2021-2022 school year only virtual learning option
TRANSCRIPT
2021-2022 School YearOnly Virtual Learning Option
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Dear Richland Two Families:
Richland School District Two will offer virtual learning for the 2021-2022 school year only via the Richland Two Virtual School or R2 Virtual School (formerly known as the R2eSchool).
The R2 Virtual School is being offered through Choice. Interested students should apply online during Choice II now through May 31, 2021 at www.richland2.org/choice. The only exception to this deadline is reserved for military families.
The R2 Virtual School offers a competency based virtual learning program that gives families flexibility in learning from home. This rigorous program for students in grades 5K-12 is designed to meet the individual needs of students by providing personalized learning pathways in an online setting.
Although the R2 Virtual School is an online program, students must participate in some face-to-face activities, including district/state/federal standardized testing and enrichment activities. Parents must provide transportation for these activities.
The district is allocating staffing and resources to the R2 Virtual School based on the number of students who apply through Choice and are accepted. Once accepted into the R2 Virtual School, students will not be eligible to transfer back to their residentially zoned school until the beginning of the next school year, which is 2022-2023.
This brochure provides information on the R2 Virtual School and the district’sPathways to Promotion Program that is housed within the Virtual School Program. If you have questions that are not answered in this brochure, please email us at [email protected] or call 803-462-7081.
Dr. Emily ManigaultDirector of Virtual School [email protected](803) 738-3273
About Dr. ManigaultDr. Emily Manigault began her educational career in Richland School District Two in 1997. She has taught Social Studies at Ridge View High School, where she earned teacher of the year honors, and at Blythewood High School. Dr. Manigault has served the district in many roles, including K-12 Social Studies Coordinator, High School Team Leader, Assistant Principal for Instruction at the W. R. Rogers Adult Education Center, Virtual School Coordinator, and Director of High School Instruction and Virtual School Programs.
Dr. Manigault earned three degrees from the University of South Carolina; a Bachelor of Arts in History (1995); Masters in Education Administration (2003) and Doctorate in Curriculum Studies (2014).
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Students who should apply for the R2 Virtual School:
• Want online learning for the entire 2021-2022 school year
• Thrive in online learning environment
• Are not in a magnet program and do not want to be in one
during the 2021-2022 school year
• Have COVID-19 related medical concerns
• Are independent, self-directed learners
• Persevere and do not give up easily
• Are currently learning online and like it
• Want flexibility in their schedule
• Reside in Richland Two
• Are in Grades 5K - 12
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Richland Two Virtual School offers a competency based virtual learning program that provides families flexibility in learning from home. This rigorous program for students in grades 5K-12 is designed to meet the individual needs of students by providing personalized learning pathways in an online setting. Elementary school students in grades 5K-5 will be assigned to Lake Carolina Elementary School (Upper & Lower campuses).
Students in this program demonstrate mastery of South Carolina Department of Education (SDE) standards and district expectations for learning. Students will complete all required SDE assessments and will be required to meet graduation requirements. Students in the R2 Virtual School will develop skills in self-advocacy with the goal of creating independent learners. Although this is an online program, students must participate in face-to-face activities, including district/state/federal standardized testing and enrichment activities. Parents must provide transportation for these activities.
Richland Two will provide an electronic learning device for student use. Families must have access to reliable internet service for daily online instruction. Additionally, elementary age students will need supervision and support during daily instruction.
This program may be most appealing to families who have significant challenges that make attending a brick and mortar school difficult. These challenges may include medical concerns/health needs or a student's extracurricular activities. Also, families who are participating in or are considering full time virtual charter schools or homeschooling options can have their child in a program in their community.
The R2 Virtual School will not offer options like magnet programs. Students enrolled in R2 Virtual School will have highly qualified instructors throughout the school year.
Athletics/Extracurricular Activities:Students will have opportunities to participate in field studies and enrichment activities throughout the school year. Students may also have access to athletics and other extracurricular activities based on the requirements of their zoned/assigned school.
