PCSD online learning window extended to Aug. 7

PCSD online learning window extended to Aug. 7

Due to Governor Tony Ever’s state-wide mandate for face coverings and additional requests for online learning, the Pulaski Community School District has extended the window to opt in for online learning to 5 p.m. Aug. 7.  In order to opt-in, you must complete the form in Skyward for each child you intend to opt-in for our full online learning.  There are no exceptions to missing the deadline or not completing the Skyward form for each child.  PCSD will be on a tight timeline to adjust district staffing, hire online teachers, change class lists, rebuild master schedules, obtain licenses for the online learning program, roster students in the program, course selection for students and provide quality training for staff for the online learning program. 

As a reminder the current plan for our return to school is as follows but will need to be flexible and fluid with guidance from the Department of Health Services and Department of Public Instruction:

  •  4K-Grade 5 (Elementary): Face to Face with five days in person and early dismissal on Wednesday.  4K will not have an option to opt in
  • Grades 6-8 (Middle School): Hybrid/Blended model with students attending 2 days in person in A or B cohort (Monday/Tuesday or Thursday/Friday)  and three days in virtual learning
  • Grades 9-12 (High School): Hybrid/Blended model via flex mod schedule and students attending 2 days in person in A or B cohort (Monday/Tuesday or Thursday/Friday)  and three days in virtual learning

In terms of the Full Online Learning Option, we are able to provide specific information on what the program will look like for your child’s grade level.

Grades K-2: 

Students will engage with the PCSD curriculum created and facilitated by PCSD teachers.  The PCSD teacher will facilitate and work with students from across our district in English Language Arts,  Math, Science and Social Studies using our district-adopted resources.  PCSD teachers will create and post course content both synchronous (online at same time) and asynchronous (at own pace), grade student work, communicate with students and provide assistance as needed. Currently, there will be a section of Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade, each with their own PCSD teacher.  The teacher will be from our current staffing and will cover all students who have signed up for online learning from across all five elementary schools. This will look similar to Spring virtual learning with changes based on feedback from Spring.

Grades 3-5:

Students will engage in Acellus curriculum facilitated by one of our PCSD teachers.  The PCSD teacher will facilitate and work with students from across our district in English Language Arts,  Math, Science and Social Studies and two specials of your choice (Foundations of Music, Discover Spanish and/or Introduction to Coding).  Our teacher will facilitate the learning through the Acellus curriculum and platform by grading, assisting students with questions and doing student progress checks and connections.  PCSD teachers will not be creating course content, but will be using that of Acellus which is Common Core Standards aligned.  The learning of students in grades 3-5 will be facilitated by one PCSD teacher.  This will look different from Spring virtual learning as it will be more self-directed and self-paced.

Grade 6-12:

Students will engage in Acellus curriculum facilitated by two of our PCSD teachers.  The PCSD teacher will facilitate and work with students from the middle and high school in English Language Arts,  Math, Science and Social studies and two electives of the student’s choice.  Our teacher will facilitate the learning through the Acellus curriculum and platform by grading, assisting students with questions and doing student progress checks and connections.  PCSD teachers will not be creating course content, but will be using that of Acellus which is Common Core Standards aligned.  Each teacher will facilitate Acellus for about 50 students each.

General reminders for the PCSD K-12 full online learning programs:

  • Students are committed to full online learning for the entire semester and are not able to attend school face to face (K-5) or hybrid/blended model (6-12) or move between learning models until the start of the semester 2.
  •  If outbreaks require students in the face to face or hybrid model to move into virtual learning, online learning students will not be able to transition to the districts’ virtual learning. They will continue to learn in their online environment.
  • Students will make a decision for Semester 2 of the 2020-21 school year at a later date.
  • Students will be able to use their district issued iPad for online learning.  Insurance for the iPad device for full online learning will be $25 per device or may be declined with the family assuming 100 percent of the repair cost if the device is damaged or broken.  This can be paid as part of the online registration process.
  • Attendance, participation and accountability checks will be enforced.  If checks are not favorable, this could result in failure of the course, partial repayment of the Acellus program or ineligibility for further online options.
  • Here are options for PCSD families which must be completed by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7:

1.     If your plans are for your child(ren) to return to school in the fall in either the face to face model (4K-5) or hybrid/blended model (6-12), then you need not do anything. Your child will be returning to school in the model that is suitable for attendance on September 1, 2020

2.     If during the last opt in window you completed the Skyward form and you want to continue with the full online learning you also don’t need to do anything.  You can check in Skyward to be sure that you completed the form during the last window.

3.     If you opted in for online learning during the last window and you no longer wish for your child to do the full online learning and plan to do the face to face option (4K-5) or hybrid/blended learning you need to notify Sandy Boring, Technology Administrative Assistant  at sjboring@pulaskischools.org.

4.     If you are opting in for full online learning during this extended window, you must complete the  Skyward form (no exceptions will be allowed) for each child(ren) you are agreeing that will be attending the Pulaski Community School District through the full online learning program.

If you have any questions or concerns on the plans not answered in our Reopening Schools FAQ, please email to contactpcsd@pulaskischools.org.