NMSBVI Virtual Learning Resources

Continuous Learning Plan

During this time of school closures across the state of New Mexico, the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NMSBVI) will continue to provide educational and related services through a variety of delivery methods and modes. Each student’s educational team will individualize the Continuous Learning Plan for each student, with input from parents and guardians. Below you will find our general plan. Please know that many students and families will be offered a variety of ways in which to engage in continuous learning.

NMSBVI Continuous Learning Plan Word Document

IEP Provisions and Team Meetings

Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) will be implemented as written whenever possible through a continuous learning model. Families will receive a Prior Written Notice (PWN) of individualized services for each student. If changes to the IEP are necessary, an addendum will be called and parents and guardians will be invited to participate. Any changes will be documented in the addendum and through a PWN.
Annual IEP meetings will be held either through video conference or through phone conference.

Educational Programs

• Programs will be delivered through a variety of platforms based on the needs of each student, his or her access to technology and ability to complete tasks with or without support. Your child’s teacher has already contacted you about the platform(s) that will be used with your child. You will find a list of platforms that NMSBVI is using below.
• Teachers will be contacting families and guardians on a weekly basis in order to provide assignments, activities, resources and other information. Many of our students will need parent or guardian support during this time, depending on their age and ability to work independently.
• Teachers will have regularly scheduled “office hours” during which parents, guardians and/ or students can contact them. • Teachers will use a combination of direct and indirect teaching. Some teachers will post video lessons. Some will host live video lessons. Some will host phone lessons. Some will provide lessons for parents and assist the parents in delivering the lessons.
• Assignments, instructions and supports from teachers will be delivered in a variety of ways (see below). NMSBVI has also provided technology and assistive technology to students who can benefit from that technology. Some teachers will be sending homework packets on a regular basis, with print and/ or braille materials as appropriate.
• The state has issued maximum learning time guidelines: “Our recommended guidelines for maximum student commitment in terms of direct instruction each day are as follows:
     • Pre-K: 30 minutes
     • Grades K-1: 45 minutes
     • Grades 2-3: 60 minutes
     • Grades 4-5: 90 minutes
     • Grades 6-12: 30 minutes per teacher (3 hours max in a day)

The guidelines above are meant for any delivery model -- packets, on-line, direct teaching, indirect teaching, etc. Additional reading time or storytelling is always encouraged.”
     • Grading for this quarter will be Pass/Fail based on student participation and completion of work.

NMSBVI Elementary Program Schedule

Office Hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays - 1:00-2:00

NMSBVI Continuous Learning Plan Program Schedules Word Document

Related Services

• Related services activities will be provided in a variety of ways, depending upon the needs of each student.
• Related services will be provided for the amount of time listed on each student’s IEP and may occur in collaboration with teacher lessons, in co-therapy sessions with other related service providers, in lesson plans and information provided to the parent or guardian, who are our educational partners.
• If there are changes to the IEP, the team will schedule an IEP addendum with the parents or guardians. A Prior Written Notice (PWN) will reflect the changes.
• Related services may conduct therapy sessions using Zoom or telephone meetings, which will be protected with passwords, if possible. They may also utilize videotaped lessons for students.
• Related service providers will contact families on a regular basis in order to provide support and answer questions.
• Support to families may be in the form of phone contact, video demonstration/ observation, print/braille packets, and/ or email.

Social Work and Psychology Support

• Our social workers and our psychologist will be contacting families and students directly in order to provide support.
• The social worker and psychologist will work together to provide services to students through telephone or video conferencing for the service time listed on a student’s IEP.
• The social workers and psychologists will also be available throughout the day and may have posted “office hours” during which they will be available.
• The social workers and psychologist will provide families with resources and information on a regular basis.

Additional Student Support

• NMSBVI will provide opportunities for the students to feel connected with our NMSBVI community. We will provide music and adapted physical education activities. We will create a video or telephone chat room for students to stay connected, if there is an interest in doing so.
• Health services will reach out to parents and guardians weekly.
• Nutrition services will provide tips and resources to parents and guardians.

Outreach Services

• Outreach staff continue to be available to offer consultative services to support local systems. They will coordinate services with the districts.
• Outreach staff will continue to mentor student teachers throughout the state.

Birth to 3 Services (B-3)

• Our Birth to 3 Program’s Developmental Specialists are continuing to provide services through videoconferencing and/or telephone, using a telehealth model. They are providing parents and guardians with resources and recommended activities as well.
• B-3 is also using Google Duo as a platform with some early intervention agencies in the state.
• B-3 staff are meeting with early intervention (EI) agencies across the state for transdisciplinary team meetings, 6 month reviews, and Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) meetings.
• B-3 staff are meeting with early intervention agencies and school districts for transition meetings and IEP meetings.
• B-3 staff continues to attend regional meetings as well as other meetings with EI agencies and school districts. All of the meetings above have been switched from face to face to telehealth meetings.

Continuous Learning will be provided through:

• Microsoft TEAMS Platform - Class material will be posted in TEAMS classrooms
• Zoom/Video conference
• Objective Ed (for preschool, kindergarten and some other classes)
• Homework packets
• ClassDojo
• Google Duo (B-3)

If you have questions, please contact your child’s teacher or:
Patricia Beecher, Superintendent
505-859-0031
Patricia Beecher