Friday Afternoon Post

Clarification on Shelter-in-Place

A letter was sent home yesterday with additional information clarifying the differences between our school’s lockdown procedures and shelter-in-place procedures. Please take a few minutes to review the letter if you haven’t already done so.

Integrated Monitoring Review

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) conducts reviews of various aspects of school operations and programming on a rotating basis. Last year, we completed a Food Service Review, and this year, Union 28 is undergoing an Integrated Monitoring Review focused on Special Education.

As part of this process, a parent survey was recently shared with families of students who have IEPs. If you received a survey, please take a few minutes to complete it. Also please see the Local Outreach and Notification Letter included in this newsletter, which is intended for the entire Union 28 community.

Leverett Elementary School Family Handbook

Much of the important information about our school can be found in the LES Family Handbook. I review and revise portions of the handbook each year to keep the information current and useful. If you come across a section where additional information or clarification would be helpful, please don't hesitate to let me know. I welcome your feedback!

Community Forum

I hope you will be able to join us for the School Challenges and Finance Community Forum this Saturday, November 14, from 1:00–2:30 p.m. at the Leverett Public Library. The forum is hosted by the Leverett Education Foundation (LEF). I hope to see you there!

All-School Assembly

Families are welcome to join us for our All-School Assembly on Monday, November 16, at 2:15 p.m. If you are able to attend, we would love to have you there!

Siby Adina

Principal

adina@leverettschool.org

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct an Integrated Monitoring Review of Erving School Union 28 during the week of December 14th, 2027. Each school district, charter school, vocational school, and virtual school undergoes an Integrated Monitoring Review every three years. The areas addressed during an Integrated Monitoring Review are organized into two groups, known as Group A Universal Standards and Group B Universal Standards.

Erving School Union 28 will be undergoing a Group B monitoring review that addresses special education teacher and related service personnel licensure and professional development; parent, student, and community engagement, including compliance with Child Find requirements; facilities and classroom observations; implementation and oversight of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs); time and learning, and equal access. For additional information please also see Integrated Monitoring Parent and Family Orientation.

The process includes interviews with district staff and administrators, a review of student records, policies and procedures, and school building visits. The process may also include parent/caregiver, student and teacher focus group meetings to gather additional information. Interpretation will be provided, if needed.

The Department will also send a parent survey, in multiple languages and formats as needed, to parents/guardians of special education students to gather key information on the special education processes and procedures.

Parents/guardians and other stakeholders may call Loris Bjorkman-Joslyn, Monitoring Review Chairperson, at (413) 314-6711 or Loris.Bjorkman-Joslyn@mass.gov to request a telephone interview. If anyone requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the district with a report that includes information on further actions that may be required. The public can access the report at Integrated Monitoring Review Reports - Office of Public School Monitoring.