Extraordinary times require extra special services
Some things in life seem wonderfully simplistic.
Take the Mercer County Special Services School District where special students receive special services.
If students at the Joseph Cappello School, Mercer Elementary School or Mercer County High School needed special learning options before COVID-19 arrived then it’s a no-brainer they require extra special attention during this extraordinary health, social and educational crisis.
In fact, for the time being, officials should consider a name change to Mercer County Extra Special Services School District.
During a recent MCSSSD board meeting, mother Stephanie Moore, said her 11-year-old child has autism and ADHD. He struggles in many ways with virtual learning.
“My son, as many children with autism, has communication deficit and no social skills ability. Without a full-time, in-person schedule, there’s no way to teach him the social skills he needs to communicate with his peers,” Moore explained.
The mother sounded strong and forthright before being overwhelmed by emotion.
“(My son) lacks an understanding of verbal and social cues and is overwhelmed in a virtual classroom. Our teachers and staff do everything everyday to overcome this in a virtual way. He needs to be in person with other peers and teachers for this to be accomplished.”
Moore testified through tears and a voice that succumbed to the reality of circumstance.
“It breaks my heart when he just wants to drive around to see other kids. And he wants to figure out how he’s supposed to talk to them and interact with them. Finally, after all these years, he wants to interact with his peers.”
Moore said she had waited 11 years for her son to have this marvelous breakthrough, wanting to be part of, near to and in the company of others. Understanding that he shows regression and an unnecessary challenge to reclaim his position on this upward climb — Moore simultaneously cried and spoke.
Moore regained composure then asked board members why parents, teachers and staff have been excluded from the decision making process regarding in-person learning. Even if board members have no intention of garnering input from those invested in MCSSSD education pursuits, a ruse of caring seems a better option than these acts of educational tyranny.
No rocket science engineering degree seems necessary to understand that it’s difficult, perhaps almost impossible for many students with severe disabilities to learn from home.
Moore, like many MCSSSD parents, teachers and staff asked about the future. What’s the plan for reopening?
MCSSSD Superintendent Kimberly Schneider voiced caution.
“We’re doing a hybrid, half-day schedule April through June ..... and then depending on how things roll out, we’ll be able to begin looking toward what we will do in the summer,” Schneider explained.
“Not to give you false hope, I know that several districts, several administrations and several association groups with administrators are all talking about in September reopening five days a week. We have a way to go, we have a little more to endure but we’re all hopeful and speaking to the possibility of a five-day week schedule in September.”
It’s March. Parents and children, even in standard education situations, have reached breakpoints, especially with some New Jersey schools delivering hybrid or full in-person education.
Schneider tempered tepid optimism with a caveat.
“There are variants and there are discussions about additional vaccinations required in the fall. We have to follow the science, we have to watch TV. We have to talk to our professional associations. We have to make sure our pandemic administrative team and our pandemic teams meet to understand what we’re facing and what decisions have to be made in a timely fashion,” Schneider noted.
Schneider signed off with Board President Camille Rainiero.
“So, that’s it Ms. Rainiero. Just so you know, those conversations are ongoing with administration weekly.”
Weekly sounds incredibly weak considering day-to-day concerns. Parents, students, teachers and staff face struggles, challenges and household uproar daily.
Schneider displays a lack of urgency, seemingly detached from the unique situations being faced by students, plus, parental concerns that their children are losing ground and missing milestones.
MCSSSD officials can end the educational slide by returning to fulltime education pursuits.