Sports participation may be allowed based on South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) rules. Eligibility will be based upon the intra-district rule established by the SCHSL and the district. For non-sport activities like theatre or student government, decisions will be made on a case by case basis. Application:The R2 Virtual School is being offered through Choice. Interested students should apply online
during Choice II now through May 31, 2021 at www.richland2.org/choice. The only exception to this deadline is reserved for military families moving into the district. Once students are accepted into the R2 Virtual school they will not be eligible to attend their residentially zoned school until again until the 2022-2023 school year.
Attendance:Students follow the attendance policy established by Richland Two’s Virtual School program. Daily attendance will be taken for classes and all policies established by the South Carolina Department of Education will be followed.
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R2 Virtual School grows we will add some CTE choices. If you have already begun a CTE pathway you would like to complete, then you will be allowed to utilize school based eLearning to access that class.
Electronic Devices/Internet:Richland Two will provide an electronic learning device for student use. Families must have access to reliable internet service for daily online instruction. The district does have some hotspots available. Please contact Lead Teacher Erin Armstrong for more information on receiving a hotspot. Interventions:Students will have access to interventions for remediation and acceleration based on their individual needs. Students and their families will have access to social workers, psychologists, school nurses and other learning support services as needed to meet their individual needs.
College and Career Preparation:Students will have access to Advanced Placement and dual credit courses, as well as SAT/ACT preparation courses and assessments. As with all high schools in the district, Advanced Placement offerings may be limited; however, every attempt will be made to meet the needs of students enrolled in the R2 Virtual School who have previous enrollments in these courses. Students who are interested in dual credit courses will have options through Richland Two Institute for Innovation (R2i2).
Competency Based Learning:Competency based learning is an instructional approach that transitions away from seat time requirements to allow students to demonstrate mastery of learning in order to complete courses and receive credit. The foundation of a competency based system is that learning is best measured through the demonstration of mastery of requisite skills, content and standards, not the amount of time a student spends in a class.
For example, if a student is required to complete a math course, but can demonstrate most of the standards and skills prior to the course, they would focus only on mastering the skills they need as opposed to sitting through the entire course. Comparatively, if a student struggles in a particular content area, they would have additional time beyond what traditional systems typically allow to master the skills, content and/or standards. This would allow a student more time to focus on courses and/or content areas where they may need additional support.
Career & Technical Education (CTE):Every attempt will be made to allow students currently enrolled in CTE classes, such as culinary arts or building construction, to complete their chosen CTE program. As the
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Magnet Programs: The R2 Virtual School will not offer options like magnet programs. Students enrolled in magnet programs must participate in them at the school where they are offered.
Part-time Virtual Learning for Middle and High School Students:Middle and high school students will have opportunities to take classes in the Virtual School on a part-time basis. Please contact our staff for more information.
Schedules:Students attend online classes as scheduled at the assigned time. Schedules may look very different than a traditional school setting. Students will have set schedules which include required meeting times with their instructors. Students will be expected to log in to their classes as scheduled with their cameras on and actively participate in the instructional activities.
Transportation:Parents/guardians must provide transportation when R2 Virtual School students have to report face-to-face. Those events include required federal, state or district testing, enrichment or field study experiences, etc.
Pathway to PromotionThe Pathway to Promotion (P2P) program is housed within the Richland Two Virtual School. Rich-land Two is committed to meeting the needs of all students by providing valuable resources to help them achieve the ultimate goal of graduating from high school and becoming global citizens of tomorrow. Richland Two is committed to helping students avoid expulsion and remain in a po-sition for promotion, provided the parent and student share that same commitment. With these goals in mind the District provides some students the opportunity to participate in P2P services as an alternative to expulsion.
Candidates for P2P services are expelled from school; however, if admitted into the program, their expulsion will be held in abeyance until they have successfully completed the program. Participation in P2P is optional. Parents or students may decline the opportunity to participate in P2P services, in which case expulsion proceedings will continue and a due process expulsion hearing may be scheduled at the parent’s request.
P2P is for students who have committed serious discipline offenses in Category II or Category III of the Richland Two Code of Conduct. (The exception to this is for possession of a firearm, which requires mandatory expulsion from school for up to one calendar year.)
