Starting the 2020-2021 School Year in Remote Teaching & Learning

August 5, 2020 - Edition

Message from the SuperintendentDear CVUSD Families:

The 2020-21 school year will kick off on August 19, our teachers and staff are excited to welcome their students and families for a year of unique learning and personal growth. As the reopen nears, I’d like to share my gratitude

for our District’s dedicated teachers and staff, our engaged families and our supportive community partners for the feedback and overwhelming commitment to making this school year a great one for all students.

This document includes comprehensive schedule information for all grade levels. It outlines important adjustments that have been made to the middle school and high school schedules over the summer based on guidance from public health officials. This document also showcases how our Remote Learning will provide students with significantly improved and enhanced learning experiences when compared to the emergency mode of distance learning that took place last spring.

All schedules still include a morning and an afternoon cohort, Cohort A and Cohort B, and the same dedicated time of live-instruction that was previously communicated to you. However, after continued conversation with our school site leaders and educators - we have adjusted the number of periods middle school students take each week and the number of class periods high school students take per quarter:

• Middle school students will take all six periods across ten school days• Our comprehensive high school students will take three courses each quarter• All students will learn the same material per semester as they typically would

The structure CVUSD has developed for Remote Learning will provide smaller cohort class sizes than traditional classrooms, to allow for more engagement and direct instruction with students during the live-virtual portions of the day, while saving the more independent portions of typical class time (research, projects, group work, etc.) for the reinforcement periods of the day. Our schedules are structured to allow for a seamless transition between Remote Learning and Blended (on campus) Learning when health orders call for changes. That is why our school schedules will continue to function, regardless of health orders, based on the schedules included within this document.

We understand our schedule for Remote Learning for all students may look different from surrounding districts and below are our specific reasons:

• Smaller class sizes combined with multiple points of live-virtual instruction allows teachers to more frequently assess student learning and adjust instruction as needed to ensure mastery of content standards for all students. It will allow teachers to evaluate and determine student skill levels to inform instruction with an emphasis on addressing learning loss.

• Small cohorts create the opportunity for teachers to closely assess students’ skills and quickly adjust their instructional strategies and materials. Additionally, the small groups allow intensive engagement with our English Learners, students with special education needs, and opportunities for one-on-one attention to individual students that may need in-class intervention. Based upon teacher and family feedback from live virtual engagement at the end of the 2019-2020 school year, the larger the group the less student engagement.

• Our schedule will allow for an efficient transition to on-campus instruction and adherence to social distancing, lessening confusion for students when returning to campus.

• Fewer courses a day allow students to concentrate on deeper learning both with their teacher/class during “live-virtual” instruction as well as through the reinforcing activities, assignments, and practice.

• Our schedule considers the need to balance on screen and off screen time.• The ability for the teacher to extend learning opportunities and provide enrichment activities for our students

who can extend beyond the grade level content.• In collaboration and partnerships with our teachers association schedules were developed and agreed upon

through negotiations to reflect the impact of COVID-19 on school schedules (teacher weekly contacts, student contacts, contact tracing, school-level safety routine and procedures, and PPE).

Each CVUSD school is unique and as we lead up to the first day of school your student’s school site will be in contact with important information regarding teacher assignments, class schedules, material pick-up dates and more. The focus of the first few days of school will be similar to the typical school year where routines, social-emotional connections, procedures and expectations will be taught and established.

We remain committed, now more than ever, to creating a new sense of normal for our students. The health and safety of our students and staff remains paramount. Our school year schedules afford us the flexibility to keep safety in the forefront, while providing uninterrupted learning for all students throughout the 2020-2021 school year.

