Page 12 - Annual Report 2020-2021
P. 12
ANNUAL REPORT - 2020/21
GIANT STEPS RESPONSE
t o t he COVID-19 Pandemic
As students returned to school for the 2019 Giant Steps’ top priority is to have students
– 2020 school year, Giant Steps’ faculty and attend school in-person to receive learning
staff opened up school as usual. However, as opportunities every day that align with Giant
the 2019 – 2020 school year entered Spring Steps’ curriculum and our student’s Individual
of 2020, all schools faced the most disrupted Educational Program (IEP) goals.
school year in recent history due to the
coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Giant Steps took many actions to prepare for
the ‘21-22 school year, both from educational
Due to this highly contagious virus, Governor and facility perspectives. To ensure that our
Pritzker closed schools from March 13, building was a safe and healthy environment,
2020, through the end of the 2019 – 2020 we utilized guidance from the CDC, IDPH, and
school year. As the 2020 – 2021 school year ISBE to make decisions regarding building
approached, Giant Steps opened our school operations and the health and safety of our
using remote learning with a blended in- students and staff. Some of these actions
person learning model. This approach meant included, but were not limited to:
that students came to school in person,
beginning with two days a week on alternate • Adhering to CDC, IDPH, ISBE guidance
weeks, quickly moving to a two-three day for maintaining a safe and healthy school
model, and finally to a full five-day week environment
in-person educational model in October. On • Systematically ordering and assembling
the days’ students were not in the building, PPE for the ‘21-22 school year
they participated in online synchronous and • Collaborating with our program staff
asynchronous remote learning activities led about schedules, how we have to adapt
by their teachers and therapists. the use of materials, and cleaning needs
with commonly used (and safe) materials
The coronavirus pandemic was undoubtedly
a struggle for most students, parents, and Listening carefully to parents and staff for their
educators. With little notice, schools had feedback, needs, and ideas to best meet the
to pivot to remote learning platforms, and challenges of unique learning environments
many teachers who were unfamiliar with due to the COVID-19 virus is a critical part
technology were required to both learn of our comprehensive Communication
technology and create new ways for children Plan. Proactively communicating with all
to learn online. Beyond the connectivity stakeholders is one of the pillars of Giant
and technology issues, many students had Steps’ success in responding to the COVID-19
to adapt to a new learning environment virus of 2019 – 2020. Continuing to listen to
and the social challenges of learning from concerns and ideas and carefully selecting
home. Many parents became overburdened, those that best fit our students’ needs will
especially those working or having younger help us meet any challenge in the future.
children and students with special needs.
PAGE 10
