Virtual Learning Instructional Model

Frequently Asked Questions

Please be reminded that this is a working document that is subject to change at any time given the ever-
changing recommendations and predictions of COVID-19.

Curriculum
1. Will there be any changes to the curriculum for 2020-2021?
Yes - VCS will provide teachers with streamlined curriculum guidance and resources that recognize
the impact of school closures on all students, potential gaps, and readiness for new curriculum.

2. Will the online curriculum be the same as the in-person curriculum?

VCS is currently revising curriculum guidance to teachers to address the current teaching and
learning conditions. It is expected that all students enrolled in the same grade level/course will learn
the same identified essential standards during the 2020-2021 school year. There will be learning
tasks that take different forms due to students in a variety of settings (traditional in-person and
virtual at-home) but the expected outcome will be the same.

3. How will virtual learning be different in 2020-2021 compared to what VCS did in March when
school closed due to COVID-19?
If a parent selects the Virtual Learning Option, the experience for students will look different than it
did during spring of 2020. The major changes for 2020-2021 include more time in asynchronous
learning, online attendance, grading of assignments and assessments, and Chromebook access for
all virtual students.

Instruction
4. Will a parent/guardian be required to assist their students with virtual learning?
A parent/guardian will be responsible for serving as the student’s “Learning Coach” who facilitates
learning and supports the student in his or her courses. For example, for grades K-5 this may include
but is not limited to logging a student on to digital platforms, keeping the student engaged during
lessons, providing manipulatives, and supporting independent learning activities. For grades 6-12,
this may include but is not limited to monitoring course progress, ensuring appropriate digital
behavior, and communicating regularly with virtual teachers.

5. Will the virtual learning program be synchronous (live at a set time) or asynchronous (available
within a set time frame)?
The Virtual Learning Option has been designed to be predominately asynchronous and flexible in
nature, while providing the structural organization of a traditional classroom. Coursework deadlines
will be clearly communicated and must be upheld for students to be considered active participants.
Synchronous digital instructional sessions will be scheduled by teachers as follows: Grades K-2-virtual
 Virtual Learning Instructional Model - FAQs

attendance will be required; Grades 3-8-virtual attendance is highly recommended, but recordings
will be provided.

6. Will Virtual Teachers be working/teaching at school, during the regular school hours, or at home?
Virtual Teachers will work/teach at their assigned school, during regularly scheduled hours.

7. Can virtual students have access to textbooks?

If a textbook is required and provided to traditional students, virtual students will have access to
those print resources as well.

8. What are the attendance expectations for Virtual Learning?

In the 2020-2021 school year, districts and schools will still be required to take student attendance
and report student attendance data to the Georgia Department of Education. The recording of
student attendance should not be impacted by the district’s determination of a traditional,
virtual/distance/remote, or hybrid instructional model. Students are considered to be in attendance
when participating in active instruction and/or educational services from a school or district. This
active instruction may occur in-person or through virtual/distance/remote learning. Examples of how
some virtual schools collect attendance for full or hybrid virtual/distance/remote learning include
(but are not limited to):
▪ Track student duration in online course and time spent in the online classroom/platform
▪ Track student log-in into online platform
▪ Track student attendance during live virtual instruction
▪ Track student submission of assignments and student/teacher interactions

Truancy laws cannot be waived by the system and parents who do not consistently ensure their
students meet attendance guidelines would be subject to the standard truancy consequences.

9. How will teachers communicate with students about assignments?

Google Classroom - Think of Google Classroom as your child’s digital link to learning. Google
Classroom is a web-based learning environment. When logged into Google Classroom, students can
collaborate with their peers and teachers. Google Classroom offers a digital safe space for students
to view class announcements, access posted course content, view posted assignments, and turn in
completed work. Only authorized Valdosta City Schools’ users (students, teachers, and other
designated staff members) can have access to a VCS Google Classroom. Google users outside the VCS
network are not granted permission to any VCS Google Classrooms.

10. As a parent, how can I check on my son/daughter's progress in their virtual class?
Parents will have access to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal to view student grades, assessments,
and schedule. In addition, your child’s teacher will send you an email invitation to join your child’s
Google Classroom as a guardian. You simply click on the “accept” button with the email. As a
guardian, you must receive and accept an email invitation before you can receive email summaries.
You can choose the frequency of the emails, such as daily or weekly.

