I am sending this email to provide you with information and shed more light on the direction of high school at this time. Starting Tuesday, January 19th, our high school program will return to Phase 2 hybrid (Grey and Maroon) days. We will have a Friday plan that supports AP students, Dual Enrollment students, and students needing remediation in specific courses, while offering asynchronous opportunities. We have a goal to return to Phase 3 as a full community on February 16, 2021 so in person students can be on campus full time and virtual students can still be supported virtually.
Students who have selected to be virtual learners will continue in the updated schedule we have created with direct instruction to support their learning needs. We hope everyone has seen more support in these classes and we can’t wait to get you all back on campus, we miss you all so much. Our high school team has continued to discuss the pros and cons in every situation and scenario and are ready to get our students that have chosen the in-person learning to back on campus in the safest environment that we can create. Over the last few weeks, we have assessed every angle and believe we are ready to accommodate the return. High school is very different and has different needs when discussing credits, graduation requirements, testing requirements, and so much more.
I want to remind everyone that there are some nonnegotiable items such as face masks on the correct way and covering the nose when on campus. Students will continue being socially distant in classes and we will have no more than 10-12 students in specific classrooms. We did assess the room dimensions and floor plan and we can safely have up to 12 students in a class. We have two classes with 11 students and have set up for these classes to be in compliance. Students, it is important that you stay socially distant in classes and complete passing periods in our one direction plan so we can minimize all exposure. It is imperative that everyone abide by our mask policy 100% to keep us all safe and in compliance.
I do want everyone to know in this phase, teachers will be able to walk in classes and support more 1:1 using the desk shields and masks. Teachers will also determine if they will utilize combination teaching or split teaching to best support our virtual and in person learners.
Combination Teaching: This is having the in person and virtual students in and on classes at the same time for the instruction, activities, and full class. In person (Grey) and online (Maroon) each day Monday-Thursday, so students have the full instruction, and you continue to move in content evenly.
Split Teaching: Teach directly to in person students on their scheduled day and then provide required online 30-minute check in to the opposite students. This means you would send invites to the opposite students that are home to get on the last 30 minutes of your class for attendance, checking for understanding, assignment review, or even a quick review. Mainly the 30 minutes is allowing the students at home but wanting to be in person to have accountability and support since they are not on campus. They will still need to be provided with asynchronous work in course content.
Advisors will be emailing the Grey and Maroon groups this Friday as a reminder to everyone. It is very important everyone remember that next Friday, January 22nd is a full day (B day) because we have Monday off in observance of Martin Luther King Day. Tuesday will be an A day and we will have Grey students on campus Tuesday and Wednesday and Maroon students Thursday and Friday. Essential students that have been attending will be permitted to be on campus the entire week for support.
