Contact Information:
Carlin Nielsen
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 970-403-5017
Heather Prekup
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 970-403-5379
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 970-403-5017
Heather Prekup
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 970-403-5379
Service Providers:
Carlin Nielsen, MA.Ed. Special Education Teacher
Heather Prekup, Special Education Teacher
Erin Skyles, Licensed Social Worker
Lesley Iacona, Speech Language Pathologist
Lauren Lucky, Academic Coach
Heather Prekup, Special Education Teacher
Erin Skyles, Licensed Social Worker
Lesley Iacona, Speech Language Pathologist
Lauren Lucky, Academic Coach
Plans for addressing services, evaluations, and annual meetings:
Academics and General Curriculum:
AHS will open the 2020-21 school year with a blended learning plan that combines 2 days of on-campus, face-to-face learning focusing primarily on core classes and community-building with 3 days of supported home-based, online learning for all students each week. Students will be grouped into cohorts that meet in the same classroom space throughout the day while a limited number of teachers rotate through.
We recognize that students may not be able to attend in-person learning days due to health and safety concerns and we will offer supported learning opportunities to those who must stay home. We will make every effort to provide equivalent opportunities and benefits for special education students as well. In an effort to stay apprised of curriculum and expectations, the Inclusion Department will attend all grade level and department meetings.
IEP services:
Although IEP services will look different temporarily, they will be conducted and our staff is up to the task! Our providers will remain the same, and each student will receive a combination of services from our various providers throughout each week. In your student’s IEP, there is a section that outlines their IEP services, which is called the “Service Delivery Statement.” Carlin and Heather will review this statement, and if we are not able to provide comparable services in a blended learning model, then we will need to do one of three things; write an amendment to the IEP, write a Prior Written Notice notifying you of changes, or complete an evaluation and write a new IEP. We will work with you on an individual basis to determine the best avenue to take. This review of service delivery will take place each time the learning model changes or in the event that your student cannot be in school due to COVID-19 or other crises.
Evaluations:
As much as possible, evaluations for Initial referrals and reevaluations will continue as scheduled. Although some assessments can be done by phone or virtually, like parent/teacher interviews, screeners and checklists, others will require face-to-face time with students. As that occurs, we will follow recommended safety guidelines and schedule those appropriately. We appreciate your patience on this.
IEP meetings:
IEP meetings will be held annually as usual, but different methods of meeting may be used. We will follow recommended safety guidelines and work with each family individually to use the most appropriate method of meeting, which may be through phone conferencing, video conferencing, or in person.
504 services/accommodations:
All 504 accommodations will continue to be provided, as long as they fall within the recommended safety guidelines. In the event that an accommodation cannot be provided due to COVID safety protocols, we will work together as a 504 team to determine the best step forward in providing the student what they need to be successful. In regards to support services provided by the Inclusion Department, we can work with each student individually to determine the level of support they need, as well as the method through which those will provided (i.e. virtually, over phone, in person, etc.).
504 Meetings/Reviews:
There are two methods that we use at Animas to complete an annual 504 Plan review. When school is in session, parents may choose to either complete the review electronically (all parties submit input via google form and the plan is updated and sent home), or a team meeting is held. During this time, these two options will still be offered to parents, but in the event it is chosen to have meeting, we will work with each family individually to use the most appropriate method of meeting, which may be through phone conferencing, video conferencing, or in person.
AHS will open the 2020-21 school year with a blended learning plan that combines 2 days of on-campus, face-to-face learning focusing primarily on core classes and community-building with 3 days of supported home-based, online learning for all students each week. Students will be grouped into cohorts that meet in the same classroom space throughout the day while a limited number of teachers rotate through.
We recognize that students may not be able to attend in-person learning days due to health and safety concerns and we will offer supported learning opportunities to those who must stay home. We will make every effort to provide equivalent opportunities and benefits for special education students as well. In an effort to stay apprised of curriculum and expectations, the Inclusion Department will attend all grade level and department meetings.
