• Why would a student choose the Dragon Virtual program?
  • Families have may personal reasons for having their students learn from home during this time and LOCS wanted to make that option available for those who would prefer not to be in the physical school building. In the Dragon Virtual program, students will still be able to receive the LOCS curriculum, just delivered in a different manner.

• How do we enroll?
  • Enrollment in the Dragon Virtual program closed on August 7 at 4 p.m.
• What is the duration of the commitment?
  • Students who enroll in Dragon Virtual will commit for the first semester (September-January) and remain in the virtual program for the entire period. Registration for the second semester will be available in December.
• Can my student choose Dragon Virtual and then switch to in-person during the school year?
  • Only at the semester break in January. LOCS is asking families to make their decision on in-person learning or Dragon Virtual during the Dragon Virtual registration period from July 30-August 7. The number of students enrolled in the Dragon Virtual program will impact many LOCS decisions, both in the virtual program and regarding the in-person instruction. Staffing, course programming and transportation all will need the period from August 7 through the beginning of school (September 8) to prepare for the 2020-21 school year. Students will have the opportunity to re-evaluate their decision in December, when the second semester Dragon Virtual registration will commence.
• Why are families being asked to register by August 7?
  • The number of students enrolled in the Dragon Virtual program will impact many LOCS decisions, both in the virtual program and regarding the in-person instruction. Staffing, course programming and transportation all will need the period from August 7 through the beginning of school to prepare for the 2020-21 school year.
• Our 2 children are currently enrolled in SACC. If we choose the virtual learning program for the first semester, but decide to switch to in-person learning for the 2^nd semester, will we be guaranteed our spot in SACC for the second semester? 
  • No we cannot guarantee that there will be a spot available.

• I assume our credit card will not automatically be charged for SACC during that first semester.

  • If your student is in Dragon Virtual it will be the parent’s responsibility to follow up with the Early Childhood office to let them know you no longer need SACC so that your credit card will not be automatically charged.

• Is Dragon Virtual available for Developmental Kindergarten students?

  • Yes. After evaluating the circumstances, the LOCS Developmental Kindergarten program will be included in Dragon Virtual program.

• Is the expectation that kids are in and active in the online system from 8am to 3pm each day? Do they have the ability to get their work done sooner? 
  • No, see the sample schedule in the Dragon Virtual PowerPoint. Yes, students can complete their work ahead of time by setting their own schedule again weekly lessons will be distributed.
• Will we get a schedule of the dragon virtual program (our daughter is going into kindergarten) prior to being able to register for that? 
  • You will not receive the exact schedule until your daughter is assigned a teacher prior to the start of school; however, there is a sample schedule in the Dragon Virtual PowerPoint.
• Is the Dragon Virtual program going to be available the entire school year? 
  • Yes. Parents must enroll by August 7^th for the fall semester and in December for second semester.
• I would like to have my 2nd grader attend the Virtual school but I work and his grandparents will not be able to help him. Are the zoom hours flexible? Can I login him in around 1pm?  
  • Most live Zoom lessons will be recorded so that students can view them when it best fits their schedule.  

• Are there dedicated teachers for the virtual learning, or is it the in-person classroom teachers doing it? 
  • For elementary the Dragon Virtual teachers are dedicated DV teachers for middle school and high school-the teachers are both in person and Dragon Virtual teachers.
• For instance, is my son's 1st grade teacher in the virtual option the same as if he were in class? 
  • No, for elementary, Dragon Virtual teachers will be different than in person.
• Why is there no teacher available during independent work in the virtual option? 
  • That is not how virtual school is administered.  Students can contact teachers during office hours.  For secondary students, their teachers are teaching in person classes and are therefore not able to talk or answer Dragon Virtual questions until established office hours.
• Why is middle school self-directed and not scheduled the same way that elementary is? 
  • Elementary teachers teach all content areas and students do not switch classes for instruction whereas middle school students do so this becomes a staffing issue. Also, true virtual instruction is not the way LOCS is planning to do elementary.
• If they watch a video and don't understand, are they supposed to email the teacher and wait hours for a response to be able to go back and complete the assignment? 
  • Yes, students should email the teacher, set up an appointment with teacher during their dedicated offices hours and/or attend the weekly check-in live meetings.
• Will virtual students have a platform for submitting their assignments (not me taking pictures of their work to email to their teachers?) 
  • Yes. Elementary is Seesaw and Zoom, Secondary is Microsoft Teams
• Will their teachers be checking & making suggestions/corrections on their work?
  • Yes. The feedback and evaluation is part off the Dragon Virtual process.
• Will the classes be taught by LOCS staff members? How can I learn more information?
  • In elementary, Lake Orion Community Schools teachers will facilitate all content, including specials, which are aligned with current LOCS district standards and curriculum maps.
  • At the secondary level, Lake Orion Community Schools teachers will instruct core courses.​ Depending upon enrollment, some electives will be taught by LOCS teachers, while others may be taught by an out-of-district Michigan certified teacher.​
  • The staffing plans and class assignments for staff members will be determined once the Dragon Virtual registration has closed, giving the administration a better idea of how many students will participate.
  • LOCS hosted a virtual family information night on July 27. The video presentation is available on the LOCS YouTube channel.
• If teachers are possibly teaching both in-person and virtual…. Does teacher record a separate lesson for virtual students?  Or record their classroom lesson?
  • Teachers will prepare a separate lesson for Dragon Virtual.

