Pursuant to Senate Bill 153 and California Education Code section 32282, subdivision (a)(3)(A), Extera Public Schools (“Extera Public Schools” or “Charter School”) adopts the following Instructional Continuity Plan (“ICP”) to establish communication with students and their families and provide instruction to students when in-person instruction is disrupted due to a qualifying emergency or a natural disaster pursuant to California Education Code 41422 and 43692(a) and it materially reduces the Charter School’s average daily attendance (“Emergency Event”).

The Instructional Continuity Plan (“ICP”) states how Extera Public Schools will:

Establish communication with students and families not later than five (5) calendar days of an Emergency Event that disrupts in-person education, with the goal being to establish two-way communication and to identify and provide students with social-emotional, mental health, and academic supports; and
Establish access to alternative in-person instruction, remote instruction, or a hybrid model no more than ten (10) instructional days after an Emergency Event disrupts in-person education.

DEFINITIONS

“Remote Learning” means instruction in which the student and certificated teacher are in different locations and instruction shall be aligned with traditional independent study per Education Code 51745-51747.5. Instructional time shall be based on the time value of the learning tasks and assignments delegated by the teacher.

“In-person instruction” means instruction under the immediate physical supervision and control of a certificated employee of the Charter School while engaged in educational activities required of the student.

“Two-way communication” may include phone calls, email, or instant messaging through Infinite Campus and/or Class DOJO as well as Google Classroom, the Charter School’s portal.

“Emergency or natural disaster” may include wildfires, earthquakes, severe weather, floods, landslides, tsunamis, pandemic, infectious disease outbreaks, chemical/hazardous materials spill or threat, etc.

STUDENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

To provide consistency during an Emergency Event, the Charter School’s primary mode of communication shall be through Infinite Campus. This platform provides a secure environment to communicate with each student and their parent/guardian through instant messages, classroom postings, flyers, and embedded documents. In addition to Infinite Campus, teachers will communicate with parents/guardians on a regular basis through traditional communication channels (i.e. phone calls, online classroom postings, Google Classroom and Zoom as well as through Class DoJo, etc.) regarding each student’s academic progress, attendance/participation, behavior, and social-emotional well-being.

Initial Notification Extera Public Schools shall:

Engage students and families as soon as practicable following an Emergency Event that disrupts in-person learning. The initial communication establishing two-way communication with students and their families shall occur no later than five (5) calendar days following an Emergency Event. This communication shall:

Notify students and families that in-person instruction will be disrupted as a result of the emergency or natural disaster;

Provide students and families with a status update, based on the most up-to-date and credible sources available, on the nature and extent of the emergency or natural disaster;

Inform the Charter School community of the methods the school will use to communicate with students and families while in-person instruction is disrupted;

Request that students and families check in and report their physical well-being, as well as any immediate social-emotional, mental health, and academic needs; and

Provide support for students’ social-emotional, mental health, and academic needs by using internal resources to the extent available, and by referring families to any community-based or emergency-focused resources and services providers that may be available.

Remote Instruction

Charter School shall provide access to in-person or remote instruction as soon as practicable, but no more than ten (10) instructional days following the Emergency Event, which includes:

If in-person instruction is not feasible, the Charter School will provide remote instruction pursuant to Extera Public Schools’s Independent Study Policy and procedures; and

Provide access to instructional resources such as a laptop, internet, and instructional materials to participate in remote instruction as follows: Families without devices or internet, or with shared devices, will check out devices at a central location upon completion of a technology checkout agreement. For families unable to pick up a device, Extera Public Schools will attempt to deliver the device to the family if possible.

If the online portal is not accessible due to unforeseen disruptions, students and families will be provided packets to ensure schoolwork from teachers related to assignments, instruction, and assessments is uninterrupted; or

If an Emergency Event disrupts in-person learning and independent study is not feasible, a student may also be offered enrollment in or be temporarily reassigned to another site, school district, county office of education, or charter school^[1]. This information will be determined on a case-by-case basis and communicated to each impacted family. The Charter School is working to establish partnerships with the following local education agencies (“LEAs”) to temporarily support Extera Public Schools’ students in case of an emergency where remote instruction is not feasible: LA Parks and Recreation.

Communication

Extera Public Schools’ communication platform is Infinite Campus and all communications regarding an Emergency Event will be posted on this platform, which is accessible to all students, parents/guardians, and Extera Public Schools employees.

