BREAKING NEWS: Omaha Public Schools just confirmed "School will begin on Aug. 18 in the 100% Remote Learning Instructional Model for the health and safety of our community."
Above is the message Omaha Public Schools teachers are receiving right now.
Here is the full e-mail that just went out:
Dear Omaha Public Schools Families:
Health and safety has been our priority as we planned for a responsible return to school. Through the spring and summer our district prepared for a range of possibilities in the school year to come. We care deeply about our students, staff and families.
We are writing you to provide an important update regarding our plans. For the health and safety of our community, we will shift the start of school for students to Aug. 18. At that time, we will begin using the 100% Remote Learning Instructional Model. We believe this decision is in the best interest of our community’s health.
Omaha Public Schools will be in the 100% Remote Learning Instructional Model through the first quarter of the 2020-21 school year. We will continue to work with the Douglas County Health Department and other state and local officials to regularly evaluate health conditions in our community. If we are able to transition back to the Family 3/2 Model or 100% in-person learning, we will communicate that to staff and families.
This decision was made after thoughtful consideration, with health and safety at the forefront. Throughout our planning process, we have also carefully considered the social and emotional well-being of our students. Our district recently hosted webinars to support families facing anxiety and to provide ideas for building an at-home learning space. Counselors, social workers, school leaders and district staff will be available for students and families throughout the time to come.
Why is OPS Making the Change Now?
Since our shift to remote learning in March, we have closely monitored the health conditions of our local and state community. We shared that our plans may have to transition quickly. We believe it is best for the health and safety of our students, staff and families to transition to the 100% Remote Learning Instructional Model at this time.
We have adjusted the start of school for students by one week. This allows additional time for staff professional development and preparations.
Remote Learning Instructional Model for Students
We have plans in place to ensure students engage and learn while we are in the 100% Remote Learning Instructional Model. In this model, both ‘live’ and ‘on-demand’ learning is supported through communication and interaction using district-provided, internet connected iPads and other technology tools.
Students in Elementary School:
- Students will participate in live and on-demand instruction.
- Classroom teachers will utilize a daily remote schedule that follows OPS remote time allotments for all core curricular areas as well as specials five days a week for all students.
- Attendance, feedback, and common grading practices will be implemented.
Students in Middle and High School:
- Students will participate in live and on-demand instruction.
- Students will likely have instruction for four courses per day. This will allow teachers to maximize instruction time. Students will be following an A/B schedule.
- A specific daily schedule for students and staff will be provided that will allow for attendance, feedback, and common grading practices to be implemented.
Special Education Services:
- Special education services will be provided virtually, based on the services in a student’s IEP.
- Students receiving special education services will receive services live and on-demand. Coaching and support to families will also be provided by the special education service providers.
- The IEP Team for each student receiving special education services will coordinate with the family to schedule virtual services.
All Students:
- Students will participate in live and on-demand learning throughout the day.
- Our district has created overlapping lunch periods with elementary, middle and high school for home environments with students at multiple grade levels.
- Remote plans are suggested to have students engaged online no more than 4-5 hours per day.
- Student attendance is expected and will be taken by teachers.
Will there still be a separate Remote Learning Program?
No, all students who enrolled in the Remote Learning Program will move back into their regular classes. This will be done so that all students and staff are on a consistent schedule and paired with their peers.
Questions for Staff
Our staff will be available to answers questions via email and make phone calls as needed.We recommend contacting staff via email first if you need to reach them.
Meals2Go Program and The Food Bank of the Heartland
The OPS Nutrition Services team has worked with the USDA to provide balanced, nutritious breakfast and lunch meals to students learning from home. Take-home meals will be available on weekdays. To be sure staff prepare an accurate number of meals, they must be ordered in advance by a parent or guardian. Following school meal guidelines and for food safety, meals must then be picked up on a day-to-day basis from your student’s school(s). For more information on the Meals2Go program, click here. Meals2Go will still begin on August 11.
In addition, we are grateful for our partners at the Food Bank of the Heartland who have multiple pantry partners and distributions scheduled to assist families who need it. For more information, please visit foodbankhearland.org/Covid-19.
Athletics and Activities Suspended
During our time in the 100% Remote Learning Instructional Model, all activities and athletics will be suspended. We understand the important role extra-curricular activities play in a student’s school experience. This suspension is for the health and safety of everyone.
Following CDC Guidance During 100% Remote Learning
The purpose of our 100% Remote Learning Model is to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. We ask that families, staff and community members follow the CDC and Douglas County Health Department guidance. The CDC recommends the best way to stop the spread in a community is to limit exposure to others.
Next Steps
Omaha Public Schools will be in the 100% Remote Learning Instructional Model through the first quarter of the 2020-21 school year. We will continue to work with the Douglas County Health Department and other state and local officials to regularly evaluate the health conditions in our community. If we are able to transition back to the Family 3/2 Model or 100% in-person learning, we will communicate that to staff and families.
More information can also be found at ops.org. If you have school or classroom-specific questions, please contact your teacher or principal by email. If you have general questions for the district, please email info@ops.org. Because of the volume of questions we may receive, we will strive to respond within three business days.
We miss our students terribly. They are at the forefront of every decision we make. Please take care of each other and lend a hand to those who may need it. We are one Omaha Public Schools Community.
Sincerely,
Cheryl J. Logan, Ed.D.
Superintendent