Loudoun County Public Schools plans for returning to school for the 2020-2021 school year include two options: a hybrid model including in-person and distance learning, and 100% distance learning. However, we understand that there are still numerous questions related to both options. We hope this document helps to clarify many of the questions and concerns that still exist between parents and students.

The complete LCPS Return to School Plan can be found online here.

UPDATED INFORMATION FROM LCPS - JULY 13, 2020

This document provided by LCPS was included in the email sent to parents on July 6, 2020 and contains comprehensive information about the LCPS Return to School Plan.

Table of Contents

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS FROM THE LIGHTRIDGE COMMUNITY

As we receive your questions, we will do our best to update this website with the information as it is made available to us.

LCPS has also provided a list of FAQ's. Please check them out as well.

1. Can my student take AP and DE courses if my student is choosing the 100% DL model?

Yes, students who choose either the Hybrid or the 100% DL model will be eligible to take AP and/or DE courses. LCPS is in communication with Northern VA Community College as to what virtual mechanism will be adopted - Schoology (like other LCPS courses) or Canvas (like other NVCC courses). Some unique electives may not be available, and every attempt will be made to assign students to course selections based first at their home school. Students may be assigned to a teacher from a different school in some cases. LCPS is working with Northern Virginia Community College and our other dual enrollment partners to ensure these courses can be taught in the 100% distance learning environment. Courses at the Monroe Advanced Technical Academy (MATA) at the Academies of Loudoun will only be taught in the hybrid model.

2. Are all electives available this year?

At this time, Lightridge High School plans on offering all elective courses originally advertised during the registration process. We are working with the LCPS Department of Instruction to provide DL models for elective courses. More information will be forthcoming as we are made aware of design.

3. Will high school students be able to change course selections?

Staff will make every attempt to schedule students in the courses they have previously selected before the June 5 deadline. There may be unique situations that require a student to change a course selection. We recognize that given the new nature of the 2020-2021 school year, some students may have a desire to make some changes. We would like to offer students the opportunity to do so. Therefore, we will reopen the course selection process for one week only. The reason we must limit the time on this is our need to have accurate course numbers as we move forward creating two master schedules - one for distance learning and one for hybrid. Therefore, students will have until JULY 17 to make changes. Please use this form to make all changes!

4. What will science labs look like in a Hybrid vs Distance Learning model?

Science department chairs met with the Department of Instruction on Tuesday July 14. Unfortunately we do not have as much clarification as we had hoped. Here is what we do know. Odette Scovel, head of Science for LCPS is going to work with the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and the Director of High School Education to put together a list of guidelines for labs. That info is supposed to go out to Principals and Chairs hopefully later this week.

Equity and safety will be at the forefront of all lab experiences, regardless of the learning setting. "At home" labs will be extremely limited for both of those reasons. Discussion took place about Virtual Lab Simulations and/or teachers recording themselves doing the lab experiment for students to view. But there were not any firm answers about in-person labs for the HL model, at least not yet.

5. Can my student attend school on the same day as their younger siblings?

Elementary students in the same household who are participating in Option 1 will be automatically assigned to attend school on the same days (either Tuesday/Thursday or Wednesday/Friday). Parents/guardians also can request that all children in the same household at different levels (elementary, middle and high school) who are participating in Option 1 attend school on the same days (either Tuesday/Thursday or Wednesday/Friday). Making this request may limit the number of classes available to secondary students due to scheduling challenges. Due to grade-level and graduation requirements, specific classes students select, or the level of classes a student must take (e.g., Geometry), siblings may not be able to attend school on the same days of the week. All efforts will be made to offer electives students have chosen; however, due to schedule restrictions, it may be necessary to limit the electives a specific school offers. Parents/Guardians will NOT have the option

6. My student will be taking classes at the Academies - can my student select Hybrid for the Academies, and DL at Lightridge?

Yes, students may elect Hybrid or DL at Lightridge, and Hybrid or DL at the Academies. The student can select Hybrid at one campus, and DL at the other. Or the student can select Hybrid at both. The parent can make these choices in ParentVUE. However, if a student is taking MATA at the Academies they are required to do Hybrid.

7. Are the teachers going to be same for Hybrid or DL learning ? What kind of instructors will be assigned for DL?

The teachers in Hybrid will not be the same as the DL teachers. In order for Lightridge to plan effectively for the start of the 2020-2021 school year, teachers are required to select one of two preferences for how they will participate in school if schools open with Loudoun County in Phase III. Although preference will be considered, staff schedules will ultimately be determined by student need. Once we have the results of all the surveys, Lightridge admin will begin to develop two separate master schedules - one for students in Hybrid and one for DL.

