NorthumberlandElementary School

August 13, 2020 

Re:  Northumberland Elementary School Virtual Learning Plan, Hybrid Learning Plan, and Classroom Teacher Assignments

Dear NES Families,

As you are aware, the most recent reopening plan for Northumberland County Public Schools (NCPS) for the 2020-2021 school year includes the following options:

• Hybrid Learning (PreK - 3rd grade, 4th/5th grade English Learners and Special Education students).  Students will attend NES face to face two days per week (Monday/Tuesday OR Thursday/Friday) and participate in virtual learning three days per week.

• 100% Virtual Learning

The official student start date for both options is September 8, 2020.

NCPS now has the benefit of extensive planning time for our teachers that includes professional development on effective distant learning strategies and techniques.  Instructional delivery for virtual learning for students this fall will include a combination of synchronous (online face to face instruction) and asynchronous (online on your own time) instruction as well as engaging and meaningful content and activities, an emphasis on quality assessment of student performance and progress, and new technology and instructional resources developed by the Virginia Department of Education and shared through the learning management system, Canvas.

Please review the chart below of definitions and examples of synchronous and asynchronous learning that will occur during virtual learning.

Below you will find NES’s face to face and virtual learning goals and plans for the 2020-2021 school year:

GOALS

• Provide robust, high-quality teaching and learning experiences.

• Focus on essential understandings through meaningful learning experiences with new content.

• Focus on the health and well-being of students and their families.

PARTICIPATION/ATTENDANCE

• Daily participation  is expected. 

• All students are expected to complete tasks and assignments on time.

SCHEDULE

• Daily schedule: 1-3 hours per day of synchronous instruction with teacher for all subject areas plus additional asynchronous instruction and learning tasks per class.

• Synchronous instruction will be interactive and may include whole group, small group, and individual instruction.

• Consistent office hours and increased opportunities with protocols for feedback and individual support to students. 

VIDEO CONFERENCING

• All students will engage in synchronous learning with Google Meet. Google Meet provides face to face instruction or an audio option to participate in class instruction. 

• Recordings will be available for student viewing for later reference.

TEACHER PREPARATION AND SUPPORT

• Professional development for all teachers on designing courses in Canvas and utilizing Virtual Virginia content.

• Division-led and school-based grade-level teams to support teachers.

• Use of longer lead time with summer work groups and extended pre-service schedule.

• Teachers will be able to teach from their classrooms where they will have full access to school technologies and instructional materials.

LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

• In general, teachers will use Canvas as our learning management platform with the integration of Virtual Virginia and Google applications. 

TECHNOLOGY  

• All students will have access to a NCPS chromebook 

• Tech support will be available directly to families/students through [email protected]

ASSESSMENTS AND GRADES

• Grades will be based on successful mastery of standards.

• Additional guidance around state and division assessments will be forthcoming.

• Teachers will provide ongoing feedback and evaluate students' learning.

 Please stay tuned for additional details regarding important dates and information related to our distribution plan for Chromebooks.  Schedules for students participating in the hybrid learning option as well as classroom teachers for all students will be sent to families very soon. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions and/or concerns at [email protected] or at 804-580-8032.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Baker, Principal