Page 7 - 2019-2020 Annual Report

Giant Steps Response

to the COVID-19 Pandemic

As students returned to school for the 2019 – 2020 school year, Giant Steps’ faculty and staff
opened up school as usual. However, as the 2019 – 2020 school year entered Spring
of 2020, all schools faced the most disrupted school year in recent history due to the
coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Due to this highly contagious virus, Governor Pritzker closed schools from March 13,
2020, through the end of the 2019 – 2020 school year. As the 2020 – 2021 school year
approached, Giant Steps opened our school using remote learning with a blended
in-person learning model. This approach meant that students came to school in person,
beginning with two days a week on alternate weeks, quickly moving to a two-three day
model, and finally to a full five-day week in-person educational model in October. On the days’ students were
not in the building, they participated in online synchronous and asynchronous remote learning activities led
by their teachers and therapists.
The coronavirus pandemic was undoubtedly a struggle for most students, parents, and educators. With
little notice, schools had to pivot to remote learning platforms, and many teachers who were unfamiliar with
technology were required to both learn technology and create new ways for children to learn online. Beyond
the connectivity and technology issues, many students had to adapt to a new learning environment and the
social challenges of learning from home. Many parents became overburdened, especially those working or
having younger children and students with special needs.

Giant Steps’ top priority is to have students attend school in-person to receive learning opportunities every
day that align with Giant Steps’ curriculum and our student’s Individual Educational Program (IEP) goals.

Giant Steps took many actions to prepare for the ‘21-22 school year, both from educational and facility
perspectives. To ensure that our building was a safe and healthy environment, we utilized guidance from
the CDC, IDPH, and ISBE to make decisions regarding building operations and the health and safety of our
students and staff. Some of these actions included, but were not limited to:
• Adhering to CDC, IDPH, ISBE guidance for maintaining a safe and healthy school environment
• Systematically ordering and assembling PPE for the ‘21-22 school year
• Collaborating with our program staff about schedules, how we have to adapt the use of materials,
and cleaning needs with commonly used (and safe) materials

Listening carefully to parents and staff for their feedback, needs, and ideas to best meet the challenges
of unique learning environments due to the COVID-19 virus was a critical part of our comprehensive
Communication Plan. Proactively communicating with all stakeholders is one of the pillars of Giant Steps’
success in responding to the COVID-19 virus of 2019 – 2020. Continuing to listen to concerns and ideas and
carefully selecting those that best fit our students’ needs will help us meet any challenge in the future.

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