West Ada School District Update
August 31, 2020
Virtual School House Enrollment Closed, Wait List Available
Distribution of One-to-One Devices
West Ada School District purchased laptops, tablets and other technology at the end of last school year fulfilling a need for one device per one student. Shipments have arrived throughout August, with the last expected around August 31. Software and other programs are installed on these devices before they are distributed. Details about picking up devices will be shared by each school once they are ready for student and staff use – likely the week before school starts.
Students in grades K-2 will be issued tablets or laptops, and students in grades 3-12 will be issued laptops. Concerns regarding internet access will be addressed as needed with data hot spots or assistance finding discounted home internet. The district has extended Wi-Fi signals beyond the walls of each school so students may access the internet from anywhere on school grounds.
Providing computers for all students requires a significant investment. West Ada School District was able to make this investment without further reducing its operating budget or cutting programs. New computers were purchased using $7 million in local revenue from plant levy funds.
Update Student Information to be Issued Device
Before issuing a computer device to a student for the one-to-one device program, schools will double-check to ensure the information in PowerSchool's SchoolForms is updated and completed by the family. If a student's information status is incomplete, or needs to be updated, parents may complete this information at the campus.
Information captured in a child's SchoolForm allows West Ada School District the ability to provide essential services.
If you need help accessing PowerSchool Schoolforms, please contact the Service Desk, go to www.westada.org/TechSupport
Optional Insurance for One-to-One Device
Families have the option to purchase computer insurance by opting-in through PowerSchool's SchoolForms. Without insurance, families may have to cover the full cost of fixing or replacing a device if it becomes damaged. More information about the optional insurance is available in the student handbook.
For those choosing to take advantage of the optional insurance, payment notice may have a few week delay as a new payment portal is set up in PowerSchool. Families will receive an invoice to their primary email address once the program is ready for use. There is a convenience fee for using a card, and instructions for paying by check.
Daily Schedules for Remote Learning
Parent Survey Regarding Returning to School
Survey from 7/27/20 to 8/25/20
Completed surveys: 17,702
This survey was not restricted and could be filled out multiple times by the same participant.
Q1. Most likely community spread of coronavirus in the West Ada School District will continue this fall. Schools may open and then close. The closures could be single schools or the entire school district. West Ada may be switching back and forth between opening and closing schools. Please rate how likely you are to send your student to school next fall if there is community spread of coronavirus and schools may open and then close for periods of time. Note: Zero equals very unlikely. Ten equals very likely.
14.29%, or 2403 respondents, answered 0
4.65%, or 782 respondents, answered 1
4.08%, or 687 respondents, answered 2
3.44%, or 579 respondents, answered 3
2.53%, or 425 respondents, answered 4
8.55%, or 1438 respondents, answered 5
3.15%, or 530 respondents, answered 6
5.94%, or 999 respondents, answered 7
9.35%, or 1573 respondents, answered 8
7.06%, or 1188 respondents, answered 9
36.96%, or 6216 respondents, answered 10
Q2. If NO, what option would you prefer for your family?
58.84%, or 7051 respondents, answered "provide blended learning"
27.61%, or 3309 respondents, answered "provide an entirely online option"
8.24%, or 987 respondents, answered "provide paper packets weekly that would also be returned and graded"
5.32%, or 637 respondents, answered "other"
Q3. Assuming that schools will be allowed to open at the end of August, will you send your child(ren) to school?
62.34%, or 11001 respondents, answered yes
12.64%, or 2231 respondents, answered no
25.01%, or 4414 respondents, answered uncertain
Q4. If you answered no, will you enroll in West Ada's Virtual School House, an online school that is based on each student accessing learning using a computer that has internet access? This system includes daily instruction with a certified teacher.
42.08%, or 3600 respondents, answered yes
14.4%, or 1232 respondents, answered no
43.52%, or 3723 respondents, answered uncertain
Q5. If upon return in August or any time thereafter, the virus is present in our community but children are allowed to attend school when social distancing and group-size limits are followed, what learning environment would best meet the needs of your child?
79.31%, or 13638 respondents, answered "blended learning"
20.69%, or 3558 respondents, answered "online"
Please see the remainder of the questions, responses and comments by visiting: www.westada.org/communication and choosing "Survey Responses."
Upcoming Events
September 1 – Special Board Meeting; Team designation for alternating schedule available in PowerSchool for 9-12
September 7 – West Ada School District offices closed for Labor Day
September 8 – First day of school in remote setting; Board Meeting