South Vermillion Community School Corporation Together we Believe. Together we Achieve. Together we Succeed. Our Continuous Learning Calendar 2020 Updated: 5/01/2020 and subject to change based on state and federal guidance |
Guidance from the Indiana Department of Education Website 2020 COVID-19 Remote Learning |
This Continuous Learning Plan was developed by SVCSC Administrators based on guidance provided by the Indiana Department of Education. While it is as accurate and current as possible, the information here is subject to change based on weekly guidance from the state and federal levels. It is critical that we keep the lines of communication open between our school personnel, our students, and their families. These current circumstances are not ideal, and the health and safety of our entire South Vermillion family continue to be our #1 priority. We stand ready to assist our students and their families in their learning-from-home, their social-emotional needs, and their physical wellness. We are #INthistogether. |
Teachers will do their best to respond to emails within 24 hours on M - F. | Monday | Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Teachers will hold virtual office hours from 9am - 11am, 1pm-3pm, and one evening from 6-7pm | Friday |
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March 30 - April 3 | Teacher Planning (no instruction) Food Distribution | eLearning Day | eLearning Day
Food Distribution | eLearning Day | Teacher Planning (no instruction) |
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April 6 - April 10 | Teacher Planning (no instruction) Food Distribution | eLearning Day | eLearning Day
Food Distribution | eLearning Day | Teacher Planning (no instruction) |
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April 13 - April 17 | Teacher Planning (no instruction) Food Distribution | eLearning Day | eLearning Day
Food Distribution | eLearning Day | Teacher Planning (no instruction) |
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April 20 - April 24 | Teacher Planning (no instruction) Food Distribution | eLearning Day | eLearning Day
| eLearning Day
Food Distribution | Teacher Planning (no instruction) |
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April 27 - May 1 | Teacher Planning (no instruction) Food Distribution | eLearning Day | eLearning Day
| eLearning Day
Food Distribution | Teacher Planning (no instruction) |
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May 4 - May 8 | Teacher Planning (no instruction) Food Distribution | eLearning Day | eLearning Day
| eLearning Day
Food Distribution | Teacher Planning (no instruction) |
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May 11 - May 15 | eLearning Day
Food Distribution | eLearning Day | eLearning Day
| eLearning Day
Food Distribution | Last Teacher Work Day |
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May 18 - May 22 | Last Day to submit Assignments *due today by 11:59PM | DEVICE TURN-IN DAYS & belongings pickup *Principals will email the procedures & specific schedule | DEVICE TURN-IN DAYS & belongings pickup *Principals will email the procedures & specific schedule | DEVICE TURN-IN DAYS & belongings pickup *Principals will email the procedures & specific schedule | DEVICE TURN-IN DAYS & belongings pickup *Principals will email the procedures & specific schedule |
Due Dates |
All work assigned on Tuesday originally had a suggested due date of Thursday of the same week. After receiving feedback from students, families, and teachers, we understand that more time might be needed (including the weekend) to finish learning tasks. The revised due date for all work assigned from Tuesday - Thursday will be Monday by 11:59 PM. Students must email their teacher before this deadline if an extenuating circumstance prevents adherence to this due date.
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Providing Tech Support |
To support our teachers, students, and families, tech support is available on eLearning days from 9-5 pm via [email protected] or by calling 765-832-5300. We encourage feedback on eLearning in order to provide the best possible experience. Please use our eLearning contact methods to reach out. Information on community wifi access locations can be found here. We are now offering Curbside Tech Support on Mondays and Wednesdays from (11 AM -1 PM) in the middle school parking lot. To schedule a time to meet 1:1 with our Curbside Tech Support, please use the following link. Paper packets may be requested if connectivity and/or internet access is an issue. Contact your child’s teacher/s and principal right away to arrange this. Procedures for receipt and return of paper packets will be shared at that time. End-of-Year Device Turn-in Days will be Monday, May 18 and Friday, May 22. A schedule will be shared for picking up belongings at the schools. We will adhere to the CDC’s suggestions for public gatherings, etc. More information to come.
