SV School Board OK’s plan for a semester of ‘distance learning’
Sonoma Valley Unified School District (SVUSD) schools will be implementing a “Distance Learning 2.0” plan when school resumes next month.
At the July 21 School Board meeting, the main agenda item was the district’s recommendations for the start of the 2020-2021 school year in terms of how and where learning would take place during the continuing pandemic. Specific details will be presented to the Board meetings on July 28 and August 6.
Over the summer, district staff reviewed state mandates, and – with input from parents, community members, teachers, and staff – developed plans for bringing students back to school safely.
Along with the distance learning plan, a hybrid plan was developed, and this was the favored option until July 17, when Governor Newsom issued new stipulations mandating distance learning for counties on the state’s Covid-19 watch list; Sonoma County is on that list.
The Distance Learning 2.0 plan includes traditional grading, daily attendance, rigorous grade-level instruction, and daily live interaction and instruction from teachers. The district and board reiterated their commitment to high-quality instruction and student engagement. Students with disabilities will continue to receive support from their case managers in accordance with their IEPs. The district will also bring forward an Independent Study option.
The district’s review of what they learned from Summer School will inform the final details of the distance learning plan, which will be presented within the next two weeks. Superintendent Socorro Sheils also reviewed the current summer learning opportunities for teachers, as well as future plans for professional development.
Associate Superintendent of Business Services Bruce Abbott reviewed the site preparation plans and investments in sanitizing equipment, for the safety of staff who will be on site, and for such time when students return to school in person.
The board and Superintendent expressed gratitude to community members and parents that helped inform the development of the plans.
– Sarah Ford
