Chieftain Virtual Learning Center

Students’ grades Pre-K through 12th, enrolled at Seminole Public Schools, are eligible to participate in the Virtual Learning Center. However, some exclusions may apply. For example, your child was previously unsuccessful with virtual learning, suffered chronic absenteeism, exhibited inappropriate conduct, or failed to communicate with instructors and school staff, virtual learning may no longer be an option. Other circumstances are left to the discretion of Administration as well as the Virtual Learning Committee. Enrollment is available during regular school enrollment periods. Available seats are filled based upon a first come first serve system. If you would like to participate in virtual learning, it is best to enroll as soon as possible. There are limited seats available for virtual learning.

There is no cost to participate in the SPS Virtual Learning Center. However, Seminole Public Schools distributes devices for enrolled students with an option to purchase insurance in the event of damage to a device. SPS also has a limited amount of Hot Spots available to students who do not have internet access at home. Hot Spots require a monthly fee agreement.

Virtual Learning requires students and caregivers to be diligent, task oriented and self-motivated. It is essential for students to have a strong support system at home to be successful with virtual learning. This includes time management skills, parent responsibility, family engagement, actively monitoring student progress and communicating with instructors on a regular basis via telephone and e-mail. Parents must ensure that students are logging into their courses and completing assignments on a daily-basis for attendance purposes. Parents/Guardians must be able to commit to spending between 3-5 hours per day dedicated to curriculum. In addition to following SPS Virtual guidelines, students are also expected to uphold the values and guidelines found in school policy as well as the student handbook. It is the responsibility of students and caregivers to ensure expectations are being met. Failure to comply or participate can result in disciplinary action and can negatively impact the academic progress of a student as well as the ability of a student to remain enrolled in virtual learning.

Parents/Guardians are encouraged to participate in Parent Teacher Conferences and can expect to receive traditional progress reports and report cards.

Students’ Pre-K through 12th are required to login at scheduled times for direct instruction with optional in-person lessons and tutoring. Teachers will frequently have live instruction via Google Meets, Zoom, or something similar. The purpose of this is to provide students with small group instruction to ensure grade level and age appropriate skills are being met as well as to provide intervention to students who may be struggling. Students are required to be in-person to complete tasks such as benchmark assessments, diagnostic assessments, state testing, and small group instruction. This is in addition to any online learning platforms used by SPS.

Guardians are subject to the Oklahoma Compulsory Student Attendance laws. Student attendance is verified by time-stamped reports from each learning platform as well as academic progress. Instructors are able to see how long students were logged into each program, how much of that time was spent actively participating and whether or not students have completed their assignments. Should a student fall behind in coursework, truancy does apply. In order for SPS to offer flexibility, students are given a 24 hour grace period to complete assignments. Should your child have extenuating circumstances such as illness, lack of internet access, family emergency, etc., it is the responsibility of the guardian to contact school personnel for notification so that your student may receive an excused absence. Failure to actively participate on a daily basis could result in a home visit by an instructor and a School Resource Officer as well as your student being dropped from virtual enrollment at SPS and onsite enrollment would be required.

In addition, full time virtual students follow the same school calendar as in-person students. Students are not required to login and complete assignments when SPS is closed for holidays, Snow Days or any other type of school closure. Days SPS designates as Distance Learning are considered a normal school day for virtual students.

Students are eligible to participate in extracurricular activities offered by SPS so long as they meet academic eligibility requirements found in school policy.

Students and parents are encouraged to decide between In-Person Learning and Virtual Learning in a thorough manner. Changes in learning options are limited to the first 14 days of the semester. Extenuating circumstances concerning a change in learning format are left to the discretion of Administration and the Virtual Learning Committee. Requests for change will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Students are not permitted to change back and forth during the school year. Distance learning for traditional students allows for transition upon short term need of the student and guardian.

Students with disabilities on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a Section 504 Accommodation Plan are eligible to receive services with a Special Education Teacher or service providers such as Speech Therapists or Occupational Therapists. Services can be provided in-person or virtually.

It is vital to student success to consider the pros and cons of Virtual Learning.