Virtual Vipers Overview

Virtual Vipers will take part in a combination of both synchronous and asynchronous instruction. RMS students will be provided with a schedule which reflects their instructional times, breaks between classes and during lunch, as well as intermittent, asynchronous self-paced learning. Vipers will be required to participate in a full day of instruction as required by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). This will require virtual students to be enrolled in a full course load each day of instruction, however, like in-person instruction, breaks and self-paced, asynchronous activities will be built into the day as well. The mode of instruction will vary by grade level and subject matter.

Expectations for Virtual Viper synchronous learning:

1. Log on and attend class on time as you follow your personalized class schedule.

2. Wear clothing that follows the dress code outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

3. Find a comfortable workspace environment for virtual learning.

4. Avoid walking around with the camera during class.

5. Adjust the laptop camera to show your face on the screen so that you can effectively engage with your teacher virtually.

6. Participate as an active learner in the class.

Expectations for Virtual Viper asynchronous learning:

1. Check in with the classroom teacher at the beginning of class.

2. Complete all assigned activities each day.

3. Show proof of daily participation by demonstrating evidence of student learning ie. video, picture, or activities submitted as lessons and/or completing assignments.

4. Communicate with the teacher via Canvas when you need additional assistance, tutoring, or support.

Attendance

There will be mandatory daily check-in for students who are virtually learning. Teachers will record attendance in TAC. According to the Texas Education Agency, students earn daily attendance through engagement measure(s) which include:

• Daily progress in the Learning Management System (LMS) - Canvas; or

• Daily progress via teacher-student interactions - Zoom or Microsoft Teams; or

• Completion or submission of assignments from student to teacher via Canvas.

Work Expectations/Assignments

Virtual Vipers are expected to participate in daily virtual instruction with follow-up assignments. The curriculum will be the same curriculum used by Denton ISD for in-person instruction. The rigor of assignments will also be the same. Assignments and work will need to be submitted to the teacher through the virtual classroom environment.

Digital Behavioral Consequences

• 1st offense- Teacher warns student

• 2nd offense- Teacher removes the video access from the student and contacts parents that they were removed and delivers the message about what happens next time they have to be removed.

• 3rd offense- Teacher removes student from participation that day plus and contacts parents to set up a video parent/teacher conference.

• 4th offense- Teacher removes student from participation that day and submits a referral into eschool.

Grading Policy

Unlike remote learning last spring, courses taught as part of virtual and/or Connected learning will not be pass/fail. Denton ISD will follow the same Grading Guidelines as courses taught in-person.

Extracurricular Participation

Virtual Vipers will be allowed to participate in and attend extracurricular programs or classes, but must provide their own transportation for those activities. Only athletes who make the team will be required to attend practice. Fine arts rehearsals will be organized on an as needed basis by the instructor.

NOTE: The Texas University Interscholastic League released a Modified 2020-2021 Athletic Calendar and Updated COVID-19 Mitigation Guidelines. Until September 28, only outdoor activities are allowed by the University Interscholastic League, and even then must comply with six-feet social distancing and mask requirements.

Devices/Internet Access

A technology device will be made available for student use daily. It is recommended students use district-issued chrome books. Families requesting ConnectedLearning but do not have internet service will be prioritized for the issuance of district hot spots. Vipers who have been issued a Chrome book are expected to bring their device back and forth to school on their Hybrid Cohort days. For device or technology issues click here.

Virtual Learning Platforms

The learning platform for Virtual Vipers will be the same platform that has been adopted district wide for in-person secondary instruction.

• For students in 6th-12th Grades, the platform used in DISD is Canvas.

• Students can access textbooks, websites, and most district-purchased software programs remotely using their Denton ISD Single Sign On Portal.

RMS Connected Learning will be a combination of both synchronous and asynchronous instruction depending on their hybrid day. Teachers will be providing students with set instructional times, breaks between classes and during lunch, as well as intermittent, asynchronous self-paced learning at each teacher's discretion. Lessons in most cases will be taught from the classroom using mounted webcams with versatile, high-quality features controlled by the classroom teacher. Students are required to be "present" via Microsoft Teams for these sessions. Specific times will be set for direct instruction to include pre-recorded teacher videos and/or lessons.

Remote Synchronous Instruction – Two-way, real-time/live, virtual instruction between teachers and students when students are not on campus. In this method, the required amount of instructional time is scheduled each day, and funding is generated when attendance is recorded daily at a locally selected snapshot time. Synchronous instruction is provided through a computer or other electronic device or over the phone. The instructional method must address the required curriculum, per TEC, §28.002.

Remote Asynchronous Instruction – Instruction that does not require having the instructor and student engaged at the same time. In this method, students learn from instruction that is not necessarily being delivered in-person or in real time. This type of instruction may include various forms of digital and online learning, such as prerecorded video lessons or game-based learning tasks that students complete on their own, and pre-assigned work and formative assessments made available to students on paper. The instructional method must address the required curriculum, per TEC, §28.002.

Counseling & Social/Emotional Support

RMS counselors will prioritize the most critical academic, career and social/emotional lessons while continuing to teach the school counseling curriculum through school/district online platforms. For updated information concerning counseling support click here.