
INFORMATION ABOUT THE VIRTUAL OPTION FOR 2021-22
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THE FUTURE OF VIRTUAL LEARNING IN BLUE VALLEY
A virtual option will play an important future role for Blue Valley students. As part of the strategic plan, Blue Valley continues to work toward providing students with increased access to learning opportunities in a variety of formats. When fully realized and after the virtual program fulfills its purpose during the current pandemic, virtual learning in Blue Valley will provide enhanced access for high school students and a virtual option for middle and elementary school students.
The virtual option for 2021-22 is a step in that direction. Currently, the formation of a K-12 virtual school as defined by the Kansas Department of Education is in the process of development. While this designation is not finalized, we can share information that is known at this time about the virtual experience beginning next year. Additional information will be provided in the future when available along with answers to additional questions you may have.
All Blue Valley students are eligible for the virtual option. For more information about how to determine if your student is a good fit for virtual learning, visit the Is the Virtual Option Right for Me? page.
At the high school level, movement toward a more asynchronous and flexible learning program is in the works. In 2021-22, high school students will have the ability to engage with most coursework anytime, anywhere. This increased schedule flexibility allows students to pursue internships, take a college course, pursue other activities or work part-time in an area of their future career. Additionally, it allows students for whom the typical high school environment is not optimal, a choice in how, when and where they learn. No longer a program in response to a crisis, the virtual option will evolve to be more in line with successful virtual learning schools across the country. Information included on the Profiles of High School Virtual Students page can help families envision the types of students for whom the virtual option is best suited.
GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION AND LOGISTICS
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Eligibility
Any K-12 student in the Blue Valley School District is eligible for the virtual option. The program is not available for students who do not reside within the Blue Valley School District boundaries. Students are expected to maintain residency during the entire time the students are enrolled in the virtual option. The same proof of residency will be required as a brick-and-mortar school. Students who choose to temporarily travel internationally may not be able to access the virtual resources and platforms due to cybersecurity reasons.
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Age Requirements
The age requirements for the virtual option are the same as in-person schools. These age requirements are determined by state law and Blue Valley Board of Education policy. Kindergarteners must be 5 years of age by August 31st to register.
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Special Education Supports in General Education
When a student signs up for the virtual option, the IEP team will meet to determine what accommodations/modifications are necessary to access virtual programming, and what specialized instruction and/or related services are needed to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). This could include having the teacher provide notes to the student, utilizing text-to-speech or speech-to-text tools within the Read & Write software, having a para or teacher attending synchronous classes and providing direct support through breakout Zoom rooms, and/or setting up a time to receive additional virtual support with asynchronous class lessons. If the required support cannot reasonably be provided through virtual education, these supports may be offered at a brick-and-mortar building.
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Gifted Education Programming
Gifted education services are available to students identified as gifted through Blue Valley's eligibility process. A gifted education teacher will deliver gifted services through live virtual engagement and independent asynchronous activities. The classes and activities will provide opportunities to interact with other eligible peers. At the elementary level, the assigned gifted education case manager will review each IEP to determine services and the schedule fulfilling the IEP requirements. At the middle school level, parents should select Gifted Education at enrollment as one of the electives. At the high school level, parents should select Gifted Education at enrollment for eligible students. While services will be offered through the virtual option, high school students may choose to attend Gifted Education at the brick-and-mortar school by enrolling in the Flex (in-person + virtual) option.
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Special Education Related Services
If a student's IEP includes occupational therapy or speech-language therapy, these services may be offered through teletherapy or a brick-and-mortar location. In many cases, teletherapy requires an adult working with the student during the scheduled sessions. If an adult is required, but is not available in the home, or teletherapy is shown not to be effective for an individual student, services will be offered in a brick-and- mortar building.
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Middle and High School Sports and Activities
Middle and high school students who choose the full-time virtual option will be able to participate in sports/activities at their home school, as desired and eligible. To be eligible, students must attend one in-person course at their home school. For high school students, this means enrolling as a Flex student. Middle school students will work with their home school counselor to identify a way to accomplish that requirement. This is the current state-wide policy for all students in virtual settings.
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District and State Assessments
Students who choose the virtual option will take all district and state assessments for their grade level. Students may be required to test in-person at a district site to ensure test security and follow that test's protocol. Some tests may not be able to be administered at home. If students are required to sit for a test in an in-person setting, all health and safety protocols will be in place to ensure a safe testing environment for students. Additional details will follow as more information becomes available this fall.
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Students Who Receive ESOL Support
Students who receive support through the ESOL program can opt for the virtual option. Once a student indicates that they will virtual option, ESOL staff will work to ensure that the student has the appropriate support in place to access virtual learning.