Sincerely,Dr. Mark McLaughlinProud Superintendent of Conejo Valley Unified School District

Dr. Mark McLaughlinSuperintendent

TK - 2nd Grade Remote Learning....................................................................................Page 4

3rd - 5th Grade Remote Learning....................................................................................Page 5

Middle School Remote Learning.......................................................................................Page 6

High School Remote Learning...........................................................................................Page 7

Existing Alternative Teaching & Learning Programs................................................Page 8

What Will Be Different?....................................................................................Page 9 - Page 11 Phasing Model.........................................................................................................................Page 12

Learning Management System, Canvas.......................................................................Page 13

Attendance, Grading, Materials & Technology..........................................................Page 14

Special Education..................................................................................................................Page 15

Social-Emotional Learning.................................................................................................Page 15 English Learners.....................................................................................................................Page 16 McKinney-Vento.....................................................................................................................Page 17

Table of Contents

TK - 2nd Grade Remote Learning

Page 4

10 minutes Opening/Class Meeting

60 minutes Language Arts Lesson, English Language Development, Small Groups and 1:1

20 minutes Movement Break and Snack

15 minutes Social Emotional Learning /Community Time

45 minutes Math Lesson, Small Groups and 1:1

11:00 am - 12:30 pm Lunch - There will be a 90 minute break between cohorts

TK-2ND GRADE - SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULECohort A: 8:30 am to 11:00 am Cohort B: 12:30 pm to 3:00pm

During the time when students are not participating in the live-virtual portion of their cohort, they will be assigned Reinforcing Activities to practice foundational skills, solidify current learning, complete assignments, and engage in grade level specific practice. Approximate minutes for Reinforcing Time are:

Grades TK & K: 30 Min./Day Grades 1 & 2: 80 Min./Day

Teachers will assign daily reinforcing activities based on the day’s lessons.

Also, students will have opportunities for enrichment and support via Specialists and Counselors.

• Physical Education, Music, Dance, Art Specialists

• Math Fact Practice - hard copy or software• Independent Reading, Word Families,

Flashcards

• School Counselor Check-ins and Small Group Opportunities

• Printing, cutting, coloring and other fine motor activities provided by the schools

• SeeSaw Activities that practice standards and spiral learning

FEATURES:• Small cohorts are necessary to allow for the transition into on-campus instruction for

those who selected the Blended Teaching and Learning model, when the health orders allow and the decision is made to make this transition.

• Five days per week of 130 min live-virtual instruction.• Small student to teacher ratios - approximately 12-15 students in each cohort.• Daily social-emotional learning lessons.• Instructional emphasis on language arts and math.

REINFORCING ACTIVITIES

WHAT WILL REINFORCING ACTIVITIES LOOK LIKE?

10 minutes Social Emotional Learning/Opening/Class Meeting

60 minutesLanguage Arts Lesson, English Language Development, Small Groups and 1:1

20 minutes Movement Break and Snack

40 minutes Math Lesson - Whole Group

20 minutes Science/Social Studies Lesson Whole Group

11:00 am - 12:30 pm Lunch - There will be a 90 minute break between cohorts

Page 5

3rd - 5th Grade Remote LearningFEATURES:• Small cohorts are necessary to allow for the transition into on-campus instruction for

those who selected the Blended Teaching and Learning model, when the health orders allow and the decision is made to make this transition.

• Five days per week of 130 minutes of live-virtual instruction.• Small student to teacher ratios - approximately 12-15 students in each cohort.• Daily social-emotional learning lessons.• Instructional emphasis on language arts and math.

REINFORCING ACTIVITIES During the time when students are not participating in the live-virtual portion of their cohort, students will complete Reinforcing Activities to practice foundational skills, solidify current learning, complete assignments, and engage in grade level specific practice. Approximate minutes for Reinforcing Time are:

Grade 3: 80 Min./Day Grades 4 & 5: 90 Min./Day

Teachers will assign daily reinforcing activities based on the day’s lessons.

Also, students will have opportunities for enrichment and support via Specialists and Counselors.

• Physical Education, Music, Dance, Art Specialists

• Math Fact Practice - hard copy or software• Independent Reading Minutes (Reading Log)• School Counselor Check-ins and Small

Group Opportunities

3RD-5TH GRADE - SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULECohort A: 8:30 am to 11:00 am Cohort B: 12:30 pm to 3:00pm

• Printing, cutting, coloring and other fine motor activities provided by schools

• Preparatory information for the following day’s lesson (Flipped Classroom)

• Progress assignments toward a long term project

WHAT WILL REINFORCING ACTIVITIES LOOK LIKE?

