Classical ResponsiveEd Remote Learning Guidelines 08112020

Classical Academy campuses will offer both2 on-campus and remote instruction during the 2020-21 school year. On-campus and remote learning experiences will vary by campus and campus leadership will communicate expectations for both options.

An opportunity to select or change each student's instructional environment will be available prior to each grading period. We will utilize a new parent communication portal called ParentSquare for parents to submit their choice later this week. Families should have received a text or email with an invitation to log into the portal on Friday, July 24. The next opportunity to change each student’s instructional environment will come at the end of each grading period. Remote learning will be required for students experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, are laboratory-confirmed to have COVID-19, or found to be in “close contact” with someone confirmed to have COVID-19. The CDC defines close contact as “any individual who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days before positive specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.” Close contact occurs regardless of whether the individuals wear face coverings.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires that elementary and middle school families have the opportunity to participate in on-campus instruction five (5) days a week. As such, it is unlikely that we will be able to implement an A/B schedule for on-campus instruction (i.e., a schedule that permits two different groups of students to alternatively participate in on-campus instruction 2-3 days each week). After parents select their choice for their student’s instructional environment, we will communicate if an A/B schedule can be offered.

Elementary and Middle School Remote Learning

Elementary and Middle School Remote Learning Instruction

In grades PK through 5th, our remote model for students requires significant support from caring adults at home and within the online classroom environment. Activities are designed to ensure that students continue learning at the pace of the current Classical Academy scope and sequence as well as develop a love of learning and gain the reading, writing, and mathematics skills essential to their future success.

In keeping with our identity as an outstanding school district, Classical Academy will structure the students’ learning schedule to require students to participate in synchronous and asynchronous learning depending on the identified learning model. It will be vital for teachers and parents to openly communicate the schedules for the students.

ARD/IEP committees will determine the unique needs of students who are IEP-entitled in making support and service recommendations for students attending school virtually. The nature of special education interventions will likely require a heavier concentration of synchronous supports and services to ensure individual student needs are met.

Role of the Student and Parent/Guardian within Elementary and Middle School Remote Learning

Student

Parent/Guardian

Follows principles of Classical Academy ’s learner profile

Follow the designated schedule communicated by their teacher to attend class during synchronous times and complete asynchronous activities assigned
Participate in learning through live class time (using proper etiquette)
Students should take responsibility for advocating for themselves
Turn in school work at the direction of the assigned teacher
Responsible for participation in the lesson

Facilitate academic support and encouragement as a learning partner to motivate and guide your child throughout the school year in your role as a learning coach
Ensure your child is on track with assignments and coursework
Provide your child with assistance on their day-to-day activities with the exception of designated independent work
Assist in supporting your child’s needs by establishing and managing the daily schedule communicated by the teacher
Consider creating a designated learning space for your child at home to learn comfortably
Maintain communication with your child’s teacher by phone, email messages, and/or online meetings to create a learning partnership
Help your child own their learning. Provide support and encouragement, and expect your children to do their part. Struggling is allowed and encouraged! Don’t help too much. Becoming independent takes lots of practice.

Classical Academy expectations for synchronous learning

Synchronous Instruction: Existing or occurring at the same time - such as “live” on-line teaching.
Students attend remote learning classes on time
Students will dress appropriately as defined by the campus leadership
Students are prepared to learn
Students should have a designated area to learn
Students will keep their cameras on and will show their face on the screen
Students will stay engaged with the teacher and fellow students in the remote classroom
Students will take an active role in the class

Classical Academy expectations for asynchronous learning

Asynchronous instruction: Existing or happening at the same time - such as recorded video instruction.
Students will complete asynchronous lessons daily
Students will prove daily participation by completing assignments
Students will submit lessons and completed assignments
Students will demonstrate student learning by submitting videos, pictures and various activities
Students will engage with their teachers for academic assistance, tutorials, etc.

Instructional Delivery

The goal for Remote Learning is to allow for continued instruction while acknowledging the additional challenges that come without traditional, face-to-face classroom learning. Classical Academy is aware of and understands the difficulties faced by students and families and assures families that educational decisions are built to support all populations of students. Parents must also commit to a sense of cooperation in supporting the school’s decision making role.