• As a parent/guardian, how can I support my student? 
  • Parents can support elementary students as an instructional coach with technology assistance (computer login, moving within the online program, or completing an assignment. It would help students if the virtual learning environment becomes a partnership between parent/guardian and the teacher. As questions arise for students, parents may be able to help when the teacher is not available. The virtual teachers will have email and virtual meetings, but the parent/guardian may be able to answer some of the questions. Some lessons and work offline may be assisted and supported by the parent/guardian, in a similar manner as the student received in previous years during the off-school/homework hours.
  • Secondary students are expected to be self-directed but parents can make sure their student is meeting the class goals and assignments set forth by the teachers. 
• What amount of parent involvement should we expect if we select virtual?
  • I have a 2^nd and 3^rd grader but also work from home. I’m trying to determine if the Seesaw platform will require my engagement one hour per day or more to support my kids in their learning. This is difficult to quantify as each student is different. Students may need help logging on at first and then may eventually be able to log in on their own. Elementary students may need help completing independent work. Parents should plan to follow up with their student to monitor work completion and pacing for the week.
• How much involvement will parents need to have during dragon virtual instruction, specifically for kindergarten? 
  • The younger the student, the more parent involvement regarding logging in and helping the student complete independent work. 
• How will I be able to monitor my child’s success in the Seesaw platform? 
  • Teacher feedback will be given.  Also depending upon your student’s grade level, PowerSchool will also be updated with grades.
• What sort of parent and teacher interaction should I expect? 
  • Teachers will be expected to send updates , hold virtual curriculum night, virtual parent teacher conferences and complete report cards just like in person.  

• Will there only be live instruction if the teacher chooses to do so? 
  • Live instruction for Dragon Virtual secondary students will be minimal.  This is the way a true virtual program operates.  The teacher checks in with students weekly to monitor to support and monitor progress. For elementary students there will be optional live Zoom sessions throughout the school day.
• If a student is in the brick-n-mortar school option, and the class/school goes into remote, will those students then start the same lessons as the Virtual Dragons?  Or will they do something completely different?
  • In-person students will not go into Dragon Virtual, they will go into remote learning which is a set schedule where the teachers will meet online with students at specific times during the day. However, Dragon Virtual students will have the option if they want more direct instruction to join the remote schedule should LOCS be in remote learning.
• Will the in-person and Virtual Dragon lessons/assignments will be different? 
  • They will not be totally different as we are using the flipped model of instruction.  Also Dragon Virtual and in person will be following the same curriculum map and curriculum pacing so that if a Dragon Virtual student wanted to return to in person at the end of a semester they would be in a very similar spot to the students that are in person making the transition as seamless as possible.
• How are the virtual recordings being created? Is it a teacher recording instruction, or is it a recording of the previous day’s in-person class? 
  • Using the flipped model of instruction for recorded lessons. Some recorded lessons will be LOCS teachers, which may include the teacher of record or another teacher from that grade level/content area or some other source i.e. Kahn Academy. Virtual students will receive one week’s worth of lessons at time. 
• When will the course selections for Dragon Virtual be available? 
  • The course selections are the same as in person.  Students already completed their course selections for middle school and high school last winter.
• Will the choices for electives be different with Dragon Virtual? What if a student does not have access to certain computer programs or art supplies? 
  • At this time, we are planning for them to be the same.  The district will provide as much as possible for academic supplies.  
• How would Dragon Virtual handle classes that are largely hands-on (like engineering)? 
  • Teachers will do the best they can to create a similar experience for those that are online.  However, there will be some differences.
• Will kids receive textbooks, math workbooks and paperwork for home learning as they would if they were in person in the classroom?
  • Yes, the goal is to replicate the in-person learning, so any materials that can be made available to complete the lessons will be.
• Are there and what are the tests (for each grade) that will need to be given in the Fall semester (MSTEP, PSAT, etc)?
  • These assessments are generated and driven by the state and LOCS will follow the state directives.
• I have already paid for school supplies to be sent to the school, will those school supplies be available to pick up for home use?
  • Yes the neighborhood school will coordinate a pick-up time.
• Will some of the program involve print-outs and, if so, will that be available from our local school?
  • Some will, but not all. It depends on the class and teacher.
• Will reading support classes be offered for elementary kids who are enrolled virtually?
  • Yes, if the student qualifies.
• Will there be a way for students to attend Oakland Technical school for the regular half day then take their other classes online?
  • Yes, there will be an accommodation made for the Oakland Technical school students to participate in those classes and the Dragon Virtual program.
• For in-person and for Dragon Virtual will band and choir be an option? 
  • LOCS will offer band and choir virtually as it is possible.
• If you have a student in marching band and want to do virtual learning how will that work? Is it even possible to do both since Marching Band is an in-person class?
  • LOHS Dragon Virtual students who want to participate in marching band will be able to attend the after-school rehearsals and practices, but not the in-person class. Mr. Steele will be aware of those students and work with them in a suitable manner.
• When will the course selections for Dragon Virtual be available?
  • The student's fall schedule sent out in August will be followed, even in the virtual setting.
• What is the name of the platform that Lake Orion is using for Dragon Virtual? 
  • LOCS will be using Seesaw for the elementary students (Grades K-5) and Microsoft Teams at the secondary level (Grades 6-12, Post-Secondary).
• I would like to know how platform for Dragon Virtual is set up.  For instance, is it like Edgenuity.  Will students have assignments that will be laid out day by day that they have to do with a tracker for both parents and student to know that they have done what the need to completed.
  • There will be no tracker. The assignments will be pushed to students on a weekly basis.

