allow your child to play on a device during a designated break, but make them aware that they only have a limited amount of time until they need to get back to work.
2. Make space for learning
Many adults have a specific area of the home in which they do work, and it’s important that you create a similar space for your child. Your children will achieve their best work in a quiet, comfortable, and dedicated space that is strictly devoted to learning. This space should be a different set-up than where they normally play games or watch television.
3. Maintain breaks such as snack time and recess
Routines and schedules are extremely important for children at school, and this is no different in their at-home school. Children will function best if they maintain their routine as close to normal as possible. Setting alarms similar to those they would encounter at school can be helpful for keeping them on a schedule. Around lunch time, encourage them to get up, get some fresh air, go for a walk or bike ride, or have a snack so that they are not sedentary for the entire day.
4. Allow them to interact with friends via video chats
Your children are used to lots of social contact at school, so they will definitely feel the effects of being distanced from them even after a few days. While it might not be safe for your kids to see their friends in person, you should allow them to interact with them online, beyond social media or text messaging. Video chats are often the closest thing to seeing someone in person, and are a great way to get in social time without endangering yourself or others. If your child does not regularly video chat with their friends, you can speak with other parents to set up a video chat playdate.
5. Mix screen time with old school learning mediums
Overuse of screen time can have adverse impacts on young brains, so it’s important to mix it up during a time like this. It’s likely that your children will want to continue to use a screen of some sort during their breaks from doing work, so it’s important to limit screen time by mixing in old school mediums as well. Hopefully teachers have sent home hard copy packets that they are able to work from. If not, print out anything you can for your child. As much as possible, parents should encourage print and book reading and, if possible, request textbooks from your child’s school.
6. Keep in touch with other parents
Social distancing is important during this time, but staying in touch with others via virtual communication is very important. Each parent that has a child home is going to be going through a new experience. Check in with other parents to see what they’ve found effective, and ask if they need help as well.
7. Don’t underestimate the power of a schedule
If you and your children are all doing work from your home, it’s likely that this is the first time that has ever happened. A schedule, for your work and your child’s work, is extremely important. To start, experts recommend keeping them on the same or similar sleeping schedule that they have when they are going into school. If a schedule was not provided by their teachers, help them write one for not only each day, but each week, as well. Having a clear vision of what is expected of your child will help them see that just because they are home does not mean they don’t have work to do. Experts recommend helping them prioritize and learn to create goals, tasks, and deadlines, just like adults do when they go to work.
8. Don’t let your children treat this as a vacation
This time at home might feel like a vacation for your child, but it’s important to remind them that their education still comes first. Obligations like class assignments, grades, tests, state exams, SATs, and ACTs aren’t going away just because classes have moved online.
9. Remember to schedule time for fun
While this is most certainly not a vacation, it’s important to have some fun with your children while they are at home. It’s rare that you have this much time with your children, so use it as an opportunity to bond. Experts at Children and Screens recommend organizing a tournament, family card games, charades, or chess, or getting outside for a hike or walk together.
Resources
Austin Independent School District
Website: https://www.austinisd.org
Location: 4000 South Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-1700