UPDATED 7-31-20

Why did the district choose to use a hybrid schedule the first two-and-a-half weeks?

The short-term hybrid model:

• Allows us to provide social distancing on our campuses; we know that when we move to a five-days-a-week in-person schedule that social distancing will be very difficult in most classrooms and campus spaces; 
• Allows staff, students and parents to be trained on, practice and implement well the health/safety protocols that will be required this school year; these operational changes will be a significant adjustment for all in a campus community;
• Allows students an opportunity to transition back to campus and become familiar and comfortable with the new health and safety procedures throughout their campus, new instructional technology, the new learning management system (LMS), classroom procedures, and learning expectations for the year; 
• Allows students and teachers to begin to build relationships in person as a foundation for the remainder of the school year; and 
• Provides time for the district to determine the efficacy of the protocols, make adjustments and gather actual data about the impact of COVID-19 in the school environment prior to bringing all students who choose in-person instruction onto campus at the same time.

Will the hybrid schedule continue beyond the two-and-a-half weeks?

The remote learning at home option will be available all school year, starting on the first day of school, August 19. After the first two-and-a-half weeks of the Bearcats Best Start hybrid schedule for in-person students, the district will run two models: remote learning at home; and in-person (5 days a week). During the entire school year, the district will be prepared to adjust instructional delivery as required. See the COVID-19 School Operations Phased Protocol chart for guidance.

Are all campuses on the same hybrid schedule and split alphabetically?

Yes, all campuses will run the same hybrid schedule with the Orange group (last names A-K) going on Monday/Wednesday and the Black group (last names L-Z) going Tuesday and Thursday with all students doing remote learning from home on Fridays.

Within my household, I have children with different last names; will they be able to attend school on the same days during the two-and-a-half weeks of hybrid instruction?

If you have children who live in your household who have two different last names, and you wish for them to attend school in-person on the same days during the Bearcats Best Start hybrid transition period at the beginning of the year, please notify your child’s principal. We will have to determine this on a case-by-case basis, based on the number of students enrolled in each class. You will be notified if the district will be able to accommodate your request.

As far as schedule, the school day will look largely the same as it has in the past for students learning in-person, but will involve new health safety procedures.

At the elementary level, we expect that a student will move around the building as usual (unless there is a special arrangement due to a student’s particular health condition or special needs). In the classroom, teachers will arrange desks and other furniture in an effort to create more space between students than usual. Students will go to the cafeteria, library, recess, and specials as they usually do, except that we will be working to avoid large groups of students together in hallways and the very large groups of students that we typically have in specials. So, there will be adjustments made to schedules on each campus in an effort to implement the health safety precautions, and this might require students to be in different spaces than typical to do various activities. Each campus leadership team will work to create schedules for lunch, specials, recess, etc. based on their student enrollment, campus layout, available space, staffing, and a number of other considerations.

At the secondary level, we expect that a student will move around the building as usual (unless there is a special arrangement due to a student’s particular health condition or special needs). In the classroom, teachers will arrange desks and other furniture in an effort to create more space between students than usual. Given the incredibly varied schedules of students in grades 6-12, we are not able to put students in cohorts that would permit them to stay in one space most of the day. Students will move around the building as usual between their classes and lunch as usual, except that we will be working to avoid large groups of students together in hallways and the very large groups of students that we typically have in certain spaces during the day. So, there will be adjustments made to schedules on each campus in an effort to implement the health safety precautions, and this might require students to be in different spaces than typical to do various activities. Each campus leadership team will work to create schedules for class, passing periods, lunch, extracurricular activities, etc. based on their student enrollment, campus layout, available space, staffing, and a number of other considerations.

If conditions related to the caseload or spread of COVID-19 change in the district or our local community, changes may be made to school operations and schedules in an effort to promote health and safety so that we can either keep schools open or reopen schools after a required closure.

Both face-to-face and remote students will be learning the same content and skills outlined in the district curriculum (which has not changed due to COVID-19); however, the instructional delivery methods will vary. In the face-to-face environment, the teacher will be the facilitator of learning in the classroom. Students will engage in in-person collaboration and hands-on experiences and will be interacting with the teacher and other students as usual (with health safety procedures implemented). Students may use their technology as a tool intermittently throughout the day to support their learning.

