North Country Supervisory Union

NCSU Parent Information

Superintendent‘s Message

We look forward to seeing our school-communities come together again for in-person learning with the start of the school year. We recognize for many there is some uncertainty and uneasiness with coming back to school. We are confident that we are doing what is necessary to provide a strong and healthy start for students and staff.

School will certainly look different this year! First and foremost, we are attending to the physical health and well-being of students, staff and our school-communities and will have the necessary procedures in place to minimize the risk of transmitting the virus. In addition, we will be attentive to supporting the social and emotional needs and growth of students as we transition back to in-person learning. Relationships are a priority as students and staff learn to adjust to new routines and practices.

It’s possible that schools will need to close again. We will be better prepared if that happens. All teachers will have Google Classroom and/or SeeSaw accounts ready if we need to switch to remote learning. Remote learning will not look the same as emergency remote learning did last spring, nor will it look the same as in-school learning. All students will need to complete classwork and show evidence of making progress. This means that learning options will be different than in a non-COVID year.

Next week, your school will provide information regarding your child’s options for the year including:

• Full-time, in-person school

• Full-time virtual learning (check with your school for deadline to apply)

• Vermont’s home study requirements

Families will be notified of elementary level NCSU Virtual School placements in mid-August. Please be aware that space may be limited. If a learning option choice is not indicated by your school’s deadline it will be assumed that your child will attend in-person.

If your child is eligible to receive special education services and you have questions regarding the above offerings we encourage you to contact your child’s special education case manager or school principal for more detail. Should you choose not to select the full-time in-person school option and opt for the full-time virtual learning option for your child please be aware the IEP team will review the IEP service page and services may be revised. The IEP services provided within the full-time virtual option likely will include some, but not all of the services from the IEP.

Students whose families choose the home study option are entitled to receive related services only, e.g. speech and language, occupational therapy, physical therapy and counseling.

We will continue to communicate with you as we approach the start of school with additional updates and information. We ask everyone to do their part to support a strong and healthy start and in keeping schools open. Parents can review our NCSU Strong and Healthy Start Handbook for more information about our planning and procedures based on the Strong and Healthy Start AOE/VDH Guidance. We encourage you to visit our website at NCSUVT.org, the NCSU Facebook page or your school website or Facebook sites for frequent updates. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

We appreciate everyone’s understanding and support as we return to school under these very challenging times. We can do this!

Sincerely,

John A. Castle

NCSU Superintendent of Schools

NCSU Approach to In-Person and Virtual Learning

Overview: NCSU will provide full-time virtual learning options for those students and families in grades K-12 who would like to continue their education online as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. See below for the range of options available:

1. NCUHS - Provides internal virtual options for students in the HS as best they can pending availability of teachers due to content areas and sections. Students would access learning virtually when those sections are available in the overall rotation of classes. Students who choose the fully virtual option will be asked to update their Personalized Learning Plan (PLP) and will be encouraged to have a variety of learning pathways including online courses, independent study, work-based learning, etc.

2. NCUHS/NCCC - will also be starting the year in a hybrid model. More information on this will come directly from the high school and career center.

3. NCCC - The Career Center will not provide a virtual option.

4. NCUJHS - Provides internal virtual options for students in core academic areas. Students would access learning virtually when those sections are available in the overall rotation of classes. VTVLC may be an option for courses not offered by NCUJHS.

5. Middle School Grades in PreK to 8 Schools - Students' virtual option is online courses, not necessarily with instruction provided by an NCSU teacher. Local schools will coordinate enrollment and provide some monitoring. We may consider other options due to limitations with VTVLC.

6. Grades K-6 - NCSU will provide a virtual option for students across the SU in core academic areas. Enrollment may be limited and students may have to access VTVLC if enrollment is capped. Teachers will be hired specifically for virtual instruction.

7. Pre-K - No full-time virtual option at this time. Some preschools may have a need for a hybrid model. Specific scheduling information will come directly from schools.