8. If we select Hybrid model initially can we change our mind later on and switch to DL or vice versa?

In order for us to plan effectively for the start of the 2020-2021 school year, families are required to select one of two options for how their child or children will participate in school if we open when Loudoun County is in Phase III. The choice you make now will be a binding choice for the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year, from the first day of school until January 15. Changes will not be allowed unless their is a truly extenuating circumstance.

9. Will Fine Arts courses (band, chorus, orchestra, etc.) still be possible?

Loudoun County Public Schools believes it is essential to the physical and social emotional well-being of students to remain engaged in co-curricular and extra-curricular activites. Guidance has been developed to provide parameters for students to have these experiences while maintaining a safe environment for both students and staff. LCPS Reopening Fine Arts Summer Guidance

10. What kind of work will we be doing in Distance Chorus?

From Ms. Karim: My class has always been a balance of preparing for performances and exploring other ways that music impacts people. I am going to use this opportunity to really explore the ways that music relates to students and their lives through both the Hybrid and Distance Models.

Projects: We'll do exploration projects with looking at modern musicians students listen to and how they create their music. We'll utilize tools such as Spotify, Chrome Music Lab, SoundTrap, the Radio, etc. I want the work that is done at home for students to be focused on their interests in music and tap into the curiosities they have. They won't do this work alone all the time either - we'll still have group work and collaborate on Google Meet! I am open to many ideas with Distance Learning as well!

Singing: Chorus Concerts won't be in-person - but they will be virtual! I will be looking to teach different voice parts through Google Meets and have practice tracks available for students. We'll put these all together and tie them into performances such as this one: https://vimeo.com/429372619. If students aren't comfortable singing alone or submitting recordings - I have alternate ways they can share their voices for credit in group recordings. Assignments will vary - but this will keep students ready and prepared for the full return to school!

11. Will we have marching band?

We have received recent guidance on return to activity in Phase 2 and 3 for Marching Band. More information will be forthcoming. For now students should expect to:

11. 1. Bring and wear a facemask for screening or when a minimum of 6 feet social/physical distancing cannot be maintained.

    2. Complete the daily required screening prior to each practice.

    3. MUST provide their own water bottle/jug (minimum of 32oz required for a typical 6 hour rehearsal).

    4. Wash hands before and after each practice.

    5. Should bring a personal hand sanitizer bottle with them.

    6. Must only enter and exit each rehearsal and storage space as outlined by school staff.

    7. Must only use the designated restrooms identified by school staff.

    8. No sharing of equipment, water or food

    9. No physical contact with individuals (NO high-fives, fist bumps, handshakes, etc).

    10. Minimum physical distancing of at least 10 feet in all directions.

12. Will there be athletics?

LCPS follows Virginia High School League (VHSL) guidance for athletics, including fall sports. VHSL has not yet determined if and how fall sports will be offered. LCPS continues to monitor VHSL guidance and will update the plan for fall sports as soon as more information is available. Although limited, all clubs and organizations will be able to meet in some capacity. Physical distancing requirements and Level III safety precautions will remain in place until either circumstance improves or we move back down to Level II or I protocols. VHSL will meet the week of July 13 and we hope to have more guidance after.

Sign up for news and alerts at www.lightridgeathletics.org. Fall tryouts are still set for 8/3.

13. Can my student participate in extracurricular activities if we select 100% DL?

Yes, students may select 100% DL and still participate in extracurricular activities. Daily attendance policies will remain in place, meaning a student must participate in their DL classes in order to participate in their extracurricular activity for that day. LCPS understands the value of extracurricular activities for students and hopes to offer extracurricular activities when and if it is safe to do so. Any extracurricular activities available will take place under the public health guidance for the phase we are in at the time. Schools will also work to provide virtual options for extracurricular activities when possible.

14. Can my distance learning student sit in a class with an in-person course?

At this time, LCPS is not planning on having teachers do both Distance Learning and Hybrid classes during the same period. However, we are going to need the flexibility to meet the need of all students. This could mean a teacher may be able to teach both an in-person class and provide instruction to students in a distance learning environment. This decision will be made case-by-case.

