7-12 Students

We feel that our students need support and connection to our school community. The Bearcat Institute of Learning and Development provides your student with all the benefits and opportunities of being a member of the Huntingdon Area School District and the flexibility to create a learning schedule that meets their needs.

Our high school students will primarily use Canvas as a learning management platform where they can access their content and tasks for each of their classes. Some courses may be offered in Google Classroom as well. Each course will be taught by a highly qualified teacher that will offer whole group direct instruction in Zoom, office hours weekly, and weekly communication to share progress and build relationships. Our full time BILD teachers will be available to answer questions and progress monitor students as a role of "Learning Coach" as well.

Additionally, we understand that some families are concerned with feeling like they "are on their own" in an online environment, however, our full time BILD staff will be located in a classroom at the Huntingdon Area High School that will offer several times and opportunities for students to come in to work with their teachers and peers, if needed. This physical space will allow families, in cooperation with the HASD, to create hybrid schedules that give learners flexibility in their weekly schedule, but also offer additional supports if they are needed. The Online Learning Director will also plan various activities throughout the year both in person and virtually to bring students together and to get them access to other services they may need in the district.

The staff and administration of the BILD program are dedicated to working closely with parents to provide the best online learning experience possible for our students.

STUDENT READINESS

Students choosing to participate in online courses should first examine their personal skills and aptitudes for taking classes online. The following attributes will greatly contribute to a student's success:

• • 1. Self-Motivation - Students who can direct their own learning environment, fulfill course requirements, and achieve individual academic success.

    2. Independent Learner - The online environment enables students to learn at their own pace -- traditional, extended, or accelerated -- relieving the stress of feeling rushed or pressured and providing enjoyment in the learning process.

    3. Tech Savvy - Although it is not necessary to have advanced computer skills, students should possess a working knowledge of email, the Internet, and basic keyboarding skills, and Microsoft Office suite.

    4. Time Management - Students must be able to organize and plan their own best "time to learn." There is no one best time for everyone, but the key to learning is to commit the time to learn.

    5. Effective Written Communication Skills - Students must use electronic email to communicate with their peers as well as the instructors, learning coach, and the Online Learning Director. The ability to write clearly in order to communicate ideas and assignments is very important to student success as well as a means to inform instructors of any concerns or problems.

    6. Personal Commitment - Since there are no bells that begin and end classes, students must have a strong desire to learn and achieve knowledge and skills via online courses. Making a commitment to learn in this manner is a very personal decision and requires a strong commitment to participate in order to achieve academic success.