Video Transcript
Approximately a 9-minute read
Hello, Fairview Family! I hope you are well and staying in good spirits during these crazy and confusing times. As difficult as things may seem, we have a lot to be thankful for. I would like to thank all of you who have emailed, called, sent cards, or took a moment in person around town to share some kind words of support. Those have been so tremendously helpful over the past several months.
The start of school for our students is September 8 -- only 26 days away. Let’s recap a bit where we are and how we got here:
On July 29th, the CCBH recommended that “all schools in their jurisdiction that schools begin the 2020-2021 school year operating remotely due to the elevated health risk posed to students, staff and family members.”
On August 5th, the CCBH updated their recommendations stating the following:
As we move forward and consider any future modifications to these recommendations, the factors under review by our agency will include, but are not limited to:
- Positivity Rates – A sustained decline in COVID-19 testing positivity rates below 5%.
- New Case Reports – A sustained decline in new cases over a one-month period.
- State Public Health Advisory System – A risk rating of Orange/2 or below over multiple weeks, which must clearly indicate sustained improvement in the metrics as they relate specifically to our health jurisdiction.
- COVID-19 testing capacity for children – There is currently little to no testing available for those under the age of 18, which dramatically complicates our outbreak response in the school setting. The lack of testing limits our response to a symptom-based investigation response.
From the CCBH Aug. 5. 2020 “Review of Recommendations to Begin Fall School Activities Remotely”
On August 6th, we announced that we will begin the upcoming school year in “remote” mode for all students.
Since then, many people have asked, “How long will we be in “remote” mode?” Up to this point in time, we’ve kept that relatively open, stating we would watch the county designation and virus spread. However, many parents have asked for a more definitive answer. Therefore, today, we are sharing that the school district will stay in “remote” mode through the end of the first quarter of school (Nov. 6th).
Now, I’m going to say something that you might find counter-intuitive. Just hear me out...
This afternoon, you may have heard in the Governor’s Press Briefing that Cuyahoga County has seen several weeks of decline in the number of positive cases, dropping down to 102 cases during the past week. This puts our county very close to potentially transitioning to the Orange-Level 2 stage of the Ohio Public Health Advisory System. Our current “Reimagine Schools Re-entry Plan” indicates that we would return to “All-in”, on-site mode once the county returns to Orange-Level 2.
Here’s the issue with that: The CCBH, in their latest recommendation, stated that schools should remain in a remote mode until positivity rates drop below 5%. Our county is still over 8%. More importantly, the CCBH stated that schools should remain in a remote mode until the testing capacity for children dramatically increases. Here’s the biggest problem: The CCBH stated “there is little to no testing available for those under the age of 18.”
So, again, based on this information and to help parents better plan, the school district will stay in “remote” mode through the end of the first quarter of school (Nov. 6th).
Now, let’s talk about what teaching and learning in a “remote” mode, whether you’ve signed up to be in our “Remote Learning Option” or not, will look like starting September 8th.
Our fall 2020 REMOTE LEARNING will build on strengths established in Spring 2020 and REFINE features of our program:
Last Spring, we…
Worked hard to continue learning, to help students feel connected, and to help keep parents informed. It was a crisis-based, quick shift, situation, and I am incredibly proud of the work our teachers, support staff and administrators did. We were in a great position as a district and a community to make this shift. It wasn’t without challenges and there were certainly things we have learned. This summer, we’ve had time to really plan on how we can make it better.
This Fall, we will…
- Strive to deliver a 3:2 ratio of teacher-led instruction (synchronous) to student independent work (asynchronous).
- Provide high quality digital-enabled and, when safe and feasible, face-to-face instruction and feedback that meets individual student learning goals.
- Emphasize rigorous and relevant PBL and performance assessment.
- Make connections and build relationships that support students' social emotional learning and well-being.
- Provide clear and consistent communications to families, including transparent learning goals and assessment practices.
KEY FEATURES OF OUR REMOTE LEARNING
There continues to be some confusion between our “Remote Learning Option” (RLO) and when we open schools in a “remote” mode.
The RLO is for those who want to keep their students home and working
in remote mode even when we re-open the buildings to students… whenever that may be.
For both our RLO and our On-Site option (even when remote):
- We will continuously develop, improve, and deliver our district curriculum..
enhanced through application of previous and new high-quality digital resources.
- We will strive to make connections and transitions between our RLO and On-Site mode as seamless as possible. Synchronous "Google Meets" will be used to help keep students connected.
