KCSD & Me: Reopening School
Hybrid learning plan will safely let students return to class
July 8, 2020
Dear KCSD families,
I hope your summer is off to a good start. We are working on plans to reopen and want to share with you what school may look like this fall.
Based on your feedback, our goal is to maximize face-to-face learning with as much student-teacher contact as possible. However, when classes start Aug. 31, we likely will still be living with COVID-19 in our communities. Our reopening plan was created in accordance with the following priorities: 1) the safety of our students and staff; 2) quality instruction for all students; and 3) avoiding a COVID-related shutdown.
As of right now, we plan to reopen schools using a hybrid-learning model, which balances in-person classroom instruction with distance learning. While we want to provide as much in-school learning as possible, Oregon Department of Education social distancing and safety requirements limit the number of students we can accommodate in classrooms and on our buses.
This reopening plan will allow us time to provide training in our distance learning platforms to students and their families. We know that guidance and state mandates can change overnight, and we want our students to be set up for success in the event schools close again for an extended period. Our teachers will be working in teams in August, building lessons and courses that will provide rigorous instruction in all delivery formats.
Students who are not able to, or would prefer not to, return to a school campus can continue their education through our online and distance learning programs.
Klamath County School District schools will host parent forums in late July and early August to give you a chance to provide input, ask questions, and learn about school cleaning and safety protocols. Please check school websites for updates and the dates and times for parent forums.
The following is what school will look like under our reopening plans:
HYBRID LEARNING: A balance of face-to-face classroom instruction and remote learning.
- Students at each school will be assigned to one of two groups. Each group attends school two days a week, receiving face-to-face instruction with classroom teachers. Students will remain in small cohorts of about 10-20 students throughout the day. The cohort attends classes and other activities together, enabling schools to limit and track day-to-day intermingling.
- Each group participates in online and distance learning three days a week, using synchronous and asynchronous delivery methods.
- Parents and students will receive training on the school’s online learning platform.
- The district will provide ongoing distance learning and tech support to students and parents.
- Schools will follow strict cleaning and hygiene protocols.
Note: Some schools may be able to bring all students back fulltime once they meet all state guidelines and determine their distance-learning plan is successful for every student.
FULL DISTANCE LEARNING: Students who are not able to, or would prefer not to, return to a school campus can stay connected to their schools and continue their education through our quality online and distance learning programs.
- Great Basin Academy: Under our current virtual and homeschool programs, students are enrolled in the Klamath County School District and have access to nutritional and special services, extracurricular activities, and specialized academic programs in our schools.
**Great Basin Virtual Academy: This online school for 7th- through 12th-graders is a long-standing, accredited program with certified teachers. Students will have access to support from KCSD teachers.
**Great Basin Homeschool: The district’s Great Basin Homeschool Center provides a full academic curriculum for K-8th graders. Parents are responsible for their student’s academic progress.
To find out more about these options, please call Great Basin Academy at 541-883-6699.
- Comprehensive Distance Learning: We are working to develop a districtwide online school with certified district teachers delivering instruction. Participating students would remain enrolled in their neighborhood school. The program is under development and more information will be available in August.
Our reopening plan follows current Oregon Department of Education Ready Schools, Safe Learners Guidance that provides clear health and safety reopening protocols as well as social distancing mandates. The goal is to reopen safely and remain open so we can consistently provide quality instruction as well as meals, transportation services, and specialized academic and social-emotional supports.
We need to work together to navigate the state’s evolving efforts to mitigate COVID-19. In the next few weeks, we will be sharing and asking for input on our schools’ drafts of their Operational Blueprints for Reentry.
You likely already have questions and we have started a FAQ (see link below) to provide some answers. We will post all FAQs on our website and appreciate your patience as we update and finalize plans. If you have a question, please reach out to us by email – kcsd_covid19@kcsd.k12.or.us – and we will provide an answer as soon as we can. If you want to discuss your student’s options for this fall, please call Tia Powell at the District Office at 541-851-8740.
We will continue to work through the summer so we are ready to serve every student when our doors open this fall. We are in this together. We deeply value and appreciate your support of the Klamath County School District.
Sincerely,
Glen Szymoniak
Superintendent
Klamath County School District