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PARENT GUIDE TCS VIRTUAL LEARNING FALL 2020

THE GOAL The Tuscaloosa City Schools will begin the 2020 2021 school year using two pathways The first pathway allows for the quickest return to the classroom It is the goal of the Tuscaloosa City Schools to return to full time in person instruction as soon as possible However families should understand that adjustments will be made throughout this process In this pathway students will learn in a virtual format for up to nine weeks and may include a transition back to campus within the nine week period The goal of this pathway is to return students to our schools as soon as possible In the second pathway students will participate in a full year virtual learning program with the option to switch at the semester Both pathways will provide high quality instruction delivered by certified TCS teachers to provide students with the best opportunity for academic success TCS will offer two pathways this school year Both will provide high quality instruction For students who choose full time virtual for the entire school year and students who will only participate in virtual learning until a return to the school building is possible this document should help families understand how TCS will implement its virtual learning program

VIRTUAL LEARNING Because of the nature of at home learning many families may wonder how the fall implementation will be different from this past spring In the spring educators and families were thrust into a virtual setting without time to prepare adequately We recognize that this setting may have been frustrating to some That s why we have invested in teacher training this summer to create a more positive learning experience for all School level teams will develop a robust learning plan for individual schools This fall families will see the high quality learning opportunities you expect from school including direct instruction from teachers and graded work Teachers will use TCS curriculum based on Alabama content standards to provide high quality instruction Students will participate in specials elective courses School libraries will circulate books Counselors gifted teachers and academic interventionists will continue to serve their students and Students will retain access to extra curricular activities including sports if they wish to participate in them Like core teachers elective and elementary art music teachers will provide instruction using virtual methods and will be trained to do so For those families choosing year round virtual learning our first preference is to assign students to teachers from their home school but in some cases this may not be possible For those families choosing year round virtual learning our first preference is to assign students to teachers from their home school but in some cases this may not be possible

WHAT CAN MY CHILD EXPECT DAILY In total families should expect to spend 4 5 hours per day on school work TCS has developed an instructional framework for teachers to use in providing instruction in both live and on demand formats This framework includes guidelines for student screen time which teachers are expected to follow Note that best practice calls for a blend of synchronous instruction when the teacher conducts lessons for the entire class or a small group of students and asynchronous instruction when the teacher provides students learning opportunities but is not with them live However teachers will make direct contact with students each day Learning will also include time needed for independent practice opportunities provided by the teacher In total families should expect to spend 4 5 hours per day on school work Sample schedules by grade bands are below Your child s school will provide the exact times your child will be expected to participate in live sessions each day However you can expect those times to fall within the following ranges Elementary 8 00 10 30 Middle 10 30 1 00 High 1 00 3 30 Additionally the time at which assignments are due will be structured to allow flexibility for families unique situations For example at midnight on the day they are due instead of at the time class meets SAMPLE STUDENT SCHEDULE K 2ND TIME ACTIVITY 10 Minutes Morning meeting Daily check in 20 Minutes Phonics Vocabulary lesson direct instruction live or recorded 15 Minutes Reading comprehension direct Instruction live or recorded and practice 15 Minutes Math lesson number talk direct Instruction live or recorded and practice 15 Minutes Social studies Science lesson direct Instruction live or recorded and practice 10 Minutes Purposeful read aloud Total Learning Time 85 Minutes

SAMPLE STUDENT SCHEDULE 3RD 5TH TIME 10 Minutes 10 Minutes 15 Minutes Break 10 Minutes 15 Minutes Break 10 Minutes 15 Minutes Break 10 Minutes 15 Minutes Break 15 20 Minutes ACTIVITY Morning meeting Daily check in Reading comprehension direct Instruction live or recorded Reading comprehension practice Phonics Vocabulary lesson direct Instruction live or recorded Phonics practice Math lesson Number talk direct instruction live or recorded Math practice Social studies Science lesson direct Instruction live or recorded Social studies Science practice Independent reading offline or online Total Learning Time 120 Minutes SAMPLE STUDENT SCHEDULE 6TH 8TH TIME ACTIVITY 5 10 Minutes Check in with homeroom teacher 20 30 Minutes Math Live or recorded direct instruction and or work on learning activities 20 30 Minutes ELA Live or recorded direct instruction and or work on learning activities 20 30 Minutes Science Live or recorded direct instruction and or work on learning activities 20 30 Minutes Social Studies Live or recorded direct instruction and or work on learning activities 20 30 Minutes Electives Live or recorded direct instruction and or work on learning activities 20 30 Minutes PE Live or recorded direct instruction and or work on learning activities 20 30 Minutes Small Groups Work with the teacher s in a small group to extend or supplement learning Total Learning Time 150 Minutes

SAMPLE STUDENT SCHEDULE 9TH 12TH TIME 10 Minutes 10 Minutes 55 Minutes 55 Minutes 20 Minutes ACTIVITY Check in with teacher class not meeting synchronously Check in with teacher class not meeting synchronously Period A Live or recorded direct instruction and or work on learning activities i e math science ELA social studies dual enrollment TCTA electives Period B Live or recorded direct instruction and or work on learning activities i e math science ELA social studies dual enrollment TCTA electives Intervention Work with the teacher s in a small group to extend or supplement learning Total Learning Time 150 Minutes TCS is committed to ensuring that the vital services students receive from school in addition to content area learning will be provided

Parents will be provided Schoology login information that allows you to monitor your child s school work and progress COMMITMENT TO SERVICES During this time the system will continue to provide students with the services they need to be successful This includes meal services digital devices and special education services The Individual Education Program IEP team will determine the instructional plan for each student receiving special education services including accommodations and related services Gifted education services will be provided through a virtual learning platform Gifted specialists will plan and teach instructional units aligned with the state Gifted Education standards If a student currently has a 504 Plan in place the parent may contact the school to ensure the accommodations are been followed TCS is focused on the social emotional needs of our students The TCS social services team in collaboration with Indian Rivers Behavioral Health Journey Program and Child Abuse and Prevention Services of Tuscaloosa will provide resources for students who need support TOOLS Schoology will be implemented as our learning management system district wide from the start of the 2020 2021 school year This platform provides the space in which teachers will provide resources and design learning experiences for students and will be used for the entire school year for all students With Schoology TCS can quickly transition between learning formats if circumstances call for quarantine of students or staff Parents will be provided with login information that allows you to monitor your child s school work and progress in classes The same login will allow you to monitor all your children in a central location Your child s teacher may determine that additional resources are needed to support learning at home if so they will be provided for your child To learn more about Schoology go to www Schoology com

RULES PROCEDURES The full range of student learning evaluation will apply This includes the opportunity for limited face to face services determined by student academic progress and or other related services deemed appropriate by the principal Student work will be graded standardized tests will be administered interim assessments will be used to monitor student learning progress For students who opt for full year virtual state rules requiring physical presence on campus for annual standardized tests will still apply Your child s school will communicate details Attendance still counts During virtual learning teachers will continue to track your child s attendance and students will be expected to participate in learning activities every day To review the full plan please visit www tuscaloosacityschools com Your child s school is developing robust plans for the implementation of virtual learning For questions not covered by this parent guide please contact your child s teacher TCSATHOME