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FAQ - for reopening
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MLSD ReOpening FAQ

  1. What resources are available for parents that are both working?

We are working in partnership with Communities in Schools of Spokane County, to provide support with educational access for students and families who do not have other means for their K-5 students during the school day.  This will be determined based on need and depending on availability.  If you are in need please contact your child’s school.

  1. When will a sample schedule of school led curriculum be available for parents to review?  What will a typical full day schedule look like?  How much time are our kids going to be required to be online?  How long are the days going to be?

Elementary students will be expected to attend a daily class meeting at their respective school start times.  Direct instruction will be provided daily via teacher developed videos that students can view and complete during the scheduled time or other times throughout the day if needed.  Teachers will schedule virtual in-person small group instruction times throughout the week for ELA and math.

Secondary students will be expected to attend 3-4 block class sessions daily.  Direct instruction will be provided daily through both virtual in-person instruction and teacher developed videos that students can view and complete during the scheduled time or other times throughout the day.  Teachers will have daily office hours outside of the scheduled class time and once a week will be advisory.

Sample full day schedules for school-paced virtual learning will be available on our ReOpening page of our website.

  1. How do we expect younger kids to be engaged in an online environment?  Is there a plan for non-compliance? 

We do not expect students to be in a direct online environment for 6 hours per day.   There will be a mix of online and independent classwork throughout the day.  Additionally, our online platform for our K-2 students will be SeeSaw which provides for multiple ways for students to share their learning and interact with the lessons.  Teachers have received training in delivering virtual and online instruction to include management for reluctant learners.

  1. If we choose self-paced learning will it be possible to return to in person learning when available? Will the self-paced option be the same way as in the Spring, and if not, what will be different?

Yes,  students in self-paced learning will be able to return to in-person learning when it is available and parents are comfortable with the return.  The students will be assigned an in-person teacher and/or course schedule based on their grade level.  

The self-paced option through the Connect + program will be different than in the Spring as students will have a Written Student Learning Plan specific to their needs.  Student progress will be monitored through daily and/or weekly check-ins with the teacher.  

Most MS/HS classes will be offered, we currently do not have the same Career and Technical Education courses offered at the high school in our Connect+ program.  

Our Connect + Family Handbook with more information is available on our website here

  1. Internet challenges or no internet access? 

Students with limited or no internet access will be able to access through the school in what we are calling Internet Cafes and Student Care.  Most likely in the library.  Small groups of no more than 10 students cohorted as per SRHD guidance.   

  1. Will chromebooks be issued for all students, when? And what about school supplies?

Yes,  Chromebooks will be issued and checked out to each student K- 12.  They will be distributed on September 2, 3, and 4 during scheduled conference times.  Other needed school supplies such as student workbooks, textbooks, etc. will also be distributed at that time.

  1. What about lunches?

We will provide lunches to students qualified as free/reduced remotely.  We are working on how/if we can provide a paid option for lunches if needed.

  1. How about kids with IEP’s and 504 plans?          

Students with IEPs and 504 plans are considered vulnerable and will be prioritized for attending school for face-to-face support and instruction.

A staff member from your school will connect with you to discuss needs and barriers to distance learning, including strategies/materials, training, and staff support. They will also complete benchmark assessments and or formal/informal assessments and report progress.  Once complete they will review assessment data and IEP goals and determine if an amendment or a new IEP is appropriate.  Students with 504 plans will follow a similar process.  Throughout the distance learning model case managers will ensure ongoing progress monitoring for students with disabilities, including protocols for identifying and responding to lack of progress, across the continuum of reopening models.

  1. How will electives work?  If kids are not able to do (ex: drama or weights) how can they fill their elective credit?

At this time the high school and middle school plan to provide elective options virtually with teachers developing learning opportunities that meet course requirements and are delivered through a virtual platform.

The Connect+- self-paced program has limited elective options.

  1. How will sports be handled?   If kids are in the Connect+ program   can they participate in extracurricular events?

Sports and afterschool activities are currently postponed based on state and county health recommendations.  Students participating in the Connect+ program are eligible to access sports and afterschool programs once they are able to begin.

  1. What is the school’s strategy to ensure kids are not falling behind in their school work?

We will monitor all students including protocols for identifying and responding to lack of progress, across the continuum of reopening models. This will be no different than when we are in school face-to-face.  Teachers and staff will alert the MTSS team that a student is struggling and the team will work with the student, parent and teachers to develop an intervention plan. 

  1. Will students be assigned teachers from the start?  How readily available will teachers be for students’ questions? Will teachers be in the building teaching?  Will they be teaching live or by videos or?

Students will be assigned teachers in both options.  Teachers will be providing daily office hour opportunities to support student questions.  They will be in the buildings teaching both live and by video depending on the lesson.

  1. Will teachers provide a syllabus to help parents keep kids on track?

Teachers will provide a syllabus for middle school and high school courses for students and parents to follow.

  1. Once students are allowed to return to school, will they be required to stay with a specific group of students all year?  How will students move from class to class (to avoid congestion)

Currently we are in distance learning, if allowed to do so we have hybrid plans that include cohorting and scheduling to minimize congestion.

  1. Will the child youth center be providing opportunity for children to log on laptops and do school while they are there?

We have met with the Youth Center on Fairchild AFB to coordinate regarding providing opportunity for students to access school while they are there.  They will have copies of our school day schedules to support students and students will be able to log on to Chromebooks while at the Youth Center.

  1. What are the guidelines to returning to classes? What are the chances we get to start having in-person classes before the end of the year?

Spokane Regional Health and WA DOH guidelines are as follows:

Whether we will have in-person classes before the end of the year is unknown at this time.  Possible, and we certainly hope so.  We have plans for it.

  1. Do we have to re-enroll our kids if we are going from option 2 to option 1?

Students in Connect + (Option 2) are MLSD students and will not have to re-enroll if/when they decide they wish to enter the school-paced option.  Parents will need to notify the school of the request and a meeting with the principal and/or counselors will need to occur to determine placement in classes.

  1. What about Juniors and Seniors scheduled to attend NEWTech Skills Center?

NEWTech Skills center sent their fall schedule to parents and students participating in their program on Friday, August 14.  They are providing opportunities for students in certain courses to attend in-person one day per week in two hour sessions.  If you are attending one of these sessions and are in need of transportation please contact your school (MLHS or Endeavors) with the day/time of your session.