11. What is included in Google Classroom guardian email summaries?

In email summaries, you can review:
 Missing work—Work not turned in when the summary was sent.
 Upcoming work—Work that is due today and tomorrow (for daily emails) or work that is
due in the upcoming week (for weekly emails).

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 Class activities—Announcements, assignments, and questions recently posted by teachers.

Email summaries do not include grades. For grades, check your Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

Assessment
12. How will assessments be administered to virtual students?
Virtual students may be required to take some assessments in-person. Assessment administration
will depend on the assessment being given and the assessment platform.

13. How will virtual students be universally screened?

STAR can be administered virtually.
Reading Inventory can be administered virtually.
The Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS), Phonological Awareness Literacy
Screening (PALS), and Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) must be administered face-to-face
and will be scheduled by each school.

14. How will student grades be calculated with the virtual model?
Virtual student grades will be calculated in the same manner as traditional students. Common
Summative Assessments = 60%, Standards Checks = 30%, and Learning Tasks = 10% calculated on a
nine-week basis.

Support Services
15. Will academic counseling, conferencing, advising, and tutoring be provided for virtual students?
Virtual teachers and/or counselors will provide instructional support and guidance as needed,
consistent with the Traditional Instructional Model.

16. Will Section 504 and Program for Exceptional Children (PEC) services be provided for virtual
students?
The PEC highly encourages all students with disabilities to attend face to face instruction unless there
is a current medical condition which would prohibit students from returning to school. Regardless,
the decision to attend face to face or virtually remains a parent decision. However, the IEP team will
determine the most appropriate setting for the student to receive a Free and Appropriate Public
Education (FAPE). If a parent of a child with a disability prefers virtual services, an IEP meeting will
need to be scheduled to discuss options, accommodations, services, etc. The IEP team will make a
decision that is most educationally appropriate for the child.

A Section 504 meeting will be held for each student enrolled in the virtual learning option. The
requirements of Section 504 ensure students are able to study and learn in an environment that is
safe and free from discrimination. Educational accommodations are individualized based on student
needs directly related to his/her eligible disability regardless of the educational setting. Each school
has a Section 504 administrator in addition to the district level Section 504 coordinator located at the
Board of Education office.

17. How will online instruction be provided to students with disabilities?

Details regarding online instruction for students with disabilities will be decided on an individualized
basis. These decisions will be determined during an IEP meeting where accommodations, services,
etc. will be thoroughly discussed and documented by the IEP team.

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Section 504 - Students eligible under Section 504 may access and participate in virtual learning in the
same manner as nondisabled peers. Any educational accommodations or services will be
documented through the child’s Section 504 plan and can be updated as necessary to meet the
student's individual needs. Section 504 prohibits discrimination of eligible students based on
disability and provides equal access to educational opportunities at a rate and level similar to
nondisabled peers.

18. How do we continue the Student Support Team (SST) process for students in virtual classrooms?
Schools will continue to monitor students receiving SST supports in virtual classrooms just as they
would for students attending school in the traditional model. SST meetings can be conducted
virtually or through phone conferences.

19. Will traditional students have access to virtual instruction if he/she becomes hospital
homebound?
Students in grades K-12 whose medical needs, either physical or psychiatric, do not allow them to
attend school for a limited period of time can receive HHB services. HHB services are not intended to
supplant regular school services and are by design temporary.

The student must anticipate being absent from school for a minimum of 10 consecutive or
intermittent school days due to a medical or psychiatric condition. At the high school level, the
student must anticipate being absent from school for a minimum of 5 consecutive or intermittent
school days (due to block scheduling). The student’s inability to attend school for medical or
psychiatric reasons must be certified by the licensed physician or licensed psychiatrist who is
currently treating the student for the diagnosis presented.

Students who test positive for COVID and have supporting medical documentation can receive HHB
services. Students who are quarantined due to exposure to COVID but are not infected would not
qualify for HHB services.

