Local schools prepare special programs, extra security for start of classes

This morning, students will return to schools around the Miami Valley.

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News Center 7’s Letitia Perry spent time this morning at schools in Miami County to learn more about the programs Miami County schools provide to support students who learn differently.

Schools in Miami County have access to one of 52 Educational Service Centers, which cater to “gifted students” as well as students with special needs. The center helps teachers in each building to address the specific learning needs of each child, and offers occupational therapy and speech therapy.

Miami County Educational Service Center Superintendent Dave Larson said that this service was needed because each district would benefit without needing to spend the money to fund the programs. The goal, he said, was to make sure every student gets the attention they need to thrive in the classroom, no matter what that classroom setting looks like.

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The superintendent of Troy Schools, which are also in Miami Valley but begin classes tomorrow, emphasized school safety.

Superintendent Chris Piper said that with the increase in school shootings across the country, his district took preventative measures against any danger that may face their schools, including active shooter training and equipping doors with buzzer systems and cameras.

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Yesterday, Perry also visited Xenia school district, which equipped their buses with a tablet to provide a number of services including turn-by-turn directions, helping drivers stay up to date on inspections and letting drivers write license plate numbers of drivers who disobey traffic laws around stopped school buses.