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Food Distribution Plan |
Dates/times are periodically adjusted at each of our distribution sites in order to take increased safety precautions for our volunteers, bus drivers, & food service staff. |
Effective for the weeks of April 6-8 & April 13-15 serving 2 lunches on Mon 3 lunches on Wed |
Mon/Wed 11:00 - 11:45 Blanford, Hillsdale, & Universal |
Mon/Wed 12:00 - 1:00 St. Bernice, Dana, & SVMS | Mon/Wed 11:00 - 12:30 Central Elem. |
Effective for the weeks of April 20-22 & April 27-29, May 4-6, May 11-13.
serving 2 lunches each day |
Mon/Thurs 11:00 - 11:45 Blanford, Hillsdale, & Universal |
Mon/Thurs 12:00 - 1:00 St. Bernice, Dana, & SVMS | Mon/Thurs 11:00 - 12:30 Central Elem. |
Increasing our Safety Precautions during Food Distribution If you are arriving in a vehicle, drive up to the distribution site as directed. Pull up alongside the folding table. Let the volunteers know how many meals you need by a show of fingers. The volunteers will place the meals on the table for you. Take your meals from the table and exit safely. If you are arriving on foot or bicycle, approach the table (similar to drivers), and stay on the opposite side of the table from volunteers. Let the volunteers know how many meals you need. The volunteers will place the meals on the table. Take your meals from the table and exit safely.
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Providing Social-Emotional Support to Students/Families |
The social-emotional wellness of our students and staff remains our #1 priority during this Continuous Learning period. Teachers and principals are poised to assist students and families, and they are reaching out to their school populations regularly during this extended school closure period. Our school counseling team is also available to offer any assistance you may need to ensure your well-being at this time. Please contact someone from our team if you need help. Community Resources |
Elementary Grading Policies |
Students will be expected to complete their 3 weekly math and 3 weekly writing/reading lessons by the following Monday at 11:59PM. Effective Tuesday, March 31st, 2020, student work will be assessed in the following ways: + = lesson is complete and completed well √ = lesson is partially complete and/or minimal effort - = lesson was not submitted
Lessons from Specials classes are provided weekly as brain breaks that allow students to spend time outside or engaged in activities that foster creativity and expression. Children are accustomed to daily, structured movement in their school day, so these activities are critical for their development. While these activities/lessons from Specials classes will not be assessed, Specials teachers will be communicating with students to support their well-being. The format of the end-of-year report cards is yet-to-be-determined. Content areas not assessed during this Continuous Learning period will reflect the first three 9-week grading periods instead of four. The IDOE has suggested a policy whereby schools base fourth 9-weeks letter grades on the previous body of work (this means the final grades for the third 9-weeks) while allowing a grade to be raised or lowered based on student performance during the Continuous Learning period. This means, students/families will see a percentage brought over into the fourth 9-weeks gradebook. This percentage is the final grade the student received in that particular class for the third 9-weeks.
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Middle School Grading Policies |
Students will be expected to complete their weekly assignments in all classes by the following Monday at 11:59PM. Effective Tuesday, March 31st, 2020, student work will be assessed in the following ways: + = lesson is complete and completed well √ = lesson is partially complete and/or minimal effort - = lesson was not submitted
The IDOE has suggested a policy whereby schools base fourth 9-weeks letter grades on the previous body of work (this means the final grades for the third 9-weeks) while allowing a grade to be raised or lowered based on student performance during the Continuous Learning period. This means, students/families will see a percentage brought over into the fourth 9-weeks gradebook. This percentage is the final grade the student received in that particular class for the third 9-weeks.
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High School Credits/Grades |
Students can improve their grades through participation in eLearning assignments. All students must complete the adjusted, state-required 160 days of learning this school year. There will be no final exams for Grades 9-12 this school year. Credits will be earned through the methods listed below for each grade level. AP students will be participating in AP exams online from home on their designated dates. Students can review information on the College Board website for testing dates and times. Students will earn high school credits/grades in the following ways: Students can improve their grades from the 3rd grading period by continuing to do eLearning assignments throughout the Continuous Learning period. If a student was failing the course at the end of the 3rd grading period, he/she has the ability to raise that to a passing grade by completing eLearning assignments for that course. The second way for students to earn high school credits is by those students who were already enrolled in APEX courses (as of March 19, 2020). These students are continuing to work through these courses online, and once each course is completed with a passing grade, they will earn high school credit for that course.
Students who fail a course will not receive a credit for that course.
