Alva Schools prepare for distance learning

The benefits of the two-year commitment to strategic planning are evident in the way the Alva Public Schools are handling back-to-school plans. Strategic planning relied heavily on input from administrators, teachers, school staff and community members. Those contacts and strategies are proving helpful in facing the challenges of educating youth while protecting their health during the pandemic.

In putting together Alva's distance learning plan, committees of teachers and parents were set up to solve problems and implement a continuous learning plan. Chairman Shane Feely, who is the district curriculum coordinator as well as principal of Washington School, explained the plan to Alva Board of Education members in a special meeting Wednesday.

Distance learning will be used by students enrolling in option 2 blended learning and option 3 full virtual learning. If the COVID-19 infection rate increases, all students may be moved to distance learning.

Connectivity

Wearing a neck gaiter mask of the type that will be provided to all students, Feely first talked about internet connectivity. When schools were closed last spring, a survey showed 11 percent of Alva students did not have internet access in their homes. Also, 20 percent of student homes did not have access to an internet-capable device.

A list of companies offering internet service in the area has been compiled by the school. It contains information on monthly charges, installation fees, data limits and how to contact the company. In addition, the schools will have free wifi service extending into their parking lots for those who prefer to connect in that way. Information on connecting from the parking lot may be obtained by emailing IT@alvaschools.net.

Over the last eight to ten years, the Alva schools have been able to purchase all the necessary devices to provide one for each student in grades 2 through 12. Middle school and high school students will have "take home" privileges. The school recently purchased 150 more Chromebooks to distribute to Washington students. Feely said a grant application has been written to obtain another 100 hotspots if approved.

Learning Systems

Alva will be using two categories of systems for distance learning. The learning management system (LMS) is a vast repository to store and track information. Anyone with a login and password can access these online training resources whenever and wherever.

Grades 4-12 will use Google Classroom as the repository for all assignments and communications. Teachers may use other websites to enhance instruction and for independent practice.

Grades PK-3 will use Seesaw as their LMS. It has many built in lessons, independent practice, interactive capabilities and ability for teachers to post original lesson material. There will be no paper and pencil packets or printing of materials. All lessons will be submitted online through the Seesaw app or website.

The second distance learning category is the curriculum management system (CMS). This will provide a full virtual education.

Grade 6-12 students who have enrolled in option 2 or 3 will use Edgenuity as their CMS. Alva schools have been using this system for eight or nine years for alternate education classes, Feely said. This program will be managed by an Alva district teacher who will be available to answer questions and make personal contact with students once a week.

Grades K-5 will use Exact Path as their CMS. Exact Path is an adaptive program that differentiates instruction for each student to create an "exact path." It will be managed by a teacher in the district to answer questions and make personal contact with students once a week.

No curriculum management systems for Pre-K students will be available.

Grading

The no fault grading from last spring is no longer a policy in regard to online learning. Alva schools grading policies will return to normal. There should be a minimum of two grades per week in all classes.

Feely said it was learned that grading policies varied widely among teachers with some stressing daily work grades more while others put more weight on tests and quizzes. After discussions, teachers came to an agreement to make grades more consistent. Grades 4-5 will receive grades based on 50 percent daily assignments and 50 percent tests. Middle school students will have grades based 60 percent on daily work and 40 percent on tests. High school student grades will be 70 percent on daily work and 30 percent on tests.

Jane McDermott asked about bonus point opportunities. Feely said those would apply only to daily assignments.

Office Hours

In the event of a school closure, Alva teachers will post their office hours on the website. During office hours, teachers are expected to be in an open Google Meet. Students can log in to ask questions and clarify instructions to assignments during the posted office hours.

The office hours are meant to relieve parents of some of the strain in helping kids with schoolwork.

Virtual Days

To prepare for a potential school closure, Alva schools will conduct virtual days in the classroom once a week on Fridays. Students will turn their desks around and teachers will conduct learning in an online environment. Instruction and assignments will be delivered and submitted virtually.

Communication with Teachers

During online learning, teachers are expected to reach out to students at least once per week through a phone call, text, messaging through the classroom app or video conference using Google Meet. It is imperative that students use their school email account (grade 4-12).

Teachers are not expected to send emails or assignments or answer phone calls or emails during the evening hours.

Committees

Two committees were set up to develop the distance learning plan with Feely serving as chair of both.

The Early Childhood Committee includes teacher representatives Christa Fraire, Teresa Rader, Dani Cushenbery, Michele Mackey, Krista Starbuck, Karen Mead, Alesa Murrow, Naicee Sutter, Shannon Vore and Alysson Tucker. Parent representatives are Charlene Ream, Cassie Rhodes and Madison Williams.

The Secondary Committee teacher representatives are Chris Eckhardt, Sara Eckhardt, Cecely Franz, Baylei Hada, Kaye Christensen, Crystal Murrow, Trevor Lohrding, Stephanie Marteney, Cory Smith and Jenny Webster. Parent representatives are Kaylee Ohm, Anita Wharton and Kandice Allen.