INDIANAPOLIS — “My son wants to learn. He misses his friends. He misses his teachers. I want to give him that opportunity,” said Tracy Vatnsdal.
That’s why Vatnsdal will be sending her 17-year-old son Alex back to The Independence Academy next month. It's a private, non-profit, state-accredited school in Indianapolis which exclusively serves students with autism.
“By the time we’re giving him back, he knows how to log onto his own Zoom meetings and has learned a lot of things in the process,” Vatnsdal said of the time Alex spent in e-learning at home last semester
That experience had its challenges for many parents, and it was no different for families with kids on the autism spectrum.
“We all had to learn a way to get them to learn differently, and it worked,” said Vatnsdal.
By August 12, IA’s students will be back in the classroom, if they choose. They will have the option to continue to use e-learning from home. Those who come back to the school with have their temperatures taken every day before entering the building.
“We have a pretty comprehensive plan,” said Director Marisa Gill. “All students are required to wear masks. All teachers are required to wear masks. We have a series of protocols we’re going to go through, so we’re going to do every single thing in our power to make it as safe as possible.”
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Gill said she has consulted with the Marion County Public Health Department and is following CDC guidelines when it comes to best practices heading into the new school year.
“We don’t typically have more than six children in a class, so that obviously is a huge benefit to us. We’re using multiple entry points. We’re using multiple drop-off times,” Gill said.
Should the school have to close again, staff, students and families will adjust, Gill said.
“Is it ideal? No,” said Gill. “There’s certainly some negative components of that, but bottom line is what’s best for all, what’s safe, what’s healthy, how do we protect our children?"
That’s why Tracy Vatnsdal feels safe sending her son Alex back to school for now.
“I’m just thankful he’ll have a chance to see his friends and his teachers again,” she said.
She knows if that has to change, they’ll adjust. They’ve already been there, done that.
“We’ll take it a day at a time and we’ll see what happens,” Vatnsdal said.