• Will virtual students use breakout rooms and smaller online groups in certain situations?

  • Our Dragon Virtual staff is planning to implement and use online breakout rooms when available and appropriate within the class setting.

• Will devices/laptops be available for students of families who choose virtual learning?
  • Any student who needs a device for Dragon Virtual learning will be able to borrow one from LOCS for the duration for the virtual period.
• What type of device will be given out to students?  Is it on a “need” basis or does every student get one?  Is it set up with whatever they will need for Dragon Virtual?
  • Devices will be available for Dragon Virtual students who request them and each will be loaded with the necessary tools and programs.

• What is flipped instruction?
  • Flipped instruction is actually a student-centered shift in instruction. In a traditional classroom setting, teachers deliver content on a daily basis and students take that learning home in the form of homework, projects, etc. In a flipped setting, the teacher actually makes short videos that students can watch at home so that the in class portion of the learning becomes more learning-centered, rather than instruction centered. The goal is that the time in class can then be used for more enriched activities, discussions that go further in depth, and provide more opportunities for teachers to interact with their students.
• What is the benefit of flipped instruction?
  • The underlying benefit in the middle of this pandemic is that this is also a way to help our students grow as online learners. We may run in to a situation where individuals, entire schools, our even our district is forced to go to remote learning. We believe that the flipped model of instruction will best prepare our students for learning in a remote setting should those issues arise.
• Which online group (remote or Dragon Virtual) will use the flipped instruction?
  • The flipped videos will be used by both in-person and Dragon Virtual students. The obvious difference being that when an in-person student views the video they will bring that knowledge back with them to the classroom, while a Dragon Virtual student will continue on to completing the required tasks online. The key is that both groups of learners will be working at approximately the same pacing and following the same content maps. 
• What is an example of flipped instruction? 
  • If I am a math teacher in a high school classroom, I may assign a brief video for the students to watch at home tonight. This video will introduce a couple of exponent rules, ask students to look for patterns, jot some notes, and bring their findings back to class the next day. In total, as the teacher, I would estimate the time needed for my students to be 10 minutes. The next day, I will engage the students in a discussion centered around their findings, fleshing out the patterns, highlighting commonalities, and eventually arriving at the rules. We would then shift to an activity in which the students have the opportunity to develop their understanding under my guidance.
  • Continuing this example, for my Dragon Virtual students the video would serve the same purpose. It would have them look for patterns and prime them for the tasks that they will be asked to complete for that day of learning. Then, the virtual student would work through a similar group of tasks asked of my in person students. This will look different, as their findings may not be conferred with other students (like in person), but the tasks that I have assigned will help guide the student in finding the same outcomes as the in person learners. I will then check for understanding using any number of informal or formal assessments pieces, then provide feedback to the students.
• What about technology with the flipped model?
  • When it comes to technology, we are anticipating a learning curve out of some (if not many) of our students. This is also part of the reason why we elected to go with the flipped model as it prepares us for the event of being forced to go remote. Specifically as it pertains to Dragon Virtual, though, we are making sure that, just like an in person teacher would ease in to their instruction and get to know their students first, so to will Dragon Virtual teachers. When we say we will hit the ground running, we truly mean that we will be working hard to make sure that Dragon Virtual students will have a worthwhile experience but will also consider their needs throughout.
• Is there more information to learn about flipped instruction?
  • There is a video available that could shed more light on the topic.