15. Can a teacher teach both DL and Hybrid?

There is a possibility that teachers will have some periods of in-person instruction and some periods of distance learning. In a hypothetical situation, a teacher may teach 3 A-day hybrid courses and 2 B-day distance learning courses - or some other combination. Teachers can only teach 5 high-school periods and 150 total students, so we can not just add sections to the teachers' load without providing financial compensation.

16. How many Virtual Loudoun classes can a student take? Can I make changes and choose this option instead for my child?

At this time we are being directed by LCPS that the conditions for Virtual Loudoun still have not changed. Every high school is given a limited number of spots to be utilized in the Fall and Spring. These are to be prioritized for students who NEED them before students who WANT them. No student may exceed more than one additional course each academic year.

17. Can my student take courses through Virtual Virginia?

LCPS has only allowed Virtual Virginia courses in cases where we can not meet a student's schedule needs or a course is not being offered at the high school. At this time we have not been given any direction to being able to deviate from that.

18. Can my student enroll in Dual Enrollment classes at NVCC instead?

Information about taking coursework at NVCC while still in high school can be found on their website. This option is only available for juniors and seniors per NVCC guidelines. In addition, compliance with VDOE requires certain courses to be taken for credit at the high school level. More information about these requirements can be found in the two documents below.

18. 1. Fall 2020 Dual Enrollment Placement Policy

    2. NVCC Dual Enrollment Placement Requirements for LCPS

Important! Deviating from LCPS enrollment may endanger VHSL eligibility. Students must be enrolled in and passing five LCPS courses to be eligible for all VHSL sports.

19. How long will an in-person school day last?

The school day is scheduled to last traditional 6 hours and 48 minutes. Each class period will be similar to the school schedule from 2019-2020. We will run a block schedule, with A days on Tuesday and Wednesday and B days on Thursday and Friday. Click here for a sample high school student schedule provided by LCPS.

20. What curriculum is being utilized in both the DL and Hybrid models?

The curriculum for both distance learning and hybrid will be the same. LCPS Department of Instruction is currently developing curriculum guidance with a focus on learning loss prevention and cross curriculum connections. Schoology will be the platform used in 2020-2021 and will help enhance instruction teachers. Faculty will be getting extensive professional development on curriculum regardless of remote or hybrid in August.

21. Will my student be required to take SOL's next year?

There has been no new guidance provided by the Virginia Department of Education on SOL's. As of now, VDOE is still planning on administering spring SOLs next year as required by the Federal Government. However, we may have the ability to seek waivers as in the 2019-2020 school year depending on the nature of the school year.

22. What will happen when a teacher or student tests positive at school?

Due to the near certainty of recurrent outbreaks in the coming months, our schools must be prepared for periodic school closures and the possibility of some teams having to isolate for two or more weeks while in-season. With symptoms, each school will have a care room to separate students or faculty immediately.

22. 1. If a staff member or a student tests positive for COVID-19, a contact investigation will be conducted by the Loudoun County Health Department (LCHD). LCPS will notify the LCHD of any reported or suspected positive cases. LCHD will notify close contacts of positive cases and advise them to self-quarantine at home. Once the LCHD becomes aware of a potential exposure within a school, it will contact the LCPS Student Health Services to help identify those who may be close contacts within that school to enable LCPS to exclude identified students and staff until they are safe to return.

    2. LCPS, based on consultation with LCHD, could determine that self-quarantining is required among groups of students and staff who are exposed (currently being defined as contact of 15 minutes or more) to a positive case. The volume of close contacts of positive cases would determine the extent to which in-person learning/work would be paused. In-person learning/work would be paused for students/staff who are close contacts of positive cases, as determined by LCHD. The self-quarantine would not involve pausing virtual learning or work for these individuals.

    3. LCPS will work collaboratively with the Loudoun County Health Department to report positive COVID-19 cases as reported and potential close contacts, and communicate accordingly with the affected community members. It has been our practice during the FY20 school closure period, when notified of staff COVID-19 positive cases, to notify the staff and school community of the affected location.

23. What precautions will we as parents need to take for our students to return to school in the Hybrid model?

    1. Parents/guardians will complete a symptom check questionnaire for their children at home prior to sending/bringing them to school. If the answer to any question is “yes”, the student must stay home.

    2. Upon arrival at school, staff will ask students the same questions. If a student answers yes to any of the questions, the student will be provided a cloth face covering (if necessary) and escorted to the designated care room.

    3. Daily random no-touch temperature checks of students and staff at school/work locations will be conducted.

    4. Staff will complete a symptom check and temperature check at home prior to reporting to work. If the answer to any question is “yes” or even if the employee has a fever of 100.4°F or higher, the employee will stay home.

