Frequently Asked Questions

The first day of instruction for students in DeSoto ISD will take place following the Labor Day weekend, Tuesday, September 8, 2020.

The first and primary option for learning next year will be the Home-Supervised Learning.

Through this option:

• Students will learn remotely from home utilizing the Anytime, Anywhere Learning system.

• Students will participate in online, teacher-guided instruction to support learning and progress.

• Students will have access to small- and whole-group virtual instruction led by a district educator with opportunities for check-ins, progress monitoring and support.

• Students will have access to healthy and nutritious meals through the current district meal distribution sites at which students can obtain daily meals via grab and go distribution.

Another choice DeSoto ISD will offer families is Campus-Supervised Learning.

Through this option:

• DeSoto ISD will provide computer lab access supervised by district educators.

• Students will learn utilizing the Anytime, Anywhere Learning system.

• Students will participate in online, teacher-guided instruction to support learning and progress.

• Students will have access to small- and whole-group virtual instruction led by a district educator with opportunities for check-ins, progress monitoring and support.

• Students will have access to breakfast and lunch.

• Before- and after-school care will be offered on a first registered, first served basis through the ACE program

• Transportation to and from campus will NOT be provided.

This school year, DeSoto ISD has transitioned all student learning management systems to Schoology--your dashboard for learning and teacher communication. Here, you can access learning guides, check-in with your child’s teacher, check grades and progress, so that, as a parent, you can focus on supporting your child’s learning versus navigating multiple systems.

This year, district educators will lead, guide and facilitate learning and instruction through a hands-on virtual approach ensuring your child has the direct instruction and personal engagement needed to learn virtually at an optimal level.

A few of the recent improvements include:

• Parent and student training to help them navigate Schoology, Zoom, and other tools

• Adoption of a Social-Emotional Curriculum for all students

• Inclusion of real-life connections, project-based opportunities, and meaningful assessments

• Adjusted school day schedule to increase clarity and improve student access to teachers

• Updated grading guidelines and opportunities for students to demonstrate daily progress

• Alignment between all departments to ensure student access to all supports in our system

• Increased number of electronic devices available to share with families.

This year, district educators will lead, guide and facilitate learning and instruction through a hands-on virtual approach ensuring your child has the direct instruction and personal engagement needed to learn virtually at an optimal level.

As we reviewed the Anytime, Anywhere Learning system and considered the feedback and sentiment of our school community, we have worked to implement a number of improvements to the AAL experience including empowering our teachers to actively engage in leading daily instruction, monitoring student progress and connecting with families. We are working to ensure deep teacher leadership and engagement to facilitate learning for each child in our school community.

Students will have access to synchronous and asynchronous instruction. If a student has a question or needs clarification on a point or concept, he or she may have the opportunity to ask questions in real-time during synchronous instructional meetings and via email during asynchronous learning sessions. Teachers will have dedicated office hours, instructional time and virtual support times allotted during the day to support students’ needs at an optimal level.

The district is securing devices in an effort to provide a one-to-one device for as many students as possible. Currently, DeSoto ISD will provide devices to all students in grades seven through twelve. The district will assess remaining device inventory and distribute those devices on the basis of need and access. While we understand the concern this may pose for our families with students in pre-kindergarten through seventh grade, DeSoto ISD is working to develop partnerships and grants for the purpose of acquiring additional devices to support a full one-to-one distribution of technological devices for district students.

Username: firstname.lastname

Password: capital first name initial, lowercase last name initial, student id#, exclamation mark

Example: Jw12345!

Yes,

1st - 12 Grade (Core Content)

Each student will receive (2) daily progress grades per week,

• Daily progress grades may include a combination of weekly learning tasks/assignments and usage requirements.

• Performance assessments are tasks/activities/projects designed to assess a student’s authentic ability to demonstrate one or more learning outcomes in a real-world context.

• Common assessments are formative assessments that intentionally measure student’s attainment of essential learning targets in traditional assessment format.

1st - 12 Grade (Non-Core Content)

Each student will receive at least 1, but no more than 3 grades per week.

Numerical grades earned indicate the following level of achievement:

A = 90 - 100 Excellent

B = 80 - 89 Good

C = 70 - 79 Satisfactory

F = Below 70 Failing

Weekly Grades = 60% PA/Projects = 40%

Upon selecting a learning option, families are committed to that choice for the duration of the six weeks grading period. However, families seeking to transition from campus-supervised learning to home-supervised learning may do so at any time; those seeking to shift from home-supervised learning to campus-supervised learning may do so at the conclusion of the six weeks period. The district will provide more information as well as information regarding how to request revised placement in the coming weeks.

