This proposal will need School Board approval (due to mastery learning with grading policy changes).
This is such an unusual circumstance and it is frustrating to not have all the answers due to constant change of what used to be the norm. Thank you for your patience while we sort through it all. Here is a set of starting guidelines as we begin this new journey. ~Mr. Mack
*Every senior has the opportunity to graduate on time, just as before the the school closure*
*A student (with parent approval) that chooses to not participate in remote learning will not receive additional credits that are not already earned prior to the school closure.
Example: A student (like a senior) may choose to not participate in an elective class not needed for their graduation requirements and will not receive any additional credits for the class.
I would strongly encourage students to participate for the first couple of weeks to see if they can meet the mastery expectations, show transcript progress for college, and to wait for state official announcements on whether students can return to school soon.
Mastery Learning
Teachers will focus on instructional strategies to provide opportunities for student learning to meet an identified level of performance (mastery) of state standards or other learning outcomes. Student feedback for the teacher could be assigned in the form of homework, quizzes/tests or projects. Teachers will identify ‘Mastery’ standards and a “Met” or “Not Met” grade may be assessed.
Core Classes
English, Math, Science, and most Social Studies courses have been prioritized to provide via remote learning. We want to continue the student learning that aligns with state assessments and the ACT for students next year as well as to provide core grade level growth. Teachers will prioritize and address remaining state standards in these areas as well as provide review and enrichment. The curriculum might remain the same, but assignments and projects will likely vary greatly from previous semesters. Our goal is for students to continue their academic progress to be prepared for success at grade level courses next fall.
Non-Core Classes
Teachers have identified the current non-core classes that can be offered via remote learning. Teachers will identify the important course topics or remaining standards to cover for the remainder of the course. The curriculum might remain the same, but assignments and projects will likely vary greatly from previous semesters.
Classes No Longer Offered
Several classes that were originally scheduled for the 4th quarter will not be available via remote learning during the school closure. Teachers made difficult decisions to identify classes that could not be provided remotely with assured quality of instruction. If students are allowed to return to school, we might offer experiences of learning for students in these classes.
A list of classes that will not be offered via remote learning include:
Foods & Nutrition, Culinary Skills II, Woods/Manufacturing, Woods II, Drafting, Welding, Construction, 9th Transition, Speech 9, World Geography, International Relations, Basic Nursing, Stagecraft, Concert Choir, Guitar, Band, Instrumental Lab, Intro to Business, Advanced Computers, PE9, Lifetime Activities, Advanced Fitness.
A few of these classes were 4th quarter offerings only, so students had not started any coursework, therefore, students will not be assigned credit for those classes.
There are a couple of freshman quarter classes that are required, at this time I’m confident in waiving the 9th Transition requirement, but haven’t made a decision whether to reschedule Speech 9 for next year or to waive the requirement. We’ll make that decision after more conversations with staff this spring.
Project-based classes like Woods/Manufacturing, Woods II and Welding have unfinished student projects. Unless needed immediately, students can schedule individual appointments to pick up projects and materials in April.
Starting Date For Remote Learning:
Many, but not all of the class offerings will begin on Monday, March 23rd. The remaining classes to be offered will be staggered to begin throughout the week of March 23-27. Students are already receiving emails from teachers about their potential start dates. The focus of the first week of Remote Learning will be to review and provide enrichment activities, practice the use of new technologies and schedules, and to identify areas to improve learning opportunities for all students.
Student Entry For Learning Materials:
Students can email or call the school office (432-0707) to schedule an appointment to stop and grab their needed materials, textbooks or personal items. Students will be individually escorted (6' or more distances) to their locker and back so we can wipe down any touched surfaces. Parents and other non-staff personnel will not be allowed entry at this time. Please call or email for your informational needs.
Special Education Accommodations:
All accommodations will be provided for students to meet the needs of the IEP. We’re currently working on the delivery of these accommodations.