• Can my student choose in-person learning then switch to Dragon Virtual during the school year?
  • Only at the semester break. LOCS is asking families to make their decision on in-person learning or Dragon Virtual during the Dragon Virtual registration period from July 30-August 7. The number of students enrolled in the Dragon Virtual program will impact many LOCS decisions, both in the virtual program and regarding the in-person instruction. Staffing, course programming and transportation all will need the period from August 7 through the beginning of school (September 8) to prepare for the 2020-21 school year. Students will have the opportunity to re-evaluate their decision in December, when the second semester Dragon Virtual registration will commence.
• Will there be any sort of orientation for them to get to see the building and meet their teacher before the first day of school? 
  • Secondary students will be able to come in and pick up their schedules but not likely meet their teacher. The elementary school is undetermined.

• Will secondary level students change classrooms during the day?

• • Middle school students will switch classrooms, because it is not like elementary where all kids have the same schedule. However, transitions will be staggered and passing time reduced to keep the number of students lower in the hallway at one time. The same effort will be made with high school students, to reduce numbers in one area of the building at one time.

• How will the classroom setup change from previous years?
  • Classrooms will be set up to accommodate the most desks (and tables) in traditional rows facing one direction, while maintaining distancing guidelines. A six-foot distance is not feasible in all areas, but LOCS will make every effort to create as much distance between desks as possible.
• For middle school, will the kids remain with the same group, at least to attend their four core classes?
  • Middle School students will still be assigned to a team, with the group of subject teachers as in previous years.
• What will class sizes look like?
  • Class sizes will be determined based on the level of in-person attendance vs. the number of students who enroll in the Dragon Virtual program.
• How many 1st graders max could I expect in a Virtual Classroom? How many in an in person class? 
  • Class sizes and assignments in both options will be determined once the district is aware of the students choosing the Dragon Virtual option.
• Will elementary students be expected to remain in/around their desk the majority of the day? 
  • Teachers will have the option of taking students outside as well.
• Stadium Drive doesn't have lockers and the children's belongings are placed in extremely close quarters.  Will there be additional designated spaces for backpacks and coats?
  • Yes, efforts will be made to accommodate the changing dynamics.
• For those classes that use tables instead of desks for students, will desks be purchased to better social distance in class?
  • Not every classroom will have desks.
• Since kindergarten is very play-based and a lot is done together, what will that look like for them?
  • We will do our best to keep the learning play-based; however it will look different due to social distancing.  Interaction will be distanced as much as we can keep little people distanced.

• What should I do if my students has symptoms of COVID-19?
  • If your student has symptoms of COVID-19, please keep him/her home from school until symptom-free for at least 24 hours (72 hours fever-free without fever-reducing medicine) and consult your personal physician.
• What should I do if my student tests positive for COIVD-19?
  • Students with a positive test should inform the LOCS Administration at the student's specific building so the other students in the class(es) can be notified and the district can take cleaning precautions. The student should isolate for 10 days and cannot return to school until after the 14-day quarantine period. Remote learning will be provided during this time.
• When can a student return to school following a positive COVID-19 test?
  • The CDC's criteria to discontinue home isolation following a COVID-19 test is at least 72 hours without a high fever and the 14-day quarantine period from the period of the first symptoms.
• What does my student do if another household member tests positive for COVID-19?
  • If another household member tests positive, the exposed student will enter a 14-day quarantine period away from school, even if the student shows no symptoms.
• What if a staff member tests positive for COVID-19?
  • A COVID-19 positive LOCS staff member will follow the same protocols as a student.
• What happens if another student or staff member in my student's class tests positive for COVID-19?
  • In all COVID-19 positive cases, LOCS will consult with the Oakland County Health Division for the next steps. A class, activity, bus route or school could be shut down due to positive tests.
• How will notification of covid in the school be handled? If a student gets the virus will just that class be notified or the whole school?
  • Only the students that were exposed will get notification
• How will contact tracings and notifications of exposures be handled?
  • LOCS will work with OCHD. Students that are exposed will be notified. We know what classes each student has and what days they were in that class along with assigned seating on the bus.
• If a student or adult test positive, but everyone was wearing a mask and were more than 6 feet apart is that an exposure and will you be shutting that entire classroom down per your discussion at the board meeting?
  • We will work with Oakland County Health Department to determine when and if it is necessary to shut down a class or school.
• If one of my children was in "close contact" will a positive individual, will my other child have to quarantine for 14 days as well?
  • Depending upon the circumstances, your family may need to quarantine. LOCS will consult with the Oakland County Health Division.