24. Am I required to take a full schedule next year? Given the LCPS current guidelines I may want to take fewer courses for my mental health.

Families need to make decisions in the best interest of your student. Certainly we all understand these are uncertain times. A few things to keep in mind if this is something you are considering:

24. 1. Students must be enrolled in and passing five LCPS courses to be eligible for all VHSL sports.

    2. VDOE establishes guidelines for graduation. There are two separate types of diplomas: Standard and Advanced. Please take a look at graduation requirements to be sure you are staying on track. Your counselor can assist with this.

    3. Any student not taking a full load of 7 classes, will be required to fill out a Waiver of Full Day form.

25. The teacher forum mentioned student desks will not be cleaned in between classes. This is concerning, what will LRHS be doing to limit exposure.

We are fortunate at Lightridge since we are only at 50% capacity. Given such we have some flexibility that other schools do not have. Therefore, we are currently looking at options. A few things under consideration. Since the classroom will only have half the amount of students, we could have students in 1st block sit at certain desks, then have 2nd block sit at different desks. We also will have extra classroom spaces so we could potentially rotate teachers and allow them to have two different classrooms with the one not being used being cleaned half way through the day.

26. How will lunch be handled?

Again, we are fortunate as we have a large cafeteria and fewer students. Therefore it is possible for us to have students eat lunch in the cafeteria and meet the 6 feet distance.

27. In a regular year if a student needs extra help or doesn't understand a concept they can meet up with their teacher before or after school. How will that extra support look in both models?

In the hybrid model, we will be changing how study hall looks at Lightridge to allow students flexibility during the day to receive additional support. There will be a math lab, writing lab, teacher office hours, etc. In the DL model, Monday's are set aside for student assistance. This may be done in a group format or individually. Additionally all teachers in DL will also have weekly office hours for students.

28. It is possible that other DL teachers will be from other schools but teaching our students.

While the goal is to keep Lightridge students and teachers together, yes there is a possibility that due to licensure and availability of courses, some students may have a teacher from another school.

29. Regarding scheduling, if an elective is no longer being offered when will be notified?

Once we have received all the survey results from both students and faculty, we will begin to build both master schedules. School counselors return on August 5 and they will begin making phone calls to discuss any discrepancies or schedule difficulties.

30. If we go thru another VA shutdown and my kid is signed up for hybrid, will his new quarantine schedule be his Tues/Thurs schedule or will it change to match the 4 day DL schedule?

We are awaiting more information about this. Right now we have been told everyone will go to a distance learning model however what the actual "schedule" looks like remains to be seen. We anticipate they will go to the same schedule to allow for an equitable amount of time.

31. Can you please explain Schoology and how that will be used this fall and does this replace Google Classroom?

Schoology information for parents and students will be coming around the beginning of August. However, we are very excited to use this new LMS (that does replace Google Classroom) because of how transparent it is. Parents can essentially see all of the same things as students. Schoology allows for the seamless integration of the Google GSuite (docs, sheets, slides, forms, etc.). Alex Case, our IFT, has been giving professional development to teachers over the last few months. The ones hesitant about "using something new during this time" leave feeling like this is the best decision for students and parents during this time.

For more information about Schoology, please check out this website with helpful videos.

32. Will there be any AP summer assignments?

No there will not be any summer assignments for any classes this year. We believe students need to concentrate on their mental and physical health this summer and step away from the screen as they prepare for next year.

33. If I choose Hybrid will their time in class be used effectively?

We have discussed this as a Lightridge leadership team. In class time is not the right place for exams. This face to face time is precious and should be maximized for instruction. There are so many ways to assess student learning online. There will be worries about test security and cheating, and therefore there will be a honor code. However, your students are approaching adulthood and we have to trust students and find ways to make sure that we as teachers have a fair idea of what they know.

FACEBOOK

From parent community - there is a Facebook group for parents in the Lightridge HS pyramid for Hybrid and DL students. The thought is students can connect on days not in school if they have same class. Support, tutoring and co-ops. Facebook group is called "Lightridge HS Pyramid Hybrid/DL Co-op"

FYI -this is a parent group not an LCPS supported group.

The slide presentation from the town hall meeting is also available for review.

The Town Hall featured Superintendent Dr. Eric Williams, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Dr. Ashley Ellis, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services Dr. Asia Jones and Assistant Superintendent for Support Services Kevin Lewis answering questions from the public about the instructional options available to families for the start of the new school year.