- South St. Paul Public Schools
- Safe. Strong. Prepared.
- Distance Learning
Scenario 3: Distance Learning
-
Current Scenario for Grades 6-12 and families who chose the distance learning option
In the Distance Learning scenario, students will learn at home through digital learning and will receive daily interaction with their licensed teacher(s). We continue to enhance our distance learning offerings, which will consist of both live and on demand (flexible) learning.
This scenario may be implemented if local, regional or statewide COVID-19 metrics worsen significantly enough to require the suspension of in-person learning.
-
Early Learning
Preschool and ECFE
For both Preschool and Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) families, distance learning will be based on supporting parent(s) and caregivers and providing adaptable, home life strategies for social-emotional and academic learning. Each SSP Preschool/ECFE teacher will use a website model to create a one-stop shop for parents to access live and archived lessons, and links/information and materials for each class session. This allows families to access learning anytime. Content is aligned to support the Early Childhood Indicators of Progress and early learning developmental standards. Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) support will be embedded. Daily attendance will be taken through interacting live (synchronous learning) and/or evidence of participation in activities provided.
We will focus on relationship building and social/emotional support for parents in early learning as well. This will include providing Parent Support Groups in collaboration with ECFE and ECSE. SSPPS Early Learning has also developed our own Conscious Discipline website using both live support and archived lessons from our teachers. This is designed for learning, support and problem solving specifically for parents of young children.
For both the Hybrid and the distance learning model, we will be distributing a Starter Kit of school supplies to use at home and intend to offer a both a weekly/biweekly Home Learning Kit to support activities at home and a Toy Lending Library to keep learning fresh and allow children to utilize the learning materials we have at school. Cleaning protocols will be strictly enforced prior to the next check-out of materials. -
Elementary
For our youngest learners, we understand that guidance may be needed from home to support student learning in this model and we are thankful for the support and flexibility that has been exhibited by families across the district.
The following framework will be used to guide elementary school learning in a fully online continuous learning model, utilizing a combination of live and on demand (flexible) learning. The goal is to ensure flexibility for students and families. Note that this framework may include modifications or variations depending on grade level.Learning Hub
Attendance
Students will be considered in attendance for the day if they logged into Seesaw before 3 p.m. each school day. Teachers will contact parents/guardians if the student has not logged into Seesaw for two consecutive days. If a student will be absent for the day, the parent should call the attendance line or email.
Daily Schedule
Students will have a live daily morning meeting with their classroom. They will have both live and on demand (flexible) instruction by their teacher in all content areas, opportunities to practice with feedback from the teacher, and informal and formal assessment. Small group instruction will be used to differentiate learning, or tailor instruction to student needs, along with individual support for students who require it. There will be personalized pathways for students to access, practice and demonstrate evidence of their learning. Prioritized standards will be taught in core subject areas. Specific daily distance learning schedules may differ in each elementary building.
Primary Teaching Tools
- Seesaw
- Google Meets
Grading
Students will be assessed by teachers in a variety of ways to determine the student’s progress toward meeting the standards. These assessments will include:
- Paper/pencil tasks completed through Seesaw
- Individual observations through Google Meets or in small groups, if possible, as students are ready, based on formative assessment.
- Feedback will be provided by teachers multiple times per week.
- Monitoring of students Must Do activities.
Weekly Check Ins
Each elementary school student will participate in a weekly check-in meeting with an assigned staff member once a week, led by certified teaching staff.
Daily Directions
Delivery of core curriculum is the primary goal during distance learning. Standards will be prioritized and lessons will include learning targets with success criteria. Students will have multiple pathways to practice (choice) and there will be multiple modes and opportunities for assessment.
- Literacy/Math/Science/Social Studies Instructions: Students will participate in scheduled Google Meets lessons, which will be aligned with Seesaw activities.
- Specialists: Students will receive on demand (flexible) lessons in the specialist areas of art, music, media and technology, physical education, and wellness once per week.
