Disclaimer: All information provided below is subject to change. Information included throughout this website is based on information and guidance currently available.
The SWSD Reopening Plan successfully completed NJDOE Compliance Review on 8/9/20.
PLEASE ALSO VISIT OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. A SECTION HAS BEEN CREATED JUST FOR DISTANCE LEARNING.
Distance Learning will look different in September 2020 than it did in the spring of 2020. In the spring, the District was thrust into a period of unknown, with no notice, and so we define this period as "emergency teaching." However, SWSD is committed to raising the bar for the delivery of virtual instruction. Beginning in late spring and throughout the summer, the District has worked hard to plan for this upcoming fall.
For students enrolled in the Hybrid Learning Model, they will engage with virtual classrooms activities/resources during times when not on-site. Teachers will deliver support in a "live" (person-to-person) format, and they will provided self- recorded instruction, too. This is known as synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Students, regardless of their learning modality, will have the opportunity to engage with at least one teacher during the day.
Students who opt for the Distance Learning Only Model, will benefit from a structured schedule and more online interaction as compared to the Spring 2020.
The District will continue to utilize Google Classroom; this is the platform students will use in school - especially when SWSD returns to full-capacity instruction.
The District is/will be providing ongoing professional development for staff with a much larger picture in mind focused around shifting our instructional online model to one which represents a more collaborative, engaging, and beneficial learning experience for our students as well as families. District supported professional development will review ways in which to utilize various tools (e.g. Flipgrid, Edpuzzle) in Google Classroom as well as focusing on the overall framework for engaging students in an online environment, This includes:
▪ Building strong teacher-student rapports
▪ Planning for collaboration among peers
▪ Much more teacher "facetime" through both synchronous and asynchronous deliveries
▪ Clear communication of what is to be learned, how it is to be learned, and why it is important
▪ Accelerated instruction so students continue moving forward with grade-level standards while also having scaffolded support resources
▪ Encouraging student feedback (having students feel safe to ask questions)
▪ Providing timely and ongoing teacher feedback in various modalities
▪ Including fun and creativity so that students are motivated and engaged
Additionally, a SWSD Hybrid/Virtual Teaching Committee has been formed and will meet throughout August 2020. The focus of this committee is to share ideas, discuss feedback, and collectively share best (and most practical) approaches in our new world of instruction. Together, we will strive to provide the best experience for students and families in this new age of education.
It is important to us the community is aware we read everyone's commentary provided in the District's Community Surveys. We listened and embraced the feedback to move the District forward to best meet our student needs.
Students will be required to log in every day in the Distance Learning Model and complete the daily attendance question prior to 8:00 p.m. on each of the 180 student learning days.
Attendance is still required and roll will be recorded every day. Truancy policies are still in effect, and students who are sick and not able to engage will be required to provide the school with a doctor's note. (Notes may be scanned, emailed, or mailed to the District.)
It should be expected that students in grades 1 - 6 will engage in learning for no less than FOUR hours a day. This is defined as FOUR HOURS of instruction provided by the classroom teacher (synchronous and asynchronous) AND the student's engagement in independent classwork.
It should be expected that students in Preschool and Kindergarten will engage in learning for no less that 2.5 hours a day.
Although Distance Learning does provide flexibility to our families, there will be structured times each day when students may engage with their teacher via Zoom / Google Meet. These experiences can not be duplicated.
Students enrolled in the Distance Learning Model are required to complete and submit their daily assignments.
This form will open on Friday, August 21, 2020 for all families interested in registering your child in the Distance Learning Model for the start of the 2020 - 2021 school year. Please review the guidelines in policy #1648.02 in the District's Reopening Plan. One form PER CHILD must be submitted.