Students and parents must understand that by choosing the virtual option they will be enrolled as a full-time virtual learning student for the year and returning to a physical classroom will not be an option unless extenuating circumstances arise. Likewise, students who choose to attend school for in-person instruction are expected to maintain participation through the year. We certainly will reevaluate all programming in the event that there are changes in the context of public health or further requirements from the Agency of Education or Department of Health.

Please use this link to view a Comparison of Instructional Models 2020-2021

Expectations: In-Person Learning

In order to open school safely, we all need to adhere to certain requirements established by the Department of Health & Agency of Education and follow best practices to the best of our ability.

• All students and staff will be required to wear a facial covering in school.

• K-8 students will generally stay with their classrooms with the exception for recess, outdoor classes (ie. physical education and other instruction). Students will generally eat in their classrooms or outside.

• Schools will work to establish groups of students and limit the interactions between groups.

• Students and staff must maintain safe physical distancing.

• Students entering the bus or school building are required to submit a Daily Health Check screening slip.

• If sick, students and adults will be sent home.

• Sick children or adults are required to stay home.

Expectations: Full-time Virtual Learning Option

Requirements:

• The off-campus location must have adequate, reliable access to the Internet (at least 3.2 Mbps as determined using this tool). A school device will be provided with a home-use contract needing to be signed.

• Students must complete coursework in all core subjects

• Families must connect with support staff as needed for additional services (ie. guidance counselor, special educator, etc.).

• School meals will be provided if requested, but the school may not have the capacity to deliver them. Guardians will need to make arrangements for pickup.

• Students will have the same opportunities as their classmates to participate in school-sponsored clubs, sports, and activities with the understanding that some can only be done in-person. Schools must maintain AOE and VPA guidelines for all sports and other activities.

Expectations for students who access Full-time Virtual option:

• Maintain contact with the online teacher(s) through a combination of check-ins and work completion. This will also be used for daily attendance.

• Read announcements as needed using school email, Google Classroom and SeeSaw platforms.

• Participate in both synchronous (for example: class meetings, presentations and video demonstrations) and asynchronous (independently, on your own schedule) learning. NCUHS/NCUJHS students will be expected to attend class at the scheduled time.

• Attend an orientation on the how-to’s of virtual learning.

• Complete all learning activities and assignments by the required date.

• Respond and act upon feedback from teacher(s); this includes connecting with fellow students as necessary.

• Ask questions! If you don’t know the answer or need help, communicate directly with your teacher(s). If you are having technical difficulties, let your teacher know.

Expectations for parents or guardians supporting their student at home:

• Be present or arrange for supervision and academic support for your child based on age and need (must have parent/guardian present for child in grade 6 or below). Parents should not rely solely on childcare providers/centers to facilitate online learning.

• View detailed grade information and teacher feedback – see what your student sees!

• Support your student with assignment due dates.

• Read announcements as needed using School Messenger, Google Classroom and SeeSaw platforms.

• Support discussions your students are involved in when appropriate

• Grades 6-12: Review the online course syllabus – course description, expectations, grading policies and assignment due dates.

• Communicate directly with the online teacher(s) over any questions or concerns. Likewise, share success stories or suggestions around your student. Family input, feedback, and communication is critical to instructing our students whether they are virtual or on-campus. Parents and guardians are invaluable partners in our schools.

• Attend an orientation on the how-to’s of virtual learning.

Please use this link to complete the NCSU Learning Options for School Year 2020-2021.

Please note that your child's school may have an earlier deadline, so it is best to submit the form as soon as possible.

Travel

We ask parents to carefully consider out of state travel plans with their child and to review the information provided by the Vermont Department of Health before traveling. Out of state travel could result in required quarantine for students. Students are able, and expected, to make up missed assignments, yet will have a loss of in-person instruction during this time. Students will not have the ability to access instruction remotely.

Please call 802-334-0925 if you have questions or need additional information.