Knights,
I know you are very anxious about the upcoming changes and I want to be as transparent as possible about the how we will be making the transition into Phase 2. I know this is a difficult situation, particularly if you wanted your student to return to campus and they are not able to come back during Phase 2. We sincerely miss all of our students!
Limiting the Capacity to 25%
We narrowed our list of students wishing to return to campus using the weighted point system. Notification was sent to parent/guardians about whether the student would return to campus or remain virtual on September 6th.
Adjustments to Student Schedules
Our priority is to create the maximum amount of stability for students and teachers in terms of classes and schedules. We will change the least number of schedules needed to meet the student needs. We have committed to honoring the Alternate Work Arrangements that were granted to some of our teachers; this means that some teachers will remain 100% virtual. Our process for minimizing schedule changes was:
- When possible, make no adjustments to the student's schedule. Students remaining virtual will experience the least number of changes, if any.
- Change the student to another teacher for the class without changing the entire schedule.
- Move the least number of classes if a teacher change was not sufficient or possible.
We believe that our processes will help minimize the need for schedule changes at future transition points.
New Bell Schedule - Starting September 14th
We will be using a new bell schedule starting September 14th for both virtual and in-person students. The single bell schedule will support classes that are supporting all learners simultaneously as well as when the athletes must return to campus. The new schedule can be found by clicking here.
Timeline for Schedule Changes
Our counselors will begin making changes as quickly as possible. The new courses will not be active immediately so students may see new sections in Skyward before they have the new sections in their Google Classroom. Students should NOT unenroll themselves from any course.
Our goal is that all schedule changes are completed by September 11th; please log on to your Skyward account on September 11th (now a student holiday) and that schedule should be your schedule moving forward. Skyward may show the new classes active September 10th even though the new schedule will not take effect until September 14th. This is due to a student holiday on the 11th and, in order to make sure the new classes show in the Google Classroom by Monday, September 14th, we have to make active date in Skyward earlier.
Impact to Instruction - What to Expect
There will be several different configurations for instruction due to a variety of circumstances: some classes can be combined but others cannot and some classes have multiple teachers. Therefore, you may see 1) a teacher is dedicated to in-person or virtual learning, 2) the teacher may collaborate with another teacher in the PLC and they will co-teach so students work with both teachers, 3) teachers may be working with in-person and virtual students at the same time. Your student is likely to experience multiple models because the circumstances are different for each teacher, each period.
Teachers will be working with their PLCs this week to identify the model and expectations for students that best fits the needs of the students and the resources available that period. Teachers will be communicating changes by the end of next week so students are ready for September 14th.
What Should In-Person Students Bring?
If your student is returning to school, please have them bring the following things to school, if possible.
- Backpack that can hold their Chromebook and charger,
- Mask (we recommend a back up in case a student forgets or the mask gets dirty)
- Container/bag to hold their masks while eating/drinking,
- Refillable water bottle,
- Headphones/earbuds that can be used in the classroom and can fit in the backpack.
- Individual supplies such as pens/pencils, colored pencils/markers, glue, student scissors, or other items that would be needed for the classroom. This is to minimize items being shared among students. You can ask your students if they have recommendations for supplies specific to their class/subject.
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