loudoun county public schools #readytogether planning for

Planning for the 2020-2021 School YearLoudoun County Public Schools

#ReadyTogether

June 23, 2020

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Instruction/General

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Phase III Distance Learning Days• Many school divisions regionally were initially focused on the possibility of

Fridays as distance learning days. Many divisions are now shifting to considering making Mondays distance learning days.

• LCPS is now focused on Monday distance learning days as well.

• Mondays will focus on synchronous learning, asynchronous learning as needed, teacher collaborative learning team meetings and teacher planning time.

• Staff recommends moving the Friday, October 30 County-wide Staff Development day to Monday, October 26 to avoid lost in-person instructional time. Unless directed otherwise, staff will bring an action item on June 29 to make this adjustment to the calendar.

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Student Holidays through Winter Break

Monday Student Holidays:

• September 7 (Labor Day Holiday)• October 12 (Columbus Day Holiday)• November 2 (Teacher Planning/Records/Conference Days)

Friday Student Holidays:

• September 4 (Labor Day Holiday)• October 30 (County-wide Staff Development)• November 27 (and 25 & 26 for Thanksgiving Holiday)

There are 14 Mondays and 14 Fridays as instructional days prior to Winter Break.

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Student Holidays after Winter Break

Monday Student Holidays:

• January 18 (Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday)• February 15 (Presidents’ Day)• April 12 (Teacher Planning/Records/Conference Days)• May 31 (Memorial Day)

Friday Student Holidays:

• None

There are 17 Mondays and 22 Fridays as instructional days after Winter Break.

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Challenges with Livestreaming In-Person InstructionStaff has received several inquiries and suggestions about the possibility of livestreaming in-person instruction for students who are engaged in distance learning. Some challenges might include:• Amount of direct instruction (teacher talking, students listening) is often minimal

in an entire class period, mixed with students reading, writing, and engaged in discussion.

• Would require teachers to balance monitoring in-person students, distance learning students, and the lesson itself. Additional professional learning would be needed.

• This would require technology infrastructure (camera, controls, microphones and audio) that is currently not in LCPS classrooms.

• Our focus group of national educational technology experts strongly cautioned against this approach.

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School Attendance During Phase II & Phase III• Attendance at school, whether in-person or in distance learning, will be

required.

• Attendance for in-person learning will be taken as usual.

• Attendance for distance learning days will be taken during daily morning meetings (elementary), daily morning advisory (secondary) and during synchronous sessions via Google Meet.

• Student work will be monitored using traditional methods and through Schoology, with assessments tracked in the Phoenix Gradebook.

• If a student is not regularly attending in-person or distance instruction, attendance interventions will be implemented.

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Athletics During Phase II and Phase III• The purpose of the out-of-season workouts is the acclimation to

individual skill development, agility and conditioning activities.

• Students and coaches must maintain 10 ft. of physical distance, and where a mask whenever 10 ft. of physical distancing is not possible.

• All activities will be outdoors, and there will be no use of locker rooms or weight rooms, no sharing of equipment or water bottles.

• LCPS health plan will be submitted to VDOE and mandatory coaches’ training will take place prior to conducting any workouts.

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Athletics During Phase II and Phase III

• Fall Out of Season practices may begin on July 1.

• Winter Out of Season practices may begin on July 15 assuming that statewide or local restrictions have not changed.

• Spring Out of Season practices may begin on July 29 assuming that statewide or local restrictions have not changed.

• The Athletic Director or designee will collect all screening documentation daily from each program that conducts an out of season practice.

• Awaiting additional details from VHSL regarding competitions.

