According to a press release from the Cypress School District, while classrooms may be empty, but our students are still engaged in learning… distance learning!
“Each week, our teachers send home a Distance Learning Student Work Plan that details the instructional activities and assignments for the week in all subject areas, including art and music,” according to the information.
Using a secure teleconferencing platform, teachers present lessons for their students which are viewed in real-time or on-demand. Students have online access to their core instructional materials as well as a number of other educational platforms.
According to the district, teachers monitor and track student progress each week and provide feedback to support student growth. Shifting to a distance learning instructional model is no easy feat under the best of circumstances.
“Our district successfully made this transition in just two weeks, which reflects the incredible commitment and dedication of the educational professionals serving the children of the Cypress School District community,” said Anne Silavs, Superintendent, in her newsletter.
To ensure our students have the resources they need to successfully participate in distance learning, the district surveyed parents regarding their technology needs, she said.
“To date, we have checked-out over 500 Chromebooks to students in need, and we continue to fulfill new requests on an ongoing basis. In addition, parents have been provided with information regarding free and reduced-price internet service in our local area. We are committed to keeping our students connected and learning,” she added.
Silavs paid tribute to food service workers, saying “they are a dedicated group of essential workers who have been working hard throughout this crisis to make sure our students are fed and well-nourished,” she said.
“This is especially important as many families are experiencing economic hardship as a result of the governor’s stay-at-home order. Our district has served nearly 60,000 meals since mid-March. Students receive five breakfasts and five lunches each week, which are distributed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays using social distancing methods and personal protective equipment for our employees,” she said.
Silavs also acknowledged Yakult USA for generously donating their probiotic drink in each Friday’s grab-and-go breakfast!
“We look forward to the day when students and staff can return to our campuses and resume school as we once knew it. Unfortunately, that won’t happen this academic year, so our staff is developing a plan for families to return instructional materials to school and pick up personal belongings before summer recess,” she told the parents.
More information will be forthcoming regarding this process and the measures that will be taken to ensure everyone’s safety. For community members, you may notice additional people on our campuses during this time.
About next year, Silavs said “based on information from state and local health officials, and barring any unforeseen surge in COVID-19 cases, we fully anticipate reopening our schools as scheduled next year. However, in all likelihood, things will look different. We are awaiting guidance from the California Department of Education regarding parameters for reopening our schools and how to effectively accommodate social distancing throughout each campus. We’ll share more information with our school community as soon as it becomes available.”