Schools present distance learning plans

Posted on March 25, 2020

In the time of “social distancing,” “self isolation” and “flattening the curve,” Taylor County students and parents will soon be adding a new phrase to their coronavirus vocabulary – “distance learning.”

School district administrators and leaders have been working around the clock to develop lesson plans for local students since Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that he had extended school closures throughout the state to April 15.

“We are doing everything we can so that students can continue their education and keep on some kind of track,” Taylor County Middle School Principal Kiki Puhl told members of the school board during their regular meeting Monday.

“Taylor County schools will use a blended distance learning plan for students and parents to help provide learning during school closures for COVID-19. From March 30 to April 15, students with digital access will continue learning digitally with the option of paper learning. Students without digital access will be provided paper content learning. The district will continue to transition to distance digital learning for all students, beginning with Taylor County High School. We will continue to update the distance learning plan as directed by the Florida Department of Education,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Danny Glover Jr. explained, highlighting the following strategies:

• Digital Platforms and School-Home Communication: The district uses ClassLink Launchpad to provide OneClick single sign-on into web and Windows applications for students and teachers. ClassLink is accessible from any computer, tablet or smartphone. Teachers use OnCourse for student assignments, grades and parent-teacher communication. Other opportunities for teacher communication include the school’s website, teacher e-mail, Class DoJo, Remind 101, Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams.

• Taylor County Primary School (TCPS) and Taylor County Elementary School (TCES): Elementary students will have access to digital textbooks through ClassLink. These can be accessed from internet-connected devices such as tablets and laptops. K-5 students will have access to other curriculum tools used by each teacher to support distance learning (ABC Mouse and I-Ready teacher assigned ELA and Math lessons, student online learning path and learning games).

For elementary school families without access to an internet-connected device, I-Ready paper packets will be provided.

This Thursday, parents will have the option of picking their child’s packet up from the TCES pick-up loop at 2:25 p.m., or they can have their child’s packet delivered to their regular bus stop that afternoon at normal bus stop times.

Packets for primary school students can also be picked up at TCES during lunch pick up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Thursday, March 26.

Packets will also be available for pick up in the TCPS pick up/drop off line at 2:25 p.m. on Thursday. Packets will also be delivered by bus on Thursday through the bus routes.

• Steinhatchee School: The school will serve students through home instruction during the mandatory school closure time period. Packets will go home to students this Thursday, with students that do not ride the bus picking their packets up at the school bus loop from noon-1 p.m.

• Taylor County Middle School (TCMS): Middle school students will have access to digital textbooks through ClassLink. These can be accessed from internet-connected devices such as tablets and laptops. Students will have access to other curriculum tools used by each teacher to support distance learning (I-Ready teacher assigned ELA and Math lessons, student online learning path and learning games). For middle school families without access to an internet-connected device, I-Ready paper packets will be provided. TCMS will provide pencil-paper grade level reading and math packets. The pencil-paper reading and math packets will be available for every student:

• Thursday, March 26, by buses for student bus riders. Please check the district website and Facebook for an updated bus schedule.

• Monday, March 30 or Tuesday, March 31, front of TCMS for students who are walkers or pick-ups.

• A drop box for completed work will be located at the front of TCMS.

• Taylor County High School (TCHS) and Taylor County Accelerated School: Students will have access to digital textbooks and curriculum through ClassLink. These can be accessed from internet-connected devices such as tablets and laptops. Students will have access to other curriculum tools used by each teacher to support distance learning.

For school families without access to an internet-connected device, paper learning packets will be provided. (High school and accelerated school students who are currently enrolled in Apex online courses and/or at-risk of course completion will be issued a district laptop if necessary.)

Packet distribution for TCHS students will be each Monday at the school and must be returned the following Monday. If your student has internet access and a device to work on their assignments, they will not need to come pick up a packet.

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