STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- When New York City announced that schools would close until at least April 20 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Nicole Memoli was stuck with a difficult choice -- go to work as a paramedic for Staten Island University Hospital, or stay home with her two daughters -- one with severe autism.
A paramedic for 26 years, Memoli said she knew that, despite the current health crisis, she needed appropriate and safe care for her 14-year-old daughter Sarah -- who attends the Eden II School and is severely autistic.
“I’m trying to find some solution so that she can be somewhere safe and I can return to work doing what I do best,” she told the Advance/SILive.com on Sunday. “I love my daughter. If I have to stay home with my daughter for the next 29 days, I have zero problem with that. My daughter is the love of my life. She is everything to me.”
Memoli qualifies for the Regional Enrichment Centers (RECs), which the city Department of Education (DOE) has opened across all five boroughs to provide care for children of first responders, health care workers, and transit workers. They are not a replacement for school or other related service programs.
Four locations on Staten Island opened on Monday and will provide daytime care on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Memoli filled out an application for the centers last week when they first became available, but she explained she wasn’t sure if the centers were able to provide the care her daughter needs.
The DOE told the Advance/SILive.com on Tuesday that parents who are first responders and other essential workers who have children with disabilities will be accommodated at RECs. Students with disabilities will be in classrooms with special education teachers and, if needed, paraprofessionals, who will have access to important information like a student’s health, social-emotional and behavior needs.
When reached on Tuesday, Memoli said that after countless phone calls she made seeking information about RECs for her daughter, the family was referred to the PS/I.S. 48 Regional Enrichment Center. She told the Advance/SILive.com that the visit went well and she is “giving the REC center a try.”
Nicole Memoli (second from left) has been seeking appropriate care for her 14-year-old daughter Sarah (left) who is severely autistic. The Memolis -- including husband David and daughter Rachel -- are seen in this undated family photo. (Courtesy/Nicole Memoli)
“It’s not ideal, but we will have to make it work. We appreciate all the efforts they made at [PS/I.S.] 48," Memoli said.
She added that as the virus continues to spread and more cases are confirmed, every healthcare worker will be necessary.
“I want her somewhere safe,” Memoli said, referring to her daughter. “Once I know for sure that she’s somewhere safe, then I can get back to doing what I do.”
Katie O’Hanlon, a spokeswoman for the DOE, confirmed that the family visited a REC on Tuesday to meet with on-site leadership, special education teachers, a social worker, and a paraprofessional.
“Our Regional Enrichment Centers are for New Yorkers right on the frontlines of our COVID-19 response efforts, and we are working tirelessly to ensure their children, including their children with disabilities, have access to this resource," said O’Hanlon.
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SUPPORT FOR KIDS WITH DISABILITIES
For students with disabilities in RECs, the DOE is taking these steps to ensure they are supported:
-- Site leaders will have appropriate Special Education Student Information System (SESIS) access to review health, social-emotional, behavior, academic, mobility, and management needs of each child upon arrival. Student needs may include: limited mobility, behavior intervention plans, allergies or medical conditions, and non-verbal communication.
-- Teachers with special education certification and experience are being assigned to groups that have students with disabilities. They may help implement REC activities and apply modifications for students as needed.
-- Students who receive 1:1 paraprofessional support during the regular school day may need additional adult assistance when at the REC. Paraprofessionals are being surveyed about specialty skills, such as supporting students with autism, or District 75 experience, and are being assigned upon supervisor review of a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to ensure the health and safety of each student.
-- Students with disabilities should be in groups no larger than the group size on their IEP.
-- Both classroom and nursing staff are being made aware of allergies, diabetes, or medication administration of students with IEPs.
The DOE and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene are working to identify and support students with significant medical needs. Families of children with significant medical needs should consult with a medical provider before attending RECs.
SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES
Many Staten Island parents have wondered how their children will receive their required special education services as schools move to remote learning. These services include speech, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
The DOE has said it made arrangements to deliver special education programs and related services through remote learning to students with IEPs. Schools were given a template last week to create specific remote learning plans for special education students.
But Joy Lacysynski said it’s hard to foresee how remote learning will work for her dyslexic fifth-grade daughter because she learns differently.
“The issue I do foresee is her not understanding the content unless it is read to her, and therefore she will not be learning anything, rather, shutting down and not wanting to do any work,” she said. “IEPs are just that, Individualized Educational Programs...I really don’t see how the DOE will pull this one off.”
The DOE said it will be holding IEP meetings by phone and is looking into the possibility of conducting assessments remotely as much as possible.
Occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and counseling providers will offer appropriate tele-therapy services in conjunction with schools’ remote instructional plan, the agency said.
Parents will still be able to make referrals for special education evaluations and re-evaluations by emailing their school or calling 311 for assistance, according to the DOE.
REMOTE LEARNING
The DOE shifted to a remote learning strategy on Monday for students in New York City public schools. Despite differences in readiness, every school is focusing on transitioning their core learning and instruction to a remote-based model.
Online learning will look different for every child. For example, some children were instructed to create a Google Classroom account, others were told classes would be held via Zoom, a video communication program.
Some parents have been scrambling to secure the proper technology for their children so they’re able to participate in online learning. Those who are in need of technology should fill out an online form to sign up for a remote learning device via the DOE.
Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza asked parents to sign up for the NYC Schools account, which will be critically important as the DOE pushes information out and resources for remote learning needs.
You can go to www.myschools.nyc for more information.
OUR COVERAGE
As we continue our coverage on COVID-19, we want to hear from you -- parents, teachers, and students at Staten Island’s public, Catholic and private schools.
How is remote learning working for you and your family? Are you a first responder or health care worker sending your kids to Regional Enrichment Centers? Are you a teacher struggling to teach students but also your own children? Are you still in need of technology for your kids to participate in remote learning?
We want to hear the good news, too. Is your school doing something special that you think should be highlighted while schools are closed?
We want to tell your stories.
Reach out to education reporter Annalise Knudson at aknudson@siadvance.com to send in your questions and thoughts.
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