Whether children are learning in-person, online, or at home with parents when school starts anew on Aug. 24, Canyons District remains dedicated to providing Special Education supports to students. Parents who have questions or concerns about how to access Special Education services are encouraged to reach out to their child’s school or the Canyons District Special Education Department at 801-826-5022.  

Here is a quick rundown of how CSD’s Special Education Department will approach each of the learning opportunities provided to the Canyons community in fall 2020:  

In-Person Instruction

Choosing this option provides a student with all services currently documented on the student’s Individual Education Plan. All families with students returning to in-person instruction will be asked to monitor their student(s) for symptoms of illness using the symptom checklist provided to all CSD families and to take their student’s temperature each morning before the start of school. 

According to Misty Suarez, Canyons District’s Director of Special Education and Related Services, some services may be delivered creatively.  For example, “speech language services may have to be provided through a face shield so the student can be taught articulation skills.”

Suarez pointed out that CSD’s Special Education Department will continue to follow all state and federal rules and regulations. However, she also states that some students may have a diagnoses that will not allow them to wear a face covering, which are required in Utah schools, per the order by Utah Gov. Gary Herbert. In those cases, accommodations will be considered.  

Online Instruction

Choosing this option provides a student with Special Education services and a Distance Learning Plan. The DLP is not intended to replace a student’s IEP, but rather to document individual priority decisions for special education services while enrolled in optional distance learning. “When a parent chooses due to COVID to go online, then we will have the IEP team meet and develop a plan for them in an online environment,” said Suarez. In this setting, IEP goals and services may be modified based on individual students’ needs, she added.

All students participating in online learning will follow the same curriculum maps as those in in-person instruction and will be provided a device to participate if needed. 

At-Home District-Supported, Parent-Guided Instruction

Choosing this option provides a student with Special Education services a Distance Learning Plan. The DLP is not intended to replace a student’s IEP, but rather to document individual priority decisions for Special Education services while enrolled in optional distance learning. Families choosing this option will be invited to attend a meeting to develop an individualized plan. 

“I am confident we can provide an education to students during this difficult time,” said Suarez. “We are all learning and growing together, and as we do so, I believe we can all get through this together.”