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Challenges with 4x4 Secondary Schedule• Significant change during a time of already significant change and uncertainty

• Increased teacher planning and preparation during a time of already significant planning and preparation for teachers

• Additional master scheduling challenges for school leaders and school counselors during a time when master scheduling will already be a challenge

• Families and teachers worried about “summer slide” compounded with the “COVID slide” and students potentially not starting a new course until mid-January

• The possibility that Phase II and Phase III could pass quickly, leaving us with the schedule for the remainder of the year

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Virginia’s Return to School Plan:Allowed Activities in Phase II● According to the state plan, distance learning is still the dominant method of instruction in Phase II

● Virginia allows local school divisions to choose to provide in-person learning authorized in Phase I, while also allowing some or all students in preschool through grade 3 and/or English learners to participate in in-person learning in accordance with public health mitigation practices

● Local school divisions may also operate summer camps in accordance with public health mitigation practices

● Required Phase II public health precautions for Virginia K-12 schools

○ 50 person limit on large gatherings, assemblies, graduations, etc.○ 6 feet separation whenever possible○ Restrict mixing groups of students○ Limited extracurricular activities and athletics with mitigation strategies○ Close communal spaces if possible, otherwise stagger use and disinfect between use

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Phase II Draft Schedules• Students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 3 would participate in

two days of in-person learning and three days of distance learning each week.

• Some students with disabilities and English learners would attend more frequently than two days per week.

• Most students in Grades 4-12 would participate in 100% distance learning.

• Phase II plans would also include a plan for shifting to 100% distance learning at any point public health guidance requires schools to close.

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Sample Phase II Schedule:Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 3

PreK-3 Sample Schedule

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Morning MeetingIn-person or Synchronous

20 minutes synchronous small groups as needed

120 minutes of independent work over the course of the day

Reading/Language Arts

120 minutes of asynchronous work time

over the course of the day

Reading/Language Arts

120 minutes of independent work over the course of the day

Recess Recess

Reading/Language Arts Reading/Language Arts

Specials Specials

Recess and Lunch Recess and Lunch

Math Math

Science, Social Science, Interdisciplinary

Activities

Science, Social Science, Interdisciplinary

Activities

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Phase II Worktime Guidelines for Grades 4-5100% Distance Learning• Most students in grades 4 and 5 would receive 100% of their instruction

virtually. • Students would interact synchronously with their teachers Tuesday

through Friday for approximately 140 minutes each day, Monday for 50 minutes, and would also have designated independent work times for asynchronous learning.

• The school day would include instruction in all content areas as well as physical education, library, art, and music as well as lessons presented by the school counselor.

• The teacher would be available each day for parent consultation during designated office hours.

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Sample Phase II Schedule: Grades 4-5 Elementary 100% Distance Learning Sample Schedule


8:00-8:30 Morning Meeting

Synchronous

8:45-9:30Students:

20 minutes synchronous small groups as needed

Teachers:Synchronous small group

instruction as needed. Planning, collaborative

learning team meetings, professional

development, and staff meetings

Teacher-Directed Instruction Synchronous

9:45-10:15Specials

Asynchronous or Synchronous

10:30-11:30(3 20-minute sessions)

Small Group Instruction (EL, SPED, remediation, Extension)Synchronous

11:30-12:30 Lunch and Recess

12:30-1:15Teacher-Directed Instruction

Synchronous

1:30-2:30Independent Playlist or Choice Activity

Asynchronous(Teacher planning)

2:30-3:00 Office Hours for Parents

* Time allotments would be the same, but class schedules may differ by school and/or grade level

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Phase II Worktime Guidelines for Grades 6-12100% Distance Learning• Monday through Friday, every student will meet with their

Advisory/Homeroom teacher each day (either in-person or synchronously from home) for 20 minutes.

• Students in grades 6-8 will engage in 90 minutes of synchronous learning per week for each class, in addition to asynchronous activities. Teachers teach 6 of 8 blocks, as they do in a normal school year.

• Students in grades 9-12 will engage in up to 120 minutes of synchronous learning per week for each class, in addition to asynchronous activities. Teachers teach 5 of 8 blocks, as they do in a normal school year.

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Sample Phase II Schedule: Middle School Middle School 100% Distance Learning Sample Schedule*


8:30-8:50 Advisory Period/SEL lessons

9:00-9:45 Teacher Planning, CLT Meetings, and Office

Hours

Students work asynchronously

(independently or with peers)

Block 1A Synchronous Learning

Block 1B Synchronous Learning


Block 1BSynchronous Learning

10:00-10:45 Block 2A Synchronous Learning




11:00-11:45 Block 3ASynchronous Learning


Block 3ASynchronous Learning


12:00-12:30 Lunch Break





1:30-3:30 Students: Asynchronous learning activities, extracurricular activities, conference with teachers by appointment, work independently or with peersTeachers: Planning, School Meetings, Conferences, Communication

*Middle School and High School Schedule differ only in amount of synchronous time per block. MS = 45 minutes every other day. HS = 60 minutes every other day. All students will engage in asynchronous learning on Mondays.

