Assessing, Analyzing and Advancing: Planning for Fall 2020 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Assessing, Analyzing and Advancing: Planning for Fall 2020

Presented to the Board of School Directors August 11, 2020

Resolutions to be Approved

#1 Health and Safety Plan #2 Section 520.1 PA Public School Code

The Health and Safety Plan is required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the 2020-21 school year. The plan should outline the following elements:

• The type of reopening – Total Remote Learning

with Plans for Return to In-Person

• The identification of a Pandemic Planning

Team

• Cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting and

ventilation

• Social distancing and other safety protocols
• Monitoring of student and staff health
• Communication of the plan
• Professional development of the plan

Section 520.1 of the Pennsylvania Public School Code mandates the instructional time of 180 days

• f 990 hours required at the secondary level and

the 900 hours required at the elementary level, for the school year. School Districts must submit to the Pennsylvania Department of Education an Emergency Instructional Time Plan, to account for any modifications to the instructional delivery of education and for changes for schedules or instructional minutes.

Assessing, Analyzing and Advancing

• 1. ASSESSING: Where we have been.

a. Health and Safety Measures b. Superintendent’s Committee c. Community and Staff Input

• 2. ANALYZING: Where we are now.

a. Proposed Instructional Models

• 3. ADVANCING: Where we are going.

a. Secondary and Elementary Program b. Students in Need of Additional Supports c. Other Considerations d. Social/Emotional Health e. Professional Development f. Communication

ASSESSING: Where we have been.

Dates Activities

• perations, (3) student services, and (4) modified schedules)

Timeline of the Planning Process

Consulted the Experts

• Pennsylvania Department of Education –
• Guidance released 7/16
• Guidance released 8/10 – As of week ending 8/7, Montgomery County is listed at a MODERATE level of community

transmission

• Montgomery County Department of Health – Guidance released 7/17

Explored all Safety Considerations

Visitor and Group Restrictions Contact Tracing Communication Face Coverings Cleaning and Sanitization Social Distancing Health and Symptom Monitoring Hand Washing and Hygiene Teaching and Learning

Implemented the Superintendent’s Committee

Highlights

More than 600 participants from multiple stakeholder groups Reviewed guidelines from state and national organizations Provided feedback and insight into key considerations for reopening schools Explored facets of the school’s

• rganization that covered

academic, social, facilities and transportation concerns

• Staffing
• Substitutes
• Collective

Bargaining Agreements

• Safety of Staff
• Counseling
• Nursing
• Psychologists
• Students with

IEPs and 504s

• Facilities
• Transportation
• Food Services
• Security and

Safety

• Teaching and

Learning

• Students with

Unique Needs

• Students with

IEPs or GIEPs

• Scheduling
• Technology

Instructional Program Operational Services Human Resources Student Services

Surveyed Parents/Guardians and Staff

June Parent/Guardian Survey – Feedback on Past Program July Parent/Guardian Survey – Insight into Future Program July Staff/Teacher Surveys – Insight into Future Program

• 71% of Parents Strongly

Agreed/Agreed that they felt confident with at-home learning in the event of intermittent school closures

• 66% percent of respondents

indicated they felt confident in their ability to support their student’s at-home learning

• Parents/Guardians noted that

live video lessons, clear daily expectations, and access to video tutorials were resources found to be most helpful with

• nline learning

2,609 total survey responses

• While 25% of parents/guardians

favored an online learning program for Fall 2020, 44% favored hybrid and 26% favored full in-person programming; however, if a hybrid model were implemented, this would not be feasible for 18% of (or 800+) ASD families

• Parents felt that live personal

tutoring or instruction, access to textbooks and other curricular resources, and video tutorials were the resources needed to make online learning successful 4,752 total survey responses

• 31% of the teacher respondents

(or 156 teaching positions) indicated they may take some form of a leave of absence.

• 90% of teachers surveyed felt

confident in teaching online

• 54% of teachers surveyed

preferred full online learning for Fall 2020

• 64% of teachers surveyed felt

uncomfortable with full in- person instruction

ANALYZING: Where we are now.