Middle School Remote Learning

Page 6

HIGHLIGHTS:• All six periods taught across ten school days.

• Due to COVID-19 cases and concerns, splitting this 3 period rotation into alternating weeks enhances health and safety by reducing the number of weekly contacts for students and staff when CVUSD returns to on-campus (Blended) learning.

• Five days per week of 130 minutes live-virtual instruction. • Small student to teacher ratios – approximately 15 students in each cohort.• Weekly lessons/activities on social emotional learning and well-being.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

65 minutes Class Period Period 1 Period 3 Period 2 Period 1 Period 3

20 minutes Break

65 minutes Class Period Period 2 Period 1 Period 3 Period 2 Period 1

11:30 am - 1:00 pm Lunch - There will be a 90 minute break between cohorts

3:30 pm - Athletics, Co-Curriculars, Clubs (virtual)

SAMPLE SCHEDULE FOR WEEKS 1, 3, 5...

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

65 minutes Class Period Period 4 Period 6 Period 5 Period 4 Period 6

20 minutes Break

65 minutes Class Period Period 5 Period 4 Period 6 Period 5 Period 4

11:30 am - 1:00 pm Lunch - There will be a 90 minute break between cohorts

3:30 pm - Athletics, Co-Curriculars, Clubs (virtual)

Cohort A: 9:00 am to 11:30 am Cohort B: 1:00 pm to 3:30pm

SAMPLE SCHEDULE FOR WEEKS 2, 4, 6...

Cohort A: 9:00 am to 11:30 am Cohort B: 1:00 pm to 3:30pm

During the time when students are not participating in the live-virtual portion of their cohort, students will complete reinforcing activities, assignments or practice to strengthen foundational skills and solidify current learning. Teacher determined assignments will only be given for the three class periods that students are accessing during that particular week. This enables students to ask questions and get feedback directly from their teachers while supporting students’ focus and organization for that week’s classes. Approximate time for Reinforcement Activities are:

6th-8th Grade: 110 Min./Day

REINFORCING ACTIVITIES

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SCHEDULES WITH COHORT SPECIFIC TIMES

High School Remote Learning

Page 7

HIGHLIGHTS:• Three courses taught per quarter.

• Due to COVID-19 cases and concerns, splitting the semester course-load into quarters enhances health and safety by reducing the number of overall contacts for students and staff when CVUSD returns to on-campus (Blended) learning.

• Students will cover the same material per semester as they would in a typical semester.• Five days per week of 130 minutes live-virtual instruction • Small student to teacher ratios - approximately 15 students in each cohort.• With three classes that meet more frequently, students will have the advantage of building

stronger connections with their peers and teachers, and will allow for a greater emphasis on the social emotional wellbeing of students to take place.

REINFORCING ACTIVITIES

During the time when students are not participating in the live-virtual portion of their cohort, students will complete reinforcing activities, assignments or practice to strengthen foundational skills and solidify current learning. Teacher determined assignments will only be given for the three class periods that students are accessing during that particular quarter. This enables students to ask questions and get feedback directly from their teachers while supporting students’ focus and organization for that week’s classes. Approximate time for Reinforcement Activities are:

9th-12th Grade: 110 Min./Day

CLICK ON THE SCHOOL LOGOS TO VIEW SAMPLE SCHEDULES

Existing Alternative Teaching & Learning Programs Students enrolling in one of our three Existing Alternative Teaching & Learning Programs: SHINE Homeschool, Century Academy or Independent Study for the 2020-2021 school year will follow individualized schedules. A member of our SHINE Homeschool, Century Academy or Independent Study teams will be in contact with families that have enrolled their students in these programs prior to the first day of school. Communication from these Programs will detail program overview/expectations, schedule creation and/or schedule management and more.