-
Middle School, High School and CLC
Distance learning will be the primary method of delivering content for the 2020-21 school year for all three scenarios. Teachers push all lessons and materials for the week every Wednesday at 7 a.m. Students should turn in assignments as soon as they are completed, but no later than the following Wednesday at 7 a.m.
Have a question? Please reach out to your teacher and they will get back to you within 24-hours on school days.Attendance
- Middle School 6-8: Attendance should be completed by 3 p.m. each day in Schoology
- High School 9-12: Attendance should be completed by 3 p.m. each day in Campus
Daily Schedules- Group 1/Group 2, Week 1/Week 2 Schedules
- Live time schedules, Group 1/Group 2
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
8:00*
9:00- 9:50
Period 1
Google MeetPeriod 4
Google MeetConnections Google Meet
Period 1
Google MeetPeriod 4
Google Meet10:00- 10:50
Period 2
Google MeetPeriod 5 Google Meet
Schoology Periods 1, 2 & 3 Independent Study/ Work Time
Period 2
Google MeetPeriod 5 Google Meet
11:00- 11:50
Period 3
Google MeetPeriod 6 Google Meet
Period 3
Google MeetPeriod 6 Google Meet
12:00
Lunch & Physical Activity
Lunch & Physical Activity
Lunch & Physical Activity
Lunch & Physical Activity
Lunch & Physical Activity
1:00
Schoology
Periods 4, 5 & 6- Independent Study/ Work Time*
Schoology
Periods 1, 2 & 3- Independent Study/ Work Time*
Schoology
Periods 4, 5 & 6 Independent Study/ Work Time*Schoology
Periods 4, 5 & 6- Independent Study/ Work Time*
Schoology
Periods 1, 2 & 3- Independent Study/ Work Time*
2:00
3:00
*If a student is an early riser, or if it is helpful to family, the student may shift one of their hours of independent study from the afternoon to 8:00 am.
Week 1/Week 2 Schedule"A" Day Classes are Week 1 and "B" Day classes are Week 2
- November 4-10: Week 2
- November 11-17: Week 1
- November 18-December 1: Week 2 (includes Thanksgiving break)
- December 2-8: Week 1
- December 9-15: Week 2
- December 16-January 5: Week 1 (includes winter break)
- January 6-12: Week 2
- January 13-19: Week 1
- January 20-26: Week 2
- January 27-February 2: Week 1
- February 3-9: Week 2
- February 10-16: Week 1
- February 17-23: Week 2
Click here for full Distance Learning CalendarDistance Learning Expectations
Staff/Instructors
- Post Lessons for the week each Wednesday by 7:00 am
- Host Google Meets for each class period 2 times per week
- Google Meets format will quickly review previous content, discuss new content, make plan for when student works on their own
- Create respectful online community
- Get to know each student
- Give each student feedback about what student did well and how they can improve
- Update gradebook frequently
- Communicate with parent about students progress
Students
- Go into Schoology (6-8)/Campus (9-12) each school day (M-F) and complete attendance question
- Show up to Google Meets on time
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: attend three google meets
(9 am, 10 am, 11 am) - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: work on three classes that did not have google meets
- Wednesday attend Connections, and go into Schoology for all classes and review material/ complete assignments as assigned
- Turn completed assignments in (make sure to hit submit)
- Look at comments from graded work and respond to teachers feedback as needed
Family
- Check Schoology one time per week or more for missing work and feedback from teachers
- Communicate to the Connections teacher if work for a student is taking too long/ not enough time or is too easy/ too hard
- Support and encourage students to be on all Google Meets
- Keep communication open in order to receive messages from teachers. Make sure to have space in voicemail
Grading/Credits
- The Middle School (Grades 6-8) will be implementing a planned transition to MYP scoring criteria in 2020-21, using a 1-8 scale in each subject area.
- High School and CLC students (Grades 9-12) can select from either A/B/C/D/No Credit or Pass/No Credit. Students and families opting for the Pass/No Credit option for Trimester 1, must complete the required form no later than Thursday, December 3. Click here to complete the high school Pass/No Credit form.
- Middle School 6-8: Attendance should be completed by 3 p.m. each day in Schoology