Both face-to-face and remote students will be learning the same content and skills outlined in the district curriculum (which has not changed due to COVID-19); however, the instructional delivery methods will vary. Remote learning will closely mirror the instructional schedule of the face-to-face environment. Some assignments may not be computer-based; however, direct instruction, pre-recorded lessons, small group teaching and assignment submission will occur online. Students engaging in remote learning will experience a blend of structured meeting times with their teacher and self-paced learning times. Expect for students to be engaged in learning for approximately 3-6 hours per day, depending on the age of the student, course content, the assignments and the pace at which each student works. The district will provide a recommended, sample instructional schedule to help students and/or families structure their learning times; however, remote learning provides flexibility for students to complete the daily work as their schedule permits. 

In the face-to-face environment, the teacher will be the facilitator of learning in the classroom. Students will engage in in-person collaboration and hands-on experiences and will be interacting with the teacher and other students as usual (with health safety procedures implemented). Students may use their technology as a tool intermittently throughout the day to support their learning.

In addition, this school year, in an effort to prepare students for the possibility of a required school closure due to COVID-19, teachers will be using a learning management system (LMS) with in-person (as well as remote) learners. During the Bearcats Best Start period at the beginning of the school year, along with working with student on all of the other school and classroom procedures and routines for learning that don’t involve technology (including health safety precautions), teachers will work with students in an effort to support them in feeling comfortable on their devices and in the LMS. Depending on the grade level of the student, their individual needs and their coursework, they will spend more or less time using technology in the classroom and in the LMS. For instance, younger students will be learning using technology much less than a secondary student who is in a technology applications, engineering or college-level course (i.e., OnRamps or dual enrollment) which use the LMS in a college model.

Attendance and academic progress will be measured by daily interaction in each course within the LMS prior to midnight. The district will provide a recommended, sample instructional schedule to help students and/or families structure their learning times; however, remote learning provides flexibility for students to complete the daily assignments as their schedule permits. If your child is not able to participate during scheduled meeting times, sessions will be recorded and available for viewing at a later time. Remote teachers will offer flexible times to provide direct student support as families’ schedules permit. 

No. Because the district has traditionally not provided a technology device to every student, the district does not own enough devices to let every student in the district borrow a device for this school year. Our inventory is limited. In addition, supply of devices is limited (you may be running into this issue, too). However, the district is going to work to do our best to provide a device to students who do not have their own devices. If your child has a device, the district would greatly appreciate your help in this effort.

We recognize that each family has a unique situation involving the availability of technology for their children to use, which includes considerations like the number of children they have, the portability of the devices they own, and the number of users of devices (including parents) in their home.

Here are the options:

• We are encouraging parents who feel comfortable doing so, and who own a dedicated device that their child can use at school and at home, to consider allowing their child to use that device at school (and at home if necessary). Also, if you would like your child’s device to remain in your child’s classroom, arrangements can be made with your child’s homeroom teacher to secure the device in the classroom. We understand that you may be very concerned about sending a device that you own to school, especially for younger children. If your child brings a device that you own to school, only your child will be permitted to use the device.
• If your child has a device that they can use at home, but you do not feel comfortable sending a device to school with your child, your child will have access to a district device at school.
• If your child does not have a device that they can use at home for remote learning at home long-term (if you choose that instructional option) or short-term during the Bearcats Best Start hybrid transition period at the beginning of the school year, please indicate on your commitment form that you need to borrow a device for your child.

PLEASE NOTE: We are providing you new detail on devices in response to some of the questions that we are receiving from parents. If you have already completed your commitment form and believe that you would have answered differently given this new information, please do not be worried. You may either do nothing, or you may email healthservices@aledoisd.org with your name, your child’s name, and how you would like to change your choice on the commitment form.

As a part of the student registration process, login to our InTouch system to make your commitment to the mode of instruction that your child will use for the first 9 weeks (the first grading period). There is a request for a technology device on this commitment form. Click here for details and instructions.

