SYLACAUGA, Ala. – On Saturday, Sylacauga City Schools released options re-opening schools.
In a memo, officials stated a video will be released on social media on Monday, July 20 “further explaining the options, how to make a selection for learning options, and information about registration.”
Option A: Traditional School, On-Campus Learning
The student reports to school daily. If a student has to be out due to quarantine or if a campus has to temporarily close due to COVID-19, the student switches to short-term blended learning and returns to campus when healthy.
- On-campus
- Quality in-person instruction delivered by a teacher from his/her school
- Classrooms socially distanced to the best extent possible
- Wear masks in accordance with public health orders
- Strategies in place to mitigate the spread of virus
- If the student has to switch to blended:
- Remains in the same class with the same teacher(s)
- Participates virtually (assignments graded)
- Returns to school when healthy/when school reopens
Option B: Aggie Blended Academy
The student participates in traditional class schedule from home during the school day. Instruction is provided from Sylacauga City Schools staff.
- Students will follow traditional school day from home at the times indicated on their class schedule
- Students will login at a scheduled time for each class and breaks will be provided throughout the day
- Each school’s blended model will vary based on grade level and learning objectives
- Depending on the school and class, there could be students physically in the class and other students joining remotely at the same time
- Quality, virtual instruction administered by SCS teachers during designated school hours
- Student learning from home may still participate in athletics or select electives/activities but must attend scheduled classes at their school (for example, athletes must attend Strength and Conditioning class on campus or band members must attend on-campus course and participate in practice after school)
- Students must participate in all classroom tests (as required by the teacher) and state standardized assessments in the classroom as scheduled by the principal
- Parent and student must sign an agreement at the school level to participate in this option
Option C: Aggie Virtual Academy
The student participates in all courses using one of our virtual platforms.
- Courses online using Alabama State Department of Education approved curriculum
- Students expected to work independently and take ownership of their learning
- Assignments and tests will be graded and students will receive progress feedback from school administrators
- Elective and advanced options may be limited
- Students must participate in school-wide and state standardized assessments on campus
- Students learning through our virtual program may still participate in athletics or select electives/activities, but must attend scheduled classes (for example, athletes must attend Strength and Conditioning class on campus or band members must attend on-campus course and participate in practice after school)
- Parent and student must sign an agreement at the school level to participate in this option
Things to consider when deciding on traditional versus online options for your child:
- Do you have a reliable internet connection? If not, you would choose traditional.
- Virtual options will be standards-based, rigorous and graded; very different from the basic instruction offered at the end of last school year. Can your child adapt to this rigor?
- Can your child follow routines from home? Do they need structure and routines?
- How did your child do at home during the spring? Were they able to adjust to learning from home and focus on their schoolwork?
- Is your child social and prefers to be around his/her peers?
- Does your child have specific learning needs such as an RTI plan, IEP, or 504?
For more information on Sylacauga City Schools, visit its website.