Underclassmen Seniors Seniors enrolled in AP/Dual Credit Courses must meet all requirements from the College/University (see College Board link above for testing dates). Students can only increase their letter grades and improve their GPA during eLearning. Grades will not be negatively impacted unless students show no effort/no participation whatsoever in the eLearning process. According to the new grace policy implemented only for the Class of 2020 (also called the 2020 Cohort), any student who was on track to graduate but failed the 3rd quarter will still be eligible to graduate given they complete the requirements of eLearning. Seniors who were behind academically will be required to complete the required credits to graduate. These credits may be completed through eLearning or through APEX courses (by arrangement). All state testing requirements and graduation pathways have been waived for the 2020 Cohort. Seniors will only need to meet credit requirements to graduate. This grace policy is only applicable to the 2020 Cohort.
WRCTE Guidance from Director Craig Newby WRCTE Teachers will follow the eLearning requirements and delivery methods of their host school. They will be communicating those requirements and methods to both students and parents, as those requirements and methods may be different than those of the student’s enrolled school. If the WRCTE class is a dual credit class, students are expected to complete those requirements in order to receive the dual credit. That information will be forwarded to parents and students by the teacher when those requirements are worked out with our university partner/s. The 3rd nine-week and the 4th nine-week grades will be averaged. The semester grade, however, will not be lower than the 3rd nine-week grade. The last day of WRCTE instruction was originally scheduled to be May 15, 2020. That will remain our last day of instruction.
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Supporting Our English Language Learners |
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Learning Resources Provided by IDOE |
K-12 Continuous Learning Weekly Challenges
High Ability & Enrichment Remote Learning Resources for Teachers |
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*The information on the following pages is South Vermillion Community School Corporation’s submission to the Indiana Department of Education on behalf of our Continuous Learning Plan Development.
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Pursuant to Executive Order 20-16, issued on Thursday, April 2, 2020, all public school districts, charter schools, and eligible K-12 schools, as defined in I.C. 20-51-1p-47, shall submit a Continuous Learning Plan to the Indiana Department of Education.
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SECTION ONE: Delivery of Learning |
How Continuous Learning is Delivered |
Our K-12 students have school-issued iPads at home, and their instruction is delivered via Canvas. Students with limited/no wifi receive paper packets in the mail or project/problem-based activities via email or phone call. Teachers are making every effort to deliver services to our students with identified needs under guidance provided by the IDOE Special Education Team and by our Covered Bridge Special Education District Supervisor.
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How We Communicate Expectations for Continuous Learning Implementation |
Updates on our district’s continuous learning plan occur regularly via email, video conferencing, phone messaging, and updates on our school’s website, Twitter, and Facebook. Staff, families, and students receive weekly emails and phone messages from our superintendent. Principals conduct weekly faculty/department meetings via video conferencing, emails, and/or phone calls. Teachers communicate with students weekly, and in some circumstances, daily communication occurs. Students receive continuous learning plan updates via Canvas (our LMS), email, and via phone call (and via paper packets as needed).
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Student Access to Academic Instruction, Resources, & Supports |
All students in our district access their academic instruction via Canvas (our LMS). For students with limited/no access to the internet, paper packets are mailed home and problem/project-based learning resources are communicated via phone, email, or social media. Resources and learning supports are also provided on our website, via emails/phone calls from teachers, and from district-supported supplemental software.
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Equipment/Tools Available to Staff and Students |
Students: iPads with charging cables, resource folders, assignment calendars, tech support is available via email, phone, and curbside tech support by appointment
Staff: Continuous Learning Plan slide deck created by Technology Director & Curriculum Director with guidance on district-supported software, free software, apps, and links for supporting teaching and learning Devices (MacBooks & iPads) and charging cables Textbooks and/or notebooks Building administrators have access to copy machines to make paper packets as needed
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How Educators are Communicating with Students/Families |
Educators will communicate with students and families weekly, and in some instances, communication occurs daily. Each principal has provided teachers with a Google document for recording contacts (and failed attempts) with students/families.
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Methods for Providing Timely/Meaningful Academic Feedback |
Teachers are evaluating each assignment, checking for completion, and giving feedback to students. Feedback can be documented via Harmony (SIS), email, Class DOJO, and Canvas (LMS). Teachers will be available for communication and ongoing contact with students/families, documenting any failed attempts to reach students.
9:00am - 11:00am and 1:00pm - 3:00pm Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 6:00pm - 7:00pm one evening between Tuesday and Thursday (teacher choice) Teachers are aware that meaningful academic feedback (especially during this Continuous Learning period) is much more than percentages, points, or letter grades. Discussion is also a valuable form of feedback, and this is possible via email, phone calls, and video conferencing. In Canvas, teachers provide feedback via scores and written comments. Teachers can also video their feedback.
