Request Remote Learning
How do I request that my child go to remote learning? Review the Remote Learning Expectations and then complete and return the US Remote Learning Contract
Public Health COVID-19 Return to School Decision Support Algorithm
Remote Learning/Instruction
Will my child be expected to work each day online? Yes, all students will be expected to complete the attendance verification form(s) daily for their class(es). While we don’t expect you to be online for 6 ½ hours a day for live sessions, we do expect the students to remain engaged and completing daily work expectations. We realize hours may need to be adjusted to accommodate home schedules, so lessons will be recorded and posted for students and families to access.
Can you tell us about the new online program (will anyone be using google classroom) and what new tools you have available to help parents? We will be using Canvas for all U-School classes. Google Classroom may be embedded on the Canvas platform as well. New ELA adoption and other supporting K-12 texts have been purchased with an online component. Additionally, supports through Niswonger Online and Edmentum, who have courseware specifically designed for online platforms for grades 6-12.
Will it still be an option to leave our child(ren) in remote learning when in-person instruction begins? Yes, any student may remain in the remote learning option throughout the year. Any transition from remote to in-person may take place at the end of each quarter when available.
Safety
When in the building will faculty and staff be required to wear masks also? Yes, anyone in the building will be required to wear masks and follow the ETSU guidelines.
What happens if it is reported that a family member of a student or staff member is
confirmed positive or likely positive? The NE TN Regional Health Department would begin contact tracing and the advisory
team listed above would determine if the school had to move into a temporary closure
and activate the remote plan. Also, families would be notified that a positive case
(not the name of individual) and recommended steps would be shared.
What happens when/if a teacher or a child gets sick? When will that teacher/child
be able to return (after a certain period of time or negative tests)? For those in
the classroom with the child/teacher - Will the classroom be quarantined at home?
Will they have to be tested? The NE Regional Health Department will be notified, contact tracing will take place,
and any notification of quarantine and return will be department by the health department.
Any decision on school operations will made by advisory team (NE Regional Health Department
and ETSU Administration along with the University School Administrator Team).
Programming
Will the school have emotional support programming available for our students? Yes. The school has committed to additional staffing for the counseling office by hiring a second school counselor for 25 hours per week to focus specifically on students in K-8 while keeping all other counseling staff at current levels. The school will also be purchasing research-based curriculum to better streamline our social emotional learning (SEL) support for students both in the classroom and online. The school counseling program at University School is working to better align their social emotional interventions with research and training from Trauma Informed/Sensitive/Aware Schools, Multi-Tiered Systems Support for School Counselors, and CASEL standards.
Are afterschool programs still available to on-ground students? When school is operating with in-person instruction, we do plan on having after-care.
Will students be able to participate in sports teams or club activities during the
remote learning period or if on remote choice when in-person returns? If the activities are still occurring, remote and in-person students may participate.
All safety protocols and procedures must be adhered to when on-campus and participating
in scheduled events.
Transition Support/Information
How will the decision be made to transition from one phase to another (i.e., green to yellow) and who will make that decision? The decision will use the current threshold data provided for Washington County. The decision to adjust from level to another will be determined by discussions with NE Regional Health Department, ETSU Administration, and the University School Leadership teams who will determine whether our regional cases warrant any change in our operation plans.
How can parents support University School with this transition? There are three areas that are could be most important at this time: 1) Continue
to be patient and flexible with us as things change almost daily; 2) Stay involved
with our Foundation as they are coordinating efforts to support the school, such as,
organizing a mask drive and efforts to enhance our outdoor space; and 3) This is new
territory for everyone and we know that we will have to make adjustments along the
way, so please let us know if we can improve or need to consider a different perspective.
Can you please make sure parents know how to sign up to receive Blackboard parent
updates? Our mass emails are sent through Blackboard. Parents can be enrolled to receive notifications in two different ways: 1.) Each
student has one email listed in PowerSchool that was added from registration/reenrollment
forms – this is supposed to automatically sync each evening when PowerSchool updates;
or 2.) Parents may register as many contact numbers and emails through the Blackboard
registration link on our website https://www.etsu.edu/uschool/parents/blackboard.php
How can my family secure internet access?
• Charter, Comcast and Xfinity have free WiFi offers currently available. There
are
some restrictions and limitations on the different offers, we would advise you
research all three options to find the best offer for you.
o Charter - click here or call 1-844-488-8395.
o Comcast I- to sign up, call 855-846-8376 (English) or 855-765-6995
(Spanish). Or click here for more information.
o Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will now be FREE to anyone who
needs them – visit www.xfinity.com/wifi.
• Some cell phone companies have automatically extended customer plans to
accommodate the need for increased usage - please check with your individual
carrier to see if this an option.
Is there someone at the school I can call if I need immediate assistance?
• Yes, while our offices are closed during this remote learning period, you may
contact Dr. Partin or Ms. Day by phone between, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday –
Friday or anytime via email.
o Dr. Partin – 423-491-5095 or partinbk@etsu.edu
o Mrs. Day – 423-430-9373 or daya@etsu.edu
Last updated on February 24, 2021