Schedules & Models
Scenarios for Instruction
Based upon the Academic Programming Survey data received from parents in May and July, we know that our community wants students on campus as safely as possible. With that in mind, we have used the following principles to build our schedule and models for the 2020-2021 school year.
Schedule: On-Campus/Hybrid/Remote
School Day - Modified Hours
We want to provide students with the full school experience. However, we recognize the need to adjust the schedule, creating a shorter in-person instructional school day. Based on our experience in the spring, we also know that limiting screen time is critical in the remote learning mode.
Our school day hours remain 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Students will receive instruction (either on campus or remotely) about 5 1⁄2 hours a day. School days will include core subjects - Religion, ELA, math, social studies, and science. Students will be dismissed for lunch at home, which will be followed by a self-directed, co-curricular subject and a virtual closing circle at 2:30 pm. Homework will be assigned as necessary and due dates will be enforced.
School-wide Remote Learning
Though the school year will begin with distance learning, our priority is to be on campus as much as possible. We are prepared to adjust our calendar according to public mandates and circumstances. In the event we are notified by government or public health officials of the need to close the campus, school will continue remotely.
If a shelter-in-place mandate is required at any point during the school year, we are committed to meeting and exceeding expectations based on our experience from last spring, ongoing feedback from families, and further research. Our focus will be:
Delivering on our vision and mission
Providing students with a high quality, student-centered learning experience
Communicating clearly and consistently
Instructional Minutes
Each grade level teacher will provide families with specific instructional schedules for the week. Teachers utilize the template below as a guide to instructional minutes.
MODELS for LEARNING
Scalability
Given the changing landscape of COVID-19, the reopening plan allows for scaled density (total number of students on campus) throughout the year. Based on CDC predictions and the changing conditions experienced so far this summer, we may be able to accommodate all students safely on campus at some times. We may need students to be fully remote at times - Distance Learning - and we may experience periods when only 50-60% of our student body can be on campus, while the other 40-50% learns at home - the Hybrid Model. The schedule can accommodate full classes or cohorts composed of a reduced number of students per grade on campus on any given day, allowing us to scale the density of our student population up and down, while maintaining the same schedule whether students are learning remotely or on campus.
Risk Reduction
As noted, we will begin the school year with distance learning. When we return to campus, we will follow a modified instructional schedule. Middle School students in grades 5-8 will be divided into two cohorts each. Instruction will begin at 8:00 am and students will be dismissed at 12:30 pm (K-2 ) and 12:45 pm (3-8). Co-curricular and self-directed classes will resume online at 1:45 pm with a virtual closing circle at 2:30 pm.
SCENARIO 1: On-Campus Learning
On-Campus Learning defined - All students are on campus to learn between the hours of 8:00 am and 12:20 pm for K students , 12:30 pm for 1-2 students, 12:40 for 3-4 students and 12:45 pm for 5-8 students. Middle school students (5-8) will be in cohorts. In-classroom instruction will be with the grade band team of teachers.
K-4 classes will be instructed as whole classes following the guidelines provided by the SFDPH.
100% Density
5-8 Cohorts
Cohorts created at each grade level with separate learning environments assigned to each group. If space allows, whole class instruction will be accommodated.
K-4 Whole Class
Each grade level will learn as a whole class on all school days.
SCENERIO 2: HyFlex Model
HyFlex Model defined - If the school is required to reduce the number of students per classroom.
All students are on campus to learn between the hours of 8:00am and 12:30pm for K-2 students and 8:00am and 12:45pm for 3-8 students. Because of the researched shared with us, the middle school students in 5-8 grades will be in cohorts from the beginning. Cohorts will alternate between in classroom instruction one day (BLUE DAY) and asynchronous instruction in a designated learning annex on the other day (GOLD DAY). In classroom instruction will be with the grade band team of teachers. The Learning Annex will be supervised and monitored by an instructional support staff.
Grades K - 4 will combine cohorts A and B for whole class in-person instruction four days a week.
60% Density
5-8 Cohorts
Cohorts created at each grade level.
K-4 combined Cohorts
Cohorts will be created within the grade band in case there is a need to roll back to Scenario 3 - Hybrid Model.
SCENARIO 3: Hybrid Model
Hybrid Model defined - If the school is required to reduce the number of students on campus.
School hours on campus and remotely will remain the same - 8:00 am to 12:30 pm for K-2 students and 8:00 am to 12:45 pm for 3-8 students with after-lunch instruction occurring remotely for all students.
Grades K - 4 will split into assigned cohorts creating three separate groups. Each group will have a designated learning space and teacher. Kindergarten will split into assigned cohorts creating two separate groups. Each group will have a designated space and teacher.
5th through 8th grade cohorts will alternate between in-classroom instruction two days a week and concurrent instruction at home remotely on three days a week. One of the three days will include a flex-day for remote learning and potential in-person instruction. In-classroom instruction will be with the grade band team of teachers. Remote learning will be supported by teachers and instructional support staff. ALL students will participate in the closing circle activities at 2:30 pm.
Reduced Density
5-8 Cohorts
Cohorts created at each grade level.
1-2 & 3-4 Cohorts
Cohorts created within each grade band or within each grade level depending on staffing.
K Cohort
Cohorts will be created within the grade level.
SCENARIO 4: School-wide Remote Learning
Remote Learning defined: If the school is required to close access to the campus.
0% Density
All students are learning remotely from home and will follow the schedule provided by each grade level teacher. Schedules will include synchronous and asynchronous instruction throughout the school day with opening and closing activities for each grade level.
Other Reminders
Orientation Days - August 18 and 19 (Updated Aug 11, 2020)
To aid our transition into the school year, we will be assigning students to an orientation slot by family on the first two days of school. By city mandate, these have been moved to a virtual platform. Please see SchoolSpeak for more details.
Cohorts
Cohorts will be created with teacher, parent, and student input. A cohort assists in the reduction of class size and maintains consistency within a group of students in case contact tracing becomes a necessity. Cohort size will be determined closer to the beginning of the school year base on the latest guidelines from the San Francisco Department of Public Health.
Travel Restrictions
According to current CDC guidelines, anyone who travels internationally needs to self-quarantine for 14 days before coming to a school campus. Please be mindful of your travel plans 14 days before the beginning of school, as self-quarantines for travel could impact the start of school for your children.