Remote Learning
As part of Return to Learn planning, the Iowa Department of Education has asked districts to plan for educating students within three different models: Onsite, Hybrid, and Remote. Below you will find information pertaining to our remote learning model.
Medical Waiver for Fully Remote Learning Model
To continue in the Fully Remote Learning Model requires a medical waiver or demonstrated success in remote learning.
Please return completed waivers to the district office, attention Melinda Robertson.
Overview of Learning Options: Onsite vs. Remote vs. Homeschool
Click here for an overview of the differences between learning options for students.
Fully Remote Learning (for Temporary Continuous/Remote Learning or student quarantine)
Should any of the following occur, those impacted will transition to a Fully Remote Learning model:
Individual student(s) are required to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19
Individual classes are required to quarantine due to COVID-19
Individual buildings temporarily close due to COVID-19
Newton CSD temporarily closes due to COVID-19
Aurora Heights School Closure Remote Learning Schedules
Emerson Hough School Closure Remote Learning Schedules
Thomas Jefferson School Closure Remote Learning Schedules
Woodrow Wilson School Closure Remote Learning Schedules
Berg Middle School School Closure Remote Learning Schedules
Virtual Learning the Cardinal Way
Newton High School School Closure Remote Learning Schedules
WEST Academy School Closure Remote Learning Schedules
Students will receive, and are expected to attend, daily direct instruction (whole class and/or small groups) and live interaction with their assigned teachers during regular school hours. Teachers and students will use the Learning Management System identified at each grade level to provide recordings of instruction and other resources, as well as communicate back and forth about learning and assignments. Learning and instruction will follow the planned scope and sequence of each class or grade level to the extent possible.
Flexibility will be given to students to “attend” by participating and completing assigned work in an asynchronous manner that fits their, or the family's, schedule. The expectation remains that students would “attend” daily in coordination with the teacher.
Fully Remote Learning (as an option for families within a hybrid model)
Students will receive, and are expected to attend, daily direct instruction (whole class and/or small groups) and live interaction with their assigned teachers during regular school hours. Teachers and students will use the Learning Management System identified at each grade level to provide recordings of instruction and other resources, as well as communicate back and forth about learning and assignments. Learning and instruction will be aligned with the On-Site Learning Model to the extent possible.
Sample Elementary Remote Learning Schedule
Sample Middle School Remote Learning Schedule
NHS Class Information for Onsite and Remote Learning
Sample High School Remote Learning Schedule
Sample WEST Academy Remote Learning Schedule
Monday Schedules:
Elementary Monday Remote Learning Schedule for ALL Students
Middle School Monday Remote Learning Schedule for ALL Students
High School Monday Remote Learning Schedule for ALL Students
WEST Academy Monday Remote Learning Schedule for ALL Students
Gap-Closing Scope and Sequence
Teachers will continue to utilize a scope and sequence that focuses on grade-level instruction and learning as the priority, and have identified the Learning Goals that were missed or incomplete due to the unexpected school closure at the end of the 2019-20 school year. The missed instruction related to these standards has been aligned with the planned scope and sequence for 2020-2021. This was accomplished through teacher collaboration across grade-levels and buildings during the spring and summer. Teachers will provide “just in-time” support and scaffolding to students around the prerequisite skills necessary to master grade-level standards and expectations, as opposed to spending the beginning of the year teaching what was missed.
The primary method for this will be through the Professional Learning Community (PLC) process. The School Board approved 2020-21 calendar and building schedules provides time for this collaboration to take place, using protocols and resources that align with the High Reliability School Model.
Professional Learning to Improve Instruction
Based on our experiences during the spring closure, and in preparation for this fall, teachers have participated in many professional learning opportunities to meet their individual growth needs for providing high quality instruction, specifically in a remote learning environment. Professional learning was provided through partnerships with the Area Education Association, in-district teachers and administrators, and other professional organizations. Several of the key focus areas were: blended/flipped learning, learning management systems, planning for remote learning in an emergency situation, Eureka Math implementation, and iObservation teacher and observer training.
Use of Data to Make Instructional Decisions
Protocols will be established to ensure data is used to make instructional decisions, especially in closing learning gaps created by school closures. Teachers will use universal screeners and pre-assessments to determine which prerequisite skills and knowledge students have, or need to acquire, in order to become proficient at grade-level learning goals.