Tuesday, August 11, 2020 - 4:57 pm
Superintendent Dana Monogue, Deputy Superintendent Sherri Cyra, Assistant Superintendent of Operations Lori Ames and other administrators provided an update on the work of the various planning teams as the District prepares for the 2020-21 school year at the Board of Education regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 10.
Monogue thanked all of the educators who have been working on these plans. She noted the presentation at the Aug 24 meeting will include a few more updates, but will predominantly focus on plans for moving students into buildings. She said questions the District has received from families, staff and the School Board have helped shape the current plans.
Cyra noted all students will start virtually but that families can decide to have their children remain fully virtual for the 2020-21 school year, while other students would return to buildings once the District decides to do so. Cyra noted the District has received responses from 4,700 students from a survey that went out on Aug. 1 and that 17 percent are selecting the fully virtual option. In June, 5 percent indicated they would select fully virtual and another 9 percent were considering it.
Cyra noted that K-8 students who select the fully virtual option will have District teachers for their courses. High school students will also have MCPASD teachers whenever possible and, if not, will have a certified teacher provided by the Wisconsin eSchool Network.
Director of Elementary Education Rainey Briggs reviewed the communication families of younger students recently received about what instruction will look like. Those families also received a second communication about school supplies, Ready-Set-Go listening sessions and device distribution.
He noted five priority standards drove work of his team. He then shared a draft schedule for students and staff in grades 2-4. He noted his team has created plans for improved instruction and interaction from the spring, while also making sure students and families are supported.
Director of Secondary Education Laura Love noted her team has been working on instructional design and staff professional development. She shard a sample middle school schedule, noting that the schedule for Glacier Creek and Kromrey will look identical. She also noted her team is still working on what encore classes will look like. She also noted all students in grades 5-12 will have advisory daily. development. Showed samples schedule for middle school. Still planning what encore will look like.
Love also reviewed the MHS schedule, noting it will look similar to what happened when students were in buildings but that the blocks are shorter. She said advisory will be 30 minutes four days a week and will provide students with another level of support. Advisory introductions will take place before instruction begins Sept. 8.
Love noted teachers will put a week-at-a-glance out for students on Monday morning. She said passive office hours didn't lead to student participation in the spring so staff will do more outreach to individual students and entire classrooms beyond regular hours in 2020-21.
The Board was concerned that students who can't access live learning will still have an opportunity to watch lessons later and Love indicated that would happen. The Board also wondered about students changing courses before the school year starts. Love noted the District needs to look at how staffing will be impacted by those students who selected an all-virtual option before finalizing schedules. The Board also wanted to know if attendance will be required and tracked. Love noted the District is waiting for guidance from the state, but also that teachers will be monitoring who is participating in class, who is turning in assignments, and who needs additional outreach.
Director of Student Services Barb Buffington shared information on the work her team is developing to support students. The team is using data to determine which students had little or no engagement in the spring and will be establishing learning partnerships primarily with para-educators to provide support. She stressed the need to guide students, especially in the first few weeks of the school year. Support will be virtual for the first three weeks but she hopes there can be face-to-face and one-on-one instruction based on guidance from health experts going forward.
Assistant Director Cindy Malcheski said social workers, counselors, and deans have been meeting regularly to develop ways to provide social and emotional well-being. They are working on a system for staff and families to request assistance. She also stressed the need to build community and positive relationships early in the school year while also helping students become effective virtual learners.
Ames noted employee services has focused on communication to staff about upcoming school year, general expectations and leaves available to them if a health condition impacts their return to work. She noted one certified staff member has taken advantage of the retirement window the Board approved on Aug. 5. Support staff have also been informed the Board wants them to continue being paid for meaningful work.
Ames noted the District is determining tasks that can be completed by support staff such as drivers and food service to cover the hours they would normally receive.
Ames said fiscal services is trying to determine revenue and expenses impacted by pandemic. She noted the District saved money by using fewer substitute teachers and buses not running. But MCPASD also received less revenue because outside organizations weren't able to rent facilities the past few months.
Ames noted there will be more details about operations provided at the Aug. 24 meeting.
Director of Technology Services Jim Blodgett said the District is working with Charter-Spectrum to provide families in need with access to broadband internet, which will be faster and more reliable than the MiFi devices used in the spring. His department is also preparing devices for every District student and distribution will take place later this month at each of the schools.