Infinite Campus and Class DoJo will also be used to provide instructions to the school community regarding how and when families will access instruction, academic supports, social-emotional resources, and important updates regarding when in-person instruction will resume.

Other forms of communication will be as follows:

Questions regarding academic instruction, assessments, homework, etc. will occur through Class DoJo;
Teachers will communicate with parents/guardians on a regular basis through traditional communication channels (i.e. Class DoJo, Zoom);
The Charter School’s website and Infinite Campus will:

Identify whether instruction is in-person, remote, or hybrid;
Provide updates and solutions about the impact the Emergency Event is having on providing in-person, remote, or hybrid instruction; and
Provide an outlook for when and how normal operations will resume. through the Charter School’s Google Classroom, and when in-person instruction will resume.

If the Emergency Event has negatively impacted power or internet services, flyers will be posted at local community centers, libraries, and other publicly accessible locations.

This information will be provided upon the Charter School’s emergency closure and updated every 48 hours.

TECHNOLOGY

To solidify and strengthen technology readiness for students and educators to support a pivot to independent study from in-person instruction, Extera Public Schools orients every student and employee within the first thirty (30) days of the school year and again annually to the Charter School’s G-Suite and App Store which is a bundle of the Charter School’s digital resources that students and educators will access during a school closure.

Extera Public Schools annually surveys its families to determine which students will need a laptop computer and an internet hotspot in the event of a school closure. With this information, the Charter School has purchased and stockpiled extra devices for distribution and to replace damaged or destroyed equipment.

INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT

Independent Study Agreements

All students will be asked to sign an independent study agreement during the enrollment/re-enrollment period every year to ensure agreements are in place prior to an Emergency Event that limits or prevents access to the school site.

Course Content

The Charter School shall provide content aligned to grade-level standards that is substantially equivalent to in-person instruction.

Assessments

Teachers will use the following assessment tools to check for student understanding: curriculum based assessments, exit tickets, interim SBAC assessment questions, and teacher created checks for understanding.

The Charter School will use multiple assessment tools to determine each student’s areas of progress and growth including: curriculum based assessments, curriculum-based diagnostics, exit tickets, interim SBAC assessments, interim ELPAC assessments.

Each student and their parent/guardian will receive confidential results of the above assessments through Infinite Campus.

Academic Support

Students demonstrating the need for additional support will be contacted by their teacher and/or wellness counselor to discuss remedial measures or to convene a Student Support & Progress Team (“SSPT”), Section 504, or Individualized Education Program (“IEP”) Team meeting to review additional accommodations, services, or support.

Teachers will maintain virtual office hours to provide students or a student’s parent/guardian the opportunity to clarify assignments, request additional academic support, or address other areas of concern. Each teacher’s office hours will be posted within their virtual classroom.

EQUITABLE ACCESS

The Charter School shall utilize its multi-tiered systems of support (“MTSS”) to address the needs of students who are not performing at grade level, or who need support in other areas, such as English Learners, students in foster care or students who are experiencing homelessness, and/or students requiring mental health support. The Charter School complies with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”) and is committed to meeting the needs of individuals with exceptional needs in order to be consistent with the student’s individualized education program (“IEP”). Policies, procedures, and guidelines are in place to ensure that students are identified, assessed, and provided a free appropriate public education (“FAPE”) in the least restrictive environment. The Charter School complies with Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) and is committed to providing equivalent access to and providing a FAPE to all students with disabilities.

Students with Disabilities

The Charter School shall provide and maintain all accommodations and services in accordance with the emergency alternative plan outlined within each student’s IEP and Section 504 Plan. All services will be provided virtually in accordance with the plan outlined in each student’s IEP. Assessments will be completed within the compliance timeline indicated in each IEP.

The Director of Special Education will oversee the implementation of each student’s IEP within the remote learning environment. All inquiries related to a student’s IEP should be directed to the Director of Special Education at ahannon@exteraschools.org.

The Director of Special Education and Intervention Programming will oversee the implementation of each student’s Section 504 Plan within the remote learning environment. All inquiries related to a student’s Section 504 Plan should be directed to the Director of Special Education and Intervention Programming at ahannon@exteraschools.org.