• Will there be electives such as art, PE and music? 
  • At the elementary level, the "specials" teachers will enter the classroom. At the upper levels, appropriate precautions will be taken (no sharing of materials, outdoor PE when possible, etc.)
• Will elementary students be allowed to participate in recess?
  • Elementary students will have outdoor recess, though will be asked to remain with their own class in a certain area of the playground. Those areas of the playground will be rotated throughout the week, allowing different classes to experience different areas of the playground over the course of a few days.
• Will PE happen in each elementary classroom?  If so, how would that work and as much social distancing remain as possible? 
  • Depending upon the activity, PE will happen in the classroom, gym or outside.
• At the high school will jewelry, art and theater as part of her schedule be available for virtual or only in-person? 
  • They are available for both virtual and in person; however for these more hands on and highly involved classes, virtual may look very different.
• What is the plan for band and choir?
  • LOCS will offer band and choir in person with safety restrictions and remotely, as it is possible.

• What health and safety protocols will LOCS follow?
  • LOCS will be guided by the state of Michigan's MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap, which lists requirements for all schools to follow, depending on the state's Safe Start Plan phase of reopening. Region 1, where LOCS is located, is currently in Phase 4, which allows for in-person student attendance. Should the state recede to Phase 3, all instruction will revert to the remote path.
• What is the plan for if a student or staff member gets sick during the school day?
  • The LOCS protocols for COVID-19 will be followed. If a student gets sick, they will be kept in a separate space until a parent comes to pick them up. A staff member will leave the building. If the student/staff member tests positive for COVID-19, it will be a 14-day isolation before returning to school and families of the other students in the class will be notified so they can quarantine. The protocols are listed on our COVID-19 protocols page.
• What about kids that sneeze or cough a lot due to allergies or a common cold? Will they need to stay home until symptoms disappear?
  • If a student shows symptoms of COVID-19, he/she will be sent home and asked to return when the symptoms have subsided or the family presents a negative COVID-19 test. A remote learning program will be provided for the student until returning to school.
• What does remote look like for a child who has allergies or consistently can't pass the clear to go app due to other illness that isn't covid related - simple cold/allergies/ear infection - things that certainly mimic the symptoms? 
  • We understand that the COVID-19 symptoms are also symptoms of many other illnesses. Letting administration know the circumstance will be necessary and a doctor’s note may be required.
• What does screening look like?
  • Students and staff will complete the "Clear to Go" app each morning, prior to arriving at an LOCS facility/boarding a bus, to ensure the individual is symptom-free.
• The Clear to Go App is not working on all phones. Will this issue be fixed? 
  • The app is not yet loaded with the LOCS student information as of late July. The app will be available for use when school begins on September 8.
• If you can't get the Clear to Go app to work or if your child doesn't have a cell phone and/or parents don't have one how do we show clearance to be allowed to go to school?
  • Schools will have an alternate method for students to complete the health screening if the student or their parents cannot produce the green badge on a cell phone. Alternate options could include filling out a form each day answering the questions.
• How do I know if my student is too sick to attend school?
  • The Clear To Go app asks questions regarding the CDC-guided symptoms of COVID-19. If any of those symptoms appear, the student is asked to remain home until the symptoms clear for at least 24 hours.
• Will LOCS conduct individual temperature checks for students and staff members?
  • The current state Roadmap does not mandate temperature checks in school, but an elevated temperature (100.4 degrees and above) is considered a symptom of COVID-19. That is why students and staff are asked to take their own temperature daily to appropriately answer that question in the Clear to Go app before arriving at an LOCS facility.
  • The Roadmap states, "Families are encouraged to check their child’s temperature at home every morning using oral, tympanic, or temporal scanners; students with a temperature of 100.4 or greater should stay home and consider coronavirus testing if symptoms of COVID-19 are present."
• As we approach cold and flu season, what does that look like for a child who is in-person? Will have to stay home until the symptoms resolve completely? With younger children the span of these cold symptoms can be weeks, what would happen to my child during that time? 
  • This will be handled the same as we typically do.  
• What would remote look like for a child or a handful of children only who have been attending in-person classes?
• Also, would a negative COVID test be required before my child would be allowed to attend in-person again? 
  • No
• What if my child is driven to school by another family? How will you know the app questions have been answered?  Do we have to submit a paper form each day? 
  • Yes or that person needs to have the app for your child.
• Can my child use her own smart phone to show the Clear to Go "results" when entering the school? 
  • Yes, the student will be tied to a Clear to Go account on the app, so each phone will have its own app.
• Will the Clear to Go app allow me to complete a form for each child in my household and then switch back and forth on the "results" screen to show to the different schools/buses upon arrival? 
  • We are working to make the app efficient for family use.
• Why you can't go above and beyond what's recommended for masks and temperature taking? 
  • This is not logistically logical nor efficient.

