Setting Goals and Expectations for eLearning for 2020-2021
We've been hard at work planning for the upcoming school year. Reopening our schools and businesses depend on how we adhere to CDC/state guidelines. This uncertainty has caused us to plan for various models of learning for our students. Each week, our Planning Team works to sort out the path forward.
There are three school environment models for the 2020-2021 school year. Schools in St. Helena Parish will embed the eLearning platform, Microsoft Teams, into the teaching and learning process regardless of the model that will be used next school year.
Normal Operations Model – all employees and students return to normal operations with daily face-to-face instruction at each school site.
Full-time eLearning Model – all employees and students operate completely online.
Blended Model – mixture of normal and eLearning models.
Normal Operations Model
All employees and students will return to normal operations with daily face-to-face instruction at each school site as in previous years. Modification to the school day to ensure the safety and health of all students/employees will include:
- Transportation- Students will practice social distancing while on the bus. Students of the same immediate family can sit together on assigned seats. Students are required to wear masks. If a student does not have a mask, one will be provided by the bus driver.
- Daily temperature readings – Each student will be required to have his/her temperature taken at the start of the school day by the homeroom teacher. Students with a fever or obvious symptoms will report directly to the onsite school clinic for retesting.
- Daily Cleaning of High Touch Points – Custodial staff and teachers/staff will frequently disinfect highly used areas. These areas include, but not limited to doorknobs, desks, countertops, laptops, and bathrooms (custodial staff).
- Hand Sanitizer Stations – Each school will have hand sanitizer stations strategically located around the campuses. In addition, students will have face shields/masks to protect them during the school day.
- Limited Congregation during Recess/Lunchtime – A limited number of students will be allowed in the cafeteria and other areas where students/employees congregate.
- Dismissal – Students will engage in a modified dismissal protocol specific for each school site.
Full-time eLearning Model
All employees and students will conduct school business and teaching/learning completely online. Campus visits will be scheduled by school administrators and will comply with state and local guidelines.
Attendance Requirements
The school district will follow all state guidelines regarding attendance. Attendance will be based on completed assignments. Students will be expected to be online in order to count for attendance purposes. Students will demonstrate learning by completion of assignments per day during their live instruction. Lack of participation will be counted as an absence. There will be no variations in these expectations and/or requirements based on grade level. The students will be marked as absent and be required to complete the work. They will be given the opportunity to make up any work through the attendance recovery program.
Blended Model
Combination of Normal Operations and eLearning Models. Students and employees will use the eLearning platform on designated days during the week.
- Students will be mandated to participate in their online classes for a limited amount of time for K-6. High school students will be required to attend their online classes throughout the entire day. A schedule of when all eLearning days will occur will be provided to students, parents, and teachers.
- Students will be expected to communicate with their teachers and access materials asynchronously during class time. Materials for all courses will be housed in the Microsoft Teams platform.
Attendance Requirements
The school district will follow all state guidelines regarding attendance. Attendance will be based on clock hours set by each school. Students will be expected to be online in order to count for attendance purposes. Students will demonstrate learning by completion of assignments per day during their live instruction. Lack of participation will be counted as an absence. There will be no variations in these expectations and/or requirements based on grade level. The students will be marked as absent and be required to complete the work. They will be given the opportunity to make up any work through the attendance recovery program.