Syracuse, NY (NCC News) – Remote learning hasn’t been enough for two Central New York parents of special needs students.
A West Genesee parent said her 19-year-old son is severally delayed, nonverbal and has a seizure disorder. He benefits from in-person learning because he’s taught life skills and word choices at his learning level.
“The first few weeks out of school, we were okay,” Lisa Corso said. “Now with this new thing coming, they’re anxious to get back to school.”
Corso has concerns about her son, Daniel Corso, possibly catching COVID-19 while in school. Although, she has faith that the West Genesee School District will make the right protocols to keep students safe.
The West Genesee High School parent is also creating her own measures to keep her 19-year-old safe. She’s working with him on wearing a face shield along with using sanitized wipes for his hands.
The West Genesee School District has proposed a hybrid and a completely online plan. Corso wants a hybrid learning plan because her son needs the structure again. She said her and other parents of special needs students feel the same way.
“Whatever has to be done, we just have to trust that this is what we have to do at this point,” Corso said.
A North Syracuse mother said her daughter, who has autism, also needs structure again.
“To not have the hands-on structure that the class room provides is a big challenge for her,” Kat Bombard said.
Bombard’s daughter, Brooklyn Bombard, is in the BOCES Occupational Education program in the North Syracuse Central School District. The district and BOCES program haven’t released their proposed learning plan, but Bombard would like both to offer a hybrid option.
“For my daughter, she doesn’t do so well learning remotely,” Bombard said.
The North Syracuse mother said her daughter struggles doing school work at home since she’s used to doing it in a classroom.
“She does much, much better with teachers or therapists,” Bombard said.
Bombard said her daughter also needs the interaction with other students, teachers and therapists because it helps ease her social anxiety.
Parents will know if their districts will officially offer hybrid and/or completely online learning plans by the first week of August.
