Champaign Unit 4 Schools Superintendent Susan Zola on Wednesday revealed the system’s reopening plan, with most students beginning the school year on “a Distance Learning platform.”
“Small groups of students,” Zola’s note to parents said, “will be invited back to begin in-person instruction two days a week. Schools will reach out initially to students with Individual Education Plans, Emergent Bilinguals, and students eligible for free and reduced lunch.”
The plans covers students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. It offers details on registration, taking a Sabbatical for the 2020-2021 school year and models for both In-Person and Distance Learning at all grade levels.
The entire 45-page document detailing Unit 4’s plans is here: July 29 Reopening Framework Details
Among the highlights:
Grades K-5: “All elementary students will engage in five (5) hours of instruction each day of the week, Monday through Friday. Most students will engage in distance learning. For those students in distance learning, the five (5) hours of instruction will include at least two and a half (2 ½) hours of live, online instruction with their teacher(s) and classmates. The specific times and schedule for the two and a half (2 ½) hours of live, online instruction will be determined by each school. The five (5) hours of instruction each day will also include at least two and a half (2 ½) hours of structured, independent work.”
Middle school: Students are expected to be in attendance via in-person instruction or virtual learning for all periods 1-8. All students will have virtual learning on Wednesdays.
High school: Similarly to middle schools, students are expected to be involved in in-person or virtual learning for periods 1-8. “Attendance is defined as one or a combination of the following: in-person instruction, distance learning instruction, distance learning completion of assignments on APEX with teacher/class or independently, and other methods of distance learning developed by non-APEX teachers. Daily contact is made each day with all students.” All students will have virtual learning on Wednesdays.
You can provide feedback to the Board of Education and superintendent at this link: Framework2020@u4sd.org
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Read our back to school series:
Part 1 — Back to School: School Physicals Required for Illinois Schoolchildren
Part 2 — Back to School: Immunizations Required for Illinois Schoolchildren
Part 3 — Back to School: Champaign-Urbana Area School Registration Information
Part 4 — Back to School: Champaign-Urbana Area School Start Dates
Part 5 — Back to School: Dental, Vision Exams Required for Illinois Schoolchildren
Part 6 — Back to School: Top Nine Tips to Prepare for a Return to School Routine
Post 7 — Back to School: Eight Things You Didn’t Know You Needed