- SPED case managers have been in contact with individual families and will execute a Change of Placement form to accommodate learning for each student (this will be in the form of direct services - via Zoom and/or video/calls, coaching, and consultation)
- Teachers are making accommodations and modifications for each student with support services provided by the resource teacher and these packets will be mailed to students rather than during the packet pick-up.
For students without access to the internet or by request, learning packets will be provided in lieu of the online assignments/expectations. At this time, packets can be picked up at the front door of the high school on Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00a to 3:00p. Student packets should be picked up and returned no less than once a week for continuous learning throughout the school closure.
(Completion of high school is about credits obtained on a transcript, not on percentage grades.)
The semester courses that we cannot continue to offer will be assessed the full semester credit based on the third quarter grade.
Once students have met mastery in the remaining standards and topics for their semester courses, they will receive full credit on their transcript. Grade reports will show a 3rd quarter percentage grade, then a 4th quarter “Met” or “Not Met”.
Students can earn half or full credit for their courses depending on their ability to complete mastery of remaining coursework before May 22nd.
For example: For a semester class, a student that ‘passed’ the 3rd quarter based on the posted percentage, but ‘Not Met’ the 4th quarter, could be assigned 0.5 credits for the semester instead of 1.0 credits.
Other transcript examples for a semester course:
Quarter 3 Quarter 4 Semester Credit
Student A 94% (A) Met 1.0 awarded remaining half credit
Student B 73% (D) Not Met 0.5 no additional credit awarded
Student C 67% (F) Met 0.5 *teacher and principal discretion for full (1.0) credit
*We realize that sometimes students fail the first quarter but complete the second quarter with a high enough grade to pass the entire semester and receive credit. We want to continue to provide this opportunity for student success and accomplishment. These cases will be reviewed individually by the teacher and principal for a final decision in awarding full credit or half credit.
Completion Of Classes:
This is another area where ‘school’ will look very different. Students will be provided learning opportunities to show mastery of the remaining standards for these classes. As we begin presenting new material for coverage of standards, students will have some opportunity to work at their individual pace to complete and show mastery, therefore, students could be completing classes earlier than May 22nd and at different dates than peers in the same class.
Please be patient as teachers are developing curriculum with all new instruction and assessment strategies utilizing technology that we’ve never used to deliver content. Review and enrichment will begin during the week of March 23rd followed by sequential posting of new content in the following weeks. Classes will not have a complete list of projects for year-ending completion for several weeks (perhaps by mid April).
Student Check-Out Upon Completion:
If the school closure remains in effect, upon completion of all classes, each student will individually schedule a time to come to the school to return all school materials and equipment (chromebooks, charging cables, cases, calculators, textbooks, etc.) and pay all remaining fines (library, lunch, damaged equipment, etc.) in the normal check-out process.
Graduation Ceremony:
Obviously a graduation ceremony will be dependent on guidelines from health officials in May. If health officials and state guidance allow, it will remain as scheduled for May 9th at 1:00pm. We’ll explore other options as we continue to monitor the situation this spring.
Live Broadcast Schedule:
In order to ensure that teachers have scheduled opportunities to participate in Zoom or other live video broadcasts with their students, we’ve developed the following schedule for reservation of starting times for each class. (Teachers can provide other forms of communication at any time)
8:00 Virtual Teacher Lounge
(educators available to provide resources and information for teachers)
9:00 Block 1
10:15 Block 2
12:15 Block 3
1:30 Block 4A
2:30 Block 4B
*Students can contact teachers if there are issues/concerns with meeting times.
Student Progress Reporting:
Infinite Campus will probably be used differently the remainder of the year to indicate mastery learning. We encourage students and parents to email the teacher with questions or concerns. Teachers will be encouraged to provide regular reports if Infinite Campus doesn’t allow for proper progress reporting as before.
Office Hours:
8:00a-4:00p
Currently, our office is not fully staffed to answer all phone calls so emailing is another option for contacting our staff. Again, your patience is appreciated!
*These guidelines are subject to change due to a variety of reasons including:
Changes in Department of Education or other State or health official guidance
The practice of remote learning leads to more effective improvements
Staff availability due to health or family matters
