Please note that all the Superintendent’s Newsletters can be found by clicking the following link: https://maldenps.org/administration/superintendent-updates-2/

The April 2020 Superintendent’s Newsletter is attached below:

Download (PDF, 3.3MB)

U.S. Department of Education (USED) issued a fact sheet clarifying that schools must continue to provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities while protecting the health and safety of students, educators, and service providers. In these extraordinary circumstances, special education services will be provided differently than they are when school buildings are open and fully operational. Remote special education services should start immediately. You do not need to provide consent for remote services to begin. You should receive a plan about how the school will provide remote services.

This document provides you with some resources and tools that you may find helpful and will be updated regularly.

COVID-19 RESOURCES:

Many state agencies and national organizations are providing information and resources to support families and their children during this extended school closure period.

If you have questions, concerns or need additional information, you can contact:

• Your IEP Team/point of contact (always reach out to your district first)
• Your local Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
• Information and support lines:
• Federation for Children with Special Needs (FSCN):
  • Email: info@fcsn.org
    Online Intake Form: https://fcsn.org/ptic/call-center/call-center-intake-form/
    Website: FSCN.org
• Toll free: (800) 331-0688
  • Chinese: (617) 399 8358
  • Haitian Creole: (617) 399 8366
  • Portuguese: (617) 399 8316
  • Spanish: (617) 399 8330
• Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC):
  • Website: massadvocates.org
  • English: (617) 357-8431, ext. 3224
  • Spanish: (617) 357-8431, ext. 3237
• Department of Public Health (DPH) Community Support Line for Children with Special Health Needs at (800) 882-1435

Massachusetts State Agencies update information and resources frequently:

• Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: http://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/
• Department of Early Education and Care: https://www.mass.gov/lists/early-childhood-education-resources-for-families and https://eeclead.force.com/apex/EEC_ChildCareEmergencyFAQParents
• Department of Public Health, Early Intervention: https://www.mass.gov/alerts/ei-telehealth#undefined
• Department of Public Health, Division for Children & Youth with Special Health Needs: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-for-children-youth-with-special-health-needs
• Department of Mental Health: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-information-about-dmh-programs-and-services
• Department of Developmental Services: https://www.mass.gov/lists/coronavirus-resources-for-dds-families-and-individuals and https://www.mass.gov/lists/resources-for-individuals-at-home
• Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-commission-for-the-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing
• Massachusetts Commission for the Blind: https://www.mass.gov/lists/covid-19-resources-for-the-mcb-community
• Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/coronavirus-updates-from-mrc
• Massachusetts Department of Children and Families:
  • DCF COVID-19 updates:  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dcf-covid-19-resources-and-support;
  • Family Resource Centers: https://www.frcma.org/

 

SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES:

This is a stressful time.  It is important to take care of yourself and ask for help when needed.  Many agencies are providing families with resources and supports during the COVID-19 crisis.

• The Parent Support Program offered through the Home for Little Wanderers offers support and group discussion for families who are caring for children with behavioral and mental health needs.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics has put out an advisory for parents facing stressors over COVID-19 to practice self-care, to reach out to others for support.
• Family Aid Boston offers resources for families worried about or experiencing homelessness.
• The Child Mind Institute offers phone consultations, video chats and other resources for families dealing with the stress related to COVID-19.
• Parents Helping Parents:  https://www.parentshelpingparents.org/.
• Parental Stress Line 24/7 (PSL)multi-lingual confidential and anonymous hotline 1-800-632-8188.

Hotlines:

Domestic Violence: If you or someone you know is quarantining in a home where they do not feel safe, help is available.

• Safe Link is a 24/7 hour multilingual hotline. Advocates can help with safety planning, and finding resources for shelter, domestic violence support groups, and many other needs.
  • Safe Link 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (877) 785-2020; TTY: (877) 521-2601
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline is offering assistance and safety planning 24/7. Call 1-800-799-7233for live support. If you’re unable to speak safely, you can log onto org to chat online, or text LOVEIS to 22522

Child Abuse:  Please call immediately if you know of, or suspect, an incident of child abuse or neglect. 

• During regular business hours (8:45 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F) call the Department of Families and Children (DCF) area office that serves the city or townwhere the child lives.
• Nights, weekends, and holidays dial the Child-at-Risk Hotline at (800) 792-5200.

NO INTERNET AT HOME?

• Comcast is offering initiatives to help families obtain access to the Internet. View more information on this offer from Comcast.
• In Boston, the Mayor has shared information and resources on connecting to the Internet and accessing technology resources .
• Vroom offers free, easy-to-use learning tips for children 5 and under, delivered daily directly to your phone.
• Several programs are available to offer tips and resources for families that support learning through text messages (Message and data rates apply) and Apps using your cellphone.

SUPPLEMENTAL LEARNING DURING SCHOOL CLOSURE:

There are many informal ways to keep your child engaged in learning beyond supporting school assignments. When in doubt, read, read, read! Reading is one of the most important activities that supports overall learning. There are also a variety of learning games online. Anything that engages your child, stimulates their curiosity, and exposes them to new things will be valuable.

• Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, including a variety of fiction and informational text, for students to read. There is also an option for the text to be narrated.
• National Center on Improving Literacy’s toolkit helps families understand and practice recommended literacy skills.
• Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) provides information and activities for families of young children.
• The Pyramid Model, promoting social emotional skills in infants and young children, has developed a booklist to help children understand and develop social emotional skills.
• Heggerty: Activities to work on foundational reading skills. These are best for ages 4–6.
• StoryLine Online and Epic: Hear quality children’s literature read aloud and see illustrations.
• Early literacy games and activities from the Florida Center for Reading Research: easy to print out and play together.
• Digital decodable readers: this type of book is recommended for reading practice for children who are still learning to sound out and read simple words.

ORGANIZATION:

Maintaining a consistent routine is important for helping children feel stable during school closure.

• Set up a daily routine and schedule. Be sure to include time for breaks. DESE is recommending 3 ½ to 4 hours of learning per weekday, which includes both independent and remote instruction.
• Use a calendar or day planner to keep track of daily activities. Many children with disabilities, especially younger ones, respond well to a visual schedule that uses pictures to keep track of upcoming activities.
• For students who need more help staying focused, you can use an online visual countdown timer.
• Limit distractions and arrange a quiet space for your child to work.
• Reward your child for time on-task or finishing assignments. Use activities that they enjoy as rewards.

LESSON HELP:

Schools are providing assignments for students to complete from home during school closure.  You can support your child’s learning by guiding them through assignments.

• Prepare your child for learning by telling them why the work is important, what they will learn and what activities they will complete.
• Before the lesson, build background and vocabulary. Look for words or topics that you think might be difficult for your child. Use books, drawings, videos, Google, or other resources to help your child build understanding of these words or topics before starting the assignment.
• Read directions together with your child. Have them repeat back the directions to make sure they understand what to do.
• Work on the first task or problem together. Then, watch your child do the next task on their own to make sure they understand the directions.
• Guide your child through the work as needed. Check back occasionally to make sure they are doing the work correctly.
• If your child needs help, offer ideas that can help them work through the problem. Try not to give the answers or do the work for them.
• Allow your child to work with a friend over the phone or video call.
• Help your child stay engaged in learning by varying the time they spend on reading, writing, moving, watching, listening, and speaking.

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES:

Resources for Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE):

• Division for Early Childhood: https://www.dec-sped.org/ei-ecse-resources-covid-19
• Pyramid Model:
  • Helping Children and Families Cope – Resources Regarding COVID-19: https://challengingbehavior.cbcs.usf.edu/emergency/index.html
  • Backpack Series to support families managing challenging behaviors: https://challengingbehavior.cbcs.usf.edu/Implementation/family.html#collapse2

Resources for ECSE through adulthood:

• Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) – site updated daily: https://fcsn.org
• The Arc of Massachusetts –
  • Weekly Webinar Series: https://thearcofmass.org/post/the-arcs-covid-19-updates-the-arc-launches-weekly-webinar-series
  • Staying Calm and Connected: https://thearcofmass.org/post/the-arcs-covid-19-updates-staying-calm-and-connected
• Autism Insurance Center related to Applied Behavioral Analysis and Covid-19: https://disability-info.s3.amazonaws.com/AIRC/pdf/COVID-19-Fact-Sheet.pdf
• Pearson Connection Academy: https://www.pearson.com/news-and-research/working-learning-online-during-pandemic.html
• Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times: 7 support strategies to meet the needs of individuals with ASD during the COVID crisis: https://afirm.fpg.unc.edu/supporting-individuals-autism-through-uncertain-times
• National Association for Family, School and Community Engagement (NAFSCE): https://nafsce.org/general/custom.asp?page=coronavirus
• Autism Distance Education Parent Training: https://health.ucdavis.edu/mindinstitute/centers/cedd/adept.html
• Association of Massachusetts Educators of Students with Visual Impairments (AMESVI) Family and Student Resources: http://amesvi.org/Home/family-and-student-resources/
• Family TIES of Massachusetts/Parent-to-Parent program connects parents who face similar challenges in raising their children special needs: https://www.massfamilyties.org/parent-to-parent-program/
• Tips to Help Children Continue Learning – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/children.html?deliveryName=USCDC_2067-DM23558
• National Parent Teacher’s Association (PTA) FAQs and tips for educators, information  on Social Emotional Support, Learning at Home and Healthy Habits: pta.org/COVID-19
• Health Law Advocates:  https://www.healthlawadvocates.org/legal assistance and advocacy.

 

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY:

Your child may use assistive technology (AT).  You can check with your child’s teacher and related service provider about what technology will be best to use at home.