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Teachers
All teachers in the virtual option are fully licensed through the state of Kansas for the subject that they teach. Additionally, these teachers are Blue Valley staff who understand Kansas state standards, Blue Valley curriculum and the high expectations for learning in our district. Students should expect to have teachers and/or special education case managers from school(s) other than their home school.
For the 2021-22 school year, there will be more full-time, dedicated virtual teachers. The percentage of full-time staff will depend on enrollment. Regardless of status--full-time or part-time--additional training will be provided to virtual teachers. It is a goal to continuously grow the capacity of our instructors to design instruction for the online environment. -
Accelerated Students
Students who have been placed in accelerated courses will have the opportunity to continue with that placement in the virtual setting. Because of the nature of the programming, middle school students who take high school courses (e.g. Honors Geometry) should expect that the course be taught asynchronously.
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Counseling Services
Students who select the virtual option will have access to counseling services. The program will have a counselor who will work with students so that they receive the support they need in the area of academics, social-emotional issues and career planning.
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Supports for Learning
The virtual option will have student support available. As with in-person learning, Blue Valley will ensure that each student has the assistance they need to be successful. Examples of this type of support include reading groups or math intervention time.
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Attendance
Students at all levels are expected to adhere to any attendance and participation requirements. Students who consistently do not complete assignments or are unresponsive to virtual staff may be subject to truancy and other consequences up to and including removal from the virtual setting.
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Cost
The virtual option has no additional cost associated with it. Students would pay the normal district required fees at registration and any related course fees when scheduling is complete; these vary based on enrollment selections at the secondary level. Furthermore, secondary students who do not participate in their Blue Valley home school sports or school activities can request a refund for the activity fee at the completion of the school year.
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Devices
Blue Valley will provide K-2 students with an iPad, 3-8 students with a Chromebook and 9-12 students with a MacBook Air. All components of the district’s Acceptable Use Policy will be enforced and filtering of content will be in place as if they were on-site. The Blue Valley IT department will offer support for students. Families and students will utilize the BVCare system to communicate issues and may be asked to visit a central location to receive in-person support when necessary.
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Internet Access
Families will need reliable internet access for a student to participate in the program. Blue Valley will work with families who have unreliable or no internet access to ensure their student’s ability to participate in the program. Contact your home school or the Director of Virtual Education for more information.
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Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast and lunch will be provided to students who opt for the virtual option who choose to take advantage of this option. Breakfast and lunch will be available to all students at the paid meal prices or free and reduced cost for those that qualify. More information about the meal program will be available in the fall.
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School or District Closure
The district will provide guidance regarding school or district closures at a later date.
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SPRING 2021 ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR
During the enrollment period in the spring semester of 2021, students will have the opportunity to enroll in the virtual option. At the high school level, students will have the additional option to enroll in a flex model where they may select a combination of some virtual courses and some in-person courses. This enrollment selection will be for the full 2021-22 school year. Elementary students will indicate their preference (in-person or virtual) during the online registration process, while middle and high school students will indicate this during the enrollment process facilitated by their home schools.
When do students and families make this decision?
- Elementary - Select during Online Registration (opens February 16 for new families; opens April for current families)
- Middle School - Select during spring enrollment facilitated by home schools
- High School - Select during spring enrollment facilitated by home schools
Will there be an opportunity to change a student's enrollment?
As families consider their options for 2021-22, it is acknowledged that making a learning mode decision in February for the fall is difficult given the large number of unknowns. To allow for this unique circumstance, families who have selected the in-person option (or flex at the high school level) will have an opportunity in July to make a change to the full-time virtual option. There will not be an open enrollment or learning mode reselection period in the summer, but rather, the opportunity to move a student to the full-time the virtual setting. The only move a student will be allowed to make in July is to the full-time virtual option.
Families who feel uneasy about their decision are encouraged to enroll in the in-person option. This allows for the flexibility of moving to full-time virtual, as desired, once more information is available during the summertime. Students who enroll in the full-time virtual or high school flex option in the spring will not have the opportunity to change this enrollment selection after spring enrollment.
Middle and high school students will make their course selections during the spring enrollment period. If a middle or high school student who has chosen the in-person option decides to move to full-time virtual in July, they will be enrolled in the virtual counterpart of the courses they selected in the spring. If one of their course selections is not available in the virtual format, a counselor will reach out to the student to find a resolution.COMMITMENT TO THE PROGRAM
Students who register for the all-virtual option will be asked to commit to the program for a full school year. If a student is not achieving success in the virtual setting, virtual staff will work to provide support to students to ensure they are maximizing their learning potential in the virtual setting.
- Elementary - Select during Online Registration (opens February 16 for new families; opens April for current families)