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Home / Latest / Updates on in-person learning, special education, + more from Lynn Public Schools | March 19, 2021

Updates on in-person learning, special education, + more from Lynn Public Schools | March 19, 2021

READ THE MARCH 19TH NEWS ROUND UP WHICH INCLUDES STATE COVID-19 NUMBERS & MIAA TOURNAMENT INFO. BY CLICKING HERE

See our COVID-19 related posts by clicking here.


Lynn municipal buildings will reopen to the public starting March 22nd.
Click here for more info.

The state of MA will advance to Step 1 of Phase IV on March 22 & replace Travel Order with Travel Advisory.
Click here for more info.

COVID Vaccine Clinics now available for Lynn Educators.
Click here for more info.


Family Letter #14

Dear Lynn Public Schools Families,
First and foremost I would like to express my sincere thanks for your cooperation and partnership over the past two weeks. We have shared quite a bit of information along with requesting your input. The information puts us in a good position to refine our plans for transitioning to in-person learning. For your information, the timeline for in-person learning can be found below.

The final steps of our planning involve solidifying the total number of students who intend to report for in-person learning. On Monday, families with students attending in grades 6-12 will receive another survey indicating the decision to attend in-person or remain full remote. Families with students in grades Pre-k to 5 are receiving individual communication from the classroom teacher. Decisions on in-person or remote learning will be made through that exchange. Please note that your decision through the survey (grades 6-12) or in consultation with the classroom teacher (pre-k-5) will be binding for the remainder of the school year. In order to create the safest and most predictable experience for students and staff, we are asking families to make this decision now for the remainder of the school year.
Click for full resolution image of the timeline for a return to in-person learning

I understand the challenge in making a decision for the remainder of the year now. Please know that after April 1st, the day on which kindergarten returns for in-person learning, there are precisely 10 school weeks remaining in the school year. Shifts between in-person and remote during that period of time will be disruptive. I invite you to review the timeline below. You may also watch the recent Virtual Town Hall during which a detailed discussion of the return to in-person learning is discussed or review the PowerPoint Presented. Also, as always, the staff at your student’s school is willing to support you in making the best decision for your student. I welcome you to contact your student’s school with any questions or concerns.

The expansion of in-person learning marks a welcomed and momentous milestone for students, families, and educators alike. We will continue to service remote learners in the same way as we have since the beginning of the year and will welcome those who choose in-person with open arms. We look forward to ending the year on a strong note.
Respectfully,
Patrick Tutwiler, PhD
 

Download this letter in English or Spanish.


Click for full resolution image

Special Education update

Dear Families,

During the week of March 29, 2021, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of the Lynn Public School District. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.

Parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child’s special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview the chairperson of the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other activities may include interviews of school staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and observations.

Parents and other individuals may email Dee Wyatt, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at Dee.Wyatt@mass.gov to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days after the review, the chairperson will provide the Lynn Public School District with a report with information about areas in which the district meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the district requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/reports/.

Thank you,
Phylitia Jamerson
Administrator of Special Education

Download this letter in English or Spanish

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The above information is courtesy of the Lynn Public Schools

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