Students accepted to the P2P program will be given the opportunity to earn high school credits online with support from a teacher and a counselor. The student also participates in supportive group programming which will address issues such as career and life programming, anger man-agement and drug/alcohol resistance. Our goal is to have the student return to the referring school more focused on their education, goals for their life and to be able to avoid the behaviors that resulted in the expulsion.
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Mission:The mission of the Pathway to Promotion pro-gram is to provide a caring and structurededucational environment for students who have been expelled, that will enable them to earn high school credits, identify career goals, develop positive life skills and prepare them to return to their home school ready to achieve academically and avoid behaviors that resulted in their placement in the program.
Objectives:• Provide a structured environment under the direction of a certified teacher, school coun-selors, community volunteers and communi-ty resources (e.g. LRADAC, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, local churches, etc.) for students who are recommended for expulsion to earn high school credits. • Provide those students with support in the areas of career and life planning, angermanagement and drug/alcohol resistance. We envision preparing students to return to their school with identified career and life goals and the realization of what they need to do in order to achieve their goals. The program will work with district and community resources (e.g. LRADAC, Richland County Sheriff’s Depart-ment, local churches, etc.)
• Decrease the number of students who are recommended for expulsion again.
• Decrease the number of dropouts in Richland Two. Students who are expelled often do not earn any credits toward graduation during the period of their expulsion. Those students get behind and are at risk of dropping out, which is costly to our society and the individual. By af-fording those students the opportunity to earn credits, we can decrease the dropout rate.Engage P2P students to be responsible and socially productive people who
• Accept responsibility for learning and actions
• Demonstrate citizenship and respect for others
• Are prepared to learn by arriving on time and staying on task
[email protected] | 803-462-7081
PATHWAY TO PROMOTION
Richland Two’s Chief Administrator Officer or hisdesignee will decide if recommendation to the P2Pprogram is appropriate.
Upon referral, the student and parent/guardian mustcomplete and sign the P2P Program Application and return itto Erin Armstrong, Lead Teacher for Virtual School Programswithin 10 days.
The student’s home base principal or designated administratoralong with the appropriate school staff must complete the SchoolReferral and submit to Erin Armstrong within 10 days ofrecommendation.
A team will review each application. Approved candidates will be invited to schedule an intakeinterview with a parent/guardian and an individual plan of actionand study will be created. Accepted students enter a two week trial period. Attendance and course progress will be crucial components forsuccessful completion of the trial period.Students who successfully complete the trial period will continuewith the P2P program. Meetings with Richland Two’s Student Services will be held todiscuss alternatives with students who do not successfullycomplete the trial period.
Agreement that any further serious behavior violations wouldotherwise typically result in an out-of-school suspension will be aviolation of the P2P agreement and will result in an expulsionAgreement to attend, participate and demonstrate effort consistentwith program requirements, including, but not limited to the exhibitionof respectful behaviors, a commitment to the goals and expectationsand a pledge to successfully completing the programRestrictions from participation in specified school activitiesLoss of privileges such as having electronics (ie. cell phone) at schoolLoss of “on-campus” privilegesRestitution (as appropriate) or other restorative justice measuresParticipation in academic or remedial support programs“Check-ins” or appointments with administrative or program supportstaff
Participants will be required to sign a contract prior to officially beginningthe program. Each P2P contract identifies program expectations and theconsequences for failure to complete program requirements. Examples ofcommon terms and conditions may include but are not limited to:
RETURN TO REGULAR SCHOOL UPON COMPLETION
1 R E C O M M E N D A T I O N
2 A P P L I C A T I O N
3 S C H O O L R E F E R R A L
4 A D M I S S I O N
ENTERING THE PROGRAM
E X P E C T A T I O N S5
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• Think critically
• Demonstrate effective decision-making skills
• Manage conflict in positive ways
• Set realistic goals
• Apply prior knowledge to recognize and solve challenges
• Demonstrate a healthy lifestyle
• Articulate ideas, opinions, and information accurately
• Use technology responsibly as a tool for academic success
• Achieve progress toward graduation
• Are College and Career ready
Counseling Services:Counseling services will be provided for students. Parents and students will meet for family therapy. There will be six mandatory sessions (mindful schools)--one of the six will be individual trauma.
