K-6 Virtual Classroom Learning
Answers To Your Top Questions
Sycamore K-6 Virtual Families,
Sycamore Community Schools is committed to being nimble, flexible, and responsive as we navigate our way through this unusual school year. This includes making course corrections to address issues that arise. We appreciate your feedback and your patience throughout the first few weeks of school as we work to make this school year a successful one for our virtual families and students.
The following information has been compiled to provide more clarity around K-6 Virtual Classroom Learning. Some of these topics will be discussed further during our K-6 Virtual Families Town Hall on October 13. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with additional feedback or questions.
Our Virtual Classroom administration, district administration, and K-6 building principals are looking forward to answering the top submitted questions during the town hall. Please note that questions that are specific to individual students or questions that are submitted after October 9 at 8:00 a.m. will not be discussed during the town hall.
We will share a Zoom meeting link to the virtual town hall with families who registered to attend prior to Tuesday's event.
Equitable Education
Virtual Class Sizes
Our face-to-face class sizes are smaller than the virtual classroom due to the need to spread our students out for social distancing protocols. Our virtual classroom numbers are similar to our average class size during a typical year. At this time, there is no plan to adjust virtual class sizes further.
As new enrollment comes in, we are offering the choice of either model, however, we are limiting enrollment in some grades/classes to maintain these class size averages.
Small Group/ Individual Learning
Curriculum Pacing
The goal is for all of our students to be on pace with their learning. In the same way that the four elementary buildings and E.H. Greene Intermediate look to align, and multiple grades in the same building look to align - we also look to align with our virtual and face-to-face teachers.
All virtual teachers follow the same curriculum map and pacing guide as face-to-face teachers for each content area they are responsible for. They also participate in professional learning communities (PLCs) with their face to face colleagues to review data and collaborate around any adjustments to instruction. Teacher Subject Leaders in each of the core subject areas meet regularly with the Director of Curriculum and Instruction which includes virtual and face-to-face teachers. In addition, the four elementary home school administrators meet regularly with virtual teachers to make sure that the communication, planning, and expectations are strong between virtual teachers and face to face teachers.
Grades K-6 Specials
Grades 5-6: Students have one music special (orchestra, band, or choir) and the other specials are offered during the other period through a choice board.
MAP Testing
MAP testing occurs three times a year (fall, winter, spring) for all students in grades 1-8. This tool measures each student’s growth over time and is utilized by our teachers/administrators as a tool for making adjustments in classroom instructional practice, for intervention/ enrichments support decisions, and to gauge continuity, consistency, and progress across grade levels.
While our first day of fall remote MAP testing had some unforeseen bumps, we made adjustments and our second day was much better. Our winter MAP testing virtual administration will occur in January at the same time as our face-to-face administration.
Virtual Teacher Training/Development
All Sycamore teachers enjoy a robust professional development experience and a strong team of support along the way. However, we recognize that the art and science of teaching looks a bit different in the virtual world. To this end, the district has added an additional instructional technology trainer to work exclusively with the virtual teachers. In her role, this I2 (Instructional Innovator) holds training and meetings for virtual teaching teams and virtual grade levels, provides resources and supports, and offers unlimited one on one appointments for virtual teachers to get hands-on collaborative help and support. In addition, our other two I2s provide ongoing professional development to increase teacher’s abilities to increase student engagement in the virtual classroom.
Like their face to face colleagues, all virtual teachers in a new role or new to Sycamore have the benefit of a mentor who is supplemented to be their go-to person to provide ongoing support and collaboration. This mentor remains in close contact with their mentee for the entire school year.
ESOL, Special Education, and Intervention
Schedules
No New Instruction Blocks for K-4
Screen Time
Virtual Daily Schedule
The K-4 virtual schedules have been created to allow for needed supports throughout the school day, specifically during No New Instruction Time. By comparing the K-4 virtual schedules, you will see that there is no overlap of No New Instruction time between grade levels. This means that teachers (special education, ESOL, intervention, PTs, OTs, etc.) may work with their students throughout the day without an overlap. For this reason, there is not a plan to adjust virtual student schedules in grades K-4.
Understandably, this may create challenges for families with multiple students on a different schedule. However, by moving any of the schedules around to allow for things such as a common lunchtime, we would be limiting the educational experiences of our virtual learners by either limiting the courses they could take or limiting the individual and small group support they may receive from their teachers and other support staff.
