New School of Choice » Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The following information are questions that were asked during the Town Hall Meeting on April 27 following the presentation found on the Videos tab.  This page will be updated as additional information becomes available.
How to Show Interest and Register

Where can we find the link to submit a name on the website?

You can submit interest here:  New Distance Learning Interest Form  Español

Starting on May 3 through May 14, families can make a selection for their students through Aeries Parent Portal.

 
If I don't make a selection on Aeries will my child automatically be able go back to in  person learning?

Yes.  Families not responding in Aeries will be defaulted to in-person at their home school for the 21-22 school year.

 
My 6th grader would like to try the independent study but if it doesn’t workout can she switch to the teacher instructed distance learning?

Changes between the different options depends on availability and dependent on staffing.

 
If they finish this year with distance learning and next school year it's in person, Do you still have to pre-register?

No.  However, you should submit your choice for in-person through Aeries starting May 3.

 
When will this selection be available in Aeries?

The window for making a selection is May 3 - May 14, 2021.

 
Will parents be required to respond in Parent Portal or is it optional?

The response in Parent Portal will be optional for the first week and then we will require a response prior to May 14, 2021.

 
If we have multiple children, can we just submit the form one time?

Unfortunately no.  Families will need to submit one per student.

 
Requirements to Enroll

We would still need to complete the physical and dental exam correct?

Yes.  All of the enrollment requirements must be met.

 
My son will be starting in kindergarten and I want to put him in the virtual program.  

Please visit our Enrollment Webpage for more information.

 
What else needs to be done in addition to the physical and dental examination?

Please visit our Enrollment Webpage for more information.

 

Once we preregister, do you know when parents will know the status of registration?

More information will be provided to families by June 14, 2021.

 
Will the vaccine be required for students?

Because vaccines are not available for children under the age of 16, California Department of Public Health cannot make them required for students at this time. It is possible that the Pfizer vaccine will be made available for kids as young as 12 within the next couple of months. Dr. Fauci, the nation's top infectious-disease specialist, has publicly shared his prediction that all kids will be able to receive a vaccine against COVID-19 by the beginning of 2022. Please visit Johns Hopkins Medicine website for more information and the latest developments with children COVID-19 vaccines.

 
Will vaccinations be required to return to in person instruction?

The Food and Drug Administration has authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for distribution to individuals ages 16 years and older. No COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for children under 16, which means California Department of Public Health does not make them required for students returning to in-person instruction.

 

Schedule Information

What time will the new school start?

The bell schedule has not been established, but will be similar to the start times of our other schools.

 
Are there options for 5 days per week or will students still attend 2 days in person and 3 days remote?

All of our instructional options for 2021-22 will be 5 days per week.

 
How long will the students be at this new school?

Students enrolling in the new distance learning school will be at this school until families desire to make a change or until the end of 8th grade.

 
Will there be any social interaction with the layout of the new school?

Yes.  Activities will be planned to promote social interaction and school culture.

 
Will the kids go to school all day?

Yes.  The teacher paced option will be a regular school day.  The self paced option is flexible and based on students completing assigned work.

 
Is this for elementary or middle school?

The new distance learning school is being planned for students in TK - 8.

 
Can you explain the difference between self paced and teacher paced?

Self-paced is a true independent study program where families support their individual student with the support of a certificated teacher.  Teacher-paced is similar to what students have been experiencing for the 2020-21 school year where daily attendance is required through a computer.

 
Do you mean the program is different than what you have now?

The new school programs are similar to what we have now.  The self-paced is currently being offered through Mountain Heights Academy and the teacher-paced is similar to the distance learning that is being provided to all students this year.

 
Would it no longer be from the school where the program is now?

The new school will provide both the self-paced that is the independent study program and the teacher-paced distance learning.  Both of these programs will be located at a new campus for the 2021-22 school year.

 
Support for Students

How would a high school student receive help in difficult subjects like math or chemistry if they are on the self pace program and the parent is not able to help them?

Students are able to receive additional support for challenging subjects through Paper tutoring, which provides 1:1 help 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

 
Will there be qualified teachers for each high school subject area?  For instance, a Physics or Chemistry teacher?  Or will the kids be learning through just a computer program?

This answer is currently under construction... 

 
Will the "coach" teacher for the self paced learning model be an actual certified teacher?

Yes.  All teachers for the new school will be credentialed for their assignment.

 
Will this school have a principal?

Administrative support will be determined based on the size of the school.

 
Would the new school have a Reading Interventionist available for students with reading challenges?

Additional support will be provided as determined by the need of students that enroll in the new school.

 
Will there be new computers for the children or will they have to use the  old ones that they have now?

New technology will be provided for students that enroll in the new school.

 
How will you ensure there is a tangible benefit for all students?

Academic achievement and progress monitoring will include reviewing the dashboard indicators for students enrolled in the new school, similar to our traditional in-person instruction.

 
How will this program be inclusive and offer equality to all students and the families?

Both the self-paced and teacher-paced programs at the new school are available to all students within the District.  Since this is an alternative placement setting, students with IEPs or Section 504 Plans will have their applications reviewed by their IEP or Section 504 Plan teams to discuss the student’s individual learning needs, and to determine whether the student can receive a FAPE in a distance learning or independent study program.  If it is determined appropriate, the new program shall be updated on the student's IEP or 504 Plan.

 
Additional Activities/Programs

Will students be able to play sports?

The new school is being planned for students in TK-8 and is considered a school of choice.  Some additional activities and sports may not be available.

 
Will high school students be able to do AP classes or college courses through MSJC?

High school students will continue to be able to participate in these courses through Mountain Heights Academy.

