Midlothian High School

Virtual Start FAQs for Families

Table of Contents

• Virtual Learning (Schedule, Format, Grading, Attendance)
• Special Education
• Student Support
• Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement
• Performing Arts
• Tech Center
• International Baccalaureate program
• Chromebooks and Internet Access
• Sports and Extracurricular Activities
• Specific Information for Parents
• Return to In Person Instruction
• Miscellaneous

Virtual Learning (Schedule, Format, Grading, Attendance)

• When do virtual classes start?

• We return to virtual learning beginning on November 30, 2020.  Click here to view the schedules we plan to follow.

• What about the teacher schedule changes that have occurred over the past few weeks?

• We are finalizing all teacher assignments.  Students (and parents) who were impacted by some of the teacher changes have been contacted and updated.

• How will students access their classes? Are teachers using Canvas?

• All teachers are using Canvas (in each student’s Rapid Identity Dashboard) as our Learning Management System.   See below for more information:
  
  CCPS Canvas information page: Parent account creation and access, Canvas communication (notifications), Student and Parent Canvas Apps

Parent/Observer help from Canvas (Provides help once you have created your account)

• Will attendance be taken? If so, how will attendance be taken?

• Attendance will be taken.
• There are multiple ways we will be able to take attendance.  Students can be marked present by attending their assigned class or completing an assigned task that same day.  Students should only miss attending an assigned class when absolutely necessary.

• What about attendance on Wednesdays?

• Attendance will be taken during a required 1st period class, which all students must attend or contact their teacher if they are unable to attend.  Several options to participate in assessments, remediation, and support are available on Wednesdays.  See the schedule previously shared.

• What will a typical virtual day look like?

• A typical virtual day will look similar to a day in school - see the previously shared schedule.  There will be a start and end time to the day and to each class.  Teachers will use a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous learning,

Each class will have an appropriate blend of synchronous and asynchronous time, with the average synchronous time of 30-45  minutes per session.  Please note that this synchronous time may vary depending on instructional needs.   Teachers are available during asynchronous time.

5 Samples of Synchronous/Asynchronous balance of time:

1st Period

2nd/3rd/4th Block

5 Samples of Synchronous/Asynchronous balance of time with common language:

1st Period

2nd/3rd/4th Block

• Will students be given the option to watch recorded instruction vs live?

• Yes,  teachers will be expected to provide their lessons and all materials available for students to work through them any time and any place.  This can happen a few ways.  A teacher can record a live lesson; however, that recording can only be shared with the current class.  A teacher can also pre-record a lesson for students, and then engage in ongoing discussions and activities during the synchronous lesson (not necessarily recording that part).

• Will there be grading for online learning?

• Yes, student work will be graded.

• Will teachers teach from their classrooms?

• Yes, teachers may teach from their classroom or from home.  Regardless of their location, teachers will always provide an appropriate, and even optimal virtual learning environment.

• How will science labs be taught?

• Science will utilize various electronic resources to complete tasks including but not limited to labs.  These resources will also be available for use by teachers in all content areas.

• Will students be expected to log in at the beginning of the day, as if they are entering the classroom?

• Students will follow the schedule above. Their teachers will communicate with them when they should be logged in live for synchronous learning and when they are able to complete work asynchronously.

• If a student will be absent (or needs to attend a medical/dental appointment), will parents still need to call in?

• Yes. Our attendance office will let the teacher know that the student will be absent and the teacher will properly document the absence as AK (absent - known reason).
• Daily attendance can be measured by students attending synchronous sessions during the school day, by signing in and participating on Canvas, or completing and submitting an assignment to the teacher (during that particular school day).
• Attendance for daily classes will be taken during synchronous instruction; however, teachers will have the option to mark an absence one of two ways.  Either absent and the teacher is aware of the reason or absent (excused) and the teacher is unaware of the reason (unexcused). Students who complete classwork prior to midnight the day of the class may have their attendance code changed to a “C” for work completed.
• Students will be directed to answer a very simple question during each period for the first two weeks of school to document attendance.

• Will online learning be “live” and look more like a regular classroom setting where students can ask questions and have discussions?

• Yes, there will be time dedicated to live and interactive instruction (synchronous).

• Will students receive a CCPS email to communicate with their teachers?

• No. Students have the ability to send messages to teachers via Canvas, and should use this platform for instructional communication.

Special Education

• Will my child still receive her accommodations and services in her IEP?

• Yes, we will follow our students’ IEPs.  

• What will self-contained special education classes look like in an online setting?

• Level 2 Special Education students who elect to participate in face to face instruction will continue to have that option.

• Can you explain the definition of a Level 2 IEP ?

• Level 2 students are in self-contained classes and work toward completing Adaptive Standards of Learning (ASOL).

Student Support

• Is there going to be support for students who do not learn well in an online classroom?

• Yes. Our teachers have worked hard to create content, learning experiences, and differentiated support for our students. In addition, we are exploring other options to further support students with additional needs beyond the regular school hours.

• Will there be social-emotional-mental well being support?

• Yes, our school counselors, social worker, and psychologist have created a link on our learning hub that provides various support services for our students and parents.  In addition, we will have our counselors, administrators, and mentors available to continue supporting our students throughout the day.
• We also plan to provide various social / emotional support through our check-in period and Midlo Morning on Wednesdays.

