At Home Learning FAQ

Asynchronous learning occurs at different times, without real-time interaction. Students learn from instruction that is not being delivered live.

Students must engage daily in direct work with academic content matches or exceeds the following average daily minimums across all subjects:

• Full day PreK – 180 instructional minutes

• K through 5th grade – 180 instructional minutes

• 6th through 12th grade – 240 instructional minutes

The District is prepared to respond as needed to meet the educational needs of our students.

Yes. This will vary by campus, grade and subject.

The District has shared with parents the Link to the website and the form. Please complete and turn into the Campus office by the first day of instruction. The link can be found by clicking on the Return to School Plan icon on the home page of our website.

All students are expected to participate in instruction based on regular school hours.

No. The Board voted to require Face to Face instruction as the prerequisite for extracurricular participation.

To support all students, the district curriculum will highlight academic standards that teachers will consider as they plan to address the potential learning impacts resulting from the school closure. Teachers will use formative assessments and supplemental resources to personalize student learning to address areas of need.

Please contact your child’s campus to get more specific information.

Yes, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) will require daily attendance and participation in At-Home Learning. Students will be required to participate in online classes daily and traditional attendance rules will be enforced. A student will be considered absent if the student does not engage in the designated independent learning activities each day.

Yes. Computer devices will be distributed to students.

Students will be provided with some instructional materials that will vary based on the grade level and coursework of the student. Some resources may be provided digitally. The design of classroom instruction will account for student’s access to specific instructional materials in the home.

Yes. Families will need to purchase typical school supplies. Students who are participating in the At-Home Learning will need to purchase the necessary listed supplies from the grade level supply list in order to complete their assignments.

The benefit of an online learning management system is to streamline all digital tools and content for a more connected learning experience for students. The district has identified Google Classroom and Seesaw as tools to support a consistent learning management system for elementary students across the district. Google Classroom and Seesaw will be used for both In-Person and At-Home Learners. Google Classroom helps organize assignments, boosts collaboration, and fosters communication. Seesaw is a platform used for PK-3 students. Teachers will provide training to students on how to use these new digital tools. Resources will also be available for parents to learn how to support students in navigating learning through these digital tools.

The benefit of an online learning management system is to streamline all digital tools and content for a more connected learning experience for students. Secondary students in grades 7-12 in both In-Person and At-Home Learning will utilize the current learning management system Google Classroom. Resources will also be available for parents to learn how to support students in navigating learning through these digital tools.

Overall progress on learning outcomes will be communicated in a “traditional” format using numeric grades. Assignments and grades will be entered into Tyler SIS. The expectations for coursework and guidelines for grading for In-Person Learning and At-Home Learning will be the same.

Courses taken by students participating in At-Home Learning will be included in calculating GPA and class rank in accordance with EIC (Local) policy.

Yes. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has indicated that STAAR testing will still occur during the 2020-2021 school year, in compliance with state and federal legislation.

All courses, with the exception of athletics, will be offered virtually through At-Home Learning. In addition, there will be select courses that students in At-Home Learning may choose to attend in person, on campus (see list below). Transportation for At-Home Learners attending on-campus courses will not be provided, except as documented through IEP paperwork in order for students to have access to their Special Education services.

No. Based on the course requirements, there are some specialized courses that will not be available in At-Home Learning (specialized course list coming soon). For these courses, the student will have the option to attend the class on-campus or choose to have their schedule changed in order to remain in a fully remote environment. Campus staff will work with students choosing to have their schedule changed to identify a suitable replacement course and adjust their schedule.

In addition, there are some specialized courses that are offered in At-Home Learning, but may require in-person laboratory learning experiences based on specific course learning outcomes regarding equipment, software, and technology. Please look for this course list on our website in the coming days.

Yes, parents and students may contact the school nurse by phone or e-mail during school hours.

Schools will continue to be staffed based upon student enrollment. The staffing for At-Home Learning and In-Person Learning will be delivered by New Diana ISD teachers.

Yes, students will continue to be connected to their home campus, regardless of teacher assignment. Parents will continue to receive communication from the home campus. Students and parents can participate in virtual events, as applicable.

Due to the scheduling complexities inherent in these two options, parents will be asked to make a commitment for at least one full 6-week grading period. Special circumstances that affect a family will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the campus principal.

Yes, unless the student ends up being exposed to someone that has or is suspected to have COVID-19. At that point, they would switch over to remote learning per the NDISD Return to School plan.

Yes. The supplies needed will vary depending on the campus and the grade/subject.

For current students, parents will complete the commitment form no later than August 7th at 8:00 a.m. Upon enrollment, new students will be provided the opportunity to select their instructional model.

For elementary students, the assigned home room teacher will contact the parent/student near the start of the school year welcoming them to their class.

For secondary students, New Diana ISD staff will make adjustments to course schedules placing students in At-Home sections. A parent/student may be contacted to discuss any applicable scheduling options based on the student’s current course selections.

Yes. Resources will be available for parents to learn how to support students in navigating learning through these digital tools. These resources will be available in August.

Yes, all students in New Diana ISD will have the opportunity to choose In-Person Learning or At-Home

Learning.

ARD and 504 meetings will be scheduled on a case by case basis. For students served in special

education, the schedule of instructional and related services should be accurately documented in the

ARD/IEP to reflect the supports and services the student requires for FAPE. A parent/guardian may

request an ARD or 504 meeting at any time.

Contact the campus to request a Student Intervention Team (SIT) meeting to discuss your concerns.

If your student requires an initial or re-evaluation, the parent/guardian will be contacted to discuss the evaluation and determine components that can be completed virtually versus those components that require face-to-face interaction. Appointments with evaluation staff will be scheduled at the campus to complete face-to-face components.

No. Students who were homeschooled or attended a private school in the prior school year are only eligible for instruction under the face-to-face/on-campus learning pathway.

Yes, at this time the Texas Department of State Health Services has not waived the vaccine requirements for students.