Moving Forward Newsletter - August 5, 2020

For information about the

Virtual Learning (VLP) Path,

please click here.

Deadline to register

is Wednesday, August 12.

MOVING FORWARD LEARNING CHART WITH SIX PHASES

See the FPS Plan aligned with the Governor's Six Phases - chart.

QUESTIONS?

Please send your questions

to info@fpsk12.net and they will be added to the FAQ on the District's website.

Please continue to email your questions so we can know what is on your mind and your questions can be added to the FAQ.

Dear Farmington Public Schools’ Community,

Our Fall Start Decision

Farmington Public Schools’ Moving Learning Forward plan outlined instructional approaches aligned with the MI Safe Start phases (1-6). This plan outlined offering Learning at a Distance (full remote) in phases 1-3, Hybrid in phase 4, and Daily In-person Instruction in phase 5. Within the Hybrid and Daily In-Person approaches, adapted routines and structures would be put into place to create a safe physical learning environment. These approaches were designed in response to the governor’s MI Safe School’s plan.

As the Moving Learning Forward plan was detailed out (going from a framework to actionable implementation), FPS considered the challenges and opportunities in each approach. Our goal in sharing the above plans was to keep the community and staff connected to our thinking and planning as we worked towards making a recommendation. After much thought, we determined that a Learning at a Distance return to school plan provides a safe learning start for all students and staff in phase 4 as we continue to plan for a transition to face-to-face instruction.

Each and every student and staff member is at the center of our work daily, as we manage our response to this public health crisis.

Learning at a Distance (Fully Remote)

Farmington Public Schools has been committed to ENHANCING the core instruction of the classroom in an effort to ENGAGE ALL learners and EMPOWER them by building equitable learning environments. This has not changed as we move into the Learning at a Distance model for this fall.

To this end, FPS will focus on the following instructional framework in order to create a consistent teaching and learning focus regardless of where and when teaching and learning occurs. This framework has been mapped to the National Standards for Quality Online Learning to ensure the framework is applicable to Learning at a Distance.

As we start the fall with a Learning at a Distance instructional plan, FPS will build on what we learned during the emergency remote learning plan so that we:

provide the pace and rigor of face-to-face instruction aligned to a viable curriculum.
monitor learning via feedback and assessments of student learning.
partner increased synchronous live meetings and asynchronous learning activities.
increase the number of instructional minutes per day/week.
build and deliver content via a learning management system.
streamline communication with students and their families.

ELEMENTARY

Each elementary student will:

Receive approximately four hours of instruction each school day across all subjects including art, music, and physical education.

The school day runs 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and includes live virtual meetings and asynchronous online and offline tasks.

Participate in:
virtual live morning meetings and afternoon check-ins
virtual live content-based lessons and small group instruction.

Engage in additional personalized learning via adaptive online learning programs like Lexia (reading) and Dreambox (mathematics).

SECONDARY

Each secondary student will:

Receive approximately 4-5 hours of instruction each school day while maintaining their existing six-hour class schedule.
The school day runs 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. and includes live virtual meetings and asynchronous online and offline tasks.
Participate in virtual live content-based lessons and office hours.

All students will:

Demonstrate his/her learning by completing assignments and participating in virtual live meetings.
Secondary students will receive traditional grades and credits each semester.
Elementary students will receive traditional report cards each trimester.
Use their student dashboard within Canvas to
access Live Virtual Meet instruction and learning plans.
submit their work and view teacher feedback.
Be responsible for attendance and engagement (engage in live sessions and participate in online and offline tasks)
In compliance with state attendance guidelines for remote learning.
Will have access to a District-provided technology device, as needed, as part of our “At Home Device” program.
Receive appropriate accommodations and supports, including ancillary services in accordance with their IEP or 504 plan.
Receive English Learner (EL) support services as appropriate.

All staff will:

Develop digital classroom routines and norms with students in order to build a safe and supportive learning community.
Develop an online presence within Canvas and grow in their understanding and use of Canvas.
Collaborate and reflect on learning plan design and content development.
Share learning plans each week to support student and family forward planning.
Monitor student learning by providing feedback on key student artifacts.
Assess grade level or course content.
Engage in on-going professional development including coaching support.

Board of Education Virtual Meeting

Tuesday, August 11

6 p.m.

The Board is expected to vote on the District's Back to School Plan for the 2020-2021 school year. Administration has made the recommendation to return to school in a Learning at a Distance (Fully Remote) model.

Please email any public comments you may have to info@fpsk12.net or call into 248.426.5000.

We will be accepting public comments until approximately 6:10 pm that evening. Your comments will be shared with the public and full Board by the Board President during the meeting under the Public Comment portion of the agenda.

Anyone needing special accommodations to participate should call Diane Bauman, Director, School/Community Relations, at 248.426.5000 and arrangements will be made.

Please tune in and watch the meeting LIVE on TV-10. It will also be live-streamed on the TV-10 Video on Demand site found on the District’s website.

August 5, 2020