Dual Enrollment

• Students who are enrolled in Dual Enrollment courses may continue to remain enrolled for the first semester with no changes as they learn virtually.  Midlothian HS and CCPS will share updated information pertaining to the requirements to remain enrolled in Dual Enrollment while learning virtually for the second semester.

Performing Arts

• How will theatre classes work?

• While we realize several content areas will be best served in a face to face learning environment, all our teachers continue to develop their content and courses to ensure the best experience possible for our students.

• How will band and chorus classes work?

• Our teachers continue to develop their content and courses to ensure the best experience possible for our students.

Tech Center

• How do I get information about the Tech Center’s plan for virtual learning?

• Please contact the appropriate Tech Center administrator: https://sites.google.com/a/ccpsnet.net/ctc/home/courthouse-info/administration

• What will the tech center look like? Many of the programs are hands-on.

• Be on the lookout for additional information regarding the return of Tech Center students to their respective buildings and classrooms

International Baccalaureate Program

• Will students who are enrolled in the International Baccalaureate speciality center be able to continue with the program while learning virtually?

• Yes.  Under the direction of our IB Coordinator, Mr. Spewak, students will continue to receive instruction that is aligned with the IB curriculum.

Chromebooks and Internet Access

• How can students obtain a chromebook or have their chromebook repaired while learning in a virtual environment?

• If you need a Chromebook or assistance with your Chromebook, please visit our CCPS Chromebook basics site for details and locations.  For access to the site click here.  Please be sure to revisit this website as the school division will update this site periodically.
• CCPS will soon announce the locations and dates/times for all chromebook repair sites.  
  

• How do I get a new Chromebook charger?

• To purchase a replacement online visit

• Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Lenovo-910-13-910-13IKB-80VF002JUS/dp/B0788K69N1/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1535143896&sr=8-13&keywords=lenovo%2Busb%2Bc%2Bcharger&th=1
• CDW: https://www.cdw.com/product/Lenovo-45W-Standard-AC-Adapter-USB-Type-C-power-adapter-45-Watt/4499086?RecommendedForEDC=2964007&RecoType=RP&cm_sp=Product-_-Session&ProgramIdentifier=3

• WIll there be help for families without wi-fi?

• Yes.   Please contact your school administrator or school counselor to receive information regarding wifi support and assistance.

Sports and Extracurricular Activities

• What does the return to virtual teaching and learning mean for sports and athletics?

• The Virginia High School League should soon provide updated information regarding the previously announced condensed interscholastic plan. Boys & Girls Basketball & Cheer will have tryouts on Dec. 7th. All other Winter Sports will start on Dec. 14th.

• Can students who take courses through CCPSOnline have the opportunity to participate in athletics?

• We understand that a student and parent who is not willing to return to learn face to face may change how they feel later in the school year.  If that occurs, those students will be permitted to play sports, as long as they are enrolled in a minimum of five (5) classes.

• Will we have extracurricular activities?

• Yes, we clubs and other extracurricular activities can continue to meet virtually to support the goals of the organization.
• More information about Midlo Athletics to include coaches contact and uploading forms can be found at our website midlothian.rschoolteams.com

Specific Information for Parents

• How can parents keep track of our children’s work?

• Communicating directly with your student’s teacher is one option.
• You will be able to have access to your student’s Canvas course work once everything is up and running. CCPS link to monitoring your child's progress in Canvas
• ParentVue - don’t forget to update your information in ParentVue by Thursday, August 20th.  Click here for directions.

Click here to view more information pertaining to ParentVue

• When students return to live instruction and opt to do so, will they have the same teacher?

• In nearly all cases, yes.  Parents of students who may be required to change teachers will be contacted directly.

Return to In Person Instruction

• Will an option to stay virtual even when students start returning be available?

• For now, the answer is yes.  We will provide more details when the return date is confirmed and announced.  

• Once students are approved to return to live instruction, will students enrolled at Midlothian High School have the opportunity to continue in their “Midlo” classes while learning virtually if that is an option they select?

• Yes. However, parents should note that this will look different from the virtual instruction provided by faculty during the fully virtual start to the school year. Students will have access to assignments and resources, and limited synchronous instruction.  Teachers will grade work and provide feedback, but the recording of synchronous lessons will cease once students return to classes in the building.

Miscellaneous

• If teachers are permitted to work from home, how can they avoid the distractions we saw last year?

• Unlike the spring, administrators are better prepared to join classes to observe instruction, both formally and informally.  All teachers, those reporting to school and those who are teleworking, will be expected to provide a distraction-free teaching environment.  

• How do we motivate our students, especially our seniors, to engage in virtual instruction?

• Motivation in a virtual environment can certainly be challenging as students are missing some of the things that encouraged them to participate in the daily school activities.  However, we can do this!  We must work collaboratively.  We must communicate needs on both ends (parents/students and teachers) so we know what changes or modifications are needed to best support our students and learning.  The faculty and staff at Midlo are more experienced and prepared for virtual instruction now.  Changes have been made (set schedules, attendance, grading) that should naturally help with student engagement.

If your student is not getting up in the morning, not engaging in the instruction, find out why.  If they say they don’t need to attend the lessons, contact the teacher to best understand what is occurring during these lessons and how you can best support and motivate your student.
This is a collaborative effort and considering the fact I consider Midlo as a true Community of Excellence.