APPLETON (NBC 26) — With so many questions about how virtual school is going to look for families, the Appleton Area School District has released new guidelines, kind of like an instruction manual you'd get with a new appliance.
Last week, the district made the decision to go all-virtual which has led to many questions from families. The new guidelines are hoping to help answer those questions and put parents at ease.
"For myself, I also have the same sense of anxiousness, questions, I know not everyone can always answer for me as a parent," said Steve Harrison, the assistant superintendent for assessment, curriculum and instruction. "But also excitement for the possibilities that are there for all of us."
Harrison knows this school year is going to be different, but said the district has a plan that's going to be better than what we saw last spring.
"As a district we learned of the importance of having one universal learning management system, and so unlike last spring, part of our changes for moving forward in the fall is using Canvas," he said.
If you take a look at the district's new virtual guidelines, you'll notice part of their focus is to keep kids on a routine. Harrison adds they're also committed to making sure kids can have time to interact with each other, as well as making sure kids are not staring at a screen all day long. According to the schedules, Wednesdays for all grades will be used as individual support times for students and planning, to make sure kids are getting the attention they need.
"For elementary students, we'll still be utilizing the same instructional blocks of time."
And parents, not to worry, the district is hoping to keep you from being your student's full-time teacher.
"Certainly the role of instruction will remain with our highly-qualified teachers throughout the district."
Harrison said they will be offering support for parents, but local organizations like the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club have opportunities to support families as well.
The district said they're still working to finalize schedules and teachers, but families will have a chance to ask more questions during upcoming virtual meet-and-greets. They add part of the key to success this year will be keeping open lines of communication between families and staff.
"Whether we're in a fully in-person hybrid or fully virtual environment, one thing that absolutely will not change is the commitment of all of our teachers, all of our staff members, for ensuring all of our students receive a high-quality education."
The first day of school is set for September 1. Harrison said laptops and school materials will be delivered to families no later than the second week of September.
