Special Programs Guidance During Closure

  • Letter from the Special Programs Director:

    March 19, 2020

     

    Dear Parents and Guardians,

    As directed by Governor Inslee, the Grandview School District (GSD) will be closed from March 17, 2020 to April 24, 2020. The U.S. Department of Education has stated that if the district is not providing EDUCATIONAL services to all students during the closure, then there is not a requirement to provide special education services during the same time period. It was a difficult decision, but at this time, the GSD is completely halting academic offerings for EVERYONE, including our students who receive special education services. We will not be providing special education services during the closure.  This includes Speech tele-therapy, speech services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, vision services and any contracted services offsite of GSD campuses. The GSD will be offering educational activities through the schools that will be communicated via the district website. These are voluntary and not graded.

    Once school resumes, GSD will consider the impact of the days missed on students’ progress and performance. We will determine how to ensure the continued provision of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for those students impacted by the school closures. As always regarding the provision of special education services, these determinations will be individualized based on each student’s unique needs.

    Regarding assessments, all assessments for the rest of the school year have been canceled for students that are on an IEP – there may be additional guidance for graduating seniors. That information will be forthcoming, as there are many changes in the guidance from our state education department, OSPI.

    Due to the cautionary response to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Grandview School District will suspend Part C to Part B transition meetings, evaluation/eligibility meetings, and IEP meetings during the closure. This will allow the district to prioritize decisions and actions based on health and safety first, communicate with staff and families, and then consider requirements of IDEA and Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 392.172A, including the need to update IEPs and provide prior written notice.

    The district will plan to meet with IEP teams, including parents, when school resumes. Please stay healthy! We care about you. 

    Sincerely,

    Dr. Shawnta DiFalco
    Director of Special Programs