Learning at Home
Tips and tricks from Elyria City School District
Dear families ...
This fall the Elyria Schools will welcome students back to school in-person and online.
The district is offering a two-day in-person attendance and virtual learning hybrid model as well as a full five-day online experience through the Virtual Academy. (Both plans are detailed online at Pioneer Path: Back to School. Please note: registration for the Virtual Academy closed on Aug. 3.)
Parents should be cognizant of the possibility that at any time the district could switch to a full virtual model dependent on developments with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week we released a sample (Spanish) of the Virtual Academy schedule that offers a full online learning platform for students through the first semester.
The in-person/virtual hybrid plan, on the other hand, assigns students to one of two cohorts so they can attend school in person two days per week on their assigned days and learn independently at home the other days of the week.
Teachers will be available for support on the at-home learning days in the hybrid model during the last half hour of the school day and also on Wednesdays.
With this newsletter, we are able to announce the cohort assignments that have been established by last name.
Students with last names beginning with "A-Le" will attend on Monday and Tuesday and students with last names beginning with "Li-Z" will attend on Thursday and Friday.
If this assignment presents a child-care or work scheduling conflict, we've created a simple online form for families that would make it possible to request a change to their student's cohort attendance days.
The cohort change form is available at this link (Spanish). If parents are requesting a cohort change for multiple students, then a separate form must be completed for each student.
The first day of school for all students is Tuesday, September 8, however the first week of school will follow a staggered schedule that will bring students into school for one shortened day during the week of Sept. 8-11. (Bussing will be provided for eligible riders during this week.)
Students will be notified by their building principals on what day to arrive during the first week of school. During that time, students will meet their teachers and receive chromebooks and instructions for logging in while they are learning at home on their non-attendance days.
This also will be the time for students who are attending the new schools of Hamilton, Ely or Northwood Campus to learn the layout of their new schools through guided tours by school staff members. Open house events for parents will be held virtually and plans will be announced as the school year resumes.
Students enrolled in the Virtual Academy are still every bit a member of their school community. Virtual Academy students will be assigned a day by their principal to pick up their chromebook and any needed materials. (Arrangements can also be made for the parent to pick up the material.) A virtual orientation will be scheduled for students.
Students in the Virtual Academy will continue to receive information from their school principal throughout the semester and will be offered the same opportunities to participate in broad school events or extracurricular or after-school activities.
The first full day of school for all students is Monday, September 14.
The school day schedule for students attending through the in-person/virtual hybrid model is:
- Preschool AM: 9:10 a.m. - 11:40 a.m.
- Preschool PM: 12:40 p.m. - 3:10 p.m. (EECV and Hamilton)
- Elementary: 9:10 a.m. - 2:40 p.m.
- Middle School: 7:30 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
- High School Group 1: 8:30 a.m. -12:40 p.m.
- High School Group 2: 9 a.m. - 1:10 p.m.
Elyria High School staff will mail additional information to families of high school students within the next two weeks, elaborating on the high school scheduling and available programs.
The school day sample schedule (Spanish) for students attending through the Virtual Academy is posted online as well.
Students who are attending school and are eligible for bus transportation will be contacted by First Student in the coming weeks to confirm ridership. For special circumstances, parents can complete a Conditional Transportation Form online or contact First Student directly at 440-284-8030.
The Elyria Schools will continue closely monitoring developments with the COVID-19 pandemic and make adjustments to the school schedule as necessary. Parents should make a plan for childcare should the district have to switch to a full virtual model of learning.
The district is currently following the guidelines of the Ohio Department of Health and guidance from the Lorain County Public Health District.
For more information on the Elyria Schools "Pioneer Path: Back to School" plan, please visit us at elyriaschools.org.
Please contact us anytime at ask@elyriaschools.org and we will respond to inquiries as soon as possible.
Thank you and enjoy your weekend!
Amy Higgins
Communications Director
Elyria City School District
Email: ask@elyriaschools.org
Website: www.elyriaschools.org
Location: 42101 Griswold Road, Elyria, OH, USA
Phone: 440-284-8000
Facebook: facebook.com/elyriacityschools
Twitter: @twitter_elyriaschools