It’s hard to believe two months have passed since Edutopia contributor Carly Berwick wrote about her school’s sudden closure for the coronavirus — our very first article on the topic. At the time, her district in Bergen County, New Jersey, was ahead of most, but within days, school systems across the country, like toppling dominoes, rapidly followed suit. READ MORE
School will be different when students return
When schools reopen this fall — if they reopen this fall — students and teachers will not be returning to the classroom learning environments they left behind in March, when school districts across the country shuttered for more than 55 million children. Some of the most obvious differences will be the increased sanitization of classrooms and buses, teachers and children wearing masks and other personal protective gear, frequent temperature checks and hand-washing and new rules that allow for as much social distancing as possible. READ MORE
Parents can be co-teaching partners
Elizabeth Stein, a contributor for MiddleWeb, writes: “Did you ever stop to really think about parents as your co-teaching partners? It’s far from a new idea. See this Educational Leadership article from ASCD that dates back to March 2015 as an example. We are all living the reality of not just being ‘Two Teachers in the Room.’ Rather, we are all teachers beyond the room — reaching into many rooms. The meaning of this reality is tremendously variant as we all experience the COVID-19 pandemic in very personal ways.” READ MORE
The myth of “Behinid”
On the Empowered Principals Podcast, Angela Kelly Robeck, an educational coach, shares insights and thoughts around the concept of being behind.
Remote learning continues, but students with disabilities are still falling behind
Samantha Wagensommer expected to finish her last semester on Stockton University’s campus and walk in her graduation ceremony this month. Instead, she’s been back home in Manahawkin since March, finishing her degree remotely and taking on the role of helping teach her little brother Dean, an 18-year-old who has autism spectrum disorder. Dean normally goes to school nearly year-round at Southern Regional High School. READ MORE
Many educators want to reboot the US school system
Today’s colossal interruption in class as usual has inspired teachers around the country to boldly speak out about changes they want to see in education. They’re urging drastic measures to solve problems magnified during this time of COVID-19-related closures — before things get swept under the rug again. READ MORE
Senate HELP committee holds hearings on Re-Opening Schools
Last week, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing, “COVID-19: Safely Getting Back to Work and Back to School.” Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) ran the hearing from self-quarantine after being exposed to a staffer who tested positive for the virus.
Nominations for Officers
Washington CASE is seeking nominations for the following offices (each position is a two-year term unless specified):
- Vice-President (one-year): Serves in place of, and with the authority of, the president in case of absence or disability. Serves as the program chair of Washington CASE, responsible for planning and developing programs for the unit. Responsible for quarterly membership accounting.
- Secretary: The secretary manages communications and documentation for the organization. Updates and manages materials as needed by the executive committee.
- Children and Youth Action Network (CAN) Coordinator: Represents WA-CASE at CEC CAN events, communicates CEC policy initiatives, conducts training for members, and develop relationships with local and state elected officials and government officials.
- Member at Large: Serves as a voting member and serves as chairperson for standing and ad-hoc committees.
- Student Member at Large: Serves as a voting member and serves as a student representative on committees.
Please nominate your colleagues here (after speaking with them of course)
Resources shared at Happy Hour on May 15
CASE/CEC “COVID-19 and FAPE” webinar with Julie Weatherly, Esq.
Information from COPAA regarding Compensatory Educational Services
2020 Special Education Legislative Summit (Virtual)
What school might look like in the Fall
Another look at what school might look like
Nominations for Officers
Washington CASE is seeking nominations for the following offices (each position is a two-year term unless specified):
- Vice-President (one-year): Serves in place of, and with the authority of, the president in case of absence or disability. Serves as the program chair of Washington CASE, responsible for planning and developing programs for the unit. Responsible for quarterly membership accounting.
- Secretary: The secretary manages communications and documentation for the organization. Updates and manages materials as needed by the executive committee.
- Children and Youth Action Network (CAN) Coordinator: Represents WA-CASE at CEC CAN events, communicates CEC policy initiatives, conducts training for members, and develop relationships with local and state elected officials and government officials.
- Member at Large: Serves as a voting member and serves as chairperson for standing and ad-hoc committees.
- Student Member at Large: Serves as a voting member and serves as a student representative on committees.
Please nominate your colleagues here (after speaking with them of course)