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Distance Learning FAQ’s and Q&A Zoom Meeting

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Foothill Elementary School, Sierra High School, Sierra Junior High, Sierra Unified School District, Sierra@Home

Distance Learning FAQ’s and Q&A Zoom Meeting

Yesterday, you received notification that the entire district would be moving to distance learning from Tuesday, January 11, 2022 through Friday, January 14, 2022, with the schools reopening on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. There is no school on Monday, January 17, 2022 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. This move to distance learning is due to a staffing shortage among teachers, transportation, and support staff due to COVID-19. The distance learning plans from last year will remain the same and can be found at the link below. We understand that distance learning may cause hardship for many of our families. Please reach out to your site administrators if you need support. Together we will get through this, and we look forward to seeing everyone back on campus on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. The requirements and rules outlined by AB130 in July 2021 require us to take different steps during a move to distance learning. Please read through the frequently asked questions and answers below for clarification. 

Distance Learning Schedules: 

https://sierrausd.org/susd-distant-learning-schedules-for-campus-sites/ 

Frequently Asked Questions

Click HERE to download the Master Agreement

What is the Master Agreement? 

The Master Agreement is a requirement for all students on Independent Studies under AB130. It outlines the classes the student is enrolled in as well as the agreement between the school and the parents regarding communication, work completion, academic progress, and services provided. Below are the sections outlined on the Master Agreement and a quick summary of those sections. 

  • Objectives, Methods of Study, Methods of Evaluation, and Resources: Teachers will use the same curriculum and evaluation method of grading work for work completed during the period of independent study.
  • Reporting: The minimum state requirement to meet with students on independent studies is 1x per week. To maintain a high level of academic support, our teachers will be available daily for students. 
  • Assignments: This section of the Master Agreement is not applicable until a student has reached a total of 15 days on Independent Studies. Students have been provided with work for four days (the length of the independent studies). Once that work is turned in, students will be marked present for the four days. 
  • Academic Progress: This section of the Master Agreement is not applicable until a student has reached a total of 15 days on Independent Studies. Work will be graded and entered into Aeries upon completion.
  • Academic Supports: During independent studies, the schools and district will continue to provide services to students equal to that in the classroom including the 504 and IEP supports, intervention, and extension. 
  • Voluntary Statement: Under AB130, there must be an in-person option provided for families who choose not to participate in independent studies. The library at Foothill Elementary and SJHS/SHS will be open during school hours for students to come in person if necessary where they will get support on the work provided to them in Google Classroom by their teacher. 

Quality and Quantity; Rights and Privileges; Resources and Services: The curriculum, instruction, and services provided during independent studies is equivalent in the amount of work and quality of instruction provided in the in-person setting. If you have concerns or questions regarding this, please contact the site administrators.

Why do I have to fill out an Independent Study Master Agreement?

Filling out the Independent Study Master Agreement is optional; however, by doing so, your child’s school will be able to recoup the funding lost during the four days of distance learning. This funding supports students and programs in Sierra Unified School District. 

How do I fill out the Master Agreement?

  • Please fill out your child’s information on the top section of the form. This information should match the information you used when filling out Aeries at the beginning of the year. If you aren’t sure what to put in a box, you can leave it blank and your child’s teacher will fill it out.  
  • Please DO NOT fill out the chart in the middle of the first page. This information will be provided by your child’s school and will match what they are enrolled in through Aeries. 
  • Please sign and date the last page of this form. 

Why are the dates filled in for the entire school year? 

The reasoning for putting the end of the school year on this form was for convenience should your child need to quarantine at a later date or if you choose to put them on short-term independent study for another reason. Having the end of the school year would save you from having to sign an addendum in those situations. If you are uncomfortable signing the document with these dates, you may pick up a new form with blank dates from your child’s school. 

Where do I turn in the Master Agreement?

Please send this signed form back to school with your child on Tuesday, January 18. You do not need to drive it to their school while we are on distance learning this week. 

What support will my child receive?

If your child is receiving services through an IEP or has a 504 plan, these accommodations will continue to be followed. Please work with your child’s teacher. REI will also continue to run through Foothill. If you have any questions, your child’s teacher can support you. Teachers have set up Zoom meetings or Google Meets meetings through their Google Classrooms to support their students. If you aren’t sure what platform your child’s teacher(s) is using, you can email them directly. Staff emails can be found at the links below. 

Are zoom meetings mandatory?

Your child’s teacher has set up time for meeting with them virtually. This time does not count for their attendance, and they will not be penalized for missing the online meetings. Although, it is highly encouraged that your child attends these meetings, so he or she can receive support on the work that was sent home. 

How does my child get marked present while on Independent Studies?

Attendance on independent studies is through work completion. Your child’s teacher will collect their work upon their return to school on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. Their completed work will be used to mark them present for the four days that we were on distance learning.

What if we don’t have a computer for my child to use at home?

If your child does not have a school-issued device, you may pick one up from their school’s front office.

  • Foothill Elementary School
    • Hours: 8 AM – 3:30 PM
  • Sierra Junior High/Sierra High School
    • Hours: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Who can I contact if I have questions that are not answered on this FAQ?

  • Questions related to this form or independent study
  • Questions about distance learning or school-specific questions 
    • Foothill Elementary School
      • (559) 855-3551
    • Sierra Junior High/Sierra High School
      • (559) 855-8311
    • Sierra Alternative High School
      • (559) 855-3020

On Wednesday, January 12 at 6 PM, we will hold an informational meeting and question & answer session for any questions related to distance learning and independent studies. If you are unable to attend, the Zoom meeting will be recorded and put on the district website. 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89513201534?pwd=YmNOMXBHTU1QRUd4cEw2OVV3V05Cdz09

Meeting ID: 895 1320 1534

Passcode: 231737

SUSD Independent Study FAQ’s

 

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