Dear High School Students and Families:

Welcome to the WHPS Online Learning Plan page. We have missed you over the past week. The WHPS administration and staff is dedicated to supporting students and families during this unprecedented time. We have created a flexible learning approach that delivers essential content to students in each of their courses. This page provides information on that plan.

What are the district's initial objectives for the West Hartford Online Learning Plan?

• to be flexible and responsive to student and family needs
• to continue student learning through a new platform
• to support students in the effective use of online learning tools
• to connect with all of our students and support their diverse learning needs
• to provide frequent communication and feedback on student learning

How will students engage in online learning?

• Google Classroom -The primary method to conduct online learning is through Google Classroom. By Friday afternoon the week prior, teachers will post assignments on this platform outlining learning expectations for the following week. Teachers will focus on the work that is most essential for student progress. Teachers will assign a reasonable workload and encourage students to balance their online work with other needs. Using Google Classroom’s features, teachers can post messages and documents, embed links to content, comment on student work, and much more. Classroom also includes features that allows students to submit their work electronically and reply to their teachers and classmates. Each student has an individual Google Classroom account for each class. For questions about accessing Google Classroom, students should contact their teachers directly.

• Google Meets - This video conferencing application serves as a secondary method to support online learning. Through the platform, teachers will offer Classroom Office Hours twice per week in each course. Students will work on their Google Classroom assignments during the week and will check in with their teachers via Google Meets during Classroom Office Hours. Attending Classroom Office Hours is not mandatory; however, we strongly encourage students to check in regularly.

• GMail - Like Google Classroom, Gmail is a communication tool that students and teachers use regularly and will continue to use as we move to the WHPS Online Learning Plan.

What will teachers and students do during Classroom Office Hours?

Teachers will identify learning objectives for the week, clarify concepts, respond to student questions and provide guidance and support for students. They will not be teaching full lessons or directing instruction for 30 minutes. Students may ask questions, provide feedback and seek additional support. Classroom Office Hours will be useful to check for student understanding and gauge pacing of instruction.

When will students engage in online learning?

Once students see their assignments posted in Google Classroom, they can complete their work when it best meets their schedule. Each teacher will communicate when work is due, but all will remain flexible as we move education online for the first time. To support student learning, WHPS built a schedule for students to check in with their teachers using Google Meets. The high school schedule can be found here. For students who attend REACH, your schedule can be found here.

Does it make sense for every class to have Classroom Office Hours?

Classroom Office Hours are not required for every period of a student's schedule, but have been assigned to most classes. For example, science lab periods will not have separate Classroom Office Hours as students will check in during their science class period. PE classes are not required to hold Classroom Office Hours; however students are encouraged to contact their teachers for 1:1 support. Wellness 9 and Health will hold Classroom Office Hours to support students in the academic aspect of their work.

What should a student do if they are not able to join Classroom Office Hours on a given day?

Teachers will not take attendance during Classroom Office Hours. Teachers understand that students may not always be able to attend their Office Hours. This platform is intended as a secondary support to students.

Students can download the app for Google Meets and Google Classroom if they have a mobile device. This way they can receive information and participate in Class Office Hours.

How is WHPS supporting students with IEPs and 504 plans?

WHPS is providing multiples supports to students who have IEP and 504 plans. These include:

• Untimed assignments with flexible due dates. Students with IEPs will work with their special educator and teacher to determine appropriate flexibilities.
• All assignments posted in Google Classroom will include accommodations for students with IEPs and 504 plans.
• Content Support classes, those classes that provide students with additional targeted instruction, will hold Classroom Office Hours as all other classes do. Students can check in with their special educator for support in meeting their goals.
• Special Educators will use afternoons and Wednesdays for small group work and individual check-ins.
• Special Educators will have access to their co-teacher's Google Classroom to review assignments and be prepared to support students.
• Special Educators are creating learning plans to meet each student's IEP goals.
• School Counselors will check in with their 504 students during the afternoon or on Wednesday to determine their needs.
• Special Educators of students in Intensive Academic classes will email families directly with plans for continued learning.

Daily Routines

We encourage families to help students establish daily routines during this time. Routines are helpful to provide continuity, support students in achieving their goals, and offer structure as we transition to a new way of operating. By having assignments posted by a certain time each week and providing Classroom Office Hours, we hope to support each student as they continue their academic journey.

Support

We appreciate that the WHPS Online Learning Plan is new to everyone: students, teachers, and families. While we cannot replicate the classroom learning experience, we have designed meaningful, targeted weekly learning opportunities for the coming weeks. Classroom teachers and support staff (English learners, special education, school counselors, etc.) will communicate with you regularly via email. As you have questions, we encourage you to reach out to your child's teacher or building administrator.

Thank you for your partnership.