• Will students be eating in the cafeteria?
  • Elementary students will eat in their classrooms, while middle and high school students will eat in the cafeteria and overflow areas, six feet apart from each other. A schematic of the cafeteria spaces for each school is being designed. Masks are not required for eating situations. Students at all levels will be able to eat outdoors when weather permits, as long as social distance is maintained.
• What will a purchased lunch look like?
  • More information on the specifics of school lunch options will be determined closer to the start of school.
     
• What will the allergy protocols be with elementary students eating in the classroom?

  • LOCS will continue to follow the allergy protocol shared with families in the past.

  • If there is an allergy in the classroom, the protocol is implemented. In the letter within that protocol, it states: “We are asking for your assistance in providing a safe learning environment at school. To reduce the risk of exposure, no peanuts or tree nuts will be allowed in your child’s classroom this year. Please do not send any products containing peanuts or tree nuts for your child to eat for a classroom snack.” This also applies to elementary lunches in those specific classrooms as students will eat in the classroom for 2020-21.

  • The teacher responsibilities include “Classroom restrictions, such as no peanut nuts/tree nuts allowed, or no class-provided snacks."

From the State of Michigan FAQ

• What is the definition of a facial covering?

  • A facial covering is cloth material that covers the nose and mouth. Facial coverings may be secured to the head or simply wrapped around the lower face. They can be made of a variety of materials, such as cotton or linen, and may be factory-made or made by hand.

• Are face shields acceptable alternatives to mask?

  • No. The CDC does not recommend the use of face shields as a substitute for cloth face coverings.  However, a face shield that covers the eyes, nose and mouth can be worn in addition to a cloth mask if desired.  Moreover, a face shield may be worn by younger children who are not required to wear a cloth face mask.

• Who determines whether or not a student/staff member can medically tolerate a facial covering? 
  • People who should not wear facial coverings include the following:
    • Children younger than 2 years old
    • Anyone who has trouble breathing
    • Anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance

  • Schools should require documentation from a medical professional, as they do for other types of accommodations.

• Can parents “opt-out” their child from the facial covering requirement, but still send them to school in-person?
  • No. The child may opt-out of the requirement only if they choose to enroll in a fully remote learning environment.  
• What recourse is there if students/families openly refuse to wear masks and they have no documentation of being unable to medically tolerate a facial covering?
  • Schools should enforce compliance with state and local requirements for students through their normal disciplinary mechanisms.

