Virtual Learning will operate uninterrupted at all times.

Virtual Learning FAQs

Enrollment for the SPS Virtual Learning option has ended. We will consider new enrollments on a limited and case by case basis. If you are interested in switching to Virtual Learning, please contact SPS Educational Services at virtual@stillwaterschools.com for more info.

Virtual learning offers full-time, online learning in both core and elective courses for students in grades K -12 through a contracted provider.

KEY POINTS

Enrollment dates for virtual learning will be Jul. 15, 2020 - July 31, 2020
- Enrollment for the SPS Virtual Learning option has ended. We will consider new enrollments on a limited and case by case basis. If you are interested in switching to Virtual Learning, please contact SPS Educational Services at virtual@stillwaterschools.com for more information.
SPS will ask parents for a semester-long commitment
Student Experience - Students will may participate in extracurricular programs, enroll in special programs (ELL, Special Ed., Gifted & Talented), and attend special activities (assemblies, graduation, events, clubs).
Student Learning Support - SPS will assign a district educator for support, and teaching will be coordinated by a SPS teacher, when possible, or a highly qualified, Oklahoma-certified teacher in other instances.
Technology - Students will have access to technology and Internet access to complete coursework, if needed.
Standards and Approved Online Software - Students will have access to Edgenuity - an accredited online learning software that aligns with SPS standards, offers a full suite of courses, and is approved by 16 state departments of education

Dear Virtual Families,

Welcome to a new school year and a new way of learning! We’re excited to partner with you to bring your child an

engaging and effective learning experience through our virtual program. With a robust enrollment of over 750 elementary

students, we are all truly Pioneers as we journey down this new path together.

We know you have lots of questions so let’s get started!

When will we meet our teacher?

Virtual students will meet their teacher on the same day as traditional students. On August 18th, you can expect an email

introducing you and your student to their new teacher. We know your teacher is excited to meet you, so look for

opportunities for your child to share a little about themself as well. School for virtual students begins on the same day at

traditional students which is August 20th.

When will we receive internet hotspots and/or devices if we indicated we have a need for them?

We will host a pick up event at each elementary site. Staff will quickly and safely check out your device and/or internet

hotspot to your family. At this time, we do not have an exact time and date confirmed, but have tentatively scheduled the

pick up for August 19th.

When will we receive the workbooks that go along with the curriculum?

We will pass out workbooks at our pick up event at each elementary site on August 19th. We hope to have the complete

workbooks available at that time, but due to a larger enrollment than we expected, workbooks could be delayed. If the

workbooks are delayed, we will provide printed versions for students to use until we receive them.

What additional supplies do we need for virtual learning?

Students need basic learning supplies at home such as pencils and paper. If an assignment calls for something more than

that and you don’t have it at home, your virtual teacher will work through that with you, either giving you ideas for

alternative supplies, providing an alternative assignment, or helping you to receive the supply, if absolutely necessary.

How will my child’s virtual teacher support my student?

Virtual teachers will monitor your student’s progress within Edgenuity. If your student is struggling with a skill or lagging

behind in progress they will offer support and reteaching to ensure your child’s success. You can expect your child’s

teacher to meet with your student at least weekly, either in a group or individually, and more often as necessary. Virtual

teachers will also host monthly gatherings of students from each elementary site, providing an opportunity for your child to

connect to their home school. Finally, your child’s teacher will ensure district assessments are administered as well as

monitor your student’s data from those assessments to provide additional learning opportunities as necessary.

What is the family’s role in supporting virtual learning?

Virtual learning requires active participation from adults at home. There is certainly a great deal of learning that students

can do alone, but daily check-ins from adults at home are essential to guarantee student learning. Within Edgenuity,

adults are referred to as “Learning Coaches” further highlighting the importance of adults at home in helping students

thrive. We can provide you with lots of resources to support you in this role and look forward to helping you help your

student.

What can you tell me about attendance and grades?

Students are expected to log on and work within Edgenuity every school day as outlined by the SPS calendar. If your child

is sick or unable to attend on a given day, you must communicate that with your child’s teacher. Continued lack of

participation or progress will be handled in the same way multiple absences are handled in traditional school.Teachers

and administrators will work with families to remove barriers to student attendance, such as providing chromebooks and

internet hotspots when necessary. Similarly, if your child drops below a “C” in coursework, your child’s teacher will contact

you to ensure you’re aware and to make a plan to ensure their success. One challenge we often hear about virtual

learning for elementary students is that it is very difficult to catch up if your child has fallen behind. SPS virtual teachers

will do everything they can to ensure your child is keeping up with the pacing of the program.