IEP services:
Although IEP services will look different temporarily, they will be conducted and our staff is up to the task! Our providers will remain the same, and each student will receive a combination of services from our various providers throughout each week. In your student’s IEP, there is a section that outlines their IEP services, which is called the “Service Delivery Statement.” Carlin and Heather will review this statement, and if we are not able to provide comparable services in a blended learning model, then we will need to do one of three things; write an amendment to the IEP, write a Prior Written Notice notifying you of changes, or complete an evaluation and write a new IEP. We will work with you on an individual basis to determine the best avenue to take. This review of service delivery will take place each time the learning model changes or in the event that your student cannot be in school due to COVID-19 or other crises.
Evaluations:
As much as possible, evaluations for Initial referrals and reevaluations will continue as scheduled. Although some assessments can be done by phone or virtually, like parent/teacher interviews, screeners and checklists, others will require face-to-face time with students. As that occurs, we will follow recommended safety guidelines and schedule those appropriately. We appreciate your patience on this.
IEP meetings:
IEP meetings will be held annually as usual, but different methods of meeting may be used. We will follow recommended safety guidelines and work with each family individually to use the most appropriate method of meeting, which may be through phone conferencing, video conferencing, or in person.
504 services/accommodations:
All 504 accommodations will continue to be provided, as long as they fall within the recommended safety guidelines. In the event that an accommodation cannot be provided due to COVID safety protocols, we will work together as a 504 team to determine the best step forward in providing the student what they need to be successful. In regards to support services provided by the Inclusion Department, we can work with each student individually to determine the level of support they need, as well as the method through which those will provided (i.e. virtually, over phone, in person, etc.).
504 Meetings/Reviews:
There are two methods that we use at Animas to complete an annual 504 Plan review. When school is in session, parents may choose to either complete the review electronically (all parties submit input via google form and the plan is updated and sent home), or a team meeting is held. During this time, these two options will still be offered to parents, but in the event it is chosen to have meeting, we will work with each family individually to use the most appropriate method of meeting, which may be through phone conferencing, video conferencing, or in person.
Letters to Parents:
08/24/2020
Good afternoon,
Carlin and Heather here! We wanted to take a moment to say hello and tell you how excited we are to welcome you back to another school year! We currently have down that you have completed registration and are planning to return to Animas for the 2020-21 school year. If this is an error or you have made other arrangements regarding your students' education, please let us know as soon as possible.
As you probably know by now, Animas High School will be offering a blended learning model that provides a combination of both in person and online learning environments each week (see the 2020 Osprey Back to School Plan). This means that we will also be providing support services in both of those environments, as well. We want you to know that we are working diligently with teachers and whole teaching teams to ensure your student will be supported sufficiently.
As systems and procedures change on a dime these days, we want to make sure that your student's IEP services continue to match their needs. In your student’s IEP, there is a section that outlines their IEP services, which is called the “Service Delivery Statement.” Carlin and Heather will review this statement, and if we are not able to provide comparable services in a blended learning model, then we will need to do one of three things; write an amendment to the IEP, write a Prior Written Notice notifying you of changes, or complete an evaluation and write a new IEP. We will work with you on an individual basis to determine the best avenue to take. This review of service delivery will take place each time the learning model changes or in the event that your student cannot be in school due to COVID-19 or other crises.
In regards to service providers, Carlin and Heather will continue providing Special Education services both in person and remotely as appropriate, and we hope to have an academic coach on board to support our students very soon. Our School Counselor, Erin Skyles, will provide social emotional services both in person and remotely as well. Our Speech Language Pathologist and Occupational Therapist will be offering services via video conferencing.
We want you to know that last Spring we received a lot of feedback indicating that a single platform would be best for submitting assignments. Our teachers have agreed to move all work to Google Classroom so that students do not have to learn multiple platforms, and expectations are consistent and clear for each class. We will be added as “co-teachers” on students’ Google Classroom accounts, so that we can monitor progress and intervene where necessary. There is also an opportunity for parents to gain access to their students’ work on Google Classroom-- stay tuned for how to do that!
We thank you in advance for your patience and support as we try to provide the right balance of safety and support for your student. If you have any clarifying or follow-up questions for us, please feel free to email or call us.
Sincerely,
Carlin
carlin[email protected]
(970) 247-2474 x.2332
Heather
heather[email protected]
(970) 247-2474 x.2333
03/25/2020
Dear Parent,
I hope that your family is staying safe and well.
