District Finalizing Back To School Plan

As part of back to school plans, Madison City Schools will provide in-person therapies for students who have special needs.

I'm dan shaffer.

And i'm najahe sherman.

Today we learned madison city schools will provide in- person therapies for students who have special needs.

Parents who have internet issues will also receive help this week.

Waay 31's casey albritton is live in madison after asking city school superintendent ed nichols about its plans.

Superintendent ed nichols told me one of his main priorities is making sure every student has access to the internet.

If you have any internet issues the district wants you to pick up one of these wifi modems at the central office this thursday.

Dr. ed nichols/ superintendent "if we had a case positive, in the classroom, we would have to quarantine that classroom for at least 2 to 5 days and up to 10 or 14 days, so i thought it was better to start virtual.

For the first time monday, madison city schools superintendent ed nichols explained exactly why the district is starting with virtual only classes and what it's doing to make sure students succeed.

"wifi hotspots through verizon and we'll hand those out.

Sometimes you may need an extra one just because you have two kids at home."

He says the online curriculum will look a little different than last spring--and students can watch lessons in real-time.

"but for those students who maybe can't adjust to that time because of something at home, those can be recorded."

If a parent has a child with special needs, nichols says they will be able to receive in- person therapies at either liberty or discovery middle schools this fall.

"we will work with each of the parents individually on their iep and how those services will be delivered.

We will have some in-school services offered in small groups as well as some tele-services."

He says staff members will reach out to parents in the next couple of weeks to revise students 'individualized education programs... nichols says the current situation isn't ideal--but school leaders are doing the best they can.

"we want to get kids back in the school, we know that's the best way, but we want to make sure we are protective of our staff and protective of our kids."

The district says information on wifi modems and the special education plan will be emailed to parents later this week live in madison, casey