How can I reach my child’s teacher if we need their assistance?

All SPS teachers have email addresses they check frequently. You’ll also be provided with a phone number for your

child’s virtual teacher. Please give teachers 24 hours to respond to a call or email (longer during the weekend). If you

reach out to your child’s teacher during the school day, they’re often able to get back to you quickly. Additionally, each

teacher will offer night office hours twice weekly allowing you to get immediate responses to emails and phone calls

during those set times. Your child’s teacher will communicate their schedule and contact information.

How much time should we expect our child to spend working on school each day?

Edgenuity provides the following daily estimates for elementary students:

Reading/Language Arts 60-90 minutes

Math 45-60 minutes

Science 30-45 minutes

Social Studies 30-45 minutes

How flexible is my child’s schedule? Do they have to be logged on at a certain time?

Your child can complete their work any time within the day. As stated previously, it’s important that your child work

everyday, but you can decide when that is. Your child’s virtual teacher will set up virtual meetings with them at least

weekly, but maybe more if your child is needing extra support. These scheduled meetings will require your child to be

present at a particular time, but you can work with your child’s virtual teacher to pick a time that works for both of you.

My child receives special services. How will he/she receive those?

Special services such as special education, gifted and talented, Take Flight, English language services, and Indian

education tutoring are still available to your child if they’ve previously qualified. The service providers associated with

these services will work with you to determine the most effective method for your child to receive services. In some cases,

that might require your child coming on campus for a period of time. In other cases, services will be provided virtually.

What about Specials (PE, art, music)?

Your child’s teacher will monitor your child’s participation in virtual specials as provided to them through our district

specials teachers. You can expect weekly lessons to promote your child’s growth in these areas.

Will my child still participate in State Testing? What about RSA testing?

Yes, virtual students will participate in State Testing which will occur in April and May. More details will be shared closer to

that time. Kindergarten through 3rd grade virtual students will also participate in RSA testing through Istation throughout

the year. The first testing window is set for the first two weeks in September. During that window your child will need to

take the Istation test at an on site location. Further information regarding September testing dates and locations are to

come. Subsequent RSA testing can be completed at home.

We know you might have other questions and we look forward to working through those with you. You can expect a

Virtual Student Contract in your email in the next week. This contract will need to be signed by you prior to the start of the

school year. More directions will be provided in that email, please just keep an eye out for it. We appreciate your support

during this time as we process through some of the new challenges we face. We’re excited to work with your child and

watch them flourish through virtual learning!

Sincerely,

The SPS Virtual Learning Team

Edgenuity - A Closer Look at Virtual Learning

Assistant Superintendent Cathy Walker was joined by a representative of Edgenuity to demo the product and field questions.

Watch the demo and Q& A Session here.

What will virtual learning look like at SPS?

Stillwater Public Schools is offering an online program designed to accommodate the needs of students who would benefit from a virtual experience during COVID-19. This program will utilize the Edgenuity Curriculum called Courseware Accelerate for grades K-5, and Edgenuity Instructional Services for the secondary curriculum for grades 6-12.

Virtual Pre-K will exist, but our platform has yet to be announced.

Students enrolled in virtual learning will also have the opportunity to participate in on-site extracurricular activities, such as athletic and fine arts programs.

SPS will assign a district educator for support, and teaching will be coordinated by a SPS teacher, when possible, or a highly qualified, Oklahoma-certified teacher supplied by Edgenuity in other instances. SPS school counselors will guide all students on class selection, and they will monitor academic progress.

Learn more about Edgenuity here: https://www.edgenuity.com/video-library/

Enrollment for the SPS Virtual Learning option has ended. We will consider new enrollments on a limited and case by case basis. If you are interested in switching to Virtual Learning, please contact SPS Educational Services at virtual@stillwaterschools.com for more information.

FAQs

Technology

Do I need to have internet access?

Yes, reliable, high-speed internet access is necessary to access and complete virtual lessons, grades, and teacher support. If you have any concerns or challenges in acquiring internet access, please contact Cathy Walker at 533-6300.

Do I need to purchase a computer?

The district can loan a device to students, if needed.

What computer skills are necessary?

Students will need some basic computer skills as it is an important part of the program. In early grades, a parent or guardian plays an integral role in assisting his or her child on the computer.

Teacher/SPS Interaction

How often will the students be speaking with a teacher?