Moving to a 100% Virtual Model for Reopening

Reviewing and Weighing Impact of Instructional Models

Full In-Person

• As of 8/10, this model is not

recommended by the Pennsylvania

• Dept. of Education, based on level of

community transmission in Montgomery County

• Not feasible for entire school

population under current COVID-19 restrictions

• Could not meet 6 ft. social distancing

guidelines in classrooms, hallways or

• ther large group areas
• Large group activities present

challenges to maintain 6 ft. distance

• Transportation limitations could not

ensure social distancing on buses

• Potential for staffing shortage

Hybrid

• Creates more risk and would not

solve all virtual concerns (childcare needed 3 days/week)

• In-person instruction would look very

different from the classrooms we left in March

• Reduced course offerings to manage

groupings

• An unexpected school closure in one
• r more buildings would be

inevitable, and even possible on a weekly basis (with potentially only a few hours’ notice, like a snow closing)

• Student/staff exposures could also

keep select classrooms at home (2- week quarantine)

• Potential for staffing shortage

Virtual

• Safest option for students and staff
• Stability and consistency for student

learning (childcare needed 5 days/week)

• Ability to focus on doing one

instructional model well versus students/teachers adapting to two new modes of instruction at once

• Virtual schedule can be designed to

flex back into a hybrid or full in- person model later in school year

• Ability to maintain more consistent

staffing

• Ability to give students course

selection and options

X  X

ADVANCING: This is where we are going

Instructing Virtually

• Online model allows for the least

least risk risk health environment, where students stay at home and participate in remote instruction

• Full online program taught by Abingt

Abington

• n School

School District District teachers eachers from the student’s assigned school (e.g., Roslyn students will be taught by Roslyn teachers), without risking potential for staffing shortages

• Students learn virtually alongside

alongside othe

• ther

r peers peers from their school

• District will distribute textb

xtbooks

• oks and

and other

• ther resour

resources ces to supplement virtual learning

• When available, electronic textbooks and resources will be accessible to students
• Ability to offer full menu of course

course off

• fferings

erings, including specials and electives

• Significant focus on synch

synchronous

• nous learning experience (all students receive virtual instruction at a

specific time)

• Stable

Stable and and consist consistent ent learning environments for students, without instructional shifts or school closures

• The District will re

re-e

• evaluat

aluate this program after Thanksgiving break (Monday, November 30)

• Elementary first marking period ends on December 7, and Secondary first marking period ends November 12
• We will survey parents/guardians in early October and November to assess the program

Improving Virtual Learning Experience from Spring 2020

• A Chrom
• mebook

book has s been en ordere dered d for r all stude udents nts, as part of the expedited Digital Transformation Plan

• Additional support for learn

arning ing help lp and d tutori ring ng will be available

• Increased technolog

chnology y suppor pport will be available for using new software and online resources

• Highly structure

uctured d schedule hedule for students on a daily basis will be developed, including incre reased ased synch chronous

• nous learn

arning ing experiences, using live and video-based instruction

• New software includes Sing

ngle le Sign gn On, Seesaw, WeVideo, and Peardeck to support easier access to learning software and increased engagement

• Expanded prof
• fessi

ssional

• nal develo

elopme pment nt and support for teachers and staff in using new technologies or strategies

Accessing Virtual Learning Programs

• Advancing the Digital Transformation Plan
• Chromebook purchases have been expedited for all students in grades 4

and up

• Existing supply of Chromebooks will be distributed for grades K-3
• Prioritization for device distribution will be given to students in the

greatest need

• As new devices are delivered, they will continue to be distributed

accordingly

• ASD will work with families to ensure they can access the internet

at home

Redefining Secondary Schedules for Virtual Learning

• This is a SAMPLE schedule for the Junior

High School.

• Schedule is majority synchronous, but
• ffers an asynchronous day on

Wednesdays for balance.

• To limit screen time, instruction would be

a blend of online and offline activities.

• The schedule includes the addition of an

advisory period and a modified ‘bell schedule’ to provide a more flexible and engaging learning environment.

• Live virtual instruction will be supported

through tools such as Google Meet, WeVideo and Peardeck.

*Schedule includes break times between periods

Monday / Thursday Tuesday / Friday Wednesday

8:00 Advisory Period 8:14 Period 1 Period 5 Period 1 8:58 Period 2 9:42 Period 2 Period 6 Period 3 10:26 Period 4 11:10 Lunch Break Lunch Break Lunch Break 11:54 :54 Period 3 Period 7 Period 5 12:38 :38 Period 6 1:22 Period 4 Period 8 Period 7 2:06 Period 8 2:50 to 3:00 Afternoon Check-in

Redefining Elementary Schedules for Virtual Learning

MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY

• SAMPLE SCHEDULE ONLY-

8:50-9:00 :00 a.m. - Stud udents ts Star art t the Day wit ith their r Teac acher er – Attendance and Morning Routines (Live Google Meet) 11:45 :45 a.m.-12:30 :30 p.m. . - Lunch for for All ll Stud udent ents 3:05 p.m.