Grades PK-1 Expectations

Instruction for PK through 1st grade appropriately focuses on student progress on standards and continuation of learning based on the academic checklist. Students may receive instruction in the following ways (include, but not limited to):

Authentic student work/assignments with timely and relevant feedback for continued progress in learning of the standard
Hands-on activities which may need an extra pair of at “home” hands
Storyboards
Turning in of assignments and complete tasks
Video lessons

Grades 2-5 Expectations

Instruction for grades 2-5 appropriately focuses on student progress on standards and the continuation of learning. Students may receive instruction in the following ways (include, but not limited to):

Authentic student work/assignments with timely and relevant feedback for continued progress in learning of the standard
Hands-on activities which may need an extra pair of at “home” hands
Storyboards
Turning in of assignments and complete tasks
Assessments
Video lessons
Project-based learning/assignments
Group/partner projects
Google classroom assignments

Schedule

While in our remote classes, time management is critical to success. Students and teachers must remain in communication regarding daily schedules and assignments. As with any traditional course, there is a risk of receiving a lower grade if a student falls behind. If your student is struggling with time management, then they should contact their teacher to add additional assistance.

In keeping with our identity as an outstanding school, teachers will structure the instructional day to follow the Classical Academy model of school and learning.

Within each content instructional block, teachers will plan for students to participate in synchronous and asynchronous learning depending on the identified learning model.

Teachers will structure small group time to differentiate instruction within the instructional block. This will require teachers to set up small group instruction schedules for students. It will be vital for teachers and parents to openly communicate the schedules for the students.

For students who are IEP-entitled, progress will be carefully monitored and ARD/IEP Committees will convene and make appropriate recommendations to meet individual student needs to ensure continued growth in the general education curriculum and on IEP goals and objectives.

Intervention and Enrichment

Intervention and Enrichment time will be scheduled for students to best meet their academic needs. During this time, students may engage in assigned group activities, project learning activities, small group instruction and digital platforms. Teachers will communicate with students their plan for the designated time.

Grades 6-8 (Middle School) Expectations

Classical Academy expectations for synchronous learning

Synchronous Instruction: Existing or occurring at the same time - such as “live” on-line teaching.
Students attend remote learning classes on time
Students will dress appropriately as defined by the campus leadership
Students are prepared to learn
Students should have a designated area to learn
Students will keep their cameras on and will show their face on the screen
Students will stay engaged with the teacher and fellow students in the remote classroom
Students will take an active role in the class

Classical Academy expectations for asynchronous learning

Asynchronous instruction: Existing or happening at the same time - such as recorded video instruction.
Students will complete asynchronous lessons daily
Students will prove daily participation by completing assignments
Students will submit lessons and completed assignments
Students will demonstrate student learning by submitting videos, pictures and various activities
Students will engage with their teachers for academic assistance, tutorials, etc.

Instructional Delivery

The goal for our remote learning is to allow for continued instruction while acknowledging the additional challenges that come without traditional, face-to-face classroom learning. Classical Academy is aware of and acknowledges the challenges faced by students and families and ensures that educational decisions are built to support all populations of students. Parents/guardians must also commit to a sense of cooperation in supporting the school’s decision-making role.

Instruction appropriately focuses on student progress on standards and the continuation of learning. During the period of school closure and virtual instruction, students may receive instruction in the following ways (including, but not limited to):
Authentic student work/assignments with timely and relevant feedback for continued progress in learning of the standard
Hands-on activities which may need additional assistance
Storyboards and develop lists
Instructional activities within BrightThinker and the Buzz platform
Portfolio tasks and turning in of assignments
Assessments
Video lessons
Project-based learning/assignments
Group/partner projects

Remote Learning Grading

Grading for all remote learning courses will follow the same grading policy as the courses in the face-to-face model. remote learning courses that earn high school credit will count in GPA calculation and class rank.

Schedule

While in remote learning, time management is critical to success. Students and teachers must remain in communication regarding daily schedules and assignments. As with any traditional course, there is a risk of receiving a lower grade if a student falls behind. If your student is struggling with time management, then he or she should contact his or her teacher for additional assistance.

In keeping with our identity as an outstanding school district, teachers will structure the instructional day to follow their campus bell schedule.

Within each course, teachers will plan for students to participate in synchronous and asynchronous learning depending on the identified learning model.

Intervention and Enrichment

Intervention and enrichment time will be scheduled regularly for students to best meet their academic needs. During this time, students may engage in assigned group activities, project learning activities, small group instruction, and digital platforms. Teachers will communicate with students their plan for the designated time.

