Seattle Public School issued the following announcement.
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Dear SPS Community,
We are continuing to finalize plans for the fall in partnership with you — our educators and families. I recognize that there are still some unknowns, and that can be frustrating. We are currently bargaining with Seattle Education Association over many of the details and questions our families and staff have been asking. Please know that our staff, including me, feel the same urgency to provide consistent, predictable plans for families, students, and staff as soon as possible. Our goal is to make sure everyone has a strong start to the 2020-21 school year.
Sincerely,
Superintendent Denise Juneau
Watch this week's Virtual Town Hall meeting on the latest planning updates.
Start of school rescheduled to September 4 for 1-12 grade
To ensure a strong start, school will begin on Friday, September 4 for 1-12 grade students. Preschool and Kindergarten students will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 8. This change will provide all educators with six full days of training on common learning platforms, culturally responsive instruction in a remote setting, racial equity, and best practices in remote instruction.
We have also revised the elementary sample learning schedules in response to community feedback and school start times. Remote learning for elementary and K-8 students will begin at 8:30 a.m. and middle and high school students will begin at 9 a.m. The school board will vote on the proposed calendar and start time changes at the August 26 School Board Meeting.
Read more:
- Fall Planning Update
- Fall 2020 FAQ
Tune in for the August 25 Virtual Town Hall Meeting
A Remote Start to 2020-21
SPS launching resource centers for device distribution and family supports
All students in SPS will receive a technology device for remote learning or may choose to use their own device. Schools will be reaching out directly to families this month to make sure every student has a device and to share details about distribution at each school.
In addition, the district will launch eight temporary resource centers across the city, which will include technology device distribution and supports, translation needs, and information and referrals to basic needs. The centers will run for about eight weeks beginning in August to support a remote start to the school year.
Read more:
- Family Resource Centers
- 1:1 Laptop Program
This fall, SPS will be using three common platforms for remote learning: Schoology, Seesaw, and Teams. We are creating translated videos to support student and family use of these platforms and we will communicate when those are ready through this newsletter. All three platforms can be accessed from any computer or mobile device with internet access.
Learning Platforms
Child Care Supports for Families
The district is working with the City of Seattle and community partners to expand access to more than 55 sites in the fall. Enrollment for childcare is made through each individual provider. Families should speak with their childcare provider to plan how academic programming will work for their child. A list of fall child care providers will be posted next week.
Child Care Locations
Meal distribution for the 2020-21 school year
Meal service will expand to a total of 40 sites to make it more convenient for families and students.
Student Meals
Families should complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application to make sure students receive all the services they are eligible for.
Free and Reduced Lunch
The application deadline for the Pandemic EBT Emergency School Meals Program is August 31. P-EBT is a new and temporary food benefit to help families buy groceries because schools were closed.
Emergency Meals Program
Naviance Opt-Out Window
Parents/guardians and students who are 18 years or older may document their decision to use or not use Naviance, the district’s tool for students in grades 6-12 to explore colleges and career paths, starting on Monday, August 17 through Friday, September 25.
Naviance Opt-Out
Special Education Supports
The Special Education Department is currently planning for remote learning and special education services. We are coordinating professional learning for school teams to support robust remote learning. We are also planning for limited in-person services. IEP teams will follow guidance from OSPI, the Governor’s Office, and the department to determine if it is appropriate for students to receive services in-person, and if the necessary safety protocols can be followed. Ten school sites have been identified to serve students if or when in-person services are determined to be needed by IEP teams, and we continue to work through all logistics related to safety.
Special Education
Resources for Staff
Staff planning updates will now be shared in this weekly newsletter. Details that are specific to staff will be archived and accessed on MySPS.
Staff Planning Updates (staff login required)
Upcoming Dates
- August 21: Listening to the Experiences of our Families: BIPOC, Bilingual, and Special Education Community Forums
- August 24: Listening to the Experiences of our Families: BIPOC, Bilingual, and Special Education Community Forums
- August 25: Virtual Town Hall Meeting with Superintendent Juneau
- August 26: Regular Board Meeting
- August 26: Listening to the Experiences of our Families: BIPOC, Bilingual, and Special Education Community Forums
- August 28: Listening to the Experiences of our Families: BIPOC, Bilingual, and Special Education Community Forums
- August 28: Capacity, Enrollment, and Facilities Master Planning Advisory Committee
- Sept. 1: Board Special Meeting: Audit and Finance Committee Quarterly Meeting
- Sept. 4: First Day of School
Original source can be found here.
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