Holly High School - Distance Learning

Frequently Asked Questions for Holly High School and the remainder of the 2019-2020 School Year

On Thursday, April 2, 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-35, which suspended in-person instruction for Michigan students in kindergarten through 12th grade for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

1. Will students be expected to participate in online distance learning for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year?

Response: Yes

The Executive Order indicates that schools must develop, have approved, and implement a plan that will address (among other items) the following:

• The methods that the district will use to provide alternative modes of instruction other than in-person instruction.

• Describe outreach and other strategies aimed at keeping students at the center of all educational activities and to continue to build relationships and maintain connections that help students feel safe and valued.

• Describe plans to deliver content so that all students can access learning.

• Describe plans to manage and monitor learning by students.

• Describe how student learning will be managed and monitored.

• Describe the methods that the district will use to notify students and parents or guardians of the plan.

2. When will the school district be required to begin implementing the alternative learning methods described in the district’s plan?

Response:

Upon the approval by the Intermediate School District, in this case - Oakland Schools.

3. Will the 2019-20 school year be extended?

Response: No

4. Will students receive credit(s) for participation in distance learning provided by the school?

Response: Yes

5. Will students receive grades for participation in distance learning provided by the school?

Response: No (Rationale and exceptions listed below)

Why not?

Since the Governor’s office recognizes that schools are unable to provide the same level of rigor and required course-level academic standards during this closure; issuing a credit (which will be denoted on a student’s transcript as CR) is appropriate. We understand that some students may wish to earn a grade for the course. Rubrics will be made available over the summer and throughout the 2020-21 school year to allow current 9th - 11th grade students the opportunity to earn a grade for the course next school year. This rubric will also contain information for a student to earn credit (CR) if that was not attainable during 3rd trimester distance learning.

What about AP and Online courses?

A student previously enrolled in an AP or online course prior to the Governor’s closure of schools (March 11th) will earn a course grade. For AP courses, successfully completing the AP teachers’ distance learning requirements will enable the course weighting to apply to grades earned during Trimester 1 & 2. Please see the example below

Previous Setup: Each trimester counted as 0.5 credits and was weighted on a 5.0 scale, the first two trimesters were graded, the final trimester will be grades as CR (no impact to GPA) if the student completes the work assigned from the teacher.

New Setup: Upon successful completion of the third trimester requirements, students' will have Trimester 1 and Trimester 2 credits changed to 0.75 and will use the grades to maximize GPA scope.

Our online courses (VHS, MVU, Early Middle College, UM DEEP, etc.) have continued without interruption. Those courses will be graded and transcripted in Trimester 2 reporting.

6. Will students or parents/guardians be allowed to visit the school to obtain materials and equipment pursuant to the plan?

Response: Yes:

However, not until the Superintendent's office allows access and the Governor’s Stay Safe, Stay Home executive order is lifted.

7. Does the Executive Order address athletics and other extracurricular activities?

Response: Yes.

The MHSAA has cancelled all winter and spring sports for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.

8. Will students be required to complete standardized tests such as the Michigan Merit Examination (MME), Michigan Student Test of Educational Placement (M-STEP), or Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)?

Response: No

What about the Junior’s and the SAT?

Junior’s will be afforded a free SAT school day assessment in the Fall of the 2020-21 school year. Freshman and Sophomores will also be allowed to take the PSAT during this time.

9. Will students enrolled in advanced placement (AP) courses who are eligible to take examinations for advanced placement courses administered by the College Board be permitted to take the examinations?

Response: Yes

Students who are enrolled in AP courses will take the AP examination using the at-home testing option provided by the CollegeBoard.

For students without internet access or a device necessary to access the internet, please contact Collegeboard to make arrangements and obtain the necessary equipment and access.

10. How will 12th grade students graduate from Holly High School?

Response:

We are implementing a process for students to complete the necessary credits to graduate from Holly High School. All graded coursework (for GPA purposes) will be complete as of trimester two (2). For each member of the class of 2020, one of the following options will apply:

• Students who have met the Michigan graduation requirements as of the completion of Trimester 2 are considered finished with their high school coursework;

• Students who still need to finish Michigan graduation requirements will be assigned to only those classes they need to finish;

  • This means that coursework will vary between students

  • Most students will not have more than 2 required courses to complete

• Students behind in credits, were previously contacted and have been actively working to make up lost credits;

• Elective courses (other than online and AP) are no longer required to be completed and will be removed from a students schedule.

11. How will students in 9th - 12th grade be provided coursework?

Response:

Throughout this closure, teachers will utilize two programs for content delivery. Mathematics courses will continue using Khan Academy, as they have throughout the 2019-20 school year. English, Science, Social Studies, World Language and required elective courses will use the district's existing online platform, Odysseyware.

• Students will be automatically assigned to the required courses to maintain status toward the Michigan graduation requirements;

• Students will be emailed logins for Odysseyware, use their existing email to login to Kahn Academy, and will be notified on how to login for Advisory meetings beginning Sunday, April 12th;

• Not all students will be assigned the same number of courses, a student course load will be dependant upon their third trimester schedule;

• Non-required elective courses will NOT be assigned;

• All courses will require 100% of the assigned classwork and projects to be completed;

• Students must demonstrate course level mastery of at least 60% to earn the course credit (CR);

• Students must login at least three times per week (unless a student is able to demonstrate completion of the weekly work for all classes)

  • Advisory attendance is required each Wednesday from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., this is in addition to the academic logins

• Course credit is awarded using an 80-20 scale, 80% for coursework and 20% for weekly logins

• Students will be allowed one (1) week for late work to be turned in;

• Coursework officially begins the week of April 13, all coursework must be completed by Friday, June 5th.

12. I planned to enroll in a supplemental program, such as U-M Deep, OSTC, dual enrollment, etc. next fall. Can I still do so?

Response:

In order to be eligible for supplemental programs, students must complete all of the prerequisites. This means that coursework which was required to enter the program will still apply next fall. Keep this in mind as you work to maintain your credit and grade level status during the closure.

13. If a student has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a Section 504 plan, how will the student receive educational services?

Response:

Districts are expected to make a good faith effort based on existing resources, technology, training, and curriculum, as well as the circumstances, to provide equal access to alternative modes of instruction to students with disabilities for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

14. How will Individualized Education Program (IEP)’s be reviewed and/or updated during the 2019-2020 school year?

Response:

Annual or otherwise due IEP reviews, updates, etc. will occur either online, by telephone conference or video conference to the extent practicable under the circumstances.

15. Where can I access a copy of my school district’s plan?

Response:

Districts are required to post a copy of their plan once approved on the district’s website.