- Winchester Public Schools
- Flexible Learning - FAQ
Return to Learn 2020-2021
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Flexible Learning PathwaysDevelop multiple learning pathways for students, teachers and families that include choice and can respond to changing conditions.
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New Instruction for All Students
Many aspects of learning will be in place whether students are served in-person, online, or a blend of the two. Our Empowered Learning model, will serve as the foundation of student success. Content will be new and based on the grade/course level of the student. Depending on the course and grade level, the pace of the learning may be adjusted to better meet the needs of our students. Academic progress will continue to be based on the Virginia Standards of Learning. As always, learning experiences will be dynamic, engaging, relevant, and empowering. Students will receive frequent feedback on their work and they will have opportunities to reflect on their learning. Assessments and grading will be a means to communicate student progress.
Regardless of the instructional model (hybrid, in-person, or distance learning), students will be required to complete daily learning experiences according to the schedule set by their teacher(s). Learning experiences will include teacher-led learning, during which teachers deliver instruction in a “live” (virtual or in-person, depending on the model) setting and all students practice and apply content together. Other learning experiences will provide content in which students work on their own within the time constraints set by their teacher. These lessons may involve reading, viewing or listening to content, and responding individually. WPS offers a number of online applications to adapt to individual student needs including closing learning gaps as well as providing extension activities.
Individual Education Plan (IEP) teams for all eligible students will meet as needed to discuss plans for the respective student’s education for the upcoming school year. IEPs will be developed to meet each student's unique needs and individual educational goals. IEP teams will consider both in-person and distance learning.
English Language Learners will continue to have additional support based on their level of language proficiency. Teachers will monitor their progress and personalize instruction as needed.
Gifted students will continue to have additional support and opportunities for extension activities and appropriate clustering as outlined in our gifted instructional plan.
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Addressing and Closing Learning Gaps
The Spring 2020 extended closure of schools may have created learning gaps of the previous years’ content for some students. Analyzing data is essential to determine what those gaps are and making a plan to address them. However, the collection of that data from students must be reasonable. School teams and key central office instructional leaders will work collaboratively to implement effective means of determining the level of student learning and the need for remediation and intervention. The emphasis will be on teaching content and skills to our students. Ongoing, formative assessment, combined with appropriate formal assessments will provide the necessary data to identify learners’ needs. Our adaptive instructional tools for our K-8 students will also address any learning gaps and assist teachers in identifying the instruction and interventions needed to close those gaps. High school students will have access to Instructional Remediation Teachers (IRTs) to address any identified learning gaps.
Our elementary instructional teams have identified critical standards from the Spring 2020 instructional plan and have worked to include them in our 2020-2021 pacing guides and curriculum documents. This identification process was done with the assistance of our teachers and specialists.
WPS Connections (100% Distance Learning)
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Will Kindergarten - fifth grade students be provided a Chromebook or other device?
Yes, Kindergarten - fifth grade students will be provided a Chromebook or other device.
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How will the Winchester Public Schools provide internet access to families that do not have internet access?
The Winchester Public Schools has signed an agreement with Comcast to provide internet access for families that qualify for the Internet Essentials program. The Winchester Public Schools will pay for up to 500 families to participate in this program. For more information click here or contact your school.
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How will electives be handled with the 100% distant learning option?
Electives may be limited based on availability of staff or virtual offerings. Each student will work directly with their school administration or counselors to develop their distance learning courses for the 2020 Fall Semester.
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What happens if a student wants to take AP courses, how will they be taught in each setting? What happens if a student is struggling with either module, what are our options?
If an AP class is offered through Virtual Virginia or Edgenuity, then they may choose that. Students will have a content area teacher to assist.
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What if we choose in-person learning on July 15th, but change our mind before or after the semester starts? If we change our mind and choose 100% distance learning are we then held to that option for the remainder of the semester?
Registration for WPS Connections (100% distance learning) is ongoing. Parents/guardians can register by calling their child's school.
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What happens if we choose 100% distance learning and find out it is not conducive to our child’s learning abilities?
We will work with families on a case by case basis. Capacity will be the key decision point for any in-person education.
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Will my child be able to reach out to their school counselor?
Yes. All students will be able to reach their school counselor or school social worker through email or by calling the school.
WPS Connections (100% Distance Learning) - Elementary and Intermediate
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How does my child sign into their Chromebook?
Please review these instructions on how students can sign into their Chromebooks.
Please review these instructions for using WPS Chromebooks at home.
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What is Classlink?
Classlink is a Single Sign-On application that students will use to access the majority of programs students will use. They will sign into ClassLink when they turn on their chromebook. For students in grades K-2, they will have a QR code to use to sign into their chromebook.
