On behalf of the Superintendent, as shared with the School Board at its meeting tonight, he has announced plans for Digital Learning for next school year; high school prom; and graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2021.
DIGITAL LEARNING
In addition to traditional in-person learning for the 2021-22 School Year, CCSD will continue to offer a Digital Learning option for students in Grades K-12 for the first semester (Aug. 2-Dec. 17). Any further extension of Digital Learning will be considered in the fall.
The Digital Learning model for Grades K-5 will be the same as the current model. Students in Grades K-2 will be assigned to one Digital Learning teacher’s online class with a blend of direct live instruction during the school day on Microsoft Teams and assignments to be completed on their own through Canvas. Students in Grades 3-5 will have the same delivery model as K-2 students, however, they may have more than one teacher deliver instruction for different content areas.
The Digital Learning model for Grades 6-12 will be an improved version of the current model. The Apex platform will not be used. CCSD teachers will create blended learning lessons that will be used for in-person learning and Digital Learning. These lessons will be available in Canvas for Digital Learners to access. Teachers will regularly provide Digital Learning students with a combination of prepared lessons, recorded videos of lessons and/or direct live instruction through Microsoft Teams.
This Digital Learning option is separate from CCSD’s iGrad Virtual Academy that will begin in the 2021-22 School Year, initially for 200 students in Grades 9-12. The iGrad Virtual Academy will be a permanent school choice option, and will use an application process to ensure students will be successful participating in the online learning model that gives them greater ability to learn at their own pace. The iGrad Virtual Academy will use Edgenuity online curriculum facilitated by a CCSD teacher.
All parents on Tuesday, March 23, will receive an email with more information about Digital Learning as well as a Digital Learning Declaration Form, which will be due by 4 p.m. Friday, April 2. Parents only need to complete the Digital Learning Declaration Form if they want to enroll their child in Digital Learning.
The USDA has extended grant funding to provide free breakfasts and lunches to all students through Sept. 30, 2021. CCSD School Nutrition is developing its summer meal distribution plan, which will be shared with parents in as timely a manner as possible; and then will determine plans for the first two months of next school year that also are covered by this grant funding.
PROM AND OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS
All CCSD high schools will offer a senior-focused celebration evening event in lieu of formal prom to be held this spring outdoors on the high school campus. Principals will share more information once the dates and details are set. All CCSD schools will hold various traditional end-of-year special events, and those dates and details will be shared by Principals. All special events will be adapted to adhere to current operations guidelines, which continue to prohibit large indoor assemblies and parent attendance at classroom events.
GRADUATION CEREMONIES
CCSD will celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2021 with in-person ceremonies at First Baptist Woodstock. The schedule is posted online at http://bit.ly/CCSDgrad21. It will be a ticketed event, with each graduate provided up to four tickets. The ceremonies also will be live streamed online as they have been in the past. Principals will share more information with parents of seniors.