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DISTINCTIVE SCHOOLS | FALL 2020The heart of our work at Distinctive Schools is being true to our values: culture, equity, innovation, wellness, and exemplary student performance. With these guiding principles, we are committed to fostering a community of care while maintaining high-quality teaching and learning during the global pandemic. We want to provide you with choice and options, while also prioritizing the safety and health of our students and staff. Thank you to everyone who has shared valuable insight in the creation of these reopening plans – we appreciate your teamwork and collaborative spirit.
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Community Care Plan | Family GuideLast week we shared our preliminary reopening plan for Fall 2020, the Distinctive Schools Community Care Plan. We are excited to share the comprehensive plan here! We want to reiterate that on-site community care will only be available based on district, authorizer, and state allowances; local health data may require us to adjust our offerings at any point. We ask for your continued patience and flexibility as we continue to analyze our ability to provide in person care opportunities as we get closer to September 8, 2020.
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Community Care Plan: A message from Scott Frauenheim, Distinctive Schools' CEO
WHAT IS COMMUNITY CARE? Families have expressed a variety of needs for the fall. Our reopening plan aims to provide families with flexible options to continue learning and growing while addressing the unique needs and challenges we are each facing during the Covid 19 pandemic. Every Distinctive Schools student will be part of a remote classroom, and families who need a safe space for remote learning during the day will have the option to send their child(ren) to school buildings to join an on-site community.
REMOTE LEARNING: All Distinctive Schools students will participate in Remote, Distance Learning.
This spring we proved how well-prepared we were to make the switch to at-home, remote learning. Our remote classroom structures and models will grow stronger this fall, through personalized learning and a focus on the habits of success. As we also launch a comprehensive Social Emotional Learning curriculum, we will continue to prioritize the mental health of our students, while providing a challenging curriculum to promote their growth and achievement regardless of location.
This spring we proved how well-prepared we were to make the switch to at-home, remote learning. Our remote classroom structures and models will grow stronger this fall, through personalized learning and a focus on the habits of success. As we also launch a comprehensive Social Emotional Learning curriculum, we will continue to prioritize the mental health of our students, while providing a challenging curriculum to promote their growth and achievement regardless of location.
- Illinois: remote learning will take place through quarter one (10/29).
- Michigan: remote learning will take place through 9/30, pending legislation that may allow us to continue through 10/29.
COMMUNITY OF CARE: Families may need options for a safe space for remote learning during the day. Distinctive Schools will provide On-Site Supervision of Remote Learning by Community Leads.
- Families who are in need of a safe space for remote learning during the school day will have the option to have their student(s) join a community at one of our campus buildings.
- Community Care Leads will create a safe, joyful place for students to be during regular school hours. They will maintain safety guidelines and protocols, communicate with families, track attendance, and supervise the community while students are engaged in remote learning activities.
HEALTH AND SAFETY: We are committed to the health and safety of all students and staff who participate in on-site Community Care. Students and staff will be required to follow all Distinctive Schools, local, and state safety measures, guidelines and recommendations, including but not limited to:
- Required Face Coverings: Face masks or face coverings must be worn at all times while inside a Distinctive Schools facility. Students should bring their own face covering, however disposable masks will be provided should a student forget to bring a face covering.
- Social Distancing: While on-site, six feet of social distancing must be maintained with all people at all times practicable.
- Temperature Checks: Temperatures may be taken by a campus-supplied thermometer. Individuals entering the building must self-certify that they are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, persistent cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, or other symptoms recognized by the CDC as COVID-19 related.
- Hand Washing: Frequent hand washing is encouraged throughout the day; students shall wash hands or use hand sanitizer after entering the building and at other key times of the day upon arrival to and departure from school; after blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing; following restroom use; before and after eating; upon return from recess/physical activity.
- Additional Cleaning: Distinctive Schools campuses will implement increased cleaning and disinfecting protocols including more frequent cleaning of frequently touched surfaces and hands-on classrooms. Cleaning staff will use EPA-approved disinfectants and electrostatic spray.
- Visitors Temporarily Not Permitted: Non-employees of Distinctive Schools are not permitted on campus to maintain safety and limit exposure.
REMOTE INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL: The Community Care Plan will build upon the strong start from remote learning during the Spring of 2020. Students and families can count on structured schedules, consistent communications, challenging instruction, personalized learning plans, and community time.
- INSTRUCTION: The Remote Learning Model includes morning and community meetings, whole group and small group instruction, live instruction and community time through Zoom or Google Meet, pre-recorded video and audio lessons, office hours with teachers and staff, mentoring time, and 1:1 check ins with students and staff.
- SCHEDULES: Each Distinctive Schools campus will create structured schedules for Remote Instructional Learning. All students can count on 5 hours of daily instruction, and 3 hours of self-directed learning, digital programs, enrichment, break/lunch, recess, etc.
- On-site Community Care will operate during regular school hours. For the first quarter we will not be able to provide on-site before school care or after school care/clubs.
- On-site Community Care will operate during regular school hours. For the first quarter we will not be able to provide on-site before school care or after school care/clubs.
- FOOD DISTRIBUTION: Food service will be provided for all students who participate in on-site Community Care; we will provide additional updates regarding food service options for at-home learners.
CALENDAR: Distinctive Schools will begin our school year completely remote, and on-site Community Care offerings at all Distinctive Schools campuses will begin on 9/8/20.
- CICS UPDATED CALENDAR: Our first day of school for students in Illinois, 8/31, will be a remote learning day. The calendar has been updated here.
- AIM UPDATED CALENDAR: Our first day of school for students in Illinois, 9/2, will be a remote learning day; view the 20-21 calendar here.
- MI UPDATED CALENDAR: Remote instruction and on-site community care offerings will begin on 9/8/20. Review the calendar here: DCP • PEC • SAFR
WHAT MIGHT CHANGE? There are external factors that determine our ability to provide Community Care in our school buildings. As the public health situation continues to evolve, our options will adapt to changing conditions. All plans are subject to change, for example if we are able to move to phase 5 of the state reopening plan, we will be able to return to classrooms, or if we regress to phase 3, we will not be able to provide on-site Community Care.
FAMILY CHOICE: Please submit your selections using this form, by Friday, August 7.
- Students can learn remotely at home OR
- Students can learn remotely at school buildings with supervision. *This will be determined by safe building capacity & available Community Leads staff.
