When will LSR7 families be able to access virtual learning?

The district will hold a staff-only virtual instructional planning day on Monday, March 23. Students will begin accessing virtual lessons starting on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. Again, Monday, March 23rd is designated as a virtual planning day for teachers.

Why is the district providing virtual instruction?

Lee’s Summit R-7 Schools remains committed to providing students instructional activities and connections to the learning environment during this period of unprecedented school closures. We are fortunate to be a 1:1 district in which K-12 students have district-issued Chromebooks and R-7 staff have a platform in Schoology to reach students remotely. While virtual instruction cannot replace time in the classroom, Lee’s Summit R-7 Schools believes it is critical that we stay connected to our students and continue to provide learning opportunities to the best of our ability. The district’s technology department is actively addressing how to meet connectivity and Internet accessibility needs for students and staff. Teachers will leave assignments on their voicemails for students with Internet access challenges.

What will a virtual instruction day look like?

We know that providing learning outside of our schools will look and operate differently for each of our students and staff. We will provide structure and normalcy for our school community by setting clear expectations regarding how students and staff should engage in virtual learning each day, while offering a level of flexibility and autonomy appropriate for the situation we find ourselves in.

Every teacher will use the Schoology platform to share lessons, assignments and resources with students. The platform has a video conferencing tool, a parent access portal and ways to organize digital content. Parents/students should plan to download that app if their child doesn’t already have it on their device.

Building leaders and teachers will be reaching out to families in the coming days, including what virtual instruction will look like for our youngest learners.

Teachers will post assignments and learning opportunities each week day by 9 a.m. Teachers will hold daily office hours to guide and assist students. Teachers will communicate with students via email, Schoology Conferences, Schoology Messaging and voicemail, which will be updated each day with assignments for students without Internet access.

Students are expected to access and complete assignments, meet deadlines, engage in the work and communicate with their teachers, peers or parents if they are confused. Lessons will range from 10 to 30 minutes depending on age level. Teachers will decide if assignments are graded.

***IMPORTANT LINKS

For all the links and resources you need to navigate virtual instruction, click here.

For more information about using Schoology, click here.

For an overview of what a virtual learning day includes, click here.

Families looking for information about Internet access, please visit this link for more information.

Technology questions, concerns or issues, go to this website.

Will the district need to make up the days spent out of the classroom during closure?

We are in close contact with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) regarding information about whether LSR7 and other school districts will be required to make up lost instructional time. We expect more information and guidance to come.

What other resources are available for at-home learning?

The Schoology platform will provide multiple resources for students to support learning and engagement via links and other connection opportunities.

What’s the best way to contact a teacher or building leader?

The best way to contact your child’s teacher or a building leader is to email them or leave them a voicemail during this time. In addition, students will have the opportunity to contact teachers via Schoology messenger.

What are my options for virtual learning/teaching if I don’t have Internet at home?

We are fortunate to be a 1:1 district and all of our students K-12 have district-issued Chromebooks. Prior to the pandemic and as part of its normal protocols, LSR7 issued hotspots to high schoolers who needed them and allowed middle schoolers to check out hot spots from the library. Moving forward, LSR7 is exploring for students and staff who have Internet accessibility and/or connectivity issues at home. Last week, the district issued a survey to students and staff to determine these needs. The district is working directly with students and staff to dispatch additional hotspots and Chromebooks, and/or other solutions, to families and staff members who need them to learn or perform their job remotely. Teachers will leave assignments on their voicemails for students with additional Internet access challenges. Building leaders and teachers will be reaching out directly to students who have indicated they have no or limited Internet at home.

Read more information about Internet options here.

For tips on how to properly charge your Chromebooks, click here. NOTE - lack of charging or improper charging will cause the unit to stop functioning and may result in an issue that can’t be fixed remotely. It is important to understand the proper way to charge the device.