OVERVIEW

The Bearcat Institute of Learning and Development (BILD) is the Huntingdon Area School District's own free, online cyber program that delivers instruction to students K-12.

Our online program offers students and families the flexibility to make their own schedule, while receiving quality instruction and support from certified teachers who have received training in online teaching. Each course has a highly qualified instructor that facilitates learning and progress monitors frequently to ensure student success. Families can opt to go 100% online or build a hybrid schedule where they can come into the building at designated days and times to receive direct instruction. Students in 7-12 can receive in person direct instruction or support at Huntingdon Area High School with their BILD teachers and students in K-6 can go to Southside Elementary to meet with their BILD teachers.

Students access their online coursework on Canvas, our learning management system. Online courses are aligned to PA Standards and are provided by Accelerate Education. BILD teachers pace online content appropriately so students have the opportunity to demonstrate mastery and engage in asynchronous content and tasks as well as in synchronous meetings in Zoom. Students have access to live instruction in whole group sessions as well as live instruction in a small group or one on one setting in Zoom or in person. These face to face opportunities will help students be successful learning with access to direct instruction and building relationships with their teachers.

If your child is a student who receives special education services, it is highly recommended we have an IEP/GIEP revision meeting to ensure their needs will be met in the new online learning environment.

We encourage anyone considering online learning to enroll in our district BILD programming in order to maximize:

• easier transition to the classroom if you decide to return to in-person learning

• access to clubs, athletic programs, the arts, field trips, and other school in school activities such as assemblies

• successful online learning with small student to teacher ratios