LOCS Procedures and protocols

• What are the mask requirements in Phase 4?
  • LOCS elementary students will be required to wear a mask in common areas and LOCS recommends that they wear one in the classroom. But it is only recommended in the classroom.
  • LOCS staff, and students in Grades 6-12, will be required to wear masks at all times, unless they are eating.
• Will students bring their own masks?
  • Students are asked to bring a clean, cloth, reusable mask each day, washing it at home before wearing it to school on another day. A familiar mask will likely be more comfortable for the student. It may be wise to bring a second mask in the student's backpack as a reserve. Masks are expected to comply with the student dress code in regards to slogans and designs.
• What defines a mask?
  • LOCS asks that a mask be made of cloth (or 3-ply disposable) and able to cover the student/staff member's nose and mouth and chin, fitting snugly over the ears without handheld assistance.
• Who will enforce the mask requirements?
  • LOCS staff members will be reminding students about the mask rules in the required areas (all times except eating for Grades 6-12 and in common areas for elementary students.) At the elementary level, masks in the classrooms are a recommendation, not a requirement, so staff members will not be reminding students whose parent/guardian request they wear a mask to keep it on. Secondary students will be given mask breaks when possible during the day.
• What will the LOCS policy be regarding a "doctor's documentation" and what is/is not acceptable?
  • Medical documentation will be required.
• What will happen when a child loses their mask midday?
  • LOCS has a supply of disposable masks for staff and students if their mask is broken, lost or unusable. They will be asked to return with a clean mask the next school day.
• Will cloth masks labeled with the child’s name and teacher be returned to the child?
  • Yes. Any identifiable cloth masks will be returned to the individual and asked to be washed before wearing it to school again.
• What if student forgets a mask or breaks theirs during the school day?
  • LOCS will have a reserve of disposable masks for those students who are missing or encounter a problem with their mask.
• What if a student does not comply with wearing a mask?
  • Complying with the mask regulations is the state requirement for LOCS to be open and operating for in-person instruction. Students and staff must abide by these rules. If a student or staff member provides a doctor's documentation for a medical exception, LOCS will recognize that circumstance.
• Why are children allowed to receive a mask exception with medical documentation?  Doesn't that put my child at risk (as well as the staff)? 
  • There are medical exceptions and LOCS seeks to support all of our families in their unique circumstances.
• What does a "mask break" consist of during the day for middle schoolers?
  • Each class period, students will be allowed a mask break.  The class will need to be in their seats and students can remove their masks when allowed by the teacher for 3-5 minutes. Not all students would take a mask break at the same time so those students sitting next to each other would not have their masks off at the same time.  

• Where can I learn more about Remote Learning?
  • A remote learning overview and sample schedules for each level are available on the in-person guidance page.
• What will happen if students are forced into a remote setting (via COVID-19 positive test/exposure or governor's order?
  • The LOCS teachers will teach the same classes online as if they were in the building. Students will be required to follow the same procedures, viewing each class on their schedule and completing assignments as directed. In the temporary remote setting, most secondary-level lessons will be recorded but there will be specific check-in points for students during the school day.
• If a student is pushed into remote learning because of a COVID-19 symptom and not a positive test/exposure quarantine, will remote learning be available at home?
  • The remote program is currently designed for extended stretches out of the building (i.e. quarantine circumstances and state-directed building closures,) but our staff is working toward having remote available for shorter periods of time. Teachers could make an accommodation depending on the day and circumstances, just as occurred previously with a student sick at home for a day or two, but that is not in the district plans at this time. 
• If I choose the in-person option for learning, and then my kids get quarantined for 14 days or more for whatever reason and switch to Remote Learning, do their teachers change?
  • They will have the same teacher.
• If the class is forced to go remote due to a COVID-19 exposure- who will teach the remote session? How many students will be in the remote session? 
  • The teacher will teach the same class if the teacher is healthy and able or a substitute teacher. The same number of students in the class will be in the remote session.
• When remote learning Is necessary will it also be on the seesaw platform? Or will it be all thru zoom? 
  • Both Seesaw and Zoom will be used for Elementary.
• What does remote learning consist of?  (i.e. schedule, platforms used, live/taped)  Is it different for elementary vs. middle school?  Based on the FAQs, it sounds like elementary would be live lessons all day and middle school would be recorded lessons only? 
  • All levels will have live lessons every day.  There will be a schedule for each level.  Zoom and Seesaw will be the platforms used for elementary and Microsoft Teams will be the platform used for middle and high school.
• Will there be a clear cut remote schedule or is it teacher based? 
  • There is a clear cut schedule that teachers will follow.
• Will Seesaw be used for virtual, in person, and remote? 
  • Yes.
• How does the teacher handle a few remote students with a full classroom of students?
  • Using the flipped model of instruction.
• If the student is choosing in-person and the state moves back to phase 3, does the in-person student move to remote learning and the virtual student remain in virtual learning? 
  • This is being discussed by LOCS Administration and a flowchart is being developed.

• Will there be SACC (School Age Child Care) offered before and after school?
  • The SACC program will be held this fall, as long as LOCS in-person learning remains open.

• What is required before arriving at school/boarding the bus?
  • All students and staff members must complete the Clear to Go app questions and pass with the green badge each day before attending an LOCS facility. A parent/guardian or student must show the green approval badge to an LOCS staff member before entering the facility/bus.
• What will arrival and dismissal look like?
  • Each school will make the appropriate arrival and dismissal procedures to reduce student traffic in one spot and accommodate as much distancing as possible.
• What measures are being taken to reduce student close interaction?
  • Students will see a "lane divider" in hallways to maintain directional traffic flow, with students being encouraged to remain close to the wall than the center line. Middle school students will not use lockers and be encouraged to carry a backpack. Elementary students will not share lockers. Art students will have individual supplies.
• What will secondary students do with their winter coats/boots if they are not using lockers?  Will they be required to bring multiple books back/forth to school each day?
  • This will be handled by each building administration. 