• The Center on Technology and Disabilities offers an Intro to Assistive Technology video which outlines basic topics and concepts for using assistive technology with students with disabilities.
• CAST has developed a Remote Learning It provides resources and information regarding AT.
• The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) provides information and resources regarding Assistive Technology and Accessibility that families may find helpful.
• The National Deaf Center has developed a frequently asked questions document, Your Questions, Answered, to support people who are deaf and hard of hearing.
• CaptionSync provides information to assist you in adding your own caption file to YouTube .
• The Massachusetts Accessible Instructions Materials Library (AIM Library) can be contacted through your child’s Teacher of the Visual Impaired (TVI) to access available resources.

 

CareGiver toolS:

Families may be worried about what will happen if they get sick and are unable to care their child with disabilities. Resources are available to explain the way hospitals diagnose and treat patients as well as how families can transfer caregiver responsibilities to a trusted family member or friend.

 

• Hospitals may have developed processes to work with families to see if they need support and in helping to identify an alternative caregiver when being admitted.
  • You should let your doctor, or the hospital staff know that you are a caregiver of a child with disabilities and that you may need to make a decision about transferring caregiver responsibility.
    • It is important to know that children whose parents are admitted for COVID are suspected to be COVID positive
  • Consider caregivers who are healthy, and do not live with family members who may be at high risk
  • Planning tools for caregivers who might become ill
    • Family Preparedness Plan for Immigrant Families, including translations in Spanish and Portuguese: https://www.masslegalservices.org/content/family-preparedness-packets.
• Caregiver Affidavit: a planning tool for parents to transfer caregiver responsibility

https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/ul/caregiverauthorizationaffidavitform.pdf.

 

Dear Malden Public Schools Community,

Let me start with thanking everyone for your flexibility, patience and your support.  It has meant a great deal over the last five weeks. These past five weeks have been unlike any in the history of Massachusetts education.  We have probably used all the words to describe the pandemic. I know one thing is certain, we surely miss our students and colleagues. The myriad of videos, connecting through online, email, and phone have renewed our hope and, though physically distanced from one another, we are socially connected and supportive.  

The Coronavirus has impacted all of our lives in ways we could not have imagined.  In less than five weeks we have quickly transitioned from traditional day in a brick and mortar school, to now a remote learning model that has had our staff learning a new way of teaching and supporting students, to our families balancing working from home and playing the role of teacher in the home as they assist their children/students. We know that this situation is not perfect, but we improve each day, and work diligently toward the goal of keeping students engaged in learning in these most unusual circumstances.  During this time, we know many in our Malden family have been diagnosed or may be caring for loved ones with COVID-19. Like all good families, we are here for you and will support you in any way we can.

Let me provide some updates for you. Next week begins April Vacation.  I know this is not like any other April Vacation. But, we will be observing the April vacation and there will be no remote learning taking place during this week.  We encourage students and families to continue to read and practice some of the skills on our MPS Engagement Resources page: www.maldenps.org.   However, during April Vacation, there WILL be free breakfast and lunch for any student in Malden all next week, including Monday, April 20, from 10 AM-1 PM at Malden High School and the Salemwood School.  We also want to assist any family who is eligible for the Department of Transitional Assistance services for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).  If you already qualified for a free or reduced lunch, you are automatically eligible for SNAP. If your economic situation has changed, you should contact the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to see if you are eligible for benefits.  Please contact the DTA at: www.mass.gov/vg/selfservice or call 1-877-382-2363.

 If you need further food assistance the following resources are helpful:  

• Bread of Life:  http://www.breadoflifemalden.org/our-programs, 
• Malden YMCA: https://www.ymcamalden.org/docs/YMCA_COVID_Popup.pdf

As you may be aware, late last week Education Commissioner Riley cancelled the MCAS testing for 2020.  There is more good news on the MCAS front. Fortunately, our seniors have taken all the retests in Math and ELA and now are just awaiting the results so that they, too, will be eligible for graduation.  Speaking of graduation, we will be looking at ways to hold a graduation for our seniors if May 31 is not an option. Certainly our seniors deserve some form of a graduation. We will be in touch as we receive additional guidance from the state.  

We are also continuing to assess how our Remote Learning Plan is working. To that end, we have attached a survey (https://maldenps.org/familysurveys/).  Supplying answers will give us a better sense of how to serve our families and how to provide technology going forward.  We strive, like the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does, to make our remote learning as accessible and equitable as possible.  Please take a few moments to complete the survey which is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Haitian-Creole, Vietnamese, Arabic and Amharic .

Lastly, we will continue to provide you with updates as they become available.  As of now, we are scheduled to come back to school on Monday, May 4. At this point, that does not seem realistic.  The Governor will be addressing the school closure in the coming days. If the school closure is extended, we surely will let you know.  

We recognize the strain and stress Coronavirus has had on our families and our staff. It has turned our previously stable and predictable world, upside down.  We all have been tested in ways we never could have expected. We will come out of this stronger because we are all in this together. We are Malden and we are Strong!  

On behalf of the Malden Public Schools, please stay safe and healthy,

John Oteri
Superintendent of Schools

Information about the Malden Public Schools Remote Learning Plan is provided below:

Download (PDF, 991KB)

Please read the letter below from Superintendent Oteri which provides further updates:

Download (PDF, 156KB)