School Resources during COVID 19
The Maine Department of Education, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, educational institutions, and autism organizations around the country are working diligently to develop and share resources and supports for families facing distance learning and the uncertainty of this fall’s back to school plans. We encourage you to explore these resources to find what may be helpful for your family during these uncertain times.
Maine Department of Education
Continuity of Learning: Resources for Parents A collection of resources to help answer parents’ questions and provide useful tools during distance learning. Tips for engaging with and motivating your children, maintaining emotional well-being, and taking care of yourself and your family during this challenging time.
Maine Framework for Return to School A working draft available on the Maine Department of Education website intended to assist districts in the work of reintegrating back to in-person, classroom instruction.
Resource page for Families and Caregivers The Office of Special Services has collected resources to support families and caregivers as you become teaching partners with schools during this health crisis. Includes online learning supports, content specific learning resources for literacy, math and science, and helpful guides for behavior and social skills.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
School Decision-Making Tool for Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians
Many parents, caregivers, and guardians face new and difficult choices about how their child will return to school in the fall, such as deciding between in-person and virtual learning. This tool is designed to help parents, caregivers, and guardians weigh the risks and benefits of available educational options to help them make decisions about sending their child back to school.
Checklists to Guide Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers
For many families, back to school planning will look different this year than it has in previous years. Your school will have new policies in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You may also be starting the school year with virtual learning components. Whatever the situation, these checklists are intended to help parents, guardians, and caregivers, plan and prepare for the upcoming school year.
Other
COVID 19 School Re-Opening Resource
The Maine Parent Federation has developed an extensive guide to assist families facing questions related to the return to school this fall. “School districts across Maine are making plans for reopening schools the 2020-21 school year. Parents, students, and community members should be actively involved in developing these plans. To guide these discussions and to ensure that various needs of families and students are taken into consideration, here are key questions you may want to ask district leaders about school reopening.” You can download this handout from the MPF website as a [PDF] or visit their website for a downloadable Word document.
Supporting Learning During COVID-19 Pandemic
IRIS Center at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College offers tips to support your child’s learning at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Preparing for the School Year 30 minute webinar hosted by the Indiana Resource Center for Autism on July 16, 2020 with information and lots of practical tips to help you help your child prepare for the upcoming school year, in its many possible formats.
The Maine Department of Education provides significant support and funding for the activities and outreach of the Maine Autism Institute for Education and Research. To learn more about this unique partnership, see the “About Us” tab above.