Teachers will record attendance daily for online instruction. Per TEA guidance, there are three ways schools will account for student attendance. Attendance can be collected each day when students:

• Log into the online Learning Management System (Schoology),

• Touch base with teacher, OR

• Submit an assignment

DeSoto ISD will utilize the Anytime, Anywhere Learning system to guide education for our students this fall through two options designed to provide choice and support for our families and their scholars.

The first and primary option for learning next year will be the Home-Supervised Learning option.

Through this option:

• Students will learn remotely from home utilizing the Anytime, Anywhere Learning system.

• Students will participate in online, teacher-guided instruction to support learning and progress.

• Students will have access to small- and whole-group virtual instruction led by a district educator with opportunities for check-ins, progress monitoring and support.

• Students will have access to healthy and nutritious meals through the current district meal distribution sites at which students can obtain daily meals via grab and go distribution.

Another choice DeSoto ISD will offer families is Campus-Supervised Learning.

Through this option:

• DeSoto ISD will provide computer lab access supervised by district educators.

• Students will learn utilizing the Anytime, Anywhere Learning system.

• Students will participate in online, teacher-guided instruction to support learning and progress.

• Students will have access to small- and whole-group virtual instruction led by a district educator with opportunities for check-ins, progress monitoring and support.

• Students will have access to breakfast and lunch.

• Before- and after-school care will be offered on a first registered, first served basis through the ACE program

• Transportation to and from campus will NOT be provided.

DeSoto ISD will continue to monior local COVID-19 cases in real time during periodic intervals throughout the school year. The district is planning to re-assess remote learning for studens and working expectations for staff in Quarterly Phases:

• August-October

• November-January

• February-April

• May-July

Safety and wellness is our primary concern for all students. Students in the Early College High School program will engage in virtual instruction from both ECHS educators and Cedar Valley Community College professors. Students will need a laptop or computer and internet access to participate in the ECHS program.

Click here for the most up-to-date information from Dallas College/Cedar Valley regarding online classes for ECHS and dual credit.

Dual Credit students have been enrolled at Cedar Valley which has articulated its plans for virtual instruction here. DeSoto ISD expanded Dual Credit offerings in collaboration with Cedar Valley for the upcoming school year.

Regarding DeSoto ISD’s Career and Technical Education offerings, district CTE leaders are constructing a plan for in-person labs for some classes which will begin after the first six weeks.

Selection of a learning option will not prohibit students from participating in extracurricular activities with guidance from the University Interscholastic League (UIL) and the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Parents will be responsible for transporting students to and from scheduled meetings and practices per coach or sponsor’s expectations as aligned with guidance from the aforementioned entities.

At this time, no decisions have been finalized. Throughout the COVID Pandemic, UIL has been in constant contact with State leaders and provided weekly updates to athletic directors and school districts. Because the conditions and facts related to the pandemic continue to shift and evolve, there is no doubt that guidance will as well. While there are no current concrete directives related to these matters, we do anticipate that we will receive clarity in the coming weeks and we are committed to communicating and adjusting accordingly to ensure the safety of every spectator, coach and athlete.

Note: On Tuesday, July 21, 2020: UIL released an announcement regarding postponement of the start of the Class 5A and 6A fall sports. Click here to read full UIL Press Release.

DeSoto ISD is working to create a plan to guide each campus in supporting campus-supervised learning. As the district gathers more data regarding parent learning selection, we will clarify the structure for this option. Ultimately, families will be able to access campus-supervised learning at their home campus for the 2020-2021 school year, however, families are responsible for transporting students to and from campus each day.

Before- and after-school care will be offered on a first registered, first served basis through the ACE program.

http://www.desotoisd.org/departments/a_c_e_after_school_program

DeSoto ISD will continue to offer Grab and Meal Service to accommodate students learning from home. Grab and go meal locations and distribution times will be communicated once made available.

Campuses will offer breakfast and lunch meal service for students attending campus-supervised learning in DeSoto ISD. Students will have to pay for meals if they are not qualified as free through the National School Lunch Program.Those who qualify will have access to free and reduced lunch.

Parents can direct questions to the campus principal via email or to Info@DeSotoISD.org.