Dear Parents/Guardians of Students with Disabilities,

Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year. As we plan for a beginning unlike anything we’ve experienced in the past, our primary focus will be to ensure:

• the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff;
• every student, every day is being challenged by new learnings and experiences;
• our families feel supported and assured we are diligently working to provide a FAPE to each student.

Spring of 2020 challenged us to find a new normal for learning, connected us in new ways, and required our team to support from afar. Through this challenge, we have renewed our spirit and dedication to providing supports to students with disabilities that are innovative and specifically designed to meet their individual needs.

In response to the global pandemic, Aiken County Public Schools developed two instructional models to facilitate our transition into the 2020-2021 school year. As families select which instructional model is most appropriate for their student(s), the Department of Special Programs is committed to providing a FAPE that is consistent with the need to protect the health and safety of students with disabilities and those individuals providing special education and related services to students.

As we begin this school year, IEP teams will convene to create Distance Learning Contingency Plans. This plan will be uniquely designed to meet your child’s individual needs across different instructional models (Hybrid, Full Remote, or Virtual). This plan will outline how IDEA services will continue to be provided in the event of another school closure or emergency.  In addition to creating the contingency plan, IEP teams will review the performance of the student prior to school closure, review the student's current performance, and determine the appropriate services that are necessary moving forward. Based on the data and information discussed, the IEP team will determine whether there are any needs for supplemental school closure services and/or compensatory services. We are asking IEP teams to consider the effect of the COVID-19 school closures for ALL students when determining the relative impact for a student with a disability prior to considering supplemental school closure services. As a reminder, special education services are not intended to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, therefore the impact for all students must be considered first.

The Department of Special Programs is committed to reviewing and adhering to all federal and state guidelines as we work to ensure we are providing the most appropriate services and supports possible under these unique circumstances.

We greatly appreciate your willingness to partner with us this school year.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us via phone at (803) 641-2428 option 3, or via email at sped@acpsd.net .

Looking forward to an amazing school year,

LaToya K Wiley

Interim Director of Special Programs