High School Remote Learning

High School Remote Learning Instruction

In Classical Academy, our remote learning will require support from caring adults at home and within the online classroom environment. Activities are designed to ensure that students continue learning at the pace of the current Classical Academy scope and sequence as well as continue to develop a love of learning and gain appropriate academic and social-emotional skills that are essential to our students meet their goal and be ready for the future. Classes within the remote learning will follow the schedule of classes at the student’s home campus.

In keeping with our identity as an outstanding school district, Classical Academy will structure the students’ learning schedule to require students to participate in synchronous and asynchronous learning. We will ensure open lines of communication between teachers using Google Chat and with parents using ParentSquare.

ARD/IEP Committees will determine the unique needs of students who are IEP-entitled in making support and service recommendations for students attending school virtually. The nature of special education interventions will likely require a heavier concentration of synchronous supports and services to ensure individual student needs are met.

Role of the Student and Parent/Guardian within High School Remote Learning

Student

Parent/Guardian

Follows principles of Classical Academy ’s learner profile

Follow the designated schedule communicated by their campus to attend class during synchronous times and complete asynchronous activities assigned

Participate in learning through live class time (using proper etiquette)

Students should take responsibility for advocating for themselves

Turn in school work at the direction of the assigned teacher

Responsible for participation in the lesson

Daily participating in classes at designated times

Monitor and ask for evidence that your child is on track with assignments and coursework. Check the campus homepage for links to lessons from the teacher and the BrightThinker course.

Provide your child with assistance on their day-to-day activities except for designated independent work

Assist in supporting your child’s needs by establishing and managing the daily schedule communicated by the teacher and the campus

Consider creating a designated learning space for your child at home to learn comfortably

Maintain communication with your child’s teacher by phone, email messages, and/or online meetings to create a learning partnership

Struggling is allowed and encouraged! Don’t help too much. Becoming independent takes lots of practice.

High School Expectations

Classical Academy expectations for synchronous learning

Synchronous Instruction: Existing or occurring at the same time - such as “live” on-line teaching.
Students attend remote learning classes on time
Students will dress appropriately as defined by the campus leadership
Students are prepared to learn
Students should have a designated area to learn
Students will keep their cameras on and will show their face on the screen
Students will stay engaged with the teacher and fellow students in the remote classroom
Students will take an active role in the class

Classical Academy expectations for asynchronous learning

Asynchronous instruction: Existing or happening at the same time - such as recorded video instruction.
Students will complete asynchronous lessons daily
Students will prove daily participation by completing assignments
Students will submit lessons and completed assignments
Students will demonstrate student learning by submitting videos, pictures and various activities. Not all lessons must have an assignment, as there will be teacher discretion on the number of assignments, as they follow the Classical Academy guidelines.
Students will engage with their teachers for academic assistance, tutorials, etc.

Instructional Delivery

Instruction appropriately focuses on student progress on standards and the continuation of learning. During the period of school closure and virtual instruction, students may receive instruction in the following ways (including, but not limited to):

Authentic student work/assignments with timely and relevant feedback for continued progress in learning of the standard
Hands-on activities which may need additional assistance
Choice boards and playlists
Instructional activities within BrightThinker
Portfolio tasks and turning in of assignments
Assessments
Video lessons
Project-based learning/assignments
Group/partner projects

Remote Learning Grading

Grading for all remote learning courses will follow the same grading policy as the courses in the Face-to-Face model. remote learning courses that earn high school credit will count in GPA calculation and class rank.

Schedule

During virtual instruction, time management is critical to success. Students and teachers must remain in communication regarding daily schedules and assignments. As with any traditional course, there is a risk of receiving a lower grade if a student falls behind. If your student is struggling with time management, then he or she should contact his or her teacher for additional assistance.

In keeping with our identity as an outstanding school district, teachers will structure the instructional day to follow their campus schedule.

Within each course, teachers will plan for students to participate in synchronous and asynchronous learning depending on the identified learning model.

Intervention and Enrichment

PLEASE NOTE: The details in this document are subject to change as directives are provided by governing authorities and/or health officials or as environmental conditions change.

1 Classical Academy would like to extend a special thanks to Frisco ISD for the format and certain procedural content used in this document.

2 Unless government officials require or recommend school closure for on-campus instruction.

LAST UPDATED ON 08/11/2020