• m. - Studen

tudents ts End the Day y Subj bjec ects ts Throug

• ughout
• ut the Day:

y:

• Comm

mmun unicati ation Arts ts

• Mathemati

matics

• Scien

ence/S /Soc

• cial Studi

tudies es

• Speci

ecial al Content t Area a (Art, t, Lib ibrar rary, , Musi sic, , or PE)

• Healt

lth/Soci /Social al Emotio tional al Learn rning (SEL) Whole Group Lesson (Live Google Meet), Small Group (Guided Instruction or Centers), and Independent Activities (online or

• ffline print materials/hands-on tasks)

As needed, students will receive instructional support, such as for Special Education, Multi-tiered System of Support/Response to Intervention, or English Language Development.

WEDNESDAY

• SAMPLE SCHEDULE ONLY-

8:50-9:00 :00 a.m. - Stud udents ts Star art t the Day wit ith their r Teac acher er – Attendance and Morning Routines (Live Google Meet) Lunch 2:50-3:05 :05 p.m. . – Studen tudents ts End the Day wit ith their r Teac acher er – SEL/Class Meeting (Live Google Meet) Subj bjec ects ts Throug

• ughout
• ut the Day

(Async ynchronou

• nous)

s):

• Comm

mmun unicati ation Arts ts

• Mathemati

matics s

• Scien

ence/S /Soc

• cial Studi

tudies es

• Healt

lth As needed, students will receive instructional support in an asynchronous format.

• This is a SAMP

MPLE elementary schedule.

• Schedules and the instructional times

for each subject will vary by grade, as there are differences in instructional minutes for content areas.

• Schedules include both synchronous

and asynchronous times to provide

• flexibility. Wednesday offers a full day
• f asynchronous lessons, with teacher

check-in/out.

• To limit screen time, lessons will have

a blend of online and offline activities.

• Teachers will provide students with

breaks as needed.

• Special Education and APEX will be

scheduled for students with IEPs and GIEPs.

Maintaining Expectations in a Virtual Program

• Daily Attenda

dance nce

• Attendance will be taken on a daily basis. Absences will be noted.
• Gradi

ding Practic tices

• Grading practices will return to the traditional practices that occurred prior

to March 13, 2020.

• Mark

rking g Periods ds

• Secondary students will have four marking periods. Elementary students

will have three marking periods.

• Assessme

sments ts

• Students will take assessments online.
• Curriculum-based assessments will resume for chapter and/or unit tests.

Final examinations at the secondary level will return.

• Developing formats for the online environment, keeping security in mind.

Instructing Students with IEPs, GIEPs, and English Learners

• Special

ial Education tion Servic ices

• Communication from the Special Education Department will go out to all families
• Each student’s IEP will be reviewed and a determination made as to whether a

revision to accommodate the learning environment is necessary and IEP meetings will be held

• Limited in-person instruction may be recommended for the most complex learner
• Gifted

d Services ces

• Provided to students at the elementary level through the APEX program included

within the virtual schedule

• Provided to students at the secondary level through goals and specially designed

instruction within honors classes, critical thinking, and/or gifted seminar

• English

sh Learne rners rs

• English Language Development instruction will be included within the virtual

schedule

• Office hours Monday through Friday from 8:30am – 3:30pm for support to

families and students

Providing Alternative Cyber Comparisons

Comparing to the Ab Abingt ngton n Cyber r Educati tion n (ACE) program, a cyber option offered in the past decade to allow students to take courses

• nline while maintaining status as an Abington student.

• rs

• llment

• ther students from Greater Philadelphia Region

• rt

Finding Solutions for Childcare

• YMCA partnership (https://philaymca.org/yssc)
• The YMCA would offer a childca

dcare e program m in each District elementary school (grades K-6), from 7 a.m.—6 p.m.

‒ Times align with when parents/guardians would normally drop-off and pick-up for Before and After School Enrichment (BASE) programs ‒ YMCA staff members will serve in a supervisory, not an instructional, role

• Health and Safety considerations, including social distancing, face coverings, etc., would apply

‒ YMCA will maintain a Health and Safety Plan ‒ Due to the limited enrollment of the program, District buildings will have enough space for social distancing

• Students enrolled in the YMCA childcare program are still expected to participate in all virtual

instruction

• Potential cost would be $45 per day, per child, for up to an 11-hr. day, five days per week ($50 per

day for a partial week)

‒ Financial assistance available through application to the county’s Early Learning Resource Center and/or the YMCA in a similar fashion to that available for the YMCA’s BASE program ‒ District working with Abington Educational Foundation (AEF) to identify possible solutions

