Virtual Learning

Why Virtual?

Virtual school is flexible in how students access the program and how fast students complete content. Virtual school does allow for credits completed toward graduation at the high school level. Virtual school is delivered 100% on line.

How do you pick up your ChromeBook Computer?

New K-12 and all K-2 students who chose Remote or Virtual Learning and need a computer can pick up a Chromebook computer at Deerfield Elementary on Monday, August 17 and Tuesday, August 18 from 8-4 p.m. at the southwest District Administration Entrance. Virtual Learners will be receiving a personal email detailing all of the information necessary for course registration on Tuesday August 18.


Directions for Getting Started

By Friday, August 21, students and parents will receive their Login, Student Password, and Parent Password. Contact Leon.haith@blairschools.org for K-8 questions about registering for classes. 9-12 students should contact their high school counselor about their Virtual Learning Schedule (jill.gross@blairschools.org for last name A - K; chris.ross@blairschools.org for H-N; and vicki.griffin@blairschools.org for O-Z).

Here is a list of Classes

Virtual Acellus Learning Tutorials


High School Virtual Courses







Attendance

Attendance is based on the completion of the work assigned. Students who do not have the necessary resources may make arrangements with their teacher for additional time to complete the work.


Why You might Consider Choosing Remote Learning instead of Virtual...

Virtual school students are not eligible for Extra-Curricular Activities. Remote Learners are eligible. Remote Learning is taught by a BCS instructor and Virtual is not. Please contact Dr. Gilson - randy.gilson@blairschools.org to request a change to Remote Learning.

Food Services

Remote and Virtual students may request meals, these meals will be pre-ordered and will be recorded on student meal accounts when distributed; therefore, charges will apply if meals are taken. Remote and Virtual students that qualify for Free and Reduced Meal benefits will be available in five (5) day meal packages that include five (5) breakfasts and five (5) lunches.

Weekly lunch menus will be added to the below link each Saturday live on Monday, August 17. Please select

Food Pick up is every Monday through Friday from 11:00 am through 11:30 am. You can pick up the daily meals you order at Blair High School West Loop.

Technical Issues

Technical issues are possible during remote learning which may prevent a student from successfully participating in important class sessions.

Students should log on to zoom early to ensure that there are not technical issues

Technical issues are not the responsibility of the teacher.

Students experiencing issues contact the person listed below:

North: Secretary 402-426-3835 then Wanda Dolphin 402-427-2989

South: Secretary 402-426-2229 then Wanda Dolphin 402-427-2989

Deerfield: Secretary 402-426-5123

Arbor Park: Wanda Dolphin at 402-427-2989

Otte: Media Kris Pfeil 402-427-2837

High School: Media krystal.macholan@blairschools.org then Wanda Dolphin 402-427-2989

Wanda Dolphin at 402-427-2989

Technology Requirements

During scheduled class times, your child will be required to sign on to each teacher’s Zoom class using their BCS issued Chromebook. Joining a class via Zoom requires an internet connection with a minimum dedicated bandwidth of 1.5Mbps up/1.5Mbps down per learner. Internet plans vary in the amount of bandwidth and you are encouraged to check with your provider to ensure your plan is sufficient to support the number of concurrent Zoom sessions you intend. If you don't have internet connectivity you may contact your school office to inquire about the availability of a cellular hotspot configured to provide access only to BCS Chromebooks.


Communication

Parents and students will communicate with the student's teacher, as normal. The teacher will set expectations and guidelines for classroom communication.

    1. Send your child’s teacher an email to their school email address.

    2. Teachers, principals, and other licensed professionals will be available by email from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    3. Staff will respond to all communication requests in a timely manner during scheduled hours.

    4. Staff contact information can be found at www.blairschools.org, under staff directory at the top of the page. Or by the link below.

kyle.johnson@blairschools.org

When can changes be made?

Parents can change from remote learning to in person learning at the 9 week quarter break. There will be communication from the district ahead of the 9 week quarter to notify parents and request any change.


Internet Access

We are aware that not all students have Internet access at home. Because power and Internet outages are possible during school cancellations, all students are encouraged to download all materials prior to the anticipated eLearning Day. Although Internet access will not be required to complete eLearning Day lessons, for those students wishing to use Internet resources, the district has provided a WiFi Hotspot map/list.

What do I do if I don't have Internet Access?

Call 402-426-2610 to inquire about receiving a school issued internet hot spot. Select here to learn how to download course materials from Google Classroom and complete work without needing the internet.

Community Wifi Hotspots

Parents can access Wifi Hotspots in the following locations:

Blair: the parking lot at Deerfield Primary School, North Primary School, South Primary School, Arbor Park Intermediate School, Otte Blair Middle School, Blair High School, and at the Blair Public Library.

Following is a sampling of Wi-Fi that is available free to the public in the Omaha Greater Metro area.

Omaha: Douglas County Courthouse: 1701 Farnam St., Omaha-Douglas Civic Center: 1819 Farnam St., Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce courtyard: 13th and Howard Streets., Omaha Visitors Center: 1001 Farnam St. www.visitomaha.com/about-omaha/free-wifi-locations/. Joslyn Art Museum: 2200 Dodge St. The museum’s free admission includes free Wi-Fi. Omaha Public Library: W. Dale Clark Library, 215 S. 15th St., and all 11 branch libraries listed at www.omahalibrary.org. University of Nebraska at Omaha: 6001 Dodge St.

Bennington: Public library, 15505 Warehouse St.;

Ralston: Baright Public Library, 5555 S. 77th St.; Aksarben Village: 67th and Center Streets; Midtown Crossing at Turner Park: South 31st Avenue and Dodge Street. Nebraska Crossing Outlets: 21209 Nebraska Crossing Drive, Gretna; Oak View Mall: 3001 S. 144th St.; free registration required in Oak View Mall Club.; Village Pointe: 17305 Davenport St.; Westroads Mall: 10000 California St.; renovations under way at the mall include installation of Wi-Fi and charging stations for electronic devices.

Accommodations and Modifications

Classroom accommodations for online or virtual instruction for the general curriculum will incorporate classroom accommodations and modifications as necessary to comply with student IEPs. As such, district plans for using eLearning will include accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities as part of the instructional delivery. Some common accommodations are oral administration (text to speech), reduced amount of practice items, and reducing the amount of information on a page. If it is determined students are not on track to meet IEP goals, extended learning opportunities will be offered.

Supplementary Aids and Services

If the student receives supplementary aids and services that enable the student to advance appropriately toward attaining annual goals or to be involved in, and make progress in the general education curriculum those services will be included in the eLearning plan.

Assistive Technology

If a student utilizes assistive technology in order to access the general education curriculum or specialized instruction, AT is available to the student as needed for the Remote of Virtual Learning assignment.


When Virtual Learning?