- This will be different for each student. Students can meet with the SPS teacher as many times as needed to learn a skill or concept. There will be opportunities for students to meet as a class throughout the semester.

Will there be synchronous components to this at any point, where students are interacting one-on-one with a teacher?

Yes, students can meet individually or in small groups with the teacher for additional instruction on an assignment.

Will there be any contact with school site teachers and students?

We can not guarantee that students will be assigned a teacher from their home school. There is not a guarantee that there will be a virtual teacher for each school site for every grade level from each elementary school. It depends on enrollment at each site. SPS teachers will be teacher of record for the classes and provide support to the students throughout the semester. This will allow for students who choose the online option to stay connected to Stillwater Schools. Families will also receive communication from their site principal keeping parents informed of what is happening at the school site. It is our hope that students will be able to attend their home school in the spring.

What will SPS teachers be doing, if Edgenuity delivers instruction via video?

SPS will be providing a teacher of record to support students who are enrolled in the online program. They will provide small group instruction when needed, grade assignments, monitor grades, answer questions and monitor student progress on the dashboard. Parents will need to provide support at home for younger students as they learn how to use the program and work online. Most students have never experienced school like this and will need parental guidance as they learn on a new instructional platform.

Who is doing the grading? Edgenuity or the SPS teacher?

Some assignments are completed on the computer and feedback is given instantaneously. There are assignments such as workbook pages, written assignments, and projects that will be graded by the SPS teacher. These assignments will take a little longer to grade so feedback will take a few days.

Do students have access to school counselors?

Yes, students enrolled in virtual learning have access to an SPS school counselor.

Why might the teachers of the online platform not be Stillwater PS teachers?

With such a short time frame to plan for virtual learning, Stillwater Public Schools will need to use teachers from Edgenuity in some classes to ensure every student has access to a highly qualified, Oklahoma certified teacher. SPS will attempt to use district teachers, when possible, but the time needed for training and coordinating existing staffing plans between traditional classroom learning and virtual learning is difficult with such uncertainty in student enrollment projections. Long term, SPS intends to offer virtual learning with only SPS teachers.

How can high school students participate in clubs that are helpful for college (such as Beta Club and National Honor Society) if they are doing online school?

Please let your HS counselor know you are interested in participating in these clubs when you receive information concerning classes. There will be a box for comments and questions where you can add this information.

Courses

What does the Edgenuity curriculum look like?

Grades K-3 Curriculum Overview.pdf

Grades 4-5 Curriculum Overview.pdf

What subjects will my child study in virtual learning?

SPS will offer students in grades K-8 four core classes: language arts, math, science, and history. Music, art, and physical education will be offered at appropriate elementary grade levels, and middle school students will select two elective classes per semester.

High school students will enroll in classes needed to meet graduation requirements and have access to a robust portfolio of elective courses. Typically, a high school student takes two core and two elective classes each semester.

All courses are aligned to Oklahoma Academic Standards.

Virtual Pre-K is currently being developed and will utilize a curriculum designed and delivered by SPS teachers.

What about AP Courses?

Edgenuity does offer a variety of AP courses. If there is a course that is not offered, SPS will provide a teacher to offer it virtually using Google Classroom. Books for the AP classes will be provided by the district.

What about elementary GT classes?

The gifted teachers are preparing to offer their curriculum online. Elementary GT students can either attend GT classes at their home school site or access the curriculum from their teacher’s Google Classroom. Your school site will be contacting you with additional information.

How much time do students have to complete courses?

Students have the semester to complete all course work.

How much time will be needed each day?

Individualization

What if my child has special needs?

The online program offers one-to-one teaching and allows for modifications according to the child’s IEP. Stillwater Schools will also provide teacher support to students on an IEP or 504.

However, learning in an online environment may not be an appropriate placement for every student. IEP or 504 documentation is required before enrollment. District guidance staff, parents, and special education staff should make a determination of placement before deciding to enroll the student in courses. For additional assistance, please contact Melisa Kifer at 533-6300.

Students on an IEP will meet with their child’s IEP team to determine how classes can be modified to meet the needs of each student. Your child will receive additional support from a sped teacher as outlined in the IEP.

Will our children be able to do more hours a day to restructure their school calendar? Finish early, take longer breaks, etc?

Yes, this is a self paced program. Students will be able to work ahead and any time during the day that works best for them.

Will it be possible to be enrolled in one grade but take courses intended for another (e.g. 8th grade lang arts and science, etc, but 9th grade math)?

