FLEX Online School
September 8 Orientation Questions and Answers
See below for a list of questions from families and the answers that were discussed at the FLEX Online orientation.
For answers to the most common questions, please visit the FLEX FAQ page on our website.
Contact FLEX
General questions: FLEX-online-school@beaverton.k12.or.us
Tech or login questions: FLEX-support@beaverton.k12.or.us
FLEX Online School Location
Tumwater Middle School
650 NW 118th Ave.
Portland, OR 97229
In-person office hours: Will be announced in the coming weeks.
Q: Can a student move back to their neighborhood school if they want?
A: Yes, families can return to their neighborhood school any time. Our curriculum and format are different, so moving mid-semester can be disruptive to your students. They also may miss curriculum or see some topics twice. Secondary (6th-12th) grade students may have limited class choices at their neighborhood school. This is why we strongly recommend families stay with FLEX through any given semester.
Q: What is the current enrollment at FLEX Online?
A: As of 9/8/21 we have 1386 students.
Q: What is the typical size for elementary classes?
A: We are staffed with slightly larger classes than neighborhood schools. Elementary class sizes are large right now and will be adjusted as enrollment and staffing are updated.
Q: Is there a cap on how many students will be in a class?
A: This depends on the grade level and class. We have slightly larger caps on some classes than our neighborhood schools.
Q: When will we get our final assigned teachers?
A: We hope to have class lists finalized by Friday, September 10. Thank you for your patience.
Q: We registered for FLEX last week, but we still haven't received any emails regarding teachers assigned. How long will this take?
A: We appreciate your patience. Our office staff are working as fast as possible to enroll all of the students. Normally, it takes about 3 school days. Due to the high volume of students enrolling and how close it is to the start of the school year, it could take a little longer.
Q: When is the last day we can sign up for FLEX this semester?
A: We do not have a deadline for enrollment. If you choose to enroll with FLEX after the year has started, it will take approximately 3 school days for our team to process your enrollment.
Q: When will we get information regarding picking up Chromebooks?
A: We are sending information out through ParentSquare about device pick up times. Please contact flex-support@beaverton.k12.or.us to schedule a device pick up.
Q: My student is attending school from a country outside the United States right now. Will they be able to attend meetings?
A: District leadership updated our guidance for this year recently. We are no longer able to provide access to students outside the United States. We are happy to re-enroll students when they return to their local address within the district boundary.
Q: Can students participate in their local school after school programs?
A: Yes, students may participate in any neighborhood school programs that do not require a student to be enrolled at that school. High School sports are available to students enrolled in FLEX based on their local school, similar to the Options schools in the district.
Information and Guides for Learning Coaches: Grades K-5 Grades 6-12
Q: Can you tell us more about what Learning Coaches do?
A: Learning coaches are a major component of FLEX Online at the elementary level. They are also helpful for our 6th-12th grade students, but as the students get more independent, the time a coach might spend per day decreases. Learning Coaches help direct student schedules, ensure they know what to do each day, communicate with teachers, provide support during independent work time/learning, and encourage students throughout the school day. Our program is successful because of the commitment Learning Coaches make on behalf of their student(s).
Q: When does the quarter end for FLEX? Is it the same as other BSD schools?A: It is the same at FLEX as other schools in the district. The quarter ends on November 10.
Link to 2021-2022 BSD calendar
Q: How do we know which classes we have for A days and B days? And on the schedule for this week if we don't have a PE or Spanish class do we supplement it by going to another elective class?
A: The A/B day schedule only applies for our 6-12th grade students with alternating day schedules. Our A/B schedule is on our website. Remember, you are welcome to complete work for classes on any day of the week. A and B days let you know when your help sessions are scheduled and when you need to engage in and make progress in your class to be counted for attendance.
A: Grades K-5: If you do not have PE or Spanish, you can use this time to complete assignments, message teachers, or something else that helps you be a proactive student.
Q: I know things might have been super busy over there. However, we are still waiting for the schedule for my 1st grade student. What should we do?
A: Thank you for your patience. We are hoping that class assignments will be finalized by Friday, September 10. Teachers will share live meeting schedules once they have their class lists.
Q: When can we seek support from the teacher individually?
A: If you would like help from your teacher independently, the best way to get that is to reach out to them using the Canvas inbox with a message about what you’d like help on and when you’re available.
