Remote-100% Virtual Instruction

The Catskill Central School District’s Virtual Instruction Learning Plan provides meaningful and regular interactions between teachers and students from Pre-K to Grade 12. This section supports families and students’ understanding of important aspects of the plan—the technologies and expectations.

CCSD is committed to implementing units of study, content, and assessments that encompass its current PK-12 curriculum; however, if circumstances require us to implement a virtual instruction learning plan this will require making smart, tactical adjustments to curriculum in order to ensure that high standards and expectations for learning are not compromised.

Catskill Central School District believes that virtual learning should be robust and an effective model of instruction and we are committed to delivering an experience that features both synchronous and asynchronous learning environments. Learning opportunities will depend on grade level, subject matter, lesson plan materials, and other factors.

If circumstances require implementation of the virtual learning plan, teachers will continue to guide, support, and challenge students to take on new responsibilities and to become excited about new learning. To ensure their success, they will also need to partner with parents and guardians for support in engaging students in experiences that stretch their understanding and expand their new learning. To accomplish this, the virtual learning plan will provide parents and guardians with direction on how best to guide student learning with appropriate involvement. Families will have options and sources for flexibility that will give them choice and ownership as the distance learning plan develops.

REMOTE – 100% VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION MODEL

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
Group A	Remote	Remote	Remote	Remote	Remote
Group B	Remote	Remote	Remote	Remote	Remote

Some of the advantages that remote- 100% virtual instruction offers include the following:

Consistency- Student experience will be uninterrupted should schools close suddenly due to COVID-19 outbreak.
Most flexible model
Prioritize certain grades
Eliminates classroom exposure to COVID-19
Students can accelerate their learning.
Building digital capacity

Disadvantages with the remote 100% virtual model are as follows:

Social isolation
New students to the District /New Teachers/ Primary students and teachers
Impact on some CTE
All kids excel with face to face instruction
Lacks appropriate student supervision and support
High need for parental involvement, especially in lower grades
Difficult for many students with special needs (Pre-K to grade 12) or English Language Learners
All students need a mobile device and connectivity

To maintain the fidelity of the Re-entry Plan the District will ensure that:

Establish online daily attendance structure.
Appropriate training for staff and parents.
Set clear guidelines for grading expectation.
Improved communications between staff, parents and students.

High School Guidelines for Virtual Learning

Students and Staff will follow regular daily Schedules
Students are expected to attend all Google Meetings and Classes
Office hours will be available for student assistance
Student Attendance will be accounted for
Students are expected to attend classes virtually five days a week

High School Expectations for Virtual Learning

Students are expected to attend all online meets. Parents/Guardians will receive notification if their child is absent (attendance policy)
Students will arrive to their scheduled classes on-time
Classes will follow schedules developed through School-Tool
Students will be prepared with their necessary materials and supplies
Students will follow teacher directives and protocols with regards to the virtual learning
Students are expected to hand in assignments and take assessments when assigned

Middle School Guidelines and Expectations for Virtual Learning

Technology support will be made available for all students who need it.
Students will follow their class schedule that will be sent home in August.
Students will attend class via Google Meet. Attendance is mandatory and the Attendance
Policy will be followed.
Online office hours will be available by grade level teams.
Teachers will provide learning packets, as needed, to students with limited internet access.
Students will be assigned virtual Google Meet times to check in and receive feedback from school staff.
Grade level teams will assign students to team members for check and connects.
Peek of the Weeks with class expectations and assignments will be sent out every Friday for the following week.

Elementary School Guidelines for Virtual Learning

All students will receive meaningful remote instruction Monday through Friday. Students must attend remote classes each day.
Teachers will have office hours to address student questions and needs.
All students must participate in class and submit assigned work on time, just as if classes were in person.

Elementary School Expectations for Virtual Learning

Students will attend class remotely 5 days a week via Google Meet to participate in instruction.
Attendance is mandatory, just as if school were in person. Students and families must follow the District Code of Conduct and attendance policies.
Teachers will offer online office hours to answer questions and provide student support.
Technology and tech support will be available to families who need it. Each student who needs one will be provided with a Chromebook.

