Review the latest information related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Our special education attorneys and advocates can help you and your child prepare for the return to school.
U.S. Department of Education (DOE)
- The DOE released the application that will support states when describing how they will use resources under the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) fund to continue reopening schools and supporting students. These plans must be submitted by June 7, 2021.
- States have already received access to two-thirds of their ARP ESSER allocation and will have access to the last third after their plan is approved.
- The DOE has launched the:
- Summer Learning & Enrichment Collaborative to help states use federal funding to support students through summer programming. The Collaborative will gather state and local leaders and key stakeholders to design evidence-based summer programs to address lost instructional, social, and extracurricular time students have experienced as a result of the pandemic. Meetings will take place from May to July. The DOE will hold a second national session at the end of the summer to discuss implementation success and challenges.
- Safer Schools and Campuses Best Practices Clearinghouse website. It will reflect the work toward and provide examples of how schools can safely reopen. It will also include resources that target safe and healthy environments, support for students, and staff well-being and professional development.
Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)
- All students will be offered summer learning from July 6–30, 2021. Extended virtual learning opportunities will be available from August 2–12 by invitation for students needing additional support. More information will be provided in the coming weeks.
- ACPS plans to be open five days a week for in-person instruction in fall 2021. They will still offer a virtual option for those who wish to do that. To plan for this, they will launch a survey on May 11, 2021, to confirm each student’s preference. ACPS asks that everyone that submit the form by May 24.
Arlington Public Schools (APS)
- APS has shared that many more families are opting to send their children back to school in person. Based on the feedback, they will be unable to adhere to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines of 3 feet of physical distancing. They will still be implementing safety measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools, aside from the 3 feet of physical distancing.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)
- FCPS plans to have in-person learning be the primary mode of instruction for all students in the 2021–2022 school year. More information will be posted as it comes available.
Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS)
- FCCPS will offer instructional programs at each school from July 6–30, 2021.
- Jessie Thackery Preschool will offer a summer enrichment program addressing literacy, numeracy, communication, and social development for students with Individualized Education Program (IEPs), Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) students, and community peers.
- K–5 groups will offer opportunities to strengthen math and language arts skills. Students will receive 90–120 minutes of language arts and up to 75 minutes of math per day. Teachers will use evidence-based instructional programs to strengthen these skills and close gaps.
- Henderson will offer the CAREERS (Creative and Real-World Engaging Experiences Realized This Summer) Program. It is an invite-only Consortium on Reaching Excellence in Education (CORE)- and science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM)-based program. They will also offer Husky JumpStart to address academic, organizational, and social-emotional needs ahead of returning full-time in the fall.
- The high school summer academy program will allow students to choose hybrid courses for credit recovery, new credit, or enrichment. More information will be forthcoming in newsletters.
- FCCPS plans to return to school in the fall full time and five days a week. They will also offer a 100% virtual option, although they are not offering this for preK–3 students. They will be sending out a survey soon so families can indicate whether they would like students to attend in person or virtually.
Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS)
- FCPS plans to return to a regular five-day, in-person schedule for the 2021–2022 school year.
- They are considering offering a virtual option on a limited basis. Due to staffing constraints and challenges, FCPS staff will not be able to teach an all-virtual option. The virtual option would likely utilize Virtual Virginia, a third party approved by the Virginia DOE.
Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS)
- SCPS is launching the Great Learning Adventure summer program. It will offer engaging learning experiences in math and English. It is free to attend and students are provided transportation as well as breakfast and lunch. They will be invited to participate in either Session 1 or Session 2 based on need.
- Enrollment begins on May 14, 2021. If you would like to participate, please reach out to your principal.
- Students with disabilities will have access to their accommodations. If special education students require recovery services, they will be outlined in their IEP and special education staff will be used to implement these services. If recovery services go beyond the hours of the Great Learning Adventure, arrangements will be made for those students.
- Extended School Year (ESY) will take place for those who qualify from July 6–23 for four days per week, four hours per day.