Q: Do you have a recommended schedule for K-5th? Similar to your A/B Schedule for 6-12th?
A: There are a few sample schedules on our FAQ page. Your student’s teacher will also share recommendations with you in the next few weeks.
Q: Is there a set schedule the kids need to go by in a day?
A: No, students can choose what order they want to engage with different subjects. If your student is in 6-12th grades, please make sure that they are logging into each of their A day classes on A days, B day classes on B days.
Q: Is live class attendance required? Will they be recorded for later access?
A: Live attendance for Zoom sessions is not required. We highly recommend students attend as often as they can, especially Advisory. Lessons and information about content and class is recorded and can be viewed later.
Q: How many live sessions will be there for elementary students?
A: Each teacher will have a morning meeting and an afternoon meeting that students can choose to attend. Two days a week students will also have live art and Spanish classes. On those days, depending on the timing of the Specials classes, teachers may choose to only offer an afternoon meeting that day.
Q: How is the curriculum organized and delivered? Will it be on a daily basis or weekly?
A: Teachers make a pacing guide with a recommended amount of learning each week. Students and learning coaches can choose when they complete these assignments.
Q: Our student is supposed to be enrolled in AVID, but it doesn’t look like they are. What should we do and will this change who her advisory teacher is?
A: We are an AVID school this year and weren’t able to recruit or forecast until late summer. We will be working with potential AVID students and adjusting schedules moving forward. If you are interested in AVID, please fill in our Schedule Change Request Form.
Q: Do 7th graders have options for elective courses?
A: 7th graders can choose AVID, Tech, Art or Spanish. Spanish and AVID are year-long courses. Tech and Art are one semester each.
Attendance is tracked by your student's activity on Canvas. Students need to log in to their Homeroom (elementary) or all of their A/B Day classes each day (middle/high). Live Advisory attendance is strongly encouraged.
Q: How is attendance monitored?
A: We use Canvas log in to monitor attendance. Students should log in to Canvas each day and access their Homeroom (elementary) or every A and B-Day class (6th - 12th grades). Teachers will monitor attendance at live sessions, work turned in, and then reach out to students who need support.
Q: What if we can’t make it to the live session. Will the child be marked absent?
A: As long as you log in and engage in Canvas in the specific class, you will be marked present.
Q: Is there a cutoff time by which students need to login to Canvas to be marked for attendance?
A: In order for your student to be marked "here", they must log into Canvas at some time before 3:00pm on that day.
Q: Does the parent login via Canvas count for attendance or is it the Student login?
A: The student needs to log into Canvas with their login to access and engage in each class.
Q: What do I do if I have received an absence notification?
A: Grades K-5 – the student or parent can email/message in Canvas to the teacher. Grades 6-12 – first determine which class it’s for (in ParentVUE or StudentVUE), then the student or parent can email/message the teacher.
Q: How do I notify the school if my student is going to be absent?
A: Please call the school at 503-356-3720 and wait for the attendance voicemail prompt.
Q: What is provided for kids on an IEP? Would the child’s existing IEP be followed in terms of services and goals?
A: FLEX Online School offers special education services in a Resource Room setting. FLEX does not currently have specialized programs. If your child is in a specialized program, FLEX may not be able to provide your student with a free appropriate public education (FAPE). If your student is placed in a specialized program, and you enroll your student in FLEX, your student's IEP team will need to meet to determine if your student's needs can be met with a Resource Room level of support. If your student cannot be served in a Resource Room setting, then the IEP team may determine that your student is not able to attend FLEX.
Q: How are IEP handled? Do we have team meetings?
A: Our student services team schedules and holds IEP meetings with families. Please contact your case manager to learn more.
Video instructions for logging into Zoom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKB5seYs43Q
Q: We are having difficulties logging into our Chromebook. How can we get help?
A: Contact our technical support team by e-mail mailto:flex-support@beaverton.k12.or.us
Q: Is there a way to connect student Chromebooks to home/WiFi printers?
A: Chromebooks can connect to your home WiFi network but WiFi printing has been disabled.
Q: Where can I find the 7 character authentication key to activate my ParentVUE account?
A: Contact our technical support team by e-mail mailto:flex-support@beaverton.k12.or.us
Q: What’s the purpose of StudentVUE, ParentVUE, ParentSquare?