Page 8

CVUSD’s Remote Learning for the 2020-2021 school year will provide students with significantly improved and enhanced learning experiences. During the Spring of 2020, CVUSD’s emergency model of Distance Learning provided a basic framework and support for continuity of learning. However, for Fall 2020, teachers will be prepared to deliver instruction online via Canvas, a Learning Management System, and will provide daily, live-virtual instruction via Zoom. On page 9, page 10, and page 11 is an overview of the comparison.

Page 9

What Will Be Different?

Page 10

What Will Be Different?

Page 11

What Will Be Different?

The safety of our students, staff and families is paramount. In accordance with the current orders from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Ventura County Department of Public Health (VCPH), CVUSD will begin the 2020-2021 school year on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 with Remote Learning for all students (Phase 1 shown below). The decision and time frame to transition between the Phases will continue to be based on CDPH and VCPH orders. CVUSD is prepared to quickly transition from one Phase to the next, when health orders allow and the decision is made to make a transition.

Page 12

Phasing Model

For the 2020-2021 school year CVUSD will be utilizing a standardized Learning Management System: Canvas. Canvas offers students, teachers and parents a singular, easy to use system with improved organization, accessibility features, teacher collaboration, students assessments, progress monitoring, and usage analytics. At a future date, login instructions will be provided by school sites for all students and parents/guardians to create their Canvas accounts.

In the interim, we encourage students and parents/guardians to familiarize themselves with Canvas via the below linked video tutorials.

The District will also be providing a family webinar series prior to the first day of school that will cover a variety of important topics - including Canvas. Please stay tuned for future communication with dates and information regarding upcoming webinars.

Canvas Video Tutorials for Students

Canvas Overview

Canvas Student App

Assignments Overview

Calendar Overview

Dashboard Overview

New Quizzes Overview

Canvas Video Tutorials for Parents

Canvas Overview for Parents

Canvas Parent App

How to Add Additional Students to Your Account

Learning Management System

Page 14

AttendanceStudent attendance is required and will be taken on a daily basis. The CVUSD and Ventura County standard attendance accountability measures through the School Attendance Review Team and School Attendance Review Board will be in place next year.

GradingGrading in the 2020-2021 school year will look a lot different than it did during the emergency distance learning last spring. Students will be returning to the traditional grading practices and systems for this school year. The “Do No Harm” or Pass/No Pass grading practices that were applied during the emergency closure will no longer be utilized. Your student’s teacher will provide specific expectations for grades at the start of the year.

Materials & TechnologyStudents will have access to school materials, including textbooks, workbooks, and other school materials. Students and families will be able to pick up these materials, including requested technology devices on designated dates that are communicated to them by their school site teams and/or the District’s technology department. CVUSD is proud to continue to provide students with Chromebook devices, upon request, as part of our Technology Department’s Technology Device Loaner Program to support Remote Learning in the 2020-2021 school year. To borrow a device for your TK-12 student(s), please fill out this Chromebook Request Form - English - Spanish. After completing the request form, a representative from the IT team will follow-up with you regarding the pick-up of the device(s). If your student is already in possession of a CVUSD Chromebook as part of the Loaner Program, no action is needed, and your student may continue to borrow the device without interruption.

If your student does not currently have internet access at home, or will be losing internet access in the near future, please contact Shauna Ashmore, Director of Student Support Services at sashmore@conejousd.org or (805) 497-9511 ext. 3321 to discuss how the District can assist you in securing internet for your student to engage in Remote Learning.

Page 15

Special EducationSpecial Education services will continue to be offered during Remote Learning. For students who receive specialized academic instruction services through the Learning Center, services and supports will be provided outside of the students’ general education instructional block time based on the cohort they are enrolled in. For students in middle school, high school, and specialized programs receiving Specialized Academic Instruction, services will be provided during the instructional core block/cohort in which the student is enrolled as well as through case management support and continued supports through accommodations in the general education setting (co-teaching, accommodations, paraeducator support).

