Hundreds of people came out for a Saline Board of Education meeting on Tuesday (Oct. 26) to voice opinions regarding a new sex education curriculum targeted at students with special needs.

The coronavirus pandemic has created many hurdles for special education teachers looking to provide students the life skills they need to succeed. But now, we’re seeing how some teachers are making it work -- virtually.

ANN ARBOR – More than 350 local physicians and psychologists have signed an open letter and petition to the Ann Arbor Board of Education and Ann Arbor Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeanice Kerr Swift, urging them to reopen schools for students who choose to learn in-person by Gov. “The scientific, health and psychological consensus is clear: It is possible for children and teachers to safely return to school with proper mitigation measures. Ad“My own experience of seeing the devastation caused by school closure among Ann Arbor’s children has been eye-opening and heartbreaking. “It’s time for Ann Arbor to make the rational decision to allow students and families a choice of in-person schooling. AAPS students deserve better.”This is the third letter that Ann Arbor healthcare providers has sent to AAPS and coincides with efforts by parents to reopen the schools due to negative impacts their children are facing during the closures.

You might remember reading about 4-year old Lena back when she was one of the many kids kicking cancer. “What our mission is -- we send children’s favorite characters to visit them,” said Crowns Against Cancer co-founder Ilinca Caluser. Initially the organization just visited children fighting cancer but now includes any child with any illness or special needs. During the pandemic they are seeing children beyond Metro Detroit and Michigan. “The Carr Center is a multi-disciplinary arts organization,” said Sarah Norat-Phillips, from the Carr Center.

WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Friendship Circle of Michigan has done amazing work helping people with special needs find jobs. The mission has grown so much, that they’re expanding in a big way. They have purchased a bakery to expand job options for people with special needs. READ: Michigan camp for individuals with special needs perseveres through COVID-19 pandemicDakota Bread is known for some of the best challah around. The bakery was purchased by the organization, and people in West Bloomfield Township came out to celebrate the new acquisition.

CENTER LINE, Mich. – A group of special needs adults at Rising Stars Academy in Center Line have managed to outsmart the coronavirus. When the pandemic shuttered their classes and work schedules they figured out a way to get back in business by helping others impacted by various shutdowns. Local 4′s Paula Tutman has more on the group’s story. You can watch her report in the video player above. READ MORE: Community News