- We will establish, communicate, and maintain consistent daily/weekly schedules including a 3:2 ratio of 60% teacher-led (synchronous) to 40% student independent practice, reading, problem solving, writing, etc.
- We will use Google Classroom (K-12), Seesaw (K-5), and Summit Learning (6-12) as our primary teaching/learning platforms and PowerSchool for reporting attendance and recording performance.
- Students will have access to a blend of digital and offline print/paper resources which families may pick up from school during specific designated times throughout the duration of Remote learning.
- Technology (hardware/software/troubleshooting) will be provided. Those who need troubleshooting with hardware and software can contact Fairview Tech Support. Those who need assistance with connectivity can contact FACE Coordinator, Ms. Carrie Sullivan.
- Traditional grading practices will be in effect. Class procedures and assignments will communicate clear grading criteria.
- Baseline assessments will be given during the first 2-3 weeks of school to determine students' individual and cohort levels of mastery and skills in relation to Ohio Learning Standards. We will use assessments developed by our teachers (with guidance from the Ohio Department of Education) and NWEA MAP testing--which can be administered remotely.
- Ongoing formative and summative assessments will be used throughout units and projects and communicated with parents via Seesaw, the Summit Platform, and PowerSchool.
ATTENDANCE
- Attendance will be taken (visually) in synchronous sessions.
- Teachers will monitor, record, and report students' engagement, assignment completion, progress, and achievement.
- Daily "screen time" will be purposeful--balanced between active and passive activities, and opportunities to both consume and create content. "Brain breaks," lunch, and rest times will be built into the day. Families can expect approximately 120 minutes of daily screen in Grades K-5 and approximately 30 minutes per subject in Grades 6-12.
EXPECTATIONS (to make remote learning work)
Families will:
- Use weekly teacher announcements to guide home support.
- Ensure consistent and active student participation.
- Report excusable absence in customary manner.
Teachers will:
- Maintain daily schedules, including "office hours." Record and report attendance and participation.
- Clearly articulate the weekly schedules, announcements, and expectations to families and students.
- Develop and deliver teacher-led, synchronous learning activities that provide direct instruction, application, feedback, coaching, and reflection.
- Assist students and parents with navigating technology tools.
- Use instructional software to encourage collaboration; strive for a ratio of 3:2…
- 3 parts Teacher-led (synchronous) instruction to
- 2 parts Student Independent work (asynchronous).
- Comply with all federal Children's Internet Protection Acts.
Students will:
- Attend daily as scheduled, checking in via Google Classroom, Seesaw, Summit Learning Platform.
- Actively engage in teacher-led activities and, as directed, in assigned independent activities.
- Seek teacher and/or counselor assistance as needed.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
- We will provide services to students to the extent practical while considering the safety, health of staff/students as well as state and county recommendations.
- We are planning for in-person services that target those areas of instruction and support that are most challenging or not possible to emulate in a remote fashion, specifically considering students demonstrating the most significant needs requiring significant adult assistance and requiring multiple, layered related services and support.
- Each Special Education student will have a remote learning plan.
- No students will come into school buildings at level 4 "Purple."
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS
EL services will be provided to identified students at the level of support indicated by their English language proficiency as measured by the Ohio English Language Proficiency Assistant (OELPA).
GIFTED LEARNERS
Gifted learners will continue to be identified, per existing district protocol.
Gifted services will as feasible, continue to include:
Elementary
• Early Entrance
• Differentiated Instruction provided by classroom teachers and gifted intervention specialists
• Enrichment Opportunities
• Cluster Grouping in Reading and Math
• Pull-Out Services by gifted intervention specialists in Reading and Math
Middle School and High School
• We will still accommodate Single Subject Acceleration
• Advanced Placement/AP Capstone
• Dual Enrollment options
• Differentiated sections for core content courses
• Educational Options: Credit Flexibility and Independent Study
• Enrichment Opportunities
Now, I’ve thrown a LOT of information at you today. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate your support and understanding as we navigate through these continuously changing circumstances.
Keep the faith… we will get through this together!
I’ll close with a quote that one of our administrators shared with me. It truly puts so much of this in focus…
Relationships before rigor
Grace before grades
Patience before programs
Love before lessons.
We promise to do our best to keep these goals in forefront in our minds as we hold true to our district vision to:
Learn Differently, Care Deeply, and Aspire to Excellence.
Stay safe, everyone!