• What will happen if my child's teacher gets COVID?  Who will assume teaching responsibilities?  If the class is remote, will the person filling in be trained in online/remote teaching?
  • If the teacher is able to teach remotely, the teacher will teach.  If the teacher is not able to teach due to illness a sub will teach.  We are working on subs and the training of subs.  We cannot guarantee that every sub will be trained to teach remotely but they will have the support of other teachers to assist them.
• If my child is in 14 day quarantine, but no other child in their class is, how will that be handled?
  • Your child would receive their classwork like they would if they were out for any illness or vacation with potential for some remote instruction from the teacher.

• What will transportation look like?
  • Students will take the bus as usual and be required to wear a mask on the bus. Capacity will adhere to the Return to School Roadmap recommendations.
• What accommodations are being made for Transportation?
  • Students will be required to complete and pass the Clear To Go screening app each day and present the green badge prior to boarding the bus.
  • Students will wear masks and have assigned seats on the the bus and be expected to remain in that specific seat for the duration of the ride.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available for each student when boarding the bus.

• Can parents still volunteer in the schools?
  • LOCS will be limiting school visitors to only essential personnel as school begins.
• In what other notable ways will school change?
  • There will be no field trips or assemblies for the near future and students will connect with guest speakers/presenters virtually.
• How will extracurricular activities be affected?
  • Extracurricular activities (aside from athletics) are still being determined based on their viability with safety procedures.

• What is flipped instruction?
  • Flipped instruction is actually a student-centered shift in instruction. In a traditional classroom setting, teachers deliver content on a daily basis and students take that learning home in the form of homework, projects, etc. In a flipped setting, the teacher actually makes short videos that students can watch at home so that the in class portion of the learning becomes more learning-centered, rather than instruction centered. The goal is that the time in class can then be used for more enriched activities, discussions that go further in depth, and provide more opportunities for teachers to interact with their students.
• What is the benefit of flipped instruction?
  • The underlying benefit in the middle of this pandemic is that this is also a way to help our students grow as online learners. We may run in to a situation where individuals, entire schools, our even our district is forced to go to remote learning. We believe that the flipped model of instruction will best prepare our students for learning in a remote setting should those issues arise.
• Which online group (remote or Dragon Virtual) will use the flipped instruction?
  • The flipped videos will be used by both in-person and Dragon Virtual students. The obvious difference being that when an in-person student views the video they will bring that knowledge back with them to the classroom, while a Dragon Virtual student will continue on to completing the required tasks online. The key is that both groups of learners will be working at approximately the same pacing and following the same content maps. 
• What is an example of flipped instruction? 
  • If I am a math teacher in a high school classroom, I may assign a brief video for the students to watch at home tonight. This video will introduce a couple of exponent rules, ask students to look for patterns, jot some notes, and bring their findings back to class the next day. In total, as the teacher, I would estimate the time needed for my students to be 10 minutes. The next day, I will engage the students in a discussion centered around their findings, fleshing out the patterns, highlighting commonalities, and eventually arriving at the rules. We would then shift to an activity in which the students have the opportunity to develop their understanding under my guidance.
• How will it work the remote setting?
  • Having experience in watching flipped videos and drawing out the information from those videos will be paramount. In the remote setting there will be scheduled meetings throughout the week in which I will engage students as closely to in person learning as possible. Just like in person, students will watch a video the night before, bring their findings to our virtual meeting, and we will engage in the same thinking routines that we would have in person. I can use those scheduled virtual meetings to hold group discussions, hold breakout sessions with smaller groups, take Q & A, etc. 
• What about technology with the flipped model?
  • When it comes to technology, we are anticipating a learning curve out of some (if not many) of our students. This is also part of the reason why we elected to go with the flipped model as it prepares us for the event of being forced to go remote. Specifically as it pertains to Dragon Virtual, though, we are making sure that, just like an in person teacher would ease in to their instruction and get to know their students first, so to will Dragon Virtual teachers. When we say we will hit the ground running, we truly mean that we will be working hard to make sure that Dragon Virtual students will have a worthwhile experience but will also consider their needs throughout.
• Is there more information to learn about flipped instruction?
  • There is a video available that could shed more light on the topic.