Please drop the device by the district's Technology Department at 117 Vernon Road (across from Coder Elementary) Monday through Friday between August 3 and August 14. 

The two models of Chromebooks the district uses are:

• Dell 3100 2-in-1
• HP Chromebook x360 11 G3

Devices similar to this and/or with the following specifications would be sufficient:

• At least 4GB RAM
• At least 32 GB storage
• Touchscreen is preferred
• Screen sizes range from 11-14 inch, any size is fine, but the district only buys the 11 inch.

There are more detailed technology requirements in the Return To Learn handbook.

UPDATED 8-3-20

For grades 9-12, most courses can be offered for remote students. However, in order to participate in fine arts, athletics and other extracurricular activities, some remote learners must come to campus. Click here to see the list of courses. Remote learners are not permitted to be on campus except for the time of their required in-person class or practice for their activity (i.e. performing arts, robotics, FFA, athletics, etc.) Remote learners must attend at the time scheduled for the course, and transportation will not be provided. If a student is unable to attend the course in person, the campus will assist the student in making a course schedule change. 

Students in athletics and fine arts must follow the guidelines set forth by the UIL and TEA. Click here for the most recent guidance from the UIL regarding fall sports and performing arts.

Please see below for specific course information for 6th- through 8th-grade students who choose remote learning in their commitment form. Please note that remote learners must attend at the time scheduled for the course, and transportation will not be provided. Remote learners who choose to attend courses discussed below on campus must attend every day that the course is offered.

7th-8th-grade athletics: Remote-learning students in athletics will be required to come to campus for their athletic period, even during their sport’s offseason. If they do not wish to come to campus for athletics, they will be switched to P.E., which will be offered remotely. Athletic coaches will reach out with more specific information about scheduling. 

7th- and 8th-grade band, choir and theater: Remote-learning students may choose whether to come in person or take these courses remotely. If a student chooses to take band, choir and theater remotely, they are opting out of all team or group performances this school year. Directors and sponsors will reach out with more specific information about scheduling. 

Outdoor/Adventure Education: Remote-learning students who choose outdoor education must attend that class in person. 

Foundations of Personal Fitness: Remote-learning students who choose principles of fitness will not attend that class in person; it will be offered remotely. 

6th-grade band: Remote-learning students may choose whether to come in person or take band courses remotely in sixth grade. Band is the only course in sixth grade that remote-learning students can come in person for.

Yes, all AP and Pre-AP courses are offered remotely. 

Given the large percentage of parents who are committing their children to attend school in-person, after the two-and-a-half week Bearcats Best Start hybrid schedule period, there will not be space on campuses to allow for social distancing most of the day. We will work to space out student work spaces as much as possible, and to engage in social distancing in large spaces and while outside. 

The large gatherings that the district has typically hosted on its campuses at the beginning of the school year will not be possible this year. Each campus is currently working on orientation materials and opportunities for parents to learn from their children’s teachers what to expect for the school year. All materials and information will be posted to each campus website, and the district will notify parents when the information is available. These virtual experiences will include videos and information to help students navigate their campus and be prepared for their first day of school.

In a typical year, parents are permitted to walk their children to their classrooms at our elementary schools. This school year, we won’t be able to permit this. Campuses are currently working on their plans for the first days of school and will be sharing details with parents on their campus. See the separate FAQ for a special opportunity for kindergarten students and their parents.

Principals will also include information for parents and students in weekly parent emails, the district or campus website, and through social media. 

Each ECSE/Pre-K/kindergarten parent (either in-person or remote) who has completed registration and the commitment form will receive an email from their child’s kindergarten teacher on August 10. This email will include an introduction of the teacher and will have a sign up sheet for a small group ECSE/Pre-K/Kindergarten Meet the Teacher event. The ECSE/Pre-K/kindergarten student and one adult will sign up for a specific time to come to the school to meet the teacher and visit the classroom (if signed up for in-person) in a small group setting. All attendees will complete a health screening and temperature check and will be required to wear a face covering.