A: ParentVUE is where parents can view attendance, student schedules, student enrollment information and progress report/report card grades. StudentVue allows students to see their schedule and grades at the end of reporting periods. ParentSquare is a way for families to get messages from the district, school, and teachers. You can set up your ParentSquare account to come to you by text, email, or on the app. Canvas is where students (and parents/learning coaches) can see, work on and submit assignments, message with teachers, view links to class meetings, and see grades or feedback on assignments they have turned in.
Q: I think I saw something instructing students with iPads to use the Canvas website instead of the iPad app. Should parents who use iPhones do the same?
A: Canvas through a web browser like Safari or Chrome may give you a better user experience than the app.
Q: How do we reach out to our assigned teachers?
A: The preferred way to contact teachers is through the Canvas Inbox messaging system. You can also email them.
Q: Will Canvas have a single log in?
A: Yes, the same username and password that students use to log into their Chromebook will be how they get logged into Canvas.
Q: Is it possible to get notifications of Canvas assignments, submissions, and other items to parents email?
A: Once you log into your Canvas parent account, click on the little circle just under the Beaverton B logo. Then, click on Notifications to adjust how often and why Canvas sends notifications to you.
Q: Where do we submit homework through Canvas?
A: Once you have been assigned something, you will be able to click on it, complete it following your teacher’s directions and then click the blue submit button.
Q: In my parent Canvas view I don’t see any lessons/HW for the first grader. Will we have any of those for this week? Or are you going to only start from next week
A: Elementary students will be getting assignments the week of September 13th. We are making sure we have classroom placements done so students don’t turn in assignments in the wrong Canvas course.
Q: Will we be given credentials for parent access on the Parent Canvas app?
A: Please follow the directions on the district Canvas page to set up your account if you have not already done so.
Q: Where can we find the password for the student login for Canvas? I cannot seem to find it and (as far as I know) I didn't receive a password from IT.
A: Please contact flex-support@beaverton.k12.or.us and they can help.
Q: Is there any assessment will be there those who are in advanced level of reading and maths in 1st grade like different group for the kids who are advanced readers
A: Our TAG facilitator will be working with families on assessments. We will also be able to differentiate lessons once we have baseline data about where each student is in their learning.
Q: What is FLVS?
A: FLVS stands for Florida Virtual School, this is the curriculum for our elementary classes.
Q: Will my students be able to join in-person classes where they are if they choose to return?
A: The pacing and curriculum delivery is different at FLEX than our partner neighborhood schools. Students returning to neighborhood schools will have an adjustment period as the incoming teacher determines where they are in their learning. Students on pace at FLEX tend to be at or beyond where partner schools are in the curriculum.
Q: What should students do if they get stuck in the middle of homework?
A: Send their teacher a message in Canvas.
Q: Are the activities on Canvas similar to the ones on Seesaw last year?
A: Yes, although our curriculum is designed to be delivered online. We also curate and utilize district resources which can include the same lessons delivered on Seesaw.
Q: Will Social Emotional Learning (SEL) be covered with FLEX?
A: Yes! Our Advisory and counselors offer Social Emotional Learning lessons throughout the year.
Q: Are there going to be paper workbooks that kids can work on?
A: Elementary workbooks for core classes will be available around the end of September. Some middle and high school course study guides will be available upon request. All worksheets are already available digitally within the curriculum.
Q: Are resources like Clever, EPIC and Dreambox going to be available?
A: Yes, we provide access to the same online district resources as other schools.
Q: What is the grading system at FLEX?
A: We follow the same guidelines as our partner schools. We grade on the same standards and use Synergy for all final marks.
Q: Will there be ITBS and Cogat exams conducted through FLEX?
A: Our TAG facilitator will be working with families on assessments in the coming weeks.
Q: Will there be school library books for kids to take out?
A: Yes, students will have access to library books. We have agreements with the neighborhood schools so that kids can check out library materials. Teachers will cover this in the first weeks of school.
Q: Will 6-12th graders receive grades this year? If so, is the grading scale 1-4 or A-F?
A: Yes, we will grade students on the standard 1-4 which converts to letter grades. The school board recently approved “I” (incomplete) and “N” (no credit) marks. We no longer have F marks.
Q: What grade levels are exempted in Oregon for the Essential Test in COVID-19?
A: Coming Soon