The high school, junior high, and intermediate school virtual schedules have all been created to allow for virtual students to have access to all courses offered in those respective buildings. For that reason, there is not a plan to adjust virtual student schedules in grades 5-12.
Brain Breaks
Grades 5-6: Grades 5-6 teachers integrate Brain Breaks as part of the class time. Throughout the day grade 5-6 kids have opportunities to take a screen break, move around, and stretch.
Virtual Technology, Materials & Tools
Virtual Pilot Kits
Virtual Pilot Kits have been developed for each grade level and will be distributed on an as-needed basis, These boxes are for virtual students K-6 and will include materials for class, handouts, classroom supplies, and other items provided by their teacher.
For K-4 virtual students, we will be hosting the October pick up at the Virtual Learning Commons (11120 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242) next week as follows:
- Monday, October 12 from 12 pm-6 pm
- Tuesday, October 13 from 7:30 am-1:30 pm
- Wednesday, October 14 from 8 am-12 pm
- For 5-6 virtual students, this will be quarterly beginning in late October.
Families received information this week regarding how to reserve a pick-up date/time. Health and safety protocols will be put into place.
Pilot Kits will be student-specific, however, they may be picked up by a friend, family member, or neighbor if you are unable to attend the pick-up. Please see “Parent and Guardian Help” for more information about how you can help with this!
Printing From Home
Policies and Procedures
Role of Learning Partners
5-6 Learning Partners: We greatly appreciate the overwhelming support of parents and learning partners at home. Each student's success is greatly bolstered by the partnership of home and school. In these current unique circumstances, we encourage parents and learning partners to be available for technical support during the school day, but we also encourage parents and learning partners to try to simulate a learning environment as close to the school environment as possible. The intermediate level is a special time in the lives of our students as they transition from elementary school, and are challenged to become more independent and responsible in their learning. Furthermore, in order for teachers to gain a more accurate picture of each student's understandings, it is imperative for students to complete assignments and assessments on their own. Thank you again for partnering with us in your child's academic success. We look forward to seeing growth in our Emerald Team students over the course of this semester.
Substitute Teachers
Our goal is to have virtual guest teachers in our classrooms when our teachers need to be out of class. However, due to a previously existing sub shortage, compounded with the pandemic - finding guest teachers (especially guest teachers who are interested in serving as a virtual guest teacher) has proven a significant challenge. We are continuing to work to recruit and hire virtual guest teachers.
Starting next week, we will have a new building substitute joining us at the Virtual Learning Commons. She will be observing the different grade levels to get a feel for their classes and schedules.
In the meantime, if no virtual guest teacher is available, we have asked our virtual teachers to prepare activities that students and their Learning Partners may complete at home. This may include a mix of pre-recorded teacher videos, online activities, and off-screen activities. If you have a Bachelor's degree and are interested in being a guest teacher for our virtual classrooms, or know of someone who might be, please contact Brian Wallace in our HR department at wallaceb@sycamoreschools.org
Inclement Weather Days
Communication
While there is freedom of expression for our teachers with regards to their messages to students and families, all teachers use a weekly guide to provide information for that week’s assignments, links to videos, and other pertinent information. This is posted in Blackboard or Google Classroom by the opening of school on the first day of the school week or earlier.
Building Community and Friendships
Socialization Opportunities
Parent/Guardian Assistance
We would love Parent and Guardian help in the virtual classroom! Specifically, we are looking for the following assistance:
Virtual Pilot Kits - copy and cut out teacher created materials
Virtual Pilot Kits - packing the boxes
Virtual Pilot Kits - distribution during parent/guardian pick up
Virtual Pilot Kits - providing drop off of the kits to families who are homebound or unable to pick them up
Virtual Picture Day chairs - assisting with planning and running this event (directing children as they come in, helping with sign in and monitoring student lines)
We will continue to look for more ways to gratefully accept your support!
(Please note that any hands-on help will be at the Virtual Learning Commons. Volunteers would need to have their temperature taken upon arrival, be masked, and follow social distancing protocols while on site. Unfortunately, we would not be able to accommodate students or siblings on site.)
Virtual Picture Day
- Blue Ash Elementary: November 9, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
- Montgomery Elementary: November 20, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
- Symmes Elementary: October 27, 4:30-6:30 pm
- Maple Dale Elementary and E.H. Greene Intermediate virtual picture days have already occurred.
Jostens will also accept digital photos submitted by families this year for the yearbook. Please contact your home building for more information.