High School

SANY High Schools:

  • Syracuse Academy of Science includes grades 8-12

  • Utica Academy of Science includes grades 9-12

All comprehensive high schools will follow the same alternating day block schedule. There may be instances where students can access fewer courses and shortened days based on progress toward graduation. This will also address some of the health concerns shared by staff.

Students will participate in the courses they were assigned Monday-Friday, and SANY teachers will use the same pacing to introduce new learning. Students will receive Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and support either online or in-person based on their preferences.

SANY will offer to all ELL and Special Education students in grades K-12 to attend hybrid learning 4-days per week. We will periodically reassess the effectiveness of online instruction for all students in order to maximize learning. We may make adjustments to students' learning model (online or hybrid) by reassigning students to increase in-person learning opportunities based on their individual learning needs and CDC guidelines.

Full-Time Online Education Model:

In this model, students in all grade levels would engage in both online, synchronous (live) and asynchronous (independent) learning 5 days per week, Monday through Friday. New instructional content will be offered to all students, attendance will be required, and student work will be graded.

  • Instruction time will meet all NYSED graduation requirements

  • Students enroll in online courses offered by SANY

  • Schedules per course vary

  • Accommodations for Students with Disabilities and 504 Plans

  • Additional instruction provided for English Learners, as required

  • Additional instruction and specialized services provided for Special Education students based on IEPs

  • Special Education case carriers ensure accommodations are being provided

  • Site-based staff will serve as course mentors to assist with appropriate pacing and assignment completion

  • Students receive weekly Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons

  • Daily office hours with counselors by appointment

  • Mentorship program will be established. Students will be assigned to small mentorship groups where they will receive academic support and Social Emotional Support.

  • Parent and student workshops will be scheduled to support key stakeholders with the demands of online education.

Distance Learning Practices in High School from Spring 2019-20:

Every Lesson Includes

Engage (Bell-work)

  • Brainstorm

  • Ask Questions

  • Access Prior Knowledge

  • Review Previous Content

Resources: Google Classroom Discussion, Google Surveys, Instagram posts, Question prompts

Explore (Independent task)

  • Research

  • Watch Videos

  • Read Articles

  • Offline Task

  • Discuss

Resources: Google Search, YouTube, NewsELA, Commonlit, Google Classroom Questions and Discussion Prompts

Explain (Virtual Lecture)

  • Live Synchronous Sessions (Zoom)

  • Asynchronous pre-recorded video lessons

  • Online Resources/Softwares

Resources: Zoom, YouTube, Create online playlists, ,Edpuzzle

Elaborate (Deeper Learning/ Projects)

  • Make Connections

  • Apply Learning to new or novel situations

  • Student-created study materials and resources

Resources: Shared Google Docs, Google Slides, Drawings, Spreadsheets, Kahoot, FlipGrid, Edpuzzle

Evaluate (Test/Quiz)

  • Formative Assessments

  • Quizzes

  • Video Reflections

  • Digital Exit Tickets

Resources: Quizizz, Kahoot, FlipGrid, Google Forms, Problemattic

Key Requirements Per Course

Participation: Students should engage in participation five days per week. Participation can include: watching videos, responding to discussion prompts/posts, making contact with the teacher regarding academic content, and completing assignments.

Classwork: Students should complete all required coursework assignments. Each course will assign two-three assignments per week.

Assessment: In addition to classwork, students will complete one assessment per week per course.

Academic Practices

Daily Zoom Meetings - Each course offers an AM and PM zoom session with students where they can get live help with the academic work, meet with their teacher, and go over new academic content and assignments

Individual or Small Group Support help students with assignments and provide an opportunity for them to chat and receive support for social/emotional needs.

Daily supports for students with disabilities allows for facilitation between student, parent, special education teacher and general education teacher

Daily Office Hours are open to students and their parents, offering teachers a convenient way to answer questions, say hello, or provide individualized instruction as needed.

Flexible Work Completion allows students to work at their own pace and complete the assignments to the best of their ability. Regular teacher feedback and contact allows for students to make adjustments and resubmit assignments, as necessary.

Mentoring support for at-risk students enables a continuous check-in between staff, students, and families to ensure learning and participation with coursework is ongoing . Communication between staff members and student mentors allows for a better understanding of student need.

Tiers of support to meet individual student needs:

Social Emotional Support

Counseling: Our counseling department is offering various types of services for large groups, small groups, and individual needs. Each week, the guidance counselor sends out a mindful moment students and staff can focus on for self-care.

Mentoring Program: SANY HS will establish a small group mentorship program here each student will be assigned to an adult in the building. The mentors will meet with students each week in and build rapport with their mentees throughout the school years. The meetings will consist of academic follow up and social emotional support.

Small Group Sessions: The school counselor arranges small-group meetings to support students within their grade levels. There is a different theme each week, with priorities addressing stress, anxiety, and connection with others.

Individualized Sessions: Students who have received counseling services prior to the school closure continue to receive weekly check-ins and counseling sessions. Each week a survey is sent to students school-wide. Any student who indicates a concern is referred to the school counselor. The counselor then calls the student’s family and assesses the student for further sessions.

Home Visits: School Administrators are making socially-distanced home visits to those who are hard to reach. We are discussing individual needs with families and students and connecting them to resources. These visits are meant to motivate individuals, discuss regents with parents, and identify the importance of prioritizing classes for those students having difficulties keeping up.