Fife High News
Special Edition: Understanding 2nd Semester
A Guide To Understanding Your Options
The New Survey
An important new survey has been pushed out to you in parent/guardian Skyward accounts. The survey asks for parents to select the learning model for 2nd semester for their student. This Survey must be completed by 3PM on Wednesday November 25th.
Facts about the Survey:
If you do not respond to this survey your selection will default to your previous survey selection
Once people select they will not be able to switch back
The Survey is the parent's Skyward account
Click Here for instructions on how to access and fill out survey
Why is there another survey? We would like to get an updated decision for each student as we make preparations for 2nd semester. During the first survey responses were focused on coming back 1st semester. Many people indicated that they would have a different choice for 2nd semester. We want to be sure to capture everyone’s accurate response now that we know a return to in person will not happen this semester.
Once I make this survey selection can I change my mind?
High School schedules are extremely complex to build and usually require months of work. These students are earning credits toward graduation and beginning the new schedules at the semester allows them the greatest opportunity for success, rather than switching at some point later in the semester. This will ensure that students are able to earn all of the credits that they need for graduation.
Based on the responses to the survey, teachers will be assigned to teach in the different learning models depending on the number of students in each model and class sizes will be determined on this as well. If students move from one model to another there may not be the teachers to teach them and/or there may not be room in classes (we have very strict class size regulations for safety).
The COVID metrics are going in the wrong way, why are we talking about coming back to school?
The district will not bring students back on campus until the Health Department, Superintendent, and School Board have determined the health data has reached a point where can bring students back. By getting ready for a Hybrid schedule for 2nd semester, we are not saying we will be back on campus February 1st. However, to be ready to flip into a Hybrid schedule at any point 2nd semester we have to start the semester with all preparations made in student and staff schedules to make that possible.
What does that mean?
Our 2nd semester learning models will begin on February 1, 2021. Depending on the numbers from Pierce County Health, students might begin the Hybrid model still being online, as they are now. Students choosing the Full Time Remote option will begin that model on February 1, 2021, and stay in that model all semester.
While schools are operating remotely due to current data from TPCHD, students in either 2nd Semester model will continue attending three classes a day (Tues-Fri) with their new second semester classes.
Get your questions answered!
This is a complex shift we are undertaking in order to make Hybrid in person learning a possibility. If you have questions we want to be there to give answers. FHS will host a webinar Tuesday the 24th at 6PM where you can hear in more detail what 2nd semester will look like. You will have the opportunity at that time to answer any questions you may have to help you respond to your survey.
See Below for explanations of both the Hybrid and the Full Time Remote Options
Option 1: HYBRID
What does it look like if I choose HYBRID in person?
This is the In-person learning model:
Students will be at school in-person, two days a week in an A/B schedule, Tuesday-Friday, alternating every other day (T/TH, W/F).
On the days students are on campus they will attend all 6 classes. For the days they are not on campus, students will have asynchronous learning tasks designed by their FHS teachers.
Monday’s schedule will stay the same as it is now.
Students may have a different teacher or teachers from their current schedule. Current course offerings may not be available in this model.
We will prioritize having family members across the district being on the same A/B schedule (if you have a sibling at an elementary for example we’d be sure you attend school on the same days).
Strict health and safety protocols will be followed for students returning to in person hybrid instruction. This includes 6 foot social distancing, wearing face coverings, hand washing and sanitizing, strict lunch protocols, and health attestations. Buildings will be cleaned and disinfected each day.
Option 2: FULL TIME REMOTE
What does it look like to be in the Full Time On-line Program?
This is the program for students who do not wish to return at any point 2nd semester to in person learning:
Mondays will stay as they are now, but other than Mondays, this model will NOT look like our present model.
Students will have a blend of Zoom classes taught by Fife School District teachers along with self-paced classes with materials/instruction from an online third-party provider (Edgenuity).
This model, especially the materials from Edgenuity, will require independent student work.
Which classes are delivered via Fife School District teachers in Zoom and which are provided by the Edgenuity program are still to be determined based on the results of the new survey.
Students will be assigned a ‘case manager’ to assist them in their progress. The case managers will be teachers from FHS.
Not all current course offerings will be available in this model (see below).
The choice of Secondary Full Remote will begin February 1, 2020, and will remain in place for the balance of the 2nd semester.
When students who chose the hybrid model (in-person) are again allowed to attend classes on campus, students in the Secondary Full Remote model will be in online classes two days a week in an A/B schedule, Tuesday - Friday, alternating every other day (T/TH, W/F). On the days students are in their online classes they will attend all 6 classes.
Students who choose full time remote learning can still participate in sports and extra curricular activities as they become available.
What is Edgenuity?
Some Classes Will Not Offered in Full Time Remote
Many of the FHS specific elective courses will not be offered in the Full Time Online program. Students who were signed up for these classes will be provided similar courses in the Edgenuity program in order to meet their credit and graduation requirements. Students in the online program will be provided electives that meet their specific graduation credit needs. Here is the list of the FHS courses not being offered in the Full Time Online Program:
Acting
Advanced Art
Aerospace
AVID 10 and 11
Broadcasting
Band
Elementary Education
Choir
Commercial Photography
Culinary
Cyber Security
Drone Piloting
Film as LIterature
Graphic Arts
Leadership
Manufacturing 1 and 2
Pre-Apprenticeship
Robotics
Spanish Heritage
Swimming
Unified PE
20th Century Film
Trojan Cafe
Yearbook
Can I be in AP and College in the High School and be in the Online Program? Yes