Parent Guidelines

The Westlake Academy Distance Learning Plan has been designed to provide families with a great deal of flexibility in order to meet the challenges associated with distance learning. It is important that parents create an environment with clear expectations that supports student learning.

The recommended guidelines provided below are intended to help parents think about what they can do to help their children find success in a distance learning environment.

• Establish routines and expectations for your children.

• Define a physical space and a schedule for your child to work.

• Monitor communications from your children’s teachers and administration.

• Begin and end each day with a check-in.

• Engage in conversations on posted materials and assignments.

• Assist students in adhering to Student-Parent Handbooks 2019-2020 (below), Westlake Academy’s Acceptable Use and Academic Honesty policies.

• Remain mindful of your child’s stress or worry.

• Monitor how much time your child is spending online; set rules around their social media interactions.

• Support your child’s well-being and emotional balance by providing ample room and time for reflection, physical activity, conversation, and play.

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General Student Guidelines

As you embark on distance learning, you may be faced with new challenges as a lifelong learner. You are knowledgeable inquirers who can successfully navigate this new modality of learning. Your ability to self-manage and think critically will assist you. In addition, you also have teachers, counselors, administrators, and other support staff to assist you as needed. It is important to know that as a community of learners, we are all in this together.

Here are some things to consider as we learn together:

• Create a space for learning in your home and establish a daily routine for engaging in the learning process.

• Communicate with your teacher. Speak up and ask for clarification as needed!

• Be mindful of waiting for a response - your teachers may be juggling many things at home, as well. You are not forgotten, and they will respond as soon as they can.

• Engage in all learning experiences with academic integrity.

• Turn work in according to the timeline provided by your teacher.

• Adhere to Student-Parent Handbook 2019-2020, Westlake Academy’s Acceptable Use and Academic Honesty policies.

• Review all feedback provided to improve your learning.

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Technology Agreement

As a Westlake Academy IB Student I understand that using digital devices (whether personal or school owned) and the Westlake Academy network is a privilege, and when I use them according to the Student-Parent Handbook I will keep that privilege.

I will:

• Use digital devices, networks, and software in school for educational purposes and activities

• Keep my personal information (including home/mobile phone number, mailing address, and user password) and that of others private

• Show respect for myself and others when using technology including social media

• Give acknowledgement to others for their ideas and work

• Report inappropriate use of technology immediately.

Please review our Student/Parent Property Use Agreement

Student-Parent Handbook

All guidelines and expectations communicated in the Student-Parent Handbook 2019-2020 apply during the Distance Learning period. Please refer to those here:

2019-2020 Primary Parent/Student Handbook

2019-2020 Secondary Parent/Student Handbook

Special Education & 504 Services

The Academy will continually evaluate the distance learning options available for students with disabilities to provide opportunities, to the greatest extent possible, for students to continue to receive special education and related services identified in the student’s IEP or a plan developed under Section 504. We will be following up with families individually to consider amendments to IEPs and 504 plans to address any possible changes to services during the Academy’s closure. To the extent necessary, the Academy will consider the need for compensatory education for students with disabilities when regular Academy operations resume.