Good Shepherd Lutheran School
2020-2021
This plan, in compliance with Illinois State Board of Education guidelines applies to all Good Shepherd Lutheran School students and families in grades Preschool to 8. The Illinois State Board of Education strongly recommends in-person learning but understands that during this unmitigated crisis intermittent school closures may be unavoidable. As such we need to prepare to meet the educational needs of our students through home-based remote learning. This plan provides for the transition from in-person to remote learning and is based on the following principles:
· Communication between school and home, school and students, and between students in a class should be frequent,
clear, and reciprocal. Maintaining a personal connection is a priority.
· Simplicity is best during this time – simplicity in communication, processes, schedules, and expectations.
· Contrary to previous remote learning plans where the emphasis was on review and reinforcement, new content will be
taught around normal grade level goals. Focus will be given to key concepts and skills.
· Students will be assessed to determine areas of unfinished learning and learning loss resulting from the Spring 2020
school closure period. After we understand where students are then we will address those areas.
· In times of remote learning we will maintain attendance expectations and continue with traditional grading practices to
the greatest extent possible.
The Remote Learning Plan
Communication:
Abundant communication between the school and families is vitally important during periods of remote learning. Teachers will be able to make use of a wide variety of platforms including Facebook, Gradelink, the school website, email, telephone and text messages, letters, and face to face interactions. While there may be differences between classes, families will be informed and know how to receive and send messages with the teacher.
Time of Instruction:
Each teacher will establish a consistent daily schedule that is communicated to students and families. Under the new Illinois State Board of Education guidelines the remote learning day should consist of approximately 5 hours per day of a combination of direct instruction and school work. On most days approximately half of that time should be dedicated to direct instruction with real-time/live interaction between the teacher and students.
Methods of Instruction:
While there will be an emphasis and reliance on technology based lessons (Chromebooks and I-pads), in most cases there will a mix of technology based and non-technology based (packets, books, magazines) lessons. Preschool through 2nd grade will use Zoom meetings and the SeeSaw app as their main instructional platform and Grades 3-8 with use Zoom and Google classroom as theirs. Teachers will also employ other online services and apps such as BrainPop, Spelling City, and Scholastic as part of their instruction. Students will be trained and cheat sheets with login information will be provided.
Materials:
At the beginning of the year students will be assigned the materials they need to transition to remote learning including: Chromebooks and I-pads, books, art supplies, and other manipulatives. As the remote learning period progresses it may be necessary to schedule times to pick up and drop off materials.
Lesson Goals and Standards:
During the Spring 2020 closure period there was an emphasis on review and reinforcement. During periods of remote learning this school year instruction will focus on new learnings tied to typical grade level goals and standards.
Early Assessment:
Each teacher will conduct assessments, both formal (MAP, Brigance, and STAR tests) and informal (classroom assessments) to determine student readiness for their grade level. Early instruction will be focused on bridging the gaps between the end of last year and the beginning of this year and dealing with areas of unfinished learning and learning loss. There will be coordination between grade level teachers to facilitate this process.
Grading:
The guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education during the initial closure period of Spring of 2020 provided a system of pass/fail in an effort to “do no harm” to students during this sudden event. As we transition into possible periods of remote learning this year we will remain with regular/traditional grading practices but implement them in a way that best meets the needs of our students and families. One important aspect of “grading” will be providing students and families with specific and meaningful feedback as a means of fostering student growth. While grades are an important means of tracking and communicating student growth we must remember that students can learn without grades, it is difficult to learn without feedback.
“Specials”:
During remote learning periods there will be provisions made to include the “specials” – Art, Music, Computer, Physical Education, and Library as part of standard classroom instruction. These are important subjects and classes and want to provide students instruction in these areas.
Calendar Concerns:
The Illinois State Board of Education has provided for remote learning planning and teacher institute days. We will modify the calendar to include those days should they be needed.
Grade Level Specifics
Early Childhood (Preschool – 2nd Grade):
At this age socialization is important and there will be a special emphasis on collaboration with home and relationship building with families and between students. Important considerations include:
· Active engagement, hands on activities, play
· Relationship building and socialization
· A consistent, yet responsive daily schedule
· Lesson length and total amount of daily instruction is age adjusted. For example, preschool students will require shorter
learning segments than older students.
· Students will be trained and have time to practice with the technology, programs, and practices that they will need for
remote learning early in the school year.
Elementary School (Grades 3-5):
Important considerations include:
· Closing any gaps in learning from the previous year.
· A focus on critical grade level knowledge, concepts, and skills.
· Students will be trained and practice remote learning skills and procedures including the use of technology tools and
programs, accessing and submitting work, and communicating with the school.
· The remote learning day should be approximately 5 hours of direct instruction and school work.
· Increased cross-curricular topics and projects that include multiple subject areas.
· Communication is key – between school and home, teacher and student, and between students.
Middle School (Grades 6-8):
Special considerations include:
· Closing learning gaps and unfinished learning from the previous year.
· A focus on critical grade level knowledge, concepts, and skills.
· Students will be trained and practice to facilitate their own remote learning to the greatest extent possible.
· The remote learning day will consist of a combination of direct instruction and school work totally 5 hours.
· Teachers will provide lessons in the particular subjects they teach. A coordinated schedule will be created by staff that
avoids overlap of instructional time. This will include coordination with the 5th grade classes.
· Project based instruction that spans subject areas is encouraged.
· Communication is key – between school and home, teacher and student, and between students.