2020-21 School Reopening Denair Unified School District July 23, 2020
Background and Context COVID-19 Pandemic; School campuses ordered to close March 2020 Development of three plans for reopening based on CV19 conditions: (A) In-Person, (B) Distance Learning, or (C) a hybrid of the two. Effective July 17, by state and county order, we may not offer in-person instruction while our county is on the state watch list. We need to be off the watch list for 14 days before beginning the process of opening campuses. And then it will likely be a phase-in process. As of today: cases 6984 (5-day lag), deaths 77 (+26 in 10 days), current hospitalizations (266, with 55 in ICU)
Steps in the School Reopening Planning Process Work with employee associations to negotiate agreements about school reopening. (CSEA is complete, DUTA is close) Work with management team to determine site and district needs and procedures. Principals work with teachers to develop schedules and procedures, and to address site-specific situations. Provide professional development about safety precautions/workplace safety and distance learning. Communicate with parents and employees.
Basic Logistics First Day of School is August 12. It’s not a viable option to delay the start of school. Our goal is to get students back on campus as soon as feasible; health and safety for students and staff is the highest priority. Staff have/are returning to work based on regular work calendars; district-provided PPE and supplies; staff self-assess for symptoms when arriving to work When we are able to open campuses for in-person instruction, there will still be an option for continued distance learning (independent study).
Basic Logistics (cont.) DCA is an independent study charter and as such, their orientations begin Aug 3. DECA, DMS, DHS will all do some type of Coyote Call, Round Up, or Orientation for students and parents. This may be a combination of in-person appointments and virtual appointments, along with materials distribution. Preschool is a separate program, but will follow the elementary model of instruction (distance learning to start). Letters with specifics for each school will be mailed home on Monday.
Technology All students will have access to school-owned devices for distance learning. We had to order many more devices and not all of them have arrived yet. A Technology Registration Form that includes information about internet access at home and available devices at home will be available online tomorrow and mailed home in the school information packets. Our goal is that every student has their own device to use for distance learning. We are asking parents to partner with us as we wait for more devices. If your child has a device at home, please help us by allowing us to first give devices to students who do not have devices at home.
Instruction → Distance Learning Distance Learning in August will not be a repeat of Spring 2020. That was “crisis teaching” “crisis learning”; not homeschooling, but “crisis schooling.” Fall 2020 DL is thoughtful and supportive of students, parents, and staff. Our Guiding Principles for Distance Learning: ● Academics and Social-Emotional Learning ● Building Relationships with students and families ● Reasonable and sustainable ● Meets the requirements set forth by the legislature
Instruction → Distance Learning Teachers are required to offer daily live interaction with students. This could be a Zoom class session, a ClassDojo check-in, or even a phone call. Teachers may hold “office hours” to allow students to check-in at different times. The remainder of students’ work will be done on their own, mostly through online videos, projects and activities assigned by teachers. 180 Days of Instruction, with a minimum of: ● 3 hours per day for TK/K ● 3 hours, 50 minutes for Grades 1-3 ● 4 hours per day for Grades 4-12
Instruction → Distance Learning (cont.) All school work must be based on grade level and content area standards. Grades will be assigned, report cards will be issued, and GPA assigned Attendance will be based on participation in distance learning. Both live instruction and independent work will be tracked. Students absent (not participating) for three days will receive follow-up from the teacher/counselor/school. Students who have special needs will receive accommodations.
Instruction → Distance Learning (cont.) Principals are working with teachers to develop distance learning schedules at each school. It will look a bit different from school-to-school or grade-to-grade, but we are looking to provide some consistency for students, parents and teachers. Once schedules are set, they’re not likely to change too much. We want to support routines for learning/school as much as possible. Bottom line: we want to partner with parents. We recognize that this is hard on parents. There are many different situations. If something isn’t working, talk to the school!
Instruction → Dual Language Immersion Program The DLI team is working to provide support for students in both languages. These students may need more live instruction than students in the traditional English only program. We are also thinking about how to incorporate Language Lab activities and support into distance learning. Our intent is to provide enough support for all DLI students to successfully remain in the program and when we return to in-person instruction, we’ll make adjustments to instruction as needed.
Other... At middle and high school many clubs can still meet virtually. Students can still meet with counselors and other staff members virtually. Seniors can still get assistance with applying to college and for financial aid and scholarships. The state-wide face covering rules apply to schools and workplaces. Everyone over the age of 2 must wear a face covering when visiting the school campus, office, orientation, etc.
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