English Learners

All students who are English Learners (“EL”) will receive English Language Development (“ELD”) support while enrolled in remote learning. Each teacher will be responsive to each EL students’ different strengths, needs and identities, and support the socio-emotional health and development of ELs through structured lessons that explicitly target language development skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, interactive activities, scaffolding, visual aids, differentiated instruction, and access to rigorous, standards-based curriculum to meet each student’s unique needs.

The Director of Special Education and Intervention Programming will oversee the implementation of designated and integrated ELD within the remote learning environment. All inquiries related to an EL should be directed to the Director of Special Education and Intervention Programming at ahannon@exteraschools.org.

Foster Students and Students Experiencing Homelessness

A student in foster care or a student who is experiencing homelessness will be provided additional support through the Charter School’s MTSS and may contact the Homeless Student Liaison at ahannon@exteraschools.org or the Foster Student Liaison at ahannon@exteraschools.org for additional support.

The National Center for Homeless Education’s Helpline is also staffed Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern Time. Email: NCHE.helpline@safalpartners.com or phone: +1 305-306-8495.

Mental Health Needs

Extera Public School recognizes that when an Emergency Event occurs it can cause unidentified and unaddressed mental health challenges. Access to mental health services is not only critical to improving the physical and emotional safety of students and employees, but it also helps address barriers to learning and provides support so that all students can learn problem-solving skills and achieve in school and, ultimately, in life. The following resources are available to your child during an emergency:

Available through the Charter School: Counseling services will be available virtually from a Student Wellness Counselor.

Available in the Community:

ENKI LA Youth and Family: (323) 832-9795; http://www.ehrs.com/
ALMA Family Services: (323) 526-4016; https://almafamilyservices.org/

Available Nationally:

National Suicide Prevention Hotline - This organization provides confidential support for adults and youth in distress, including prevention and crisis resources. Available 24 hours at 988 or 1-800-273-8255.
The Trevor Project - This organization provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ youth between the ages of 13 and 24. Available at 1-866-488-7386 or visit https://www.thetrevorproject.org/.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America – This organization is a community- based mentorship program. Community-specific program information can be found online at https://www.bbbs.org or by calling (813) 720-8778.
Brightlife Kids - Personalized support for California families. Kids ages 0-12 get free, expert coaching for sleep issues, worry, social skills, and more. Live, 1:1 video sessions, secure chat, on-demand content, and more.

https://www.hellobrightline.com/brightlifekids/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid-performance_max&utm_campaign=blk-reg&utm_content=PMAX&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid-performance_max&utm_campaign=blk-reg&utm_content=PMAX&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21245221374&gbraid=0AAAAAqhXuAM95OGau4EsM4kpZJiGAx6-L&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImdaDjaKajgMVUSdECB24kBlzEAAYASAAEgIQyvD_BwE

Soluna - As the very first platform to offer self-support, peer support, and 1:1 professional support-all in one place, for free-Soluna is here to advocate for mental health like no one has before. Support for young people ages 13 to 25. https://solunaapp.com/
CA Suicide and Prevention - At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone. 988, (800) 273-8255, https://988lifeline.org/
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. (800) 950-6264; https://www.nami.org/YOUR-JOURNEY/KIDS-TEENSAND-YOUNG-ADULTS

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Meals

If meal service is disrupted at the Charter School, meals will be provided through the following methods: distribution through the Extera Home Office at 3632 E 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90063 between 10am-1pm for breakfast and lunch meals to go.

After School Care

If after-school care is interrupted, the Charter School will partner with After School All Stars and local organizations to identify After School Care Options.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

At the beginning of each school year, and upon hire, Extera Public Schools will provide teachers with regular training on the tools, platforms, and strategies to be adept at online or paper packet lesson plan development, assessing students, and supporting diverse learners during remote learning. The Charter School will also provide professional development on virtual classroom management.

RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING

The conditions to be met prior to returning to in-person learning may include, but are not limited to the following:

Evacuation orders lifted
Power and utilities functioning
Healthy air quality
Access to safe and clean water
Campus is free from debris and hazards
Internet fiber lines are connected and functioning
Staff are available to cover those affected by the fires
Kitchen is up and running for meals
It is safe to travel to and from the school site

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[1] When a student is temporarily reassigned to another LEA outside of the school district in which the student’s parent(s) or guardian resides, then, notwithstanding any other law, that student shall be deemed to have complied with the residency requirements for attendance in the LEA that is temporarily serving the student pursuant to this ICP.