 
Will there be support for Dual Language students?

Dual Language students will need to continue to attend Edward Hyatt World Language Academy in person.

 
Will there be Special Education classes offered to meet a student's IEP?

Both the self-paced and teacher-paced programs at the new school are available to all students within the District.  Since this is an alternative placement setting, students with IEPs or Section 504 Plans will have their applications reviewed by their IEP or Section 504 Plan teams to discuss the student’s individual learning needs, and to determine whether the student can receive a FAPE in a distance learning or independent study program.  If it is determined appropriate, the new program shall be updated on the student's IEP or 504 Plan.

 
What will be the new instructional strategies and how will they look for English Long Term Students that are in good current standing?

Implementation of effective instructional strategies is an ongoing focus for our District and we continue to provide resources connected to Teacher Clarity and the Gradual Release of Responsibility.  These strategies are also designed to support students participating in a distance learning environment.  Ongoing professional development is also planned to support the reclassification of our Long Term English Learners in all learning environments.

 
Will there be a credit recovery option for high school students?

Credit recovery options will continue to be available for all high school students through Edmentum.

 
Will the program meet or exceed industry standards related to course rigor and diploma completion requirements?

Yes.  All courses must be Board approved and align to the California State Standards.

 
Will the program contain content that aligns with appropriate learning standards and includes provisions for both intervention and accelerated  learning opportunities?

Yes.  All courses must be Board approved and align to the California State Standards.  Intervention and acceleration options will be planned and provided depending on the individual students that enroll in the new school.

 
How about students who want to attend band, chorus, drama, etc at the high school?

High school students seeking a distance learning environment will continue to have Mountain Heights Academy available as their option.

 
General Questions

How many students can attend the new school?

We do not have a specific number of students that can attend the new school.

 
Can students start in person and if they decide they don’t like it can they switch to virtual?

Any changes after the start of the school year will be dependent on staffing.  We also expect that changes between virtual and in-person are made at a natural break such as the trimester or quarter for grading.

 
If a student decides to do the independent study but at a later time feels it’s not a good option can they move to the teacher instructed option?

Any changes after the start of the school year will be dependent on staffing.  We also expect that changes between virtual and in-person are made at a natural break such as the trimester or quarter for grading.

 

Will this be a traditional school setting?

No.  This is a virtual online school setting.

 
Will the funding for this new school take from our existing schools?

No.  Funding for all schools will continue to be the same.

 
Will students on distance learning attend their home school (school of residence)?

No.  We anticipate that all of our schools will return to full time in-person learning in August.  Families seeking to continue in distance learning will need to enroll in our new school.

 
Will we have an Early Warning Indicator system?

Our district is expanding our use of Panorama, which utilizes a Student Success Platform that identifies students that may need additional support in either academics, behavior or social emotional learning.

 
If children attend in person where would they go?

All students attending in-person will participate at their school of residence.

 
Is there a separate model for in person learning?

Yes.  In-person learning will be offered at all of our schools except for our new distance learning school.

 
Will this distance learning affect their education in the future if we moved to another district?

No.  Students are enrolled in the new school and will be participating in the same coursework aligned to the California State Standards as students attending in-person.

 
Would the curriculum be the same as in person?

Yes.  For the Teacher-Paced option, all of the resources and materials are the same.  For the Self-Pace option, we utilize curriculum and supplemental materials that align to the California State Standards but that are more designed for independent study.

 
What data is being used to create a plan?

Our survey data continues to show that there are families that prefer to remain on distance learning next year when all of our schools reopen full time to in-person learning.

 
How does the plan address lost instructional time due to Covid?

The new school is not the plan to address lost instructional time due to Covid.  With the Expanded Opportunities Learning (ELO) Grant, we are developing a plan to provide additional days of instruction for students to address learning loss due to Covid.

 
Questions About Our Traditional Program
 
My sons are on intra-district transfers, I want them to return in person, but at the schools they are currently at, not their home school, is that still alright?

Yes.  Families seeking a return to in-person at their school of residence or the school they are currently attending follows the same annual process.

 
If returning in person, will students in high school be switching classrooms?

Yes.  We intend to operate a full regular schedule with students switching classrooms in August, while also following required safety protocols.

 
What will face-to-face regular school look like in August? What is the plan as of now?

We know that California is hoping to reopen fully by June 15, even that status will most likely have a few restrictions for schools.  For example, we expect that face masks will still be required for some time in the future. Cleaning protocols are also expected to remain in place, besides contact tracing and COVID-19 testing availability for symptomatic staff or students. Vaccine rates have played a role in restrictions relief, so it is probable that continued progress will hinge on this community statistic.

 
Will we know what the social distance requirements are?  Will we be going back in August prior to making a decision about the new distance learning school?

In March, the social distancing between student desks was reduced from 6-ft to 3-ft, based on CDC studies. However the distance between adults or between adults and students has remained at 6-ft. We have found we can furnish most classrooms with at least 28 student desks under the current guidelines. We do not know if we’ll have all social distancing guidelines reduced before the school year begins on August 5.

 
My student is entering 1st grade.  Will they be able to attend in person instruction next year?

Yes.  

 
Is in person learning going to be back to 5 days a week regular hours?

Yes.  We intend to operate a full regular schedule in August.

 
Who can I reach out to about my child finishing the rest of 20/21 virtually?

Requests for the current school year should be directed to your school of residence administration and/or office staff.

 
Can you summarize the end of THIS school year options?

We currently offer in-person on a partial daily schedule or full time distance learning.  This varies by grade level and school due to the number of students requesting to return in person.  Please contact your school administration for more information.