Reopening Learning Models Under Consideration

At a special board meeting on July 15, 2020, the Evergreen School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a full online distance learning model to commence the 2020-21 school year, which begins on August 19, 2020.

Following the Board’s decision, on July 17, 2020, the California Department of Public Health mandated school closures for schools Located in counties on the COVID-19 Watch List, which includes Santa Clara County. Schools and school districts may reopen for in-person instruction only if they are located in a county that has not been on a county monitoring list within the prior 14 days. Schools are to remain physically closed and may only provide distance learning until they have been off the monitoring list for at least 14 days.

The County of Santa Clara Office of Public Health followed with an order on July 17, 2020, for the “closure of all in-person operations at schools in counties on the State’s monitoring list except for elementary schools that obtain a waiver from the local health officer”. The order included all public, private, and charter schools. This order states that “schools may not open for any in-person instruction, athletic or extracurricular activities, or other related functions, including hybrid learning models at this time". Once Santa Clara County has been off of the State’s monitoring list for 14 days, schools should resume in-person instruction and activities consistent with health and safety requirements. Public Health offers waivers as a pathway for in-person instruction at elementary schools. At this time, because the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths are still on the rise, and the Evergreen School District will not be applying for this waiver.

The plan approved by the Evergreen Board of Trustees also directs staff to develop a hybrid learning model, which is tentatively scheduled to be implemented in January 2021, when students return from Winter Break, depending on whether Santa Clara County is off the monitoring list at that time. The District will re-evaluate its ability to safeguard schools and keep students and staff healthy and safe at the end of the third week in December so that, if the District can change to the Hybrid Learning Model, it will do so in January, when students return from Winter break.

When reopening our schools to in-person instruction, the Evergreen School District will focus on prioritizing the health and safety of our staff and students, including physical distancing requirements, recommended safety procedures, and infection control protocols Our school reopening plans will also take into consideration matters of equity concerning our families. Additionally, the district will also need to consider flexible learning options for students who are not able to return to campus while the pandemic is still present.Guidelines that will influence our reopening plans include:

• COVID-19 Industry Guidance - Schools and School Based Programs, California Department of Health, July 17, 2020
• COVID-19 Prepared: Reopening Santa Clara County K-12 Schools for the 2020-2021 School Year
• California Department of Education Coronavirus Resource and Reopening Guidance
• CDC School Reopening Flowchart

The following are descriptions of the reopening learning model under consideration.

LEARNING MODELS UNDER CONSIDERATION

Blended or Hybrid Learning with Social Distancing

A blend of distance learning and on-campus classroom instruction, achieves having fewer students on campus in order to ensure six feet of social distancing in the classroom and on campus.

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Full Online Distance Learning

Curriculum and instruction are delivered in a 100% distance education format, which can include using online instruction, online class meetings, online exams, and online submission of projects and assignments.

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Home Schooling

District will provide families the resources to provide instruction and curriculum to their child(ren) in a home school approach by a parent.

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Learning Models Descriptions

Blended or Hybrid Learning (with Social Distancing)

A blend of distance education and on-campus, classroom instruction, to achieve having fewer students on campus in order to ensure six feet of social distancing in the classroom and on campus.

Full Online Distance Learning

Curriculum and instruction are delivered in a 100% distance education format, which can include utilizing online instruction, online class meetings, online exams, and online submission of projects and assignments. Key factors to be considered with this model:

• Student Social Emotional Supports: We will address the social and emotional needs of students, considering that many students may be experiencing trauma or anxiety about being away from friends and teachers.
• High Quality Instruction: We will provide the professional development and necessary tools teachers need to deliver high quality, standards-based instruction.
• Student Engagement : We will provide structures for learning that maximize student learning and achievement. We will provide access to all students. We will provide additional support to struggling students.
• Student Learning, Assessment, and Support: Students will be assessed and assessment data results will be used to identify students who need additional support. Student Learning Intervention Supports will be provided to struggling students.

Home Schooling

To support to parents/caregivers who have chosen to provide home schooling for their children, in order to provide the best individualized learning environment for their child, and to build a community of learners by supporting parents/caregivers with instructional resources, small group instruction, tutorials, and enrichment activities to ensure that students meet California State Content Standards.