Virtual Learning Model FAQs

• Virtual learning in the 2021-22 school year will look differently than concurrent learning did this past year.  
• Students will engage in teacher developed lessons, assessments, and activities that are aligned to our Sun Prairie Area School District curriculum. 
• Students will not be “online” all day with their teacher or classmates. Independent work will be assigned “off-line.” 
• During a week, there will be times for both individual teacher interactions, small and large group work and peer-to-peer interactions.
• Students are expected to meet virtually with their teachers at scheduled times during the week. 
• Synchronous experiences are expected to occur most frequently in the four core learning domains of literacy, math, science and social studies. Less frequent synchronous learning experiences will occur in “specials” and “elective” area domains such as art, music, physical education (including tech ed and health at grades 6-7) and social emotional learning/guidance.
• State assessments will continue to take place in person, on-site, in the 2021-22 school year.

•  Almost all instruction is asynchronous; there is no scheduled class time. Teachers will have scheduled office hours and/or small group support times.
• Courses are provided primarily through JEDI Virtual learning Network (designed for fully virtual learning). 
• All courses are taught by teachers in the state of WI.
• State assessments will continue to take place in person, on-site, in the 2021-22 school year.

• Students will have access to a school-issued electronic device (either an iPad or Chromebook - based on grade level).
• Students will confer virtually with their teacher about appropriate books to read.
• Math, science and other resources will be sent home or made available for pick up at the student’s assigned home school in order to provide ease of access for the student and family. 
• Your student’s teacher will be based at a school, and will have access to all typical school materials and resources.
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• Students will have access to a school issued Chromebook.
• Students will confer virtually with their teacher about rigorous learning materials. 
• Learning resources will be sent home or made available for pick up at your student’s home school. 
• If your student’s teacher is based in one of our Sun Prairie schools, they will have access to all typical school materials and resources. Virtual learning through a partner organization (JEDI) will provide materials lists or may send materials directly to your home.
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•  While the academic goals and progress during virtual learning will be determined by the teacher and your student, keeping learning on track is a shared responsibility with the Parent/Caregiver. 
• Parents/Caregivers should ensure that an appropriate space for learning is available (desk with nearby outlet) and that typical school supplies are available (crayons, markers, paper, calculator, etc.)
• Parents/Caregivers are encouraged to communicate with their student’s teacher frequently.
• Students will be receiving 2.5 to 3 hours a day of synchronous (live) online instruction.  Students will have 2.5-3 hours a day of asynchronous (independent) work to complete.  Therefore, parents/caregivers will need to be able to establish a schedule that supports their student’s online instruction as well as their independent work time.
• Parents/Caregivers are expected and encouraged to set a daily routine for learning and frequently review the weekly schedule and work responsibilities with their student.
• Regular attendance will be taken in accordance with district policy and state requirements. Parents/Caregivers are responsible for making sure their student attends school regularly.
• Parents/Caregivers should partner with the teacher(s) to ensure that the student is meeting participation and engagement expectations set by the teacher (camera on as needed, attending class, completing independent work).

•  While the academic goals and progress during virtual learning will be determined by the teacher and your student, keeping learning on track is a shared responsibility with the Parent/Caregiver. 
• Parents/Caregivers should ensure that an appropriate space for learning is available (desk with nearby outlet) and that typical school supplies are available (writing utensils, paper, calculator, etc.)
• Parents/Caregivers are encouraged to set a daily routine for learning, and frequently review the weekly schedule and work responsibilities with their student.
• Parents/caregivers are encouraged to communicate with their student’s teacher more frequently.
• Students should expect to spend roughly an hour on each course taken, per day. (for example: 6 classes taken = 6 hours per day learning)
• Regular attendance will be taken in accordance with district policy, program (JEDI) and state requirements. Parents/caregivers are responsible for making sure their student attends school regularly.

•  The schedule for virtual learning is still being worked on, but students should expect to meet virtually with their classroom teachers during the day. Some classes will have significantly more individualized and independent instruction, while others will meet more frequently.
• During a week, there will be times for both individual teacher interactions, small and large group work and peer-to-peer interactions. Interactions may occur through conferencing notes, and may not be “live”.

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• The schedule for virtual learning is still being worked on, but students should expect to meet virtually with their classroom teachers during the week.
• Most of the learning will be asynchronous (not live). Students should create a schedule that works best for them to ensure ongoing progress in their coursework.
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• Students will connect with their teachers mainly through Seesaw, Google Classroom or Zoom. Phone contact and email (4th-7th grade) always works, too! 
• Students will work with their teacher to submit assignments through Seesaw, Google Classroom or via district email depending on the nature of the work. Students can submit written work, images, videos through any of these platforms.