View our Classlink website for additional information and tutorials.
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What is Canvas?
Canvas is a learning management system (LMS). It will act as a virtual classroom and will be where teachers will add assignments, lessons, assessments, and links for students to complete. All students will use Canvas to access their learning activities and assignments.
View our Canvas website for additional information and tutorials including how parents can become an observer of their child’s Canvas account.
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Will my child need to log in each day?
Yes, students will have daily assignments to complete online. Your child will have a set schedule for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesdays may change based on your child’s needs, grade level, and their school.
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Will teachers take attendance?
Yes, though it may look slightly different than in-person learning, attendance is important for students to be successful while learning online. Teachers will keep track of student progress, participation, and communication. Students who do not participate in learning activities or communicate with the teacher on a regular basis will be contacted by the school to assist in developing ways to make sure students are actively participating in their learning on a daily and weekly basis.
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What if my child is sick and can’t attend online class or do their assignments?
Families should inform the teacher and assignments can be adjusted as needed.
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Will my child interact with their teacher each day?
In most cases, depending on their schedule, students will be given daily times to have a Google Meet with their teacher and classmates. Students will log in and join their class virtually. This will be with other WPS Connection students at the school.
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What happens if I do not have the internet?
We have been working on ways to provide families with the ability to have reliable internet connections. For WPS Connections to be successful, internet access will be essential. For additional information on internet options, please visit our WiFi Access at WPS webpage.
You can also visit our Comcast Internet Essentials Sponsorship webpage for ways to get connected.
We do have a limited number of wifi hotspots that can be checked out from the student's school. Please contact the schools social worker for additional information.
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Will my child receive any materials?
We are purchasing materials for students to have at home to use for learning activities. More information on how to pick these up will come from schools once they have received the materials.
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What do we do if we are having technical difficulties?
At times, this may happen. Please contact the teacher as soon as you can and explain the trouble you are having. If the teacher cannot assist you, they will put in a work order and a technician will be in touch with you for additional assistance. If it is a system-wide issue, WPS technology department will notify families of technical difficulties.
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What do we do if we would like to change to the in-person hybrid model?
Because of the challenges with scheduling, transportation, and our expectations for social distancing, we are asking families to wait until the end of the first semester to make changes. Communicate with your school principal about schedule changes, because each school and grade level is unique.
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How much work will my child do each day?
The answer to this question is based on your child’s age and developmental level. We want to create a balance between work being done on the chromebook and work being done without technology. As our teachers begin planning their lesson and activities with students, they will adjust to student needs. We also do not want our young students to be on technology for an entire day, so some work will be done offline and students may need assistance during that time.
WPS 50/40 Hybrid Model (50% capacity, 40% in-person)
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Can remote learning students still participate in sports?
Yes. High school and middle school students who participate in remote learning can still participate in extracurricular athletics as long as they meet all other requirements set forth by VHSL.
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If I select 100% Distance Learning will my child(ren) have a Winchester Public Schools teacher to offer support?
Yes. Students attending the 100% Distance Learning will receive instruction via a virtual learning platform by a WPS Teacher. It is critical that parents are committed to playing a strong supportive role to ensure student success with 100% Distance Learning.
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How will students be assigned to Group 1 and Group 2?
Students will be assigned a group based on their last name.- Group 1: A - K
- Group 2: L - Z
We will make every effort to keep families and residences together. Parents and guardians can work directly with school administration to request a change if families members are placed in different groups. -
Will all students at each school arrive at the same time?
Yes.
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Will all students at each school leave at the same time?
Yes.
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How many classes will they be taking on each of the two days they are there?
Students will have a full daily schedule.
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What do the other 3 days look like?
Synchronous and asynchronous distance learning. For asynchronous learning, students will have a series of playlists and videos. Synchronous learning will include live Google Meet sessions with teachers.
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Will they have the same teacher for the classes that are taught 2 days a week as well as the online portion they will receive the other three days?
Yes.
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How will electives be handled with the hybrid module?
Same as other classes. There will be 2 days of in-person and 3 days of distance learning.
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How will the students be held accountable for work and assignments?
Students will have established deadlines and will receive grades.
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How will they gain extra assistance if they do not understand what has been taught?
Teachers will provide assistance as needed either in-person or virtually.
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Will there be support for the social and emotional health of my child?
Yes. Teachers will receive professional development on social emotional health during our pre-service week in order to address the stress and anxiety our children have been experiencing.
All students will also be able to reach their school counselor or school social worker by visiting the office, by sending an email, or by calling their school.
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Will students have connections with their teachers and classmates?
We are prioritizing the social-emotional well-being of all students. Students enrolled in Distance Learning will connect regularly in real-time with teachers and their classmates.