All students with an IEP will receive instruction and related services via live-virtual instruction with their special education teacher/provider. Related services will be provided before and/or after the direct instructional block depending on the cohort your child is enrolled in. Additionally, paraeducators will be utilized to provide support individually and/or in small groups in specialized programs or during the core instructional block as well as after or before the instructional block to support previously taught skills.

Social Emotional LearningAddressing the social-emotional and mental health needs for our students is a priority. To support this priority our school counselors, school psychologists and mental health clinicians are collaborating with teachers and administrators to ensure proper interventions are in place when school reopens on August 19, 2020.

Students TK through 8th grade will receive social emotional learning lessons as part of the core instructional block. Secondary students identified through the Student Study Team (SST) process who are experiencing mental health challenges will receive individual school-based mental health support outside of the core instructional day through the Wellness Counseling Program. Students with mental health services on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will also receive school-based mental health services outside of the core instructional block, as not to interrupt direct teaching time.

Comprehensive ELD InstructionFor students who are English Learners, both designated and integrated English Language Development (ELD) instruction and support will continue to be provided. In TK-5 grades, the integrated ELD will be provided via your child’s general education class during the ELA direct instructional portion of their school day. In 6-12 grades, integrated ELD will be provided during their ELD period and/or the Mathematics embedded instruction.

Integrated ELDExamples of integrated ELD during ELA include scaffolds to provide the learner access to grade level content in the linguistic areas of literacy such as phonological awareness (using contrastive analysis), syntax (leveled sentence frames), semantics (strategic graphic organizers), and pragmatics (analyzing context and its cultural relevance) to name a few. Examples of integrated ELD during Math include scaffolds such as deconstructing the mathematical language used in word-problems, building concepts through vocabulary development, and using Hypothetical Graphic Organizers (HGO) to scaffold concepts.

Designated ELD In K-5 grades, the designated ELD will be provided before and/or after your child’s direct instructional time as designed by the classroom teacher. In 6-12 grades, students have a designated ELD period. Examples of how we will provide this designated ELD include the direct focus on the ELD Standards (Collaborative, Interpretative, Productive and How English Works) in order to support the acquisition of communication skills such as using comparison language, argumentative language, narrative language and expository language to name a few. The literacy and writing instructional focus is designed to meet the bridging stage of language acquisition. Designated ELD instruction is tailored to the proficiency level of the student group as they move toward the performance levels of emerging, expanding and bridging.

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English Language Learners

We recognize that some of our families are struggling with housing insecurities, are in need of extra support in order to access and engage with their school, teachers, peers and curriculum. With that in mind, we want to reassure you that the following plans are being developed for students and families that qualify for additional supports under McKinney-Vento:

All:• A meeting with Principals of each grade span will be held to discuss the unique academic

and social emotional needs of students and families that qualify for additional supports under McKinney-Vento, and to develop an explicit plan for providing interventions and supports within the school day

Elementary• Before/after cohorts, and in between cohorts as possible, provide live-virtual and

teleconference sessions with students/families• Check on engagement with Remote Learning• Provide support in navigating online platforms• Provide regular, standards-based math and literacy support• Maintain positive connection to adults on campus, receive social-emotional supports as

needed• Receive information on and access to community resources to support housing/rent, food,

clothing and school supplies

Middle School• Before/after cohorts, and in between cohorts as possible, provide live-virtual and

teleconference sessions with students/families• Check on engagement with Remote Learning• Provide support in navigating online platforms• Provide regular, standards-based math and literacy support• Maintain high school readiness path in consideration of unique program offerings at each

high school, as well as honors and AP level courses and specialized elective offerings• Receive information on and access to community resources to support housing/rent, food,

clothing and school supplies

High School• Before/after cohorts, and in between cohorts as possible, provide live-virtual and

teleconference sessions with students/families• Check on engagement with Remote Learning• Provide support in navigating online platforms• Provide regular, standards-based math and literacy support• Maintain graduation-readiness path and A-G requirements• Receive information on and access to community resources to support housing/rent, food,

clothing and school supplies

Page 17

McKinney-Vento

Conejo Valley Unified School District

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