August 2021 Monterey Bay Parent Magazine

What is happening in
classrooms this year?
SAFETY CONCERNS
There are still some unknowns about how your children’s
classes will look like when they return to them this month.
All schools in California, both public and private, are guided
by the CDPH Schools Guidance. This outlines what schools
should follow for the 2021-2022 school year. Everyone,
regardless of vaccination status, must wear masks while
indoors . Masks are optional outdoors.
CATCHING UP?
No matter what your children’s school will look like, it is clear
according to all the experts that most will not have learned
what they would have learned without the disruption of the
pandemic. This is especially true for those children who have
a special education diagnosis. Many were not able to receive
the accommodations that they were entitled to on their
Individual Education Plans (IEP).
It is very important this year for parents to attend Back
to School Night–whether online or virtual– to learn firsthand
how their children’s teachers are planning on handling
any learning deficiencies their children may have suffered.
There has been a wide variance in how much students have
learned in online programs. Teachers are potentially in the
dark about what their students learned last year because of
the lack of standardized testing data. For all of these reasons,
you really need to hear directly from the teachers what their
curriculum will look like for your children and how they plan
to close any learning deficiencies. It’s also important to know
what you will be expected to do at home to help your child.
RESOURCES
There are two things that can help you see where your
elementary and middle children currently are academically.
One is to determine their reading level. The San Diego Quick
Assessment test will provide you with this information. You
can find it online and on our dearteacher website. Two,
you will find helpful to know what your children should
have learned last year in most of their subjects. It is easy
to find this information. Just go to the State of California
education department website (www.cde.ca.gov), and type
in curriculum or content standards and the grade you are
looking for.
BIA is in its 27th year!
OUR MISSION
BIA’s mission is to significantly improve the lives of
children diagnosed with Autism by providing innovative
and individualized treatment.
BIA is a recognized leader in the community
providing:
• 1:1 Intervention Services to Individuals
18 mos-18 years
• Center, Home, And Community Based
Services
• Social Skills Groups
Centers open in
Monterey and
Salinas!
All services are available, please call
for more information about our strict
COVID safety practices
and procedures.
bia4autism.org
Salinas | Monterey | Fresno | Bay Area
(877) 242-2884
MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2021 montereybayparent.com 25