•  Students will connect with their teachers mainly through Google Classroom,  Zoom or another learning platform provided by JEDI. Phone contact always works, too! 
• Students will work with their teacher to submit assignments electronically.
• Students can submit written work, images or their work, or videos through any of these platforms.

Students will be placed in a virtual class of students from across the school system.  Students will interact with one another during synchronous (live) virtual instruction within our in-house virtual learning model.

• Students enrolled in JEDI courses will likely have minimal interaction with other students.
• Students are encouraged to access activities and athletics at their home school.

•  Parents/Caregivers who choose the virtual learning option for their student with an IEP will need to meet with the IEP team to make sure that our virtual learning option will allow their student to make reasonable progress toward their IEP goals and within the grade level standards (Free and Appropriate Public Education - FAPE).  Reasonable accommodations will be provided to allow students to access the virtual option.  A certain level of independence and organization is needed for a student to be successful in virtual learning.  Students who require the support of paraprofessionals in order to engage in classes while they are happening will not be good candidates for this learning option.
• Parents/Caregivers who choose the virtual learning option for their student with a 504 accommodation plan will need to meet with their 504 team to determine what reasonable accommodations are needed for the student’s disability to allow them to access the virtual learning option.  
• Parents/Caregivers who choose the virtual learning option for their student who receives services as an English language learner will continue to receive services through virtual instruction.  A certain level of independence is needed for a student to be successful in virtual learning. Parents/Caregivers will be asked to meet with the EL staff member(s) at their assigned building to review language goals, plans and supports through Title III. Students who require extensive language support in order to engage in classes while they are happening will not be good candidates for this learning option.
• Parents/Caregivers who choose the virtual learning option for their student who receives services as an advanced learner will continue to receive services through virtual instruction.  A certain level of independence is needed for a student to be successful in virtual learning. Parents/Caregivers will be asked to meet with the advanced learning staff member(s) at their assigned building to review goals, plans and supports.
• Interventions and enrichment will primarily be provided by the virtual teacher with support from faculty who specialize in these areas.  In cases where more intervention or enrichment is needed, a team of educators will review information about the student and established district criteria and a plan will be developed. 

•  Parents/Caregivers who choose the virtual learning option for their student with an IEP will need to meet with the IEP team to make sure that our virtual learning option will allow their student to make reasonable progress toward their IEP goals and within the grade level standards (Free and Appropriate Public Education - FAPE).  Reasonable accommodations will be provided to allow students to access the virtual option.  A high level of independence and organization is needed for a student to be successful in virtual learning.  Students who require the support of paraprofessionals in order to engage in classes while they are happening will not be good candidates for this learning option.
• Parents/Caregivers who choose the virtual learning option for their student with a 504 accommodation plan will need to meet with their 504 team to determine what reasonable accommodations are needed for the student’s disability to allow them to access the virtual learning option.  
• Parents/Caregivers who choose the virtual learning option for their student who receives services as an English language learner will continue to receive services through virtual instruction.  A certain level of independence is needed for a student to be successful in virtual learning. Parents/Caregivers will be asked to meet with the EL staff member(s) at their assigned building to review language goals, plans and supports through Title III. Students who require extensive language support in order to engage in classes while they are happening will not be good candidates for this learning option.
• Parents/Caregivers who choose the virtual learning option for their student who receives services as an advanced learner will continue to receive services through virtual instruction.  A certain level of independence is needed for a student to be successful in virtual learning. Parents/Caregivers will be asked to meet with the advanced learning staff member(s) at their assigned building to review goals, plans and supports.
• Intervention and enrichment will primarily be provided by the virtual teacher with support from faculty who specialize in these areas.  In cases where more intervention or enrichment is needed, a team of educators will review information about the student and established district criteria and a plan will be developed.

•  Parents/caregivers will be asked to commit to virtual learning as their preferred option by May 28th, 2021. Scheduling, staffing, special education, transportation, etc. inform this date since so many processes need to align to this caregiver/student selection. 
• We request that parents/caregivers who choose to enroll their student in the virtual learning option commit for the 2021-22 school year.  There will be an option to return to in-person learning at the end of the first semester (August 23, 2021 - January 10, 2022).

A virtual school team will meet with your family to discuss challenges and work to find the best learning solution for your student. Options will be considered on an individual basis.

Being successful in a fully-virtual environment means being prepared to learn differently than in a face-to-face classroom.  This includes:

• Technology skills
• Self-motivated / work independently
• Reading and writing skills 
• Willingness to ask for help when they have questions or need guidance
• Strong time management skills
• Strong organizational skills.  Ability to plan, start, and adjust plans to support success.
• Willing to engage and participate in class discussions