The following guidance was created to provide the school-community with a summary of ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø School District’s Distance Learning Plan for the 2020-2021 school year. The vision of the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø School District during distance learning is to ensure an engaging instructional environment, while acknowledging the challenges of learning outside of our school building. The ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø School District acknowledges that distance learning is not a substitute for the personal interactions and connections between students and teachers in a traditional school setting. The health, safety, and well-being of our students, staff, and families are our first and foremost priorities.
During Spring 2020, four (4) Task Forces (P-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12) were established to develop a Distance Learning Plan for the 2020-2021 school year, in the event of another mandated school closing due to COVID-19. The following Guiding Principles and Goals were used to develop ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø’s Distance Learning Plan.
Distance Learning Guiding Principles:
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Acknowledge that Distance Learning will never replace a teacher in a classroom
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Provide flexibility for teachers to deliver educational services and experiences for students, while following a consistent framework
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Collaborate to redesign our Distance Learning Plan (by grade-level or content area)
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Address the social and emotional needs of students, staff, and families
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Continue to provide support for Special Education students, English Language Learners, and other at-risk populations
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Articulate ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø School District’s Distance Learning Plan vision
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Recognize the uniqueness of individual buildings
Distance Learning Goals:
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Increase teacher/student engagement with a blend of asynchronous and synchronous learning, particularly in core subject areas
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Provide additional social/emotional learning (SEL) practices and support
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Introduce and have students practice new grade-level skills
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Prevent the regression of previously acquired skills and knowledge of grade-level curriculum
If the New York State Governor again issues an executive order for an emergency school closing due to a resurgence of COVID-19, ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø will activate its Distance Learning Plan. The Distance Learning Plan for the 2020-2021 school year is inclusive of opportunities for both synchronous and asynchronous instruction. ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø will prioritize flexibility and creative planning to maximize opportunities to learn, while taking into consideration what is developmentally appropriate for students, as well as accommodating the varying levels of parent/guardian support during at-home learning. ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø School District acknowledges the unique needs of our community, while making every effort to balance student screen time with the facilitation of meaningful interactions between teachers, students, and their peers.