Youtube Channel

Dear Families,

The special education team has created a Youtube Channel to house all of the informational videos we have collected so far from our very talented staff.  We will continue to add videos to this collection as they become available.  So far we have posted videos covering the following topics:

Ms. Sally:  Music therapy videos.
Ms. Stande: Following directions lesson.
Ms. Arventos: Read aloud with visual supports.
Ms. Jasie: Using a choice board to select a song.
Ms. Jasie: Modeling using core vocabulary during play.
Ms. Jasie: How do you feel today?

We will continue to highlight videos and resources on this blog as well as post them on our new Youtube channel.  To access this channel you can click here.

More Ms. Sally music!

Dear families,

Below is another video from our wonderful Ms. Sally!  As we move forward we will continue to post videos to help support both our students and their families.  If there is a topic that you would like us to highlight in our blog please post it in the comment section and we will post resources and/or videos to help support you at home.
Wishing you all the best,
The Special Education Team

Modeling a read aloud

We are so excited to share this video and companion visual support.  Mary Aventos, speech and language pathologist from Amelio Della Chiesa, has put together this video to model for parents how we may conduct a read aloud during a speech session.  In addition, she has created a companion visual support for families to use while they are reading.

Stay tuned for more videos from our very talented staff!

PDF version of visuals also available in the Speech Google Classroom

Music by Ms. Sally

We are so excited to share this highlight from our very own Ms. Sally!  Thank you Ms. Sally for all you do for our students!  We are lucky to have you.

Boardmaker and Easterseals Resources

Some new resources from Boardmaker and Easterseals to help support families at home.

To access these resources click here.

Easterseals School Closure Kit includes activities, schedules, choice boards and token boards.  

Enrichment Resource for School Closures from the Massachusetts Council for Exceptional Children

The Massachusetts Council for Exceptional Children is compiling open-access resources for students in Pre-k to age 22.  To access their resource folder click on the link provided here: http://www.masscec.org/resources-covid-19.html  and scroll down the page to the section labeled Access to Resource Folder. 

Daily Schedule for ADHD Families

Daily schedule advice for students diagnosed with ADHD plus free downloads.  Follow this link Daily Schedule for ADHD Families

Social Stories and Video Modeling

Some additional resources:

To access a social story click here.

To access a social story on social distancing click here.

Shared by our BCBA from Melmark, Juliya Krasnopolsky, videos for parents to help with video modeling for Activities of Daily Living (ADL).

THIS IS A SUGGESTED SAMPLE STATEMENT: When presenting any of the activities below, use language like, “First you need to do X, then you can use(preferred activity).”

brushing hair

brushing teeth

washing face

folding clothes

washing dishes

Sample Daily Schedule for Our Special Education Students (CARES, Special Needs Learning Center, Transitional Kindergarten)

Thank you to our BCBA, Taryn Miller, for creating a sample daily schedule for students in the CARES, SNLC and TK programs.

Sample Schedule

8 A.M. to 9 A.M.   Breakfast/Get ready for the day. 

9 A.M. to 9:30 A.M  Work Bins/Morning Work (Use a first then or visual schedule to relay this information) Morning Work Resources Morning can be the best time to get these things accomplished. 

9:30 A.M. to 10 A.M.  Computer Education Games (Power Point Resources – do these with your children) and Computer Games (can be done independently: see resources below)

10:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.  Movement break - Go Noodle is a great resource for fun movement activities at home, play outside (blowing bubbles, riding bikes, side walk chalk are all great activities if weather permits), board games with family member or siblings.

10:30 Snack

11:00 A.M to 11:30  Reading  or Song Time- Reading a book of your choice with your child, listening to an audible story or reading independently when they are ready are great activities.  Ask them to point to or answer short questions as you read each page. Some online resource are ReadWorks.Org, Storyline Online, Scholastic Kids,

Stories/Songs that are highly engaging and have music: Super Simple Learning.  Bri Reads is another favorite

11:30 A.M. - 12:00 A.M. Art, Music, or Sensory Activity - Laurie Berkner Breaks (YouTube) and are great options for music activities. PBS Kids coloring, paint and sketch games are free options for art activities.  Use Kinetic Sand, Playdough, Rice, beans, water play – follow the interest of your child.  

12:00 P.M. – 12:45 P.M. Lunch - Include some physical activity using the suggests list above under movement break (walk, follow the leader,  "I am going to get you", ball play, etc.)

12:45 P. M to 1:45 Play Time: Take out your child's favorite toys and play with them.  Legos, trains, magnets, blocks.  Imitate and encourage creative and imaginative play.