Students will participate in group and/or individual counseling on Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Yoga will be included as a part of their physical fitness.
Education:Students will receive virtual instruction aligned with state academic standards and linked to individual goals outlined in the student’s support plan, which is developed during the in-take process.
Additional activities focus on strengthening test-taking skills, study skills, oral and written communication skills and preparation for state proficiency tests.
Attendance:If a student does not attend and comply with the P2P program and its services, the original expulsion will be enforced. Students who fail to attend the P2P program are referred back to Richland Two’s Student Services.
Social and Behavioral Support:Students receive targeted social-skills instruction both individually and in small groups. Mental-health services may also be provided.
Service Learning:Students must participate in a variety of curriculum-based, service-learning projects to enhance what is taught in the classroom, encourage development of caring for others and provide preparation for the work world.
Returning to Home School: A planning process creates follow-up supports to help when the student returns to regular school. This planning involves the student and parents, administrators from the school and P2P staff. These supports aim to help the student continue the progress made in P2P.
PATHWAY TO PROMOTION
Student CohortsQuarterly Enrollment Cycle
Virtual Coursework With support/Focus Primarily on Core Courses
Wrap-Around Services
Opportunities for Advanced Certifications
Work-Based and Service Learning
Life Skills Assessment & Training
Completion of Capstone Portfolio Presentation
Presented to homeschool administration
Successful Transition Back to Home School
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Lead TeacherErin [email protected](803) 309-5391
Mrs. Armstrong is in her 15th year in Richland Two. She is a former Student Activities Director and Lead Teacher for Career Prep. She is the Lead Teacher for Virtual Programs/BrightBytes Coordinator. Armstrong holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education/Social Sciences from Clemson University and Masters of Education in Teacher Leadership from the University of Phoenix.
Administrative Staff
Counseling (K-12)Teasha Gibson [email protected](803) 738-8461
This year marks Ms. Gibson’s eighth year in the district. She has served as a school counselor at Ridge View High School as well as the Director of Counseling at both Ridge View and Spring Valley High schools. She is currently serving as the school counselor for the R2 Virtual School. Gibson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wake Forest University, Master of Arts in School Counseling from Appalachian State University, Education Specialist Degree in Administration and Supervision from Clemson University. She is also National Board certified in School Counseling/Early Childhood Through Young Adulthood.
Administrative Assistant Valerie [email protected](803) 462-7081
Mrs. Williamson is in her fifth year in Richland Two. She is the former Student Intake Officer for the Richland Two Institute of Innovation (R2i2). She has served in several different capacities managing and developing educational programs for non-profit agencies in partner-ship with K-12 public schools. She is currently serving as the Ad-ministrative Assistant for the R2 Virtual School. Williamson holds a Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Development with a minor in Childhood Development and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in Applied Behavior Analysis both from Arizona State University.
2021-2022 Teaching Staff
High School Mary Brebner, [email protected]
William McCormick, Social [email protected]
Samatha Seidel, [email protected]
Jonathan Timmons, [email protected]
Sophia Waheed, [email protected]
Allana Weigle, Social [email protected]
Elementary School Lisa Pauling-Daniels, Kindergarten [email protected]
Chelsie Landy, 1st [email protected]
Tomiko Brown, 2nd [email protected]
LaToya Black, 3rd [email protected]
Nichelle Johnson, 4th [email protected]
Stephanie Bowling, 5th [email protected]
Middle School Eleanor Barber, [email protected]
Blake Bare, Social [email protected]
Jewel Chesnut, [email protected]
Dr. Meranda Esters, [email protected]
Richard Fish, Social Studies [email protected]
Timothy Gfell, [email protected]
Jamie Melvin, [email protected]
Levorn Miller, [email protected]
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Richland School District Two is committed to providing equal access to educational and employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, pregnancy,
age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity status, spousal affiliation, or any other protected characteristic, as may be required by law. Visit the Richland Two website www.richland2.org for
more information on the Richland Two Title IX Coordinator at each school or district office.