• Parent Council
• Administration assisting Parent Council in providing support to school PTO/PTAs in organizing small-

group networks of students in homes

Providing Meal Service for Students

• Working with food service provider, Chartwells, to offer grab-and-go

breakfasts and lunches for eligible families

• More information will be shared about distribution in the coming

weeks

Reviewing Use of District Buildings and Grounds

• Organizations requesting a permit must comply with the

Abington School District’s Health and Safety plan as appropriate and also ensure appropriate social distancing, masking and other health & safety measures

• Restrictions regarding large group gatherings will apply to all

permit requests

• Permit approval is provisional and may be cancelled at the

discretion of the Superintendent or designee due to circumstances impacting health & safety

Reviewing School Sports and PIAA

August ust 6, 2020 Press ess Release ease from m Governor ernor Wolf: "The Pennsylvania Department of Health and Department of Education today jointly recommended that Pre-K-12 school and recreational youth sports be postponed until at least Jan. 1, 2021 to protect children and teens from COVID-19." Aug ugust ust 7, 2020 Press ess Release ease from m PIAA: A: "On August 21st the Board [of Directors of the PIAA] will reconvene. Between now and then, voluntary workouts, per the Governor's Guidance for All Sports, and with local approval, may continue. Mandatory fall sports activities are paused for the two week period. PIAA remains committed to providing a season for each of the sports during the 2020-2021 school year."

Abi bington

• n Schoo
• ol

l Dis istri trict ct is is eva valu luati ting ng next t steps ps ba based d on

• n guid

idance ce and d di direct ctio ion provid ided d by th the Governor

• r and

d PIAA AA, and d wil ill l revis isit it th this is top

• pic

ic at t th the August t 25, , 2020 20 me meeti ting of

• f th

the Bo Board of d of Schoo

• ol

l Dir irect ctor

• rs

Providing for Social/Emotional Support and Counseling Services in a Virtual Environment

• Transition, community building, establishment of rapport and

emotional safety activities the first two weeks of school

• Check in/check out – consistent daily contact with an adult from the

school community

• Social/emotional learning lessons
• Counselors and psychologists to visit classrooms
• Communication of how to access support to families and students
• Referral for support by teachers and other staff for students of

concern

• All counseling supports available virtually (e.g., individual and small

group counseling)

• Professional development for staff on trauma-informed practices

Preparing Before the First Day of School

• Administration recommends the

implementation of an 11-hour Flexible Learning Model to meet the professional development needs of the faculty prior to the start of the school year.

• This recommendation requires:
• Board Approval to change the school

calendar, converting 9/8 – 9/11 to half- days for students and teachers

• Agreement with the AEA

Progressing Professional Development

8/13 – 9/1 Summer Flex Professional Development Required sessions on School Policy and Regulations, COVID-19 Safety and Hygiene Training, Cultural Responsiveness, and Teaching and Learning in a Virtual Environment (Instructional Practice and New Software Tools) 9/2 – 9/4 Professional Development Days 1) Required sessions on Trauma-Informed Instruction and new Curriculum Resources 2) Collegial planning and teacher preparation Ongoing (Every Wednesday throughout Virtual Learning) 1) Designated time for collegial planning 2) Responsive PD, based on real-time needs of faculty and staff

Communicating Fall 2020

• Pa

Parents/guar rents/guardia dians ns should

• uld mak

ake e sure re contact ntact informatio rmation n is up to

• date

in Skyw ywar ard

• Phone
• Email
• Mobile number for text messaging (optional)
• Follo

low w Abing ngton

• n Schoo

hool l Di Distri trict ct on social ial media dia for r updat dates

• Facebook (@AbingtonSD)
• Twitter (@AbingtonSchools)
• Instagram (@AbingtonSD)

Providing Ongoing Parent/Guardian Support

• Coron
• navi

virus rus Resour

• urce

ce Cent nter er

• Updates and communications
• Access to health agency websites
• Inst

structi ction

• nal

l Hub ub

• Teaching and Learning and other

curriculum-based information related to fall 2020

• FAQs
• COVI

VID-19 Sup uppor

• rt

t Servi vices ces Pag Page

• Community resources for families in need
• Mental health resources and support
• COVID-19 health information and best

practices

• Digital

al Transf sform

• rmati

tion

• n Plan Websit

bsite e (in developme elopment) nt)

• 1:1 Technology-related resources
• Tutorials and instructional videos
• FAQs
• Parent

nt Coun unci cil

Thank You