Yes, if the student has taken a proficiency test indicating that they have mastered that subject at their grade level and is ready for next grade level.

If a senior is considering virtual learning, but only has one class to complete graduation requirements, will they need to enroll in others?

A senior could enroll in just the needed number of credits. Please check with your child’s school counselor to make sure all requirements for graduation are met. Some of the specialized classes that we offer at the HS may not be offered through Edgenuity.

General

Who can participate?

Any PreK-12 student who is enrolled with Stillwater Public Schools is eligible to participate in virtual learning.

What if we discover virtual learning is not the right fit?

We want to ensure all students are placed in a successful learning environment. A student can drop a virtual class within the first 12 days without any consequences. The student, parent/guardian, and teacher work together to make this decision. A fee may be charged if a student drops after the twelfth day. Currently, based on a August 20 start date, the deadline to drop would be September 4.

Will we have to pay the elementary supply fee?

No, however, if you return to in person instruction at mid-year or any other time a prorated supply fee may apply.

Will students receive official grades in this program?

Yes, students participating virtual learning will receive grades each nine weeks and at the semester. These grades will be posted on official transcripts and will count towards graduation requirements. Weekly grade checks will be done at the secondary level for the purpose of academic eligibility in order to participate in athletic events and other activities.

At the end of the semester, will our child be placed in that teacher’s classroom for the Spring if they come back to Traditional Classroom?

Students that decide to return to the traditional class in the spring will be assigned a teacher. We are keeping seats available in classes so that there is room to add students in the spring and meet class size recommendations.

How will attendance be monitored?

Students are expected to log in daily for each course and participate in instruction. It is recommended that students spend the same amount of time on their online classes as they would if they attended classes in person at school. Attendance will be measured through student logins, communication with the teacher, participation and completion of assignments. To have satisfactory attendance, assignment are to be turned in weekly unless other arrangements have been made with the teacher.

Will my child be required to take standardized tests?

Yes, all students enrolled in virtual learning must complete state standardized tests.

In compliance with the Reading Sufficiency Act (RSA) law, the district requires K-5 students to complete reading benchmark assessments through IStation each month. The assessment will take place at their home school site and will be given by a reading specialist. If you have questions, please contact Diane Fix at 533-6300.

Can my child participate in athletics, fine arts or extracurricular activities?

Yes! Students enrolled in virtual learning may participate in extracurricular activities and/or clubs in Stillwater Public Schools. A student may need to be enrolled in a traditional class held at the site to participate for some activities such as athletics or fine arts classes. Students also need to maintain eligibility according to the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association (OSSAA) guidelines in order to participate in games or contests.

Why require students to commit to a full semester?

SPS is asking parents to commit to a semester to assist in planning for the school year and to prevent the district from wasting money. SPS will not charge students to participate in virtual learning as the district will incur the cost of Edgenuity, which is substantial if they provide the teacher. However, if a parent decides to commit his or her child to virtual learning and then decides to return to traditional classroom learning prior to the 12th day of school, then he or she may do so. Edgenuity does not charge the district if a student drops within this time frame.

Will my child be considered a Stillwater High School graduate after completing the required course credits?

Yes, your child will be considered a Stillwater High School graduate after completing the required course credits.

How will students recover lost skills from last year?

The teachers of record for each grade level and subject area will provide instruction and supplemental materials covering missed content from the last nine weeks of school. This will be in addition to the Edgenuity content.

Will Virtual Learning parents/guardians receive the same training as Traditional Learning parents/guardians on Google Classroom and other platforms?

Yes, we will work to make certain parents are equipped to assist their students in navigating the various online learning platforms.

What if I want my child to attend virtual learning and be eligible to play college sports?

There are strict rules concerning NCAA compliance. In order to be in compliance with NCAA regulations, the courses must be taught as written and all assignments completed without modification. The teacher of record must be an Edgenuity instructor.

Can students switch back to traditional classroom learning at semester or do they have to spend the entire year on virtual learning?

Yes, students may transition back to in person instruction at the semester.

If my student finishes their high school credits who do they receive a diploma from?

Students enrolled in Virtual Learning will receive their degree from Stillwater Public Schools; Edgenuity is a learning platform not a school district.

Do the classes count for NCAA credits for high school?

Yes, however there are specific requirements for coursework and testing for students to be NCAA eligible. Please let your counselor know of you are considering NCAA eligibility.

What is a parent/guardian's role with elementary students?

Learning Coach Guide K-3 (1).pdf

Learning Coach Guide 4-5 (1).pdf

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