Teaching and Learning

Teaching and Learning
   The school calendar typically includes one or more staff-only days before students arrive at school. Acknowledging the challenges that our teachers and staff have faced this spring delivering remote instruction under stressful circumstances, the school will focus these in-service days on providing support to staff in the areas of social-emotional health and technology integration.

   These days will also be utilized for student orientation. This time will allow small groups of students to meet with their new teacher and begin to establish the relationship necessary for a successful school year.  Staff development days will be September 8^th and 9^th.  Orientation days for students will be held on September 10^th and 11^th.  More information about these orientation days will be available soon. 

   As we enter the new school year, teachers will be encouraged to spend time building relationships, supporting students with the transition back to school, and teaching social distancing etiquette at developmentally appropriate levels.
The school has developed a continuity of learning plan for the 2020-2021 school year for in-person, remote, and hybrid models of instruction.   

   When a remote or hybrid learning model is necessary, certain groups of students will be prioritized for in-person learning to the greatest extent possible. This includes, but is not limited to, special education students, English language learners, students who did not engage in remote learning during the spring of 2020, and students with technology or connectivity needs. 
Assessing student learning gaps or areas of need will be critical. Formative assessment before a unit of instruction to assess student understanding of pre-requisite skills will be common practice.  

   Acknowledging that the typical content in a given grade level or course may need to be adjusted, content will be prioritized to ensure that students receive instruction for the prioritized learning standards, key understandings, and skills necessary for students’ success in future study.  

   Grading practices will follow a standards-based framework designed to provide direct feedback regarding students’ mastery of course content.

   A survey will be sent to families asking which model they would like to begin the school year using. We would ask that families commit to one marking period at a time.  At the end of the marking period, families may request in writing a change to either in-person or distance learning.  Those staying with their current option will not need to do anything.  If the model needs to be changed for any reason during the marking period, a letter must be submitted to the principal outlining the need for the change.  The principal will review the reason(s) and consult with teachers, parents, etc. before deciding.  Families will be notified by email and given directions depending on the decision.  

   Teachers will be available by email for parents and caregivers should the need arise.  Parents/caregivers may also call the school office and leave a message for the teacher with Mrs. MacLasco or Mrs. Snyder.  Please give the teachers 24 hours to return your message. Please speak to your child’s teacher for more information about their availability for distance learning students.  

   Distance learning will look different than it did in the spring.  Students will be required to attend live classes throughout the school day.  Families will receive a schedule of the times students will be expected to be online for live learning in the classroom.  

In-person Instruction 
   Upon reopening, the number of students in each of our classrooms will be reduced to adhere to CDC guidance regarding proper social distancing. Class size will reflect the need to ensure that students’ desks/seats are positioned no less than six feet apart. 

   Accommodating a six-foot radius around students will necessitate the identification of additional rooms and common-area spaces that can be converted into elementary classrooms.

   Current staffing levels may be insufficient to accommodate the expanded number of classrooms needed to ensure social distancing.  At the writing of this document, we are not looking to create new classrooms based on the number of students currently registered.  Classrooms can accommodate between 12-15 students with proper social distancing guidelines in place.  We are not looking to hire any additional staff to separate students.(updated 9/17/20)

   All instruction will continue to be aligned to the New York State Learning Standards.

   The school will minimize the movement of students. This potentially means having students eat lunch in their classroom instead of the cafeteria and eliminating assemblies, field trips and other large-group activities. Special-area subjects (e.g., art, music, physical education) may be pushed into the classroom.  Whenever possible students will utilize outside space for physical education instruction. Students will need to wear their masks in Physical Education if less than 12ft apart. (updated 9/17/20)

   To the extent possible, students will remain in small cohorts if/when leaving the classroom, such as for recess or any necessary transition, so as to reduce their exposure to additional students.

   Students will be socially distanced in the classroom whenever possible.  Teachers will limit the number of trips made outside of the classroom to those reserved for hygiene breaks, physical education, lunch (10/5/20) and outside time.  Teachers will be available for student questions by going to the students’ desk and holding small group instruction with the use of barriers and/or masks.  
 
Remote/Hybrid Instruction 
   Given the possibility that communities may experience spikes in COVID-19 cases at any point during the school year, which may prompt short or long-term school closures, the school has developed a hybrid/blended learning model and schedule that can continue as is in a fully remote environment.

   Instruction will not only focus on “core” subject areas to the exclusion of elective courses. Consideration has been given to prioritizing hands-on and lab-based activities while students are onsite in school buildings. All instruction will continue to be aligned to the New York State Learning Standards. 

   As noted previously, student schedules will remain the same whether instruction is in person or remote so that students do not encounter conflicts wherein synchronous lessons for different subjects are offered simultaneously.

   Remote learning opportunities for secondary students will include a greater emphasis on synchronous instruction, with teachers finding ways to provide live instruction and lessons to students. While recording of live lessons is still essential for students unable to attend at a scheduled time, teachers will ensure that their students are directly engaged with them and their class peers in experiential learning on a regular basis.

   To ensure high-quality remote learning experiences, we will standardize the use of a single online learning platform, to the extent possible, and develop a common, coordinated set of guidelines for teachers to follow when using the platform with students.

   Grading practices will follow a standards-based framework designed to provide direct feedback regarding students’ mastery of course content. 

   All families will have the option of continuing with child’s/children learning online via our distance learning model.  Classes in grades K-6 will be utilizing Google Classroom for all their assignments and live class meetings.  A hybrid instruction model would be available on a case by case basis.  

   Students participating in the distance learning model would be required to attend via Google Meet for morning prayers, afternoon prayers, Thursday Mass at 9:00am as well as the following instructional periods throughout the day for classroom instruction.  Times would be consistent throughout the week so families can plan when live instruction will take place.  Teachers will be available during the live session for questions from students who are distance learning.  In addition, teachers will record their lesson and make this available for students to watch later. (10/5/20)

   Due dates and grading will be consistent throughout K-6.  More information about specific dates and times will be available in mid-late August for individual classes.  Teachers will be able to respond to students and provide feedback through their work submissions within the Google classrooms setting.  

   Should the need arise for Sacred Heart to go to distance learning due to a closure caused by COVID-19, students will follow their quarantine schedule.   This schedule will be available to families in Ocotber. (10/5/20)
Technology and Connectivity
   A survey was conducted of families about how they felt about the technology they had during the previous distance learning in the fall.  To help those families who may not have had a device or internet, will be looking to purchase a Chromebook for each child in grades PreK-2. These chromebook purchases are curently on hold due to the reconfiguarion of  NYS aud. (10/5/20). Students in grades 3-6 already have their own Chromebooks for classroom/distance learning use. In addition, we will be working with Spectrum to see about providing hot spots for families and teachers who have spotty internet access.