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Sample Phase II Schedule: High School High School 100% Distance Learning Sample Schedule


9:00-9:20 Advisory Period/SEL lessons

9:30-10:30 Teacher Planning, CLT Meetings, and Office

Hours

Students work asynchronously

(independently or with peers)





10:45-11:45 Block 2A Synchronous Learning




12:00-12:30 Lunch Break









3:15 to 4:15 Teachers: Planning, School Meetings, Conferences, Communication

Students: Asynchronous learning activities, Extracurricular activities, Conference with teachers by appointment, Work independently or with peers

*Middle School and High School Schedule differ only in amount of synchronous time per block. MS = 45 minutes every other day. HS = 60 minutes every other day. All students will engage in asynchronous learning on Mondays.

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Supporting English Learners• Teachers of English Learner students will utilize their in-person time with students to

concentrate on the language instruction strategies and opportunities that are most challenging to complete in a virtual environment.

• Distance learning will focus on independent reading, tasks, and assignments through Schoology, and will also include asynchronous learning opportunities that help to develop English Learners’ background knowledge that could be viewed independently to prepare students for in-person learning.

• EL teachers and general education teachers will collaborate in order to support students accessing the general education curriculum through comprehensible input while also providing frequent check-ins with their EL students. Co-planning and co-teaching both in-person and virtual instruction will be vital to ensuring the needs of ELs are met in both the in-person and distance learning environments.

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Focus Group and Principal Feedback • Original narratives were drafted and shared prior to June 1 Focus Group; narratives were updated based

on Focus Group and Principal Feedback and shared at the School Board Work Session on June 23

• Not currently focused on schedule option that included 100% Elementary school students in-person and Secondary students 100% distance learning based on feedback

• Focus Groups and Principals wanted to know what this would look like for teachers so the Week in the Life of a Teacher narratives were drafted and shared at the School Board Work Session on June 23

• Classroom capacity models have been adjusted based on in-person school visits conducted at the request of Principals

• Continuing to work with Principals on master schedules, staffing, student drop off, students entering and exiting the buildings, student/teacher transitions, classroom set-up, etc.

• Feedback let us know that many individual participants felt we were on the right track with particular elements of our plans e.g. 100% distance learning option available for students; emphasis on social emotional learning.

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Pupil Services

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Supporting Students with Disabilities• Special education and general education teachers will continue to plan and co-teach

• Special education and related services will be provided as required by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). As needed, based upon IEP goals:

• Services will be provided within the least restrictive environment• Specialized instruction will be provided in-person and through distance learning• Continued access to augmentative/alternative communication resources• Executive functioning support will be provided for structure and consistency• Behavioral support during in-person learning and collaborative support with parents

for distance learning• Accommodations will be provided within the distance learning and in-person

schedule• Ongoing support and collaboration with families through the IEP, eligibility, reevaluation,

and other support meetings

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Pupil Services: Self-Quarantine of Close Contacts● If a staff member or a student tests positive for COVID-19, a contact investigation will be

conducted

● The Loudoun County Health Department will notify close contacts of positive cases and advise

them to self-quarantine at home

● The work & learning of students and staff who self-quarantined would not occur at school

● The volume of close contacts of positive cases would determine the extent to which in-person

learning/work would be paused; the quarantining of an entire class would involve pausing of

in-person learning for that class

● Loudoun County Health Department states that it would be likely to recommend a school closure

if:

○ Significant absenteeism occurs due to an unknown illness; and/or

○ A known case had significant interactions with multiple areas of the school so one could not

safely close off just part of the facility or quarantine a portion of the student body

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Pupil ServicesCOVID-19 Mitigation Health Plan

Per an order from the Virginia Public Health Commissioner, each public school division must develop a plan for

implementing COVID-19 mitigation strategies before reopening in accordance with the Virginia Phase Guidance for

Schools.

The COVID-19 Mitigation Health Plan is in process of being developed for feedback from the Loudoun County

Health Director, and partners within the Loudoun County medical community.

