Cedar Reader - Summer Update
July 15, 2020
Return to School Information
I hope you are having a good summer and enjoying a break from the stressors of remote learning. We are working hard every day to make plans for a completely new educational experience; one that will give families options and works to engage students in several different platforms. This approach to teaching and learning is driven by the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Education. We have very clear parameters that will continue to evolve on into September and beyond. If you would like to read the guidance yourself, here is the link to the latest document.
If you don't feel like reading through that document, I understand. I will attempt to guide you through some of the main highlights in this newsletter, but I'm inviting you to the first of several presentation sessions that will give more specifics and allow for some questions and answers. See the sessions below, and please RSVP so we can send you the Zoom access information about an hour before each session.
Return to School FAQs (as of July 15, 2020):
1. What are the learning options for students?
The Beaverton School District Return-to-School Plan has two paths:
- School-based Learning: The Hybrid Model is part at-school learning and part at-home online instruction — what we refer to as Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL). The core of what teachers do will be online. All daily coursework, lessons and learning tasks in grades K-12 will be delivered through Seesaw or Canvas by neighborhood or option school teachers. The on-site classroom experience should be viewed as “extra” or “supplementary” to the online experience. Although limited in time, the on-site experience provides an opportunity to address the social-emotional and behavioral health and wellness needs of our students. Students also may receive whole group, small group or individualized instruction on site.
- For parents who aren’t comfortable sending their children back to physical school buildings, the Hybrid Model allows for a short-term online-only option via Comprehensive Distance Learning. In the event of another state-mandated school closure, all students in the Hybrid Model would shift to full Comprehensive Distance Learning.
- School Based Online Learning (Comprehensive Distance Learning): On this path, students will continue to be enrolled at their home school, Cedar Park, but all their courses are taught by Cedar Park staff and they interact with Cedar Park students. This model allows for students to learn online for as long as families want. It also allows for students to transition to online only for a few weeks 2-3 weeks, if exposed at home, and then return to school when they know they are well. Students cannot blend the two options. They will need to be enrolled in CDL or the Hybrid model.
FLEX Online School: On this path, students will continue to be enrolled in the District, but they’ll be enrolled in a fully virtual K-12 school called FLEX Online School. This option is a permanent school; if students need to switch to their regular BSD schools, they’ll be asked to do so at the end of a semester. BSD teachers will instruct using a curriculum specifically designed for online learning.
What will the hybrid schedule look like?
Students will attend school on site in assigned attendance groups. Attendance Group 1 will meet Monday and Tuesday. Attendance Group 2 will meet Thursday and Friday. On the days when students aren’t in school, they’ll participate in Comprehensive Distance Learning from home. CDL days will include time for students to engage remotely with their school teachers. Cedar Park is working to create a schedule that includes synchronous sessions for students to interact with their teachers when they are not physically at school. Students will be learning five days a week.
If we have multiple children attending multiple schools, will they be on the same schedule?
Cedar Park is working with our 7 feeder schools and our two high school to coordinate so that students in a single household are assigned to the same attendance group schedule.
Can I coordinate with our neighbors to have kids on the same cohort?
We will be sending out a survey that allows for some parental input so we can try to connect family/quarantine pods. We hope to do this so parents can work together for transportation and child care, and in the hopes that neighboring students can work together as much as possible. We will do our best but cannot make any promises.
How will grading work in the Hybrid Model, CDL Model and FLEX Online School?
We are awaiting final guidance from the Oregon Department of Education regarding grading. At this point, it is very likely that grades will be given in all models and courses.
What will schools do to assess learning needs for students who didn’t adapt well to remote learning, and what will schools do to support those students in catching up?
Students will be assessed by their classroom teachers. Cedar Park will continue to be an MYP school, and teachers will continue to use the MYP Rubrics and Approaches to Learning. Students will continue to receive support from their classroom teachers and other school-based staff, as needed.
If we know that our children will be using a non-BSD online option or homeschooling, should we let our school know now?
If you plan to attend a non-BSD online option or homeschool your children, yes, please call your neighborhood or option school and leave a message on voicemail or send an email to your principal.
If you plan to take advantage of the Hybrid Model (including Comprehensive Distance Learning), you don’t need to let your school know at this point.
If you’re applying to FLEX Online School through BSD, you don’t need to alert your neighborhood or option school; we’ll have that information. Link to application.
I want more information that is specific to Cedar Park; how can I get that?
We are hosting information sessions that will speak more to the Cedar Park experience. While we won't have all the answers, we will do our best. Please RSVP for one of the sessions - you'll find the links below.
Cedar Park Return to School Q & A
Tuesday, Jul 21, 2020, 09:30 AM
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Cedar Park Return to School Q & A
Tuesday, Jul 21, 2020, 05:00 PM
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RSVPs are enabled for this event.