Do your school still arrange IEP meetings??

[Iza1]

Now that all the schools are closed, I wonder if anyone’s school is still doing IEP meetings? They just called me from our school for my son who’s in 3rd grade and said they’ll arrange a Zoom IEP meeting. Do you think this is really needed/ or required right now with all the school work pressure we have on our shoulders or is it just our school?

[Onthemove1971]

Thanks for the message, I am sure there are many families that are wondering this same question.

I work for a school district that has 7,000 IEP’s.

I personally sit in over 30 a year. Yes, we are still holding them. Children need services now more than ever. IEP’s are on a year cycle and we would not want any to get put off( that would means we could not provide services). I know it is stressful for you but most schools would not be able to hold off and then do them all when we get back. I do know some families will want to hold a simple one to update goals from the first part of the year and present levels up until we left school, then we will set new goals if and when school returns. Some families will wait all together. But what is most important is that children/families are getting the services they need now.

So with your son, does he need something while at home? Of course life is different, but it is important that parents and kids are all supported.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Take care

[Iza1]

The problem is since all my kids are home and me and my husbands work from home too, we have limited time ( as we try to get loads of school work done during the day at the same time) Also, my husband won’t be able to join the meeting since one of us has to watch the kids and I don’t want him to be a part if the meeting. He definitely may benefit from some help if is available during this difficult time as I have no experience of teaching. It takes my entire day

9-5 to do homeschool for both of my children,

Especially when one of them needs all my attention and takes 2 hr to do a max 30 min assignments.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Iza1]

Does your child have specialize academic instruction or resource support on their IEP? If they do then you can request assistance from the person that was helping them when they were in school.

Another thought is ask the person supporting you guys how long an activity should take. Watch the clock and when time is up move on.

During this time it might also be a good idea to see what needs to be added to the IEP for areas he is really struggling with.

Boy don't we all think teachers are not paid enough and do an amazing job?

Good luck

[Cjkchamp]

I just completed an IEP meeting over Zoom. Sent me docs to sign electronically. I think it’s still important so they know any issues that are going on and can make preparations for next school year.

[Lahavre]

Hi , yes we actually have an IEP Meeting tomorrow for my 6 years old. Since we quarantine we are doing it over Zoom .

[jenerz00]

We just did one a little over a week ago. It was done via Zoom and worked well. I am so sorry that another item is being added to the to-do list for you, which I am sure is already long enough. Mine was for an 8th grader and he has had it for years. Let me share from experience that it is important just because these rough times will end and this meeting will dictate needs and services to best serve your child for the next year. Get things done as you can. You are doing an awesome job MOM!!!

[Iza1]

Thanks so much everyone! Yes, he has resource support in Math, also Reading/Writing. It will be our 3rd meeting. We did one in 1st & one in 2nd grade. I just do not know what to discuss at this time but I may ask for someone to assist him with the assignments just like they do in school. He does not look up to me as he does his teachers. And also I’ll ask them if they can provide emotional support through the school councelor especially during these times. He feels super stressed sometimes to get things done. He loses track of the time, and if I set a timer, he usually gets nothing done.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Iza1]

These are great ideas. Many schools are paying teachers to work, so you could ask his teacher to do a phone/zoom meeting to help 1 or 2x a week then this could give you a break.

Same with the counselor to see him to discuss his emotions. We are still doing telephone conference with our therapist.

[momwifedaughtersis]

Thanks for bringing this question up Iza1. Could anyone share examples of services that could be provided while kids are not going to school? 1:1 assistance via Zoom? Other? Thanks so much in advance.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to momwifedaughtersis]

Most things like extra time to turn in assignments, one on one assistance with subjects, emotional services, read out lou and technology can all be done on the phone or better teleconference( face time,zoom,google hangouts,etc).

Now is through time to ask for support if needed.

It could be review workload for the week if this was done on school.

To would be hard to add service, but if you are just changing how the service is given that can be done at home.

Hope this helps!

[penn_adhd]

Yes, schools are still doing this. My kid's school has been in contact asking if there is anything they can do to help us as he was just diagnosed the Friday before everything shut down on Monday. I'm not even sure what to ask for or what will help at this point since it is all new for him and the things his teacher has been trying this year were mixed results. I'd told her I suspected he has ADHD at the beginning of the year and that he was in the gray area between normal and clinical at his last evaluation.

[Iza1]

Hi everyone!

We did our meeting yesterday. I let the teachers and the case manager know how much we are struggling with “home schooling” asked for a modifications on; help from the math resource teacher explaining the lesson plan 2-3x a week

(which they said this is only possible twice a week over to zoom with other resource students) Social/emotional support from the school counselor( she e-mailed&let me know that she will be calling in to speak to him) we also started virtual speech sessions today which will take place once a week for 30 min and I have to be present at the session. They also said they’re going to add behavirol therapist 10x a year once the schools open. I asked them if retentation was an option in September if the schools open they said they would not recommed as all the students will fall behind because of the situation and he will be no different.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Iza1]

Yeah!! Great progress. I am so excited that you will be able to set up support/resources. I would also not recommended retention, but as assessment for them to see where he is at and then goals for focus on these areas.

Thank-you for sharing with the group.

[Nats2005]

Yes, our school is doing virtual IEP meetings. We have one coming up in a couple of weeks. Our son's teacher and our parent coordinator have also both been available during email.