| Question |
Answer |
| Will Remote Learning in 2020-2021 be different from Emergency Remote Learning in the spring of 2020? |
Yes, based on state requirements, Remote Learning for the 20-21 school year will be more rigorous and structured than what we experienced during the emergency COVID closure last spring. Remote Learning instruction will be aligned to NISD in-person curriculum and students will engage in daily structured and flexible work times. Attendance will be taken daily and normal NISD Grading Guidelines will be followed.
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| Choosing between In-Person Learning and Remote Learning |
| How will we notify the school district if we plan to choose Remote Learning? |
On July 3, 2020, all families will receive an email with details for In-Person Learning and Remote Learning. Each family will be asked to complete a Preference Form for each child indicating their preference of In-Person or Remote Learning. This is a preliminary questionnaire and we understand that family decisions may change. We ask each family to complete the Preference Form for each child based on your current preference. Follow-up questionnaires will be sent later in July and families can indicate a different preference at that time if family decisions have changed.
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When do I need to have the Preference Form completed?
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Families are asked to complete the Preference Form by 11:59 pm on July 12, 2020. to help us finalize our plans for the 20-21 school year. We understand family circumstances and family decisions may change after this date. In accordance with state guidelines, parents will have until August 5th to finalize their decision, but it is important for the district to assess family preferences by July 12th to begin making important staffing decisions.
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Why is the Preference Form required to be completed in such a short timeframe?
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NISD understands that many questions remain regarding the new school year. Please understand that it is critical for NISD to prepare for the first day of school on August 20. Many decisions related to planning master schedules, identifying In-Person and Remote Learning teachers, and providing teachers and staff with training and support for the changes for the 20-21 school year, will be impacted by your decision. Therefore, this information is needed in a timely manner. In addition, teachers need additional time to make plans to meet the unique challenges our students will be facing when school begins, regardless of the learning model students select.
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If we choose Remote Learning, will we need to do anything besides complete the Commitment Form?
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Parents and students opting for Remote Learning will be required to complete an online “Getting Started” orientation to prepare them for Remote Learning. It will model how to access the technology that will be used, how to contact the teacher, how to turn in work, how to plan out each day, etc.
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| What will Remote Learning look like? |
If we choose Remote Learning, what will my child’s day look like?
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We believe that direct instruction from teachers and social interaction among peers are key to deep learning in any learning environment. Students will be required to engage in learning every day and attendance will be taken. Students will receive live instruction from their teacher(s) via Zoom at scheduled times and they will also receive lessons that could be in the form of videos or other teacher-directed activities that require students to complete assignments on their own. Please refer to the Return to Learn website to see the amount of time students can expect to be engaged in Remote Learning each day.
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Will my child be taught by teachers at his/her home campus or by teachers from other schools?
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Depending on the number of students enrolled in Remote Learning, students may be taught by a teacher not based on the child’s campus where they would attend in-person. Parents will be informed of their child’s schedule, including the teacher’s name(s) and contact information prior to the first day of school. The same curriculum is followed by all teachers in NISD, so students will be taught the same standards and content regardless of the campus the teacher is based.
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If I choose Remote Learning, will my child have the option of taking some classes in person (i.e. welding) or will my child need to select an elective that is offered in a Remote Learning setting?
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It is possible that some elective classes may not be able to be offered in a Remote Learning setting. In this case, a student who has selected Remote Learning will be able to select a different elective that is offered remotely, if needed. NISD is finalizing the Remote course list and will publish it soon.
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Can students who select Remote Learning still participate in athletics, fine arts or other co-curricular activities in middle school or high school?
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- Participation in face-to-face group activities (such as concerts and performances) is limited to those who are enrolled In-Person Learning, or who are enrolled in Remote Learning, but choose to attend their fine arts course before or after school in-person. However, not all fine arts courses are extracurricular and have practices/rehearsals before or after school.
- Remote Learning students may only come to school for before and after school practices/rehearsals.
- Students who choose fully Remote Learning (after September 14) will be able to take all fine arts courses online with learning focused on the individual performer.
All UIL activities, including band and orchestra, will follow UIL guidelines and protocols.
- Instruments and equipment shall be cleaned and disinfected daily/regularly.
- Personal items may not be left in lockers, the band hall or the orchestra room.
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Can students who select Remote Learning still participate in extracurricular activities that do not have a required course in middle school or high school?
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Yes. Students who are involved in extracurricular activities that take place outside of the school day and do not have a required course for competition practice, such as FFA or DECA, can be enrolled in Remote Learning and participate in extracurricular activities (before school or after school).
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If my child is enrolled in an Academy, is Remote Learning an option?
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Each academy has certain courses that may not be available through the Remote Learning option. Advanced courses (such as senior-year Culinary) would not be replicable in an at-home setting. Some courses may be modified, or offered only in an in-person setting. NISD is finalizing the Remote course list and will publish it soon.
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If I choose Remote Learning, will my child still be enrolled in his/her home campus?
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Students opting for Remote Learning will remain enrolled in the campus where they would attend in-person.
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| Switching Plans |
If I choose Remote Learning and want to change later, can I switch?
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Families will be able to change their preference until August 5th. After August 5th, families are asked to begin the school year under the selected learning model. After school is underway, if Remote Learning is not meeting the needs of your child, please schedule a meeting with your child’s teacher and principal. Together, you will determine the best option for your child. This could include changing to In-Person Learning. If this occurs, it is strongly recommended that the switch occurs at the beginning of a new grading period, if possible.
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If my child has to be quarantined and is attending school in person, will he/she be able to switch to Remote Learning?
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If your child is required to quarantine, please contact your child’s school. An administrator or counselor from the school will contact you to discuss Remote Learning options.
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| If a class or a school has to be quarantined will they switch to Remote Learning with the same teacher(s)? |
Parents will be notified of the Remote Learning plan if this need arises.
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| Support |
What support will students with special needs have in Remote Learning?
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Students receiving Special Education, 504 or ELL support will receive support based on their individual plan.
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| Grades |
How will grades be taken?
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Based on state requirements, the NISD Grading Guidelines will be followed in full for students learning In-Person and students engaged in Remote Learning. Grades will be recorded in the Home Access Center as outlined in the Grading Guidelines.
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| Attendance |
How will attendance be taken?
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Based on TEA requirements, attendance will be taken daily for all students, including students participating in Remote Learning.
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Is the state following the same attendance rules that were in place before COVID?
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Yes, compensatory education rules will apply for the 20-21 school year for students participating in In-Person Learning and Remote Learning.
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| Meals |
Will meals be available for pick-up for students choosing Remote Learning?
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NISD is waiting on guidance from TEA and TDA regarding meal distribution for students choosing Remote Learning.
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| Technology |
If I choose Remote Learning, will NISD provide my child with a Chromebook?
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NISD will check out a Chromebook to any student selecting Remote Learning. Current Chromebook pick up times can be found on this link. After that, campuses may schedule additional pick up times. Individual Chromebook arrangements can also be made by contacting the student helpdesk.
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