Plan for Success

Learning Schedule 

Create a flexible schedule that works best for you.  Some students do well early in the morning. Many do not. Remember that students are expected to "do" school every day for about 6 hours. Design a schedule that includes regular movement breaks and time for lunch. Allow approximately one hour a day for electives. English and Math are likely to require more time than other courses. 

Home Learning Space

Students need dedicated workspaces at a desk, counter, or table.  This space should be comfortable for working, but not too comfortable. A warm bed or cozy couch are not usually great spaces for learning, but possibly spaces to visit during your breaks.  Make this be a space where when you sit down, you know it's business time, away from the TV, cell phone, and other home distractions if possible. 

Weekly Directed Studies 

Required Zoom  or in person classes provide students with valuable opportunities to collaborate, use higher-order thinking skills, share successes and challenges, and participate in cross-curricular themes. Teachers may review key learning standards that need more direct instruction. Recent studies show that social and emotional learning and strong relationships with teachers and peers boost student success. 

Advising

By state law, advisors must meet with families once a month. Advising covers student progress in core classes and electives, adjustments to increase challenge or add supports, and help to boost participation and work completion. Because content is fully online, Online students meet with advisors twice each month. Be sure to take advantage of this great opportunity. 

A parent or other consistent adult is a learning coach. Depending on your student, parents may need to spend most of the day sitting with the student as they work. More responsible, motivated learners do well with periodic check-ins. The parentwill attend all advising meetings. 

Communication

Advisors update Google Classroom every Monday, sharing plans for the week. Students should check Google Classroom every Monday, ideally by midday.  They also should check their email every day for messages. Teachers will email Parents every Monday. Families can expect to hear back from teachers by the end of the next school day; often, responses will come the same day.  

Digital Lab

The easiest way to get help is to attend study hall on Zoom, available every afternoon from 2:00-3:00. During study hall, students may ask questions and receive help from any of the teachers.