Plan Components:

● Planning to reopen

● Promoting Behaviors That Reduce Spread of COVID-19

● Maintaining Healthy Environments

● Maintaining Healthy Operations

● Protecting vulnerable individuals (students and employees)

● Preparing for When Someone Gets Sick

● Planning to close down if necessary, due to severe conditions

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Safeguarding Staff and Students

● Public health mitigation strategies

○ Implement strategies to prioritize the health of students and staff (physical

distancing, cloth face coverings, health screenings, respiratory etiquette)

● Mental health and wellness supports

○ Multi-Tiered System of Supports (Remote counseling, restorative circles, SEL

instruction, PBIS, and student leadership - ie: PEER, Sources of Strength)

● Flexible work, leave, and attendance practices

○ Support for staff and students when there is a need to work/learn from home

○ Flexible scheduling in-person and distance learning

● Orientations and professional learning

○ Prior to school and during the year related to public health and safety and

distance learning support

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Pupil ServicesForward Virginia Phase II - Blended approach to Extended School Year (ESY) Services

In-person public health mitigation strategies include, but are not limited to:● Limitations in group size;● Physical distancing – six (6) feet of separation to the extent possible;● Daily health screenings of students and staff;● Distance learning students who are at a higher risk of severe illness/medically fragile;● Use of cloth face coverings by staff and students, as developmentally appropriate, when at least six (6)

feet physical distancing cannot be maintained

In-person Potential Risk of COVID-19 Exposure: ● Ongoing collaboration with the Loudoun County Health Department to report and respond to

notification of staff or students that may demonstrate symptoms or test positive for COVID-19. Recommended response may include continued daily health checks, notification of close contacts, or removal from in-person program.

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Pupil ServicesForward Virginia Phase II - Blended approach to Extended School Year (ESY) Services

IEP indication of participation: 689 students ● Limited in-person for some students (ECSE-Grade 3) ● Distance Learning (ECSE-Returning Graduates)

Dates/Time:● Limited in-person hybrid: July 6-10 (Virtual) and July 13-31 (In-person)● Distance Learning (Virtual): July 6 and July 31

ESY Survey in Process: ● Sent to 236 parent/guardians of ECSE - Grade 3 students:

○ 44 of 72 respondents want their child to participate in-person learning○ 22 of 72 want their child to participate in distance learning only

● Sent to 80 teachers: ○ 39 of 75 expressed interest in providing in-person instruction○ 73 of 75 expressed interest in providing 100% distance instruction

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Support Services

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Child Care Planning for Phase IIICollaboration with County Staff:

• Child care providers lack capacity for the demand

• Consideration for local and regional child care needs

• Potential expansion of county program offerings

LCPS options not currently under consideration:

• Utilize available space in schools to provide more in-person learning (or child care) for

the children of teachers

• Provide financial child care assistance for teachers (no source of funds identified)

• Phase III schedule alternative: 100% in-person learning for elementary students (using

elementary, middle, and high school buildings) combined with 100% distance learning

for secondary students

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Classroom CapacitySchool by School classroom capacity package issued June 22, 2020

• Instructions for principals • Sample drawings for standard classrooms• Data collection documentation by classroom• Guidance for layout to determine capacity with appropriate distance

• Inner and outer circles

• Guidance for addressing non-standard furniture• Guidance for addressing non-standard classroom configuration• Storage or relocation solutions

Develop capacity classroom by classroom and by school

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TransportationRouting and scheduling

• Incorporate double runs and supervision at schools• May require school bell time adjustments• Training video for student loading, seating and unloading• AM/PM schedules considered - not possible given available buses and staff

• Bus drivers have routes with multiple runs (elementary, middle, high) that keeps them (and their buses) busy throughout the day

Walkzones

• No current plan to revise policy• Expansion of walk zones would decrease the demand for drivers and buses but the expansion

of walk zones is not planned

Hiring

• Driver recruiting ongoing to fill current vacancies• Driver personal protection alterations mostly not allowed

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Planning for the 2020-2021 School YearLoudoun County Public Schools

#ReadyTogether

June 23, 2020

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loudoun county public schools #readytogether planning for

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