The Primary Staff goal is to offer families and children both synchronous and asynchronous learning during the first semester to support both a return to all in-person learning in January and to accommodate the ever-changing learning landscape of the following scenarios:
· Government stay-at-home: all virtual
· COVID-19 case: 10-14-day shutdown
· Family chosen all virtual
· Family chosen in-person
What would a day for distance learning look like for a Primary School student?
Specific daily plans cannot be determined until enrollment for virtual vs in-person has been determined. Staffing when and where would then be determined based on each program’s needs.
What will the online program look like compared to the in-class curriculum? How much time will be online?
The current goal is for both virtual and in-person programs is to offer similar topics, so everyone returns in January having learned about the same thing: Perhaps a focus on germs, our place in the universe, the same continent, and animal life-cycle study, self-regulation practices, and so on.
How frequently will the distance learning groups gather via zoom or meet with teachers?
The virtual program will offer packets, PDF’s, videos, and regularly scheduled ZOOM meetings. There will also be follow-up with parents to ensure support of children and virtual program (emails, ZOOM meetings, etc.). Once the year has begun, opportunities to engage in ZOOM meetings with in-person learning classes will be offered. (Birthday circles, an opportunity to share a work done at home, listening to a Mystery Reader (via Zoom), are current ideas.)
The afternoon Kindergarten program will also align with district and state requirements. The amount of time on the computer will be determined by student needs and/or state requirements.
Will at-home learners be able to stay on track for moving to the next level?
At-Home learning may not take as much time as in-person learning as children who are at home do not have the same schedule as in-person children who are having opportunities for social interaction. There may be less choice available in an at-home setting, however, the First Plane of Development supports learning of all kinds with parent/school support and partnership.