Iowa schools work to curb classroom violence, disruption with state grants
By: Katie Akin - July 22, 2021 4:04 pm Some Iowa schools have received state grants to develop therapeutic classrooms for students with behavioral or mental health issues. (Photo by yang miao via Unsplash)
A new school will open this fall in the Eastern Allamakee Community School District, but only two students are enrolled.
Under a grant program from the Department of Education, the district plans to convert a defunct middle school building into Kee Connect, a facility with two new therapeutic classrooms that can accommodate up to 20 students who need additional mental health or behavioral support.
New Ames special education director Thomas emphasizes system of supports
Ames Tribune
Adaptations made necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to offer Ames special education students new ways to be more involved in classrooms with their peers or access services at home, according to the district s new director of special education.
The district announced earlier in February that Deani Thomas would start July 1 in the role, replacing Darcy Cosens, who is retiring.
Thomas said she started working for the district in 2002 at Ames Middle School, her first teaching job, and has been in special education ever since. She is currently a special education and Title I coordinator, which is a job she s held since 2019.