20. What are the rules for how long children may be left unattended as set forth by the Georgia
Department of Family and Child Services?
 Children eight years or younger may not be left alone
 Children between the ages of 9 and 12 , based on maturity, may be left alone for brief periods of
time (less than 2 hours)
 Children 13 years and older, who are adequate level of maturity, may be left alone for up to 12
hours
 It may not be advisable to leave an older child who has a special condition or disability alone

These guidelines pertain only to children NOT in the custody of the Department of Family and
Children’s Services. Children in the custody of DFACS are governed by foster care requirements. FAQ
- Lack of Supervision guidelines from Gov. Nathan Deal

Technology
21. Will students have computers provided if opting for the virtual model? If so, how will they be
checked out?

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When parents completed the Virtual Learning Registration form, they indicated if they needed to
check out a Chromebook. Each school will designate a date & time for Chromebook check out for
Virtual Learning Option participants. Parents and students are required to sign a technology
agreement and receive a Technology Handbook. Violations of system technology use agreement may
result in the removal from the Virtual Learning Option.

22. What internet services will be available for virtual students?

Valdosta City Schools is currently preparing to provide Wi-Fi internet access in the parking lots of all
schools.

The Valdosta Housing Authority is preparing to provide Wi-Fi internet with password access outside
the community centers at Hudson Docket and Ora Lee West for students to download/upload school
assignments.

The Public Library also offers Wi-Fi Internet Access:

McMullen Southside Library Willis L. Miller Library
County: Lowndes County: Lowndes
Street Address: 527 Griffin Avenue Street Address: 2906 Julia Drive
City: Valdosta City: Valdosta
Zip Code: 31601 Zip Code: 31602
Login: None Login: None
Hours Open: Daily 8:30 AM- 9:00 PM Hours Open: Daily 8:30 AM- 9:00 PM

Electives and Extracurricular Activities

23. Will virtual students be offered virtual electives?
Yes - While we will do our best to honor student course requests, there may be circumstances where
it is not possible to offer a virtual student a specific elective course based on the teacher availability
in an online or face-to-face setting and /or other schedule conflicts.

24. Will students get to play sports if participating in the virtual model?
Yes - The Virtual Learning Option is a supplemental program for students. Even though students may
be receiving 100% online instruction, they still have full access to their home schools’ activities and
extracurriculars.

Registration Procedures & Commitments

25. Will newly registering families have the option of selecting between online and face-to-face
instruction?
Yes - Families that enroll after July 30, 2020 will need to be provided with information on the two
options as part of the school registration process.

26. Can students who opt for the Traditional Learning Model switch to the Virtual Learning Model?
Students who opt to start the school year in the traditional model must remain in the traditional
model unless a documented medical condition arises warranting transfer to the virtual option. In the
event of school closures, Digital Learning Days will be implemented. (SWD, 504 students contact the
PEC Department)

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27. Can students who opt for the Virtual Learning Model switch to the Traditional Learning Model?
Elementary and middle school students are required to remain until the end of a grading period.
Withdrawal from Virtual Option Dates: November 2, January 21, and March 19, 2021 (SWD, 504
students contact the PEC Department)

28. Will there be a virtual option for our Pre-Kindergarten students?

No. Pre-Kindergarten is designed with consideration to developmentally-appropriate practice. In
order to meet the unique needs of our youngest learners, teachers must be able to provide hands-on,
interactive instruction on a daily basis. The Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL)
recommends face-to-face/traditional instruction to achieve this purpose. Therefore, Valdosta City
Schools will provide and recommend face-to-face/traditional instruction for pre-kindergarten
learners.

29. As a parent of a virtual learner, what is required of me?

 Virtual Learning Contract
 Chromebook Agreement (if you plan to checkout a school device)
 Serve as the student’s Learning Coach

30. I selected the Virtual Learning Option, but after reading the FAQs, I have changed by mind. Who
do I need to contact?
If it is before August 6, 2020, please send an email message to jdean@gocats.org. Your request must
state you wish to return to the Traditional Model and include:
 Parent Name
 Student’s Name
 Student’s Grade
 Student’s School

After August 6, 2020, please contact your child’s school counselor the week before the end of the
grading period.
Grading Period Ends Contact Counselor Student Returns
November 2, 2020 October 19 – October 23 November 3, 2020
January 21, 2021 January 7 – January 14 January 22, 2021
March 19, 2021 March 8 – March 12 March 22, 2021

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