1:45 P.M. to 2:30 P. M. Quiet Time Allow your child to rest, play quiet music or put on an educational science show. Take a Home Safari of the Cincinnati Zoo, check out the New England Aquarium free lessons, complete an activity on Mystery Science, or watch a video from Crash Course Kids.

We know the day does not end at 2:30, so feel free to try switching out activities with some of our Google Classroom items or from the resources listed on this page.  

Tips from our BCBA

Remember to keep a schedule/routine in place and be consistent to help your child adjust.  Predictability allows your child to know what to expect, what to do, and when to do it, which can provide a higher sense of comfort and security.  Consistency allows your child to know that you will respond the same way every time to their behavior often increasing positive behaviors and decreasing negative behaviors.  Rules and Clear Expectations create routines within environments and activities, which increase their independence and success over time.  Don't be afraid to increase structure in your home; it can make your child's life much easier and more enjoyable! 

Lexia Access

Lexia Core 5 and Lexia Power Up Reading Program

Core5 is a fun computer-based reading program for k-5 students. The activities in Core5 support and build on our classroom curriculum and focus on developing reading skills in six areas: phonological awareness, phonics, structural analysis, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Here’s how Lexia Core5 Reading works:
● Your child begins Core5 at a starting point that fits his or her needs based on a placement activity and works in online activities throughout the week.
● Online activities include direct instruction and feedback as your child learns new skills.
● Paper-and-pencil activities can also be printed and used for practice.


Getting started is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. To use on a computer, go to www.lexiacore5.com.

2. To use on an iPad, download the free Lexia Core5 Reading app from the App Store.
(iPad support is limited to these devices: iPad 4+, iPad Mini 3+, iPad Air+, and iPad Pro.)

3. The first time your child uses Core5, or anytime they use a new device, please enter the email shown below.

Teacher Email (for setup): home@quincypublicschools.com
Username: SAME AS GOOGLE CLASSROOM: 8-digit LASID@quincypublicschools.com
Password: lexia


Lexia Power Up 
Lexia® PowerUp Literacy® is a computer-based reading program for middle school students that tailors instruction to their specific needs. The activities in PowerUp support and build on our English language arts classroom curriculum, focusing on developing skills in three areas essential to becoming a proficient reader: Word Study, Grammar, and Comprehension.

Here’s how PowerUp works:
• The first PowerUp session begins with a placement activity that determines the starting point based on their needs. Then, your reader works on online activities throughout the week.
• There will be a weekly online usage target of 85-145 minutes. This weekly target will decrease over time as your reader makes progress. Encourage your reader to meet or beat the weekly usage target!
• Adolescent readers are rewarded for consistent, strong work by earning streaks. Ask your reader about their highest streak and what they’ve learned.
• PowerUp paper-and-pencil activities can be printed for additional practice.

Getting started is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. If you are using a desktop computer or laptop, you can access PowerUp through the web browser by going to www.lexiapowerup.

2. If you are using an iPad®, search for Lexia PowerUp in the App Store. Tap the download icon to download PowerUp onto the device.

3.The first time your reader uses PowerUp at home, or anytime they use a new device, please enter the email shown below.
Teacher Email (for set up) - home@quincypublicschools.com
Student Username - SAME AS GOOGLE CLASSROOM - 8-digit@quincypublicschools.com
Password - lexia

QPS AAC Resources

In addition to the Speech and OT Google Classroom, Quincy Public Schools Speech and Language Pathologists have created a site dedicated to Augmentative and Assistive Communication (AAC) needs.  The goals of this website are to increase parent access to information and increase understanding about AAC, provide instant access to materials used by your child's Speech and Language Pathologist and to promote carry-over and generalization of skills outside of the speech room.  You can access this great resource by clicking on this link.

QPS AAC Resources

Special Education Resouces

Dear Families,

Thank you for your continued support throughout this unprecedented time.  The Special Education Team is working hard to support your child with access to high quality educational resources at their individual level.  We are continually adding, designing and updating new material daily.

Parent and guardians who do not have access to a printer or computer can feel free to contact us at erinperkins@quincypublicschools.com, sarahanderson@quincypublicschools.com, and juliegraham@quincypublicschools.com and we will print and copy materials and deliver them your local lunch pick up site (see Quincy Public Schools website for locations).  Differentiated materials are also available for download under the section labeled CARES/LC in each individual Google Classroom. 

Please continue to check the Quincy Public Schools website for updates, new resources and highlights.

We hope that you and your family stay healthy and well.