TECHNOLOGY AND CONNECTIVITY

Whether exclusively remote, fully face to face or offering hybrid learning experiences, technology will be an important tool to proceed with the learning process. During the spring Covid closure, faculty and staff learned to use many technology tools to deliver instruction to district students. Plans have been made to continue many of those practices into the fall reopening. Students who do not have adequate access at home, in the case of remote or hybrid learning, will be provided a district owned device. The device will be equipped with all applications necessary for 100% participation in online courses. Google classroom will serve as the platform for remote instruction for students.

Plan for Reopening

We will:

Survey our students, parents and teachers to determine each level of access to devices and high speed Internet access in their home.
Provide devices to those students and staff members who do not have adequate access at home. Because it is the District’s intent to provide adequate access to all students and staff, we do not anticipate having to provide alternative materials unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Provide professional development during the fall of 2020 and ongoing throughout the year to all staff on the creation and maintenance of effective blended learning environments including high-value instructional strategies to engage students in learning approaches to instructional planning which support both synchronous and asynchronous environments.
Streamline the number of applications that are used across the district. Use high leverage, multi-use tools which can accomplish multiple teaching and learning tasks. Tools will include:

Tool	Function	Grade Level
Adobe Products (Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, etc)	Photography/video editing and design.	PreK-12
Boom Learning	Interactive, self-grading exercises.	PreK-5
Brain Pop Jr.	Educational website covering all subjects.	K-3
Castle Learning	Assessment of English, Math, Science & Social Studies.	K-12
Delta Math	Math readiness screening and reporting.	6-12
EdPuzzle Pro	Learning through use of videos.	PreK-12
EduTyping	Typing assessment.	K-5
FastBridge	Student assessment.	K-12
Generation Genius	Science quizzes, videos, & activities.	K-5
Google Apps (Docs, Sheets, Slides)	Word processing, spreadsheet, PowerPoint creation through Google.	PreK-12
Google Classroom	Teachers create, distribute, and grade assignments, which students can easily access.	PreK-12
HappyNumbers	Math assessment.	PreK-5
iRead	Reading placement and assessment.	K-2
Kahoot	Game-based learning platform.	PreK-5
KidPix	Painting and drawing software.	PreK-5
Learning A-Z	Literacy improvement instruction.	PreK-6
Literacy Footprints	Literacy improvement instruction.	K-5
Microtype 5	Typing assessment.	6-12
MobyMax	Personalized math learning instruction.	K-8
Naviance	College and career readiness.	6-12
Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher)	Word processing, spreadsheet, PowerPoint creation through Microsoft.	PreK-12
Pebble Go	Curricular content hub with informational articles, ready-made activities, and literacy supports.	K-3
Reflex Math	Game-based math instruction.	2-5
Remind	Real time communication platform for teachers, parents, and students.	PreK-5
Rosetta Stone	Online program to help students speak English or a foreign language.	6-12
Schooltool	Student information system for teachers, parents, and students.	PreK-12
Screencastify	Record, edit and share videos of your computer screen.	PreK-12
Socrative	Student assessment quizzes in a variety of formats.	K-12
Successmaker	Adaptive, game-based math and reading instruction.	K-12
Sumdog	Adaptive, personalized math and spelling instruction.	K-5
Super Teacher Worksheets	Creates student activities for elementary students.	PreK-5
Tumble Books	Online collection of electronic children’s books.	PreK-5
Typing.com	Keyboarding, digital literacy, and coding.	K-5
Wordwall Pro	Customized activities and quizzes.	PreK-5
Xtra Math	Online math instruction.	1-5
Zearn Math	Online math instruction.	K-5

Ensure data privacy for all students following EdLaw 2D
Provide ongoing technical support throughout the year regardless of instructional setting, face to face, remote or hybrid.

More information on reopening school can be found on our COVID-19 Response & Resources page…