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SECTION TWO: Achievement and Attendance |
Providing an Avenue for Students to Earn High School Credits |
(see High School Credits/Grades section above) |
Our Attendance Policy for Continuous Learning |
Students will be considered present unless a parent contacts the school to report their child absent due to illness or appointment that prevents the student from completing his/her lessons for the day. If a student is too sick to complete the work, parents will need to call the school voicemail to report this absence. The student will still be responsible for the work assigned that day and will need to complete it by the following Monday at 11:59PM unless unique circumstances prevail. If a student is unable to access Canvas from home to complete the school work, the student/parent must contact tech support or email the teacher/s. Documenting attendance via participation in eLearning tasks Participation for the purpose of attendance documentation is defined as: Verbal/visual check via video conferencing Completing assignments and submitting them (via Canvas, emailing images of the work, etc.) Responding to email from teacher/s
*The information provided above is our district’s existing board-approved policy for eLearning.
What determines an absence on an eLearning day? If a student shows no academic activity by Monday at 11:59pm, he/she will be marked absent for 3-days of the previous week of eLearning. Academic activity means posting an assignment, communication with the teacher, attending a video conference, sending images of completed paper packet assignments via Canvas or email, or delivering completed paper packets to the Superintendent’s Office M-F from 8-4. An absence will be marked for an elementary student if he/she has not provided any work or has not communicated with the classroom teacher. An absence will be marked for a middle or high school student if he/she has not provided any work or communicated with any teacher in any class. It is important to note attendance in eLearning Days WILL impact end-of-year attendance awards.
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Our Long-Term Goals to Address Skills Gaps |
The IDOE Office of Special Education, in collaboration with the Indiana IEP Resource Center, has developed a list of daily accommodations that are frequently used by students in the brick and mortar setting and examples of how these accommodations can be applied remotely when implementing continuous learning: Continuous Learning & Accommodations In our elementary schools, our Reading Specialists are still working with their groups on Title I services, phonics skills, etc. To address skill gaps on eLearning days, we are focusing on our high priority standards. Special Education teachers are contacting students to assist with their assignments/services and answer any questions they have. Teachers are documenting the skills they weren’t able to cover this year. We would like to offer summer school on a wide-scale basis if funded and if safe to do so. We will use beginning-of-year assessments in August to begin remediation programs for students who show the biggest achievement gaps. The beginning of the next school year will be spent providing targeted instruction on identified skill gaps. Students with IEPs will be supported by their classroom teacher/s and their teacher-of-record. Teachers are creating videos of themselves teaching lessons in an effort to address skill gaps. In our middle school, we have reading intervention classes in grade 6 that are continuing. Our classes are grouped by ability. Students in need of targeted instruction are receiving support from special education teachers. Inclusion classes are receiving modified targeted instruction to close gaps and focus on high priority standards in modified ways. Our general education students are receiving content that has been covered throughout the year while also learning new content focused on high priority standards. Our high ability students are learning content covering high priority standards and focusing on critical thinking skills, and advanced reading and writing. In our high school, teachers (both general education and special education) are continuing to assist students in courses by following accommodations that are set forth in their IEPs. Teachers are modifying assignments, and special education teachers are communicating with their students via email, chat, or phone to assist them with those assignments. We have allocated extended time for students to get assignments completed.
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SECTION THREE: Staff Development |
Providing Ongoing Professional Development for Teachers |
Professional development is ongoing and extremely individualized at this time. Our Technology Director and Curriculum Director provide guidance for teachers wishing to learn more about various educational software programs, educational apps, best practice teaching strategies, assessment, etc. Teachers received professional development on resources included in our Continuous Learning Plan slide deck on our first eLearning day of this COVID-19 Closure. Teachers continue to consult those slides (and add to them) as needed. Weekly professional development resources are sent to SPED teachers via Covered Bridge Special Education District. A Professional Development tab is updated on our website weekly, and resources are also shared on our district’s Facebook account, private SVCS educators’ Facebook page, and Twitter. Principals conduct weekly faculty/department/grade level meetings via video conferencing. Administrators meet weekly via Zoom and GoogleHangouts, more frequently if needed. These meetings help us share updates from Dr. McCormick’s weekly webinars.
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