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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (June 12, 2020)
JUNE 12, 2020, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A3 KeizerCommunity KEIZERTIMES.COM Special ed takes on new meaning during pandemic the phone doesn’t feel the same as a face-to-face conversation, so I never know if I have helped enough or need to offer more supports,” said Nicole De Blasi, a special education instructor at McNary High. “This has defi nitely opened my eyes to the art of special education. It makes us, as a staff, re- think what the academ- ic needs are and how we can best serve our students,” fi rst-year spe- cial education teacher Kelly Burdick said. Howev- er, the staff at McNary has been diligent in making sure that special edu- cation students are having their needs met. “Our number one concern as we transitioned to distance learning was to provide care and connection for all our stu- dents. Through our care and connection, we continued to education students know their students so well, that the staff was able to quickly adjust teaching and offer a variety of sup- ports to make sure that the individual needs of the students were met. “Our goal has al- ways been to make sure that our student can continue to ac- cess their general ed- ucation classes despite the new methods of teaching. We want all students to continue to feel included, have access and feel suc- cessful,” De Blasi said. However, lack of personal connection and internet access are two of the main things that con- tributed to some of File the troubles when Sofi a Boru works with a student in the Celtic emotional growth center in it came to distance 2018. teaching. “So many students offer academic and emotion- parents,” De Blasi said. al supports by supporting and Most of the specialized in- have challenges in their home collaborating with our students, struction for special education life that make distance learning, general education teachers and is via small group learning on at times, impossible for them. Google Meets. Teachers also Despite trying our best, there have been providing their stu- are students who fi nd this type dents with individual check-ins of learning challenging,” De through phone calls, emails or Blasi said. “Some students re- texts — whatever the student’s ally need that face-to-face in- preferred method of communi- teraction and not being able to pop into a classroom for sup- cation is. Q. I heard about China’s ban on recycling. All students that are on an port has been diffi cult. Students What IS recyclable now? IEP have a case manager who now have to call, email or wait A. Be very careful to only recycle the things on your hauler’s approved list. is there to make sure that all of for offi ce hours to get help, as the student’s services and sup- opposed to having easy access PLASTIC BAGS, STYROFOAM, AND WAXY CARTONS WERE NEVER RECYCLABLE! ports are in place. According to their teacher for immediate PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING GOOD RECYCLABLES EMPTY, CLEAN AND DRY: to De Blasi, the case managers support.” • Cardboard and uncoated greyboard boxes (Shipping & cereal type). No frozen food boxes! “We have a lot less control that work with McNary special • Print-quality paper - newspaper, junk & office paper, and magazines; BY MATT RAWLINGS Of the Keizertimes The COVID-19 pandemic put teachers in the unique posi- tion of having to virtually teach for the last two-and-a-half months. Earlier this week, Sa- lem-Keizer educators wrapped up their fi nal distance learn- ing lessons for the 2019-20 school year. While giv- ing virtual in- struction has provided new challenges for Salem-Keiz- er educators, teachers that work in spe- cial education classrooms were presented with a greater task in trying to meet the needs of their stu- dents that are on Individualized Learning Plans (IEP’s). “It has been hard not hav- ing the ability to address needs with students as they come up, especially the social/emotional needs that many of our students have. For some of us, talking on ©1986 ASK MR. TRASH • Tin & Aluminum Cans Only - NO foil, trays, or scrap metal; • Plastic Bottles and Jugs Only - NO bags, tubs, clamshells, bubble Pak, or other plastics. Serving Keizer for Nearly 50 years! LOREN'S VA L L E Y SANITATION & RECYCLING SERVICE, INC. RECYCLING & DISPOSAL, INC. 503.393.2262 503.585.4300 BARGAINS OF THE MONTH ® True Temper ® 59.99 6 cu. ft. Wheelbarrow T 556 746 25 14.99 Portable Resin Side Table, 9.99 T 119 754; 112 890; 172 340; 844 206, 194; 464 423 B4. 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From cocktail-hour gatherings where you can learn about the nuances of a good Pinot Noir, to a discussion of the latest best seller in our Life-Long Learning series, to exploring new ways to stay healthy in a fi tness class. Come See the Finest in Senior Living CALL (503) 390 -1300 1165 McGee Ct NE • Keizer, OR • VillageAtKeizerRidge.com over the environment,” Bur- dick added. “We didn’t have a way to bring our kids that per- sonal connection.” While distance learning has been a struggle for some stu- dents, others are actually fi nd- ing more success under this strategy — to the point that the special education depart- ment wants to implement dis- tance-learning strategies in the future for certain students, even when in-person class is back in session. “Many students struggle with large classes and this type of learning is great for them. Many of my students are thriv- ing by working independently and knowing that learning can done in their own safe space,” De Blasi said. Teachers have also seen the development of social skills in their students through this pro- cess. “We have realized that a lot of our kids learn better this way. It’s been amazing to see some of our kids working on social skills that we weren’t seeing in the school building,” Burdick said. De Blasi credits, not just the special education teachers, but the entire staff at McNary for some of the positive results that they saw through virtual learn- ing. “It has been absolutely im- pressive and humbling at the lengths our staff will go to, to make sure all students are get- ting the help and care that they need,” De Blasi said. “Teachers, counselors, and staff are reach- ing out to students at all times to give them the help they need and make sure that they know we are all in this together and will get through this together. I feel very fortunate and lucky to work with such an amazing team.”