This is a difficult time for many of us, and although the unexpected charges in education may seem overwhelming, we want you to know that we are still thinking about you and how best to support your child. Our priority is to ensure that our students do not lapse in their progress or miss the support they require to be successful because of this virus!
Given that individualized instruction and interpersonal relationships are such an important aspect of our work, we are anticipating frequent video and/or phone check-ins. Given this, It is important for us to know if you or your student need any support with either of these methods of communication (i.e. lack of reliable internet, spotty cell service, etc.). Please email me back with any concerns regarding this.
Also, our department is collaborating with AHS staff to create meaningful, interesting work for students that they can do independently. We are also working on how we will continue to provide essential student services within the context of distant learning. One of us will be in touch next week, once we have a plan in place for how to navigate these changes in schooling. We will all be learning this new normal together, so thank you ahead of time for your patience and collaboration as we charge forward!
Please reach out with any questions,
Carlin and Heather
Good afternoon,
Carlin and Heather here! We wanted to take a moment to say hello and tell you how excited we are to welcome you back to another school year! We currently have down that you have completed registration and are planning to return to Animas for the 2020-21 school year. If this is an error or you have made other arrangements regarding your students' education, please let us know as soon as possible.
As you probably know by now, Animas High School will be offering a blended learning model that provides a combination of both in person and online learning environments each week (see the 2020 Osprey Back to School Plan). This means that we will also be providing support services in both of those environments, as well. We want you to know that we are working diligently with teachers and whole teaching teams to ensure your student will be supported sufficiently.
As systems and procedures change on a dime these days, we want to make sure that your student's IEP services continue to match their needs. In your student’s IEP, there is a section that outlines their IEP services, which is called the “Service Delivery Statement.” Carlin and Heather will review this statement, and if we are not able to provide comparable services in a blended learning model, then we will need to do one of three things; write an amendment to the IEP, write a Prior Written Notice notifying you of changes, or complete an evaluation and write a new IEP. We will work with you on an individual basis to determine the best avenue to take. This review of service delivery will take place each time the learning model changes or in the event that your student cannot be in school due to COVID-19 or other crises.
In regards to service providers, Carlin and Heather will continue providing Special Education services both in person and remotely as appropriate, and we hope to have an academic coach on board to support our students very soon. Our School Counselor, Erin Skyles, will provide social emotional services both in person and remotely as well. Our Speech Language Pathologist and Occupational Therapist will be offering services via video conferencing.
We want you to know that last Spring we received a lot of feedback indicating that a single platform would be best for submitting assignments. Our teachers have agreed to move all work to Google Classroom so that students do not have to learn multiple platforms, and expectations are consistent and clear for each class. We will be added as “co-teachers” on students’ Google Classroom accounts, so that we can monitor progress and intervene where necessary. There is also an opportunity for parents to gain access to their students’ work on Google Classroom-- stay tuned for how to do that!
We thank you in advance for your patience and support as we try to provide the right balance of safety and support for your student. If you have any clarifying or follow-up questions for us, please feel free to email or call us.
Sincerely,
Carlin
carlin[email protected]
(970) 247-2474 x.2332
Heather
heather[email protected]
(970) 247-2474 x.2333
03/25/2020
Dear Parent,
I hope that your family is staying safe and well.
This is a difficult time for many of us, and although the unexpected charges in education may seem overwhelming, we want you to know that we are still thinking about you and how best to support your child. Our priority is to ensure that our students do not lapse in their progress or miss the support they require to be successful because of this virus!
Given that individualized instruction and interpersonal relationships are such an important aspect of our work, we are anticipating frequent video and/or phone check-ins. Given this, It is important for us to know if you or your student need any support with either of these methods of communication (i.e. lack of reliable internet, spotty cell service, etc.). Please email me back with any concerns regarding this.
Also, our department is collaborating with AHS staff to create meaningful, interesting work for students that they can do independently. We are also working on how we will continue to provide essential student services within the context of distant learning. One of us will be in touch next week, once we have a plan in place for how to navigate these changes in schooling. We will all be learning this new normal together, so thank you ahead of time for your patience and collaboration as we charge forward!
Please reach out with any questions,
Carlin and Heather