6172.6 - Distance Education

6172.6

Instruction

Distance Education

Distance Learning Plan Due to Health-Based School Closure

This policy outlines Windsor Locks Public School’s District plan to provide distance learning options in the event that the school District must be closed partially, fully or as an option for families, due to an emergency health situation. This action plan allows District Schools to operate remotely while continuing to provide meaningful instruction to students through the use of a variety of instructional resources.

The Board of Education (Board) seeks to ensure fluid operation as well as provide equitable access for all students. A distance learning day is a remote school day where students and staff have an opportunity to explore and engage in meaningful learning experiences that are: (a) aligned to the curriculum, (b) connected to standards, and (c) relevant to the current instructional sequence and (d) mirrors and follows the school schedule (daily) and district calendar. While nothing replaces the genuine human interactions that happen authentically in the classroom between students and teachers, distance learning will support continuity of instruction in the event of a health-related closure.

Distance learning school days will run as detailed in the section below entitled “Scheduling.” The schedule will allow teaching staff adequate time to present the learning experience to support students as they (a) access information, (b) prioritize their day, and (c) communicate with their teacher(s). Teachers will be available during their contracted hours as outlined in the respective bargaining units and in accordance with the district calendar.

Goals of the Distance Learning Program

The Board, by its adoption of this policy, establishes the following goals for the distance learning program:

1. To ensure the continuity of instruction if and when a pandemic negatively impacts the District’s ability to maintain daily operations for all students to be physically present.

2. To continue to provide students with an authentic, meaningful, and comprehensive school experience that mirrors the classroom experience to the greatest extent possible.

3. To mitigate or completely eliminate possible exposure to and spread of pandemic influenza among students, parents, guardians, employees, and community members.

4. To ensure compliance with all federal and state statutes and regulations and Board policies and administrative regulations, as may be amended by state and federal authorities, in collaboration with the CT Department of Public Health, the Connecticut State Department of Education and the North Central Public Health Department.

Key Components of the Distance Learning Program

1. Equitable Access: To provide equitable instruction, the District will ensure that all students have access to instructional materials and electronic devices.

2. Students in K-12 will be required to log-in to a device and follow their school schedule each day that school is scheduled to be in session.

3. Students in K-12, the District will ensure that all students have access to a device during the day.

4. Data about access to the Internet and the availability of digital devices for student use at home is to be collected by the District. In the event that a student does not have access to a computer or Wi-Fi at home, the District will provide a device and/or a hotspot for student use.

Communication

1. Upon a directive from the Governor and/or Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) notification will be sent to parents/guardians utilizing the District’s emergency notification/communication system. Detailed instructions will also be posted on the school and District websites.

2. During a partial or full closure, the school buildings shall/may remain open for a portion of the day to allow staff and students to gather personal items and collect necessary learning materials. A school specific schedule will be communicated by the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee.

3. In the event an immediate directive from a State official is provided, the District will provide additional guidance, as necessary, at that time.

Attendance

The Board directs the Superintendent or his/her designee to develop a plan to verify and track student attendance as related to the provided distance learning activities. Parents/guardians must report the days their child(ren) are unable to participate in the provided distance learning activities due to illness or other specified reason. A means of reporting absences must be made available to parents/guardians.

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying

During distance learning days, the District will adhere to all aspects of our Harassment Intimidation and Bullying policies and procedures.

Time Schedules

Teachers/staff will be available during their contracted hours in accordance with school schedules and the district calendar. Any variation to this schedule is at the discretion of the Superintendent or his/her designee.

School Nutrition Benefits

Any student who receives free and reduced school breakfast/lunch shall be afforded the opportunity to pick up a nutritional school lunch prepared by the food service provider/department. The schedule for availability and locations of pickup shall be posted on the District and school websites and through the District’s emergency notification system.

Resources to Support Instruction

The District shall utilize varied resources to support student learning. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. The posting on the school’s website is a webpage devoted to relevant online resources and digital subscriptions.

2. Teacher/staff utilization of Google Apps for Education, District e-mail, and other online platforms for instruction, in accordance with the district's software data privacy agreements.

3. Teacher/staff will use live streaming via district supported camera (front of room facing only), audio microphones and ceiling mounted speakers to engage all learners both in person and remotely following their class/school schedule.

4. Teacher/staff will have full control over, when not directly instructing the class, to mute the microphone and camera.

5. In the absence of a learning space with district supported camera, microphones and ceiling mounted speakers, teachers/staff will pre-record in advance and post in advance a video lesson for all students that are not able to physically be present in the classroom.

Instruction: Student Responsibilities

1. All students will have access to digital resources to be used at home and when physically present in school.

2. Students without a school approved excuse will be held responsible for all work not completed by the assigned deadline. Deadlines will be assigned at the discretion of the classroom teacher and assignments will be returned either graded or with feedback in a timely manner.

3. Students must adhere to the district’s acceptable use policy and any violation will be cause for disciplinary action.

4. Students may not record any portion of a teacher’s lesson on any device without prior permission and consent by the teacher and the building administrator.

5. Students will continue to receive provisions of their IEP requirements and will be provided with a free and appropriate program (FAPE) encompassing special education and related services to the greatest extent possible under the circumstances. What is appropriate and reasonable will include the individual child’s circumstances as well as the circumstances related to the pandemic/epidemic emergency. All special education programming will be consistent with the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to the extent appropriate.

In order to monitor student engagement in continued learning, the Board expects the following actions to take place:

1. Teachers and support staff are to connect with all students to maintain their relationships, assist with issues related to assignments, and encourage full participation in the continued learning opportunities. Connections should be documented and tracked as appropriate.

2. Student support staff shall identify students who were chronically absent prior to the school closure/cancellation of classes or otherwise identified as needing additional support to determine if such support can continue virtually.

3. School administrators and support staff are to reach out to students who are not signing into online learning or engaging in other continued learning opportunities. Families are to be contacted by school staff to ensure safety and well-being and connect students to the continued learning opportunities and technology they may require.

Grading & Feedback

The Board of Education shall approve any changes in grading and reporting systems as developed by the administration and faculty and upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools.

(cf. 0523 – Equity and Diversity)

(cf. 3520.13 – Student Data Protection & Privacy/Cloud-Based Issues)

(cf. 5131.81 – Use of Electronic Devices)

(cf. 5131.911 – Bullying)

(cf. 5131.913 – Cyberbullying)

(cf. 5141.4 – Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect)

(cf. 6114.8 – Pandemic/Epidemic Emergencies)

(cf. 6114.81 – Emergency Suspension of Policy During Pandemic)

(cf. 6141.321 – Acceptable Computer Use)

(cf. 6141.323 – Filtering Access to Electronic Networks)

(cf. 6141.324 – Posting of Student Work/Photographs)

(cf. 6141.327 –Electronic Resources)

(cf. 6141.3291 – One-to-One Tablet Program)

(cf. 6141.326 – Online Social Networking)

(cf. 6141.328 – Bring Your Own Device)

(cf. 6141.329 – Electronic Reading (e-reader) Devices)

(cf. 6146.1 – Assessment Systems)

(cf. 6156.2 – Off-Site Computer Use)

(cf. 6172.6 – Virtual/Online Course; Distance Education)

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes

10-221 Boards of education to prescribe rules.

18 U.S.C. §§2510-2522, Electronic Communication Privacy Act

Policy Adopted: August 13, 2020 Windsor Locks Public Schools

Windsor Locks, Connecticut