Remote learning

District wants to move opening day to September 8

By CLOEY CALLAHAN
Posted 8/26/20

The Newburgh Enlarged City School District is continuing to prepare for their September 2 reopening, and in doing so, held a virtual town hall on August 20 at 12 and 6 p.m. in English and on August …

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Remote learning

District wants to move opening day to September 8

Posted

The Newburgh Enlarged City School District is continuing to prepare for their September 2 reopening, and in doing so, held a virtual town hall on August 20 at 12 and 6 p.m. in English and on August 21 at 1 p.m. in Spanish.

The forums, which were livestreamed on Facebook and available to rewatch, reviewed important updates and addressed questions collected prior to the discussion.

Superintendent Roberto Padilla led the meeting.

The District is proposing to the Board of Education that the first day of instruction is pushed to September 8.

Families will be informed as soon as possible if the start date changes.

The survey sent to families to opt-out their child from in-person teaching was extended from August 10 to August 23.

The District received approximately 4,400 responses where students opted for remote learning.

“That requires our administrators to now go in and create a virtual program, in addition to an in-person program, and they’re working on that now,” said Padilla. “They will provide updates and critical information to you so that way your child has his or her schedule prior to the start of school. We’re asking that you continue to be flexible and supportive. Our administrators have had to adapt based on this new information that came forward when we put out the survey.”

Padilla also clarified the difference between remote learning and homeschooling.

“There have been new requests coming in, a little more than normal, to homeschool children,” said Padilla.

Remote learning means that the child is still being taught through communication with the school and teacher, with a curriculum from the District. On the other hand, homeschooling is when the caregiver is also the primary educator, and they build the curriculum.

During the forum, Padilla emphasized the importance of attendance in the upcoming school year.

In the spring, attendance was not required every day.

However, attendance will now be required everyday for all grade levels. Teachers are planned to begin synchronous learning, meaning a live lesson, at 9 a.m., where attendance will be taken.

“We do recognize that sometimes children are not able to go on the computer and log in at the time in which activities are scheduled,” said Assistant Superintendent Chris Bayer. “We are offering for those times that students watch a video … when they are able to do so. Attendance in that way would include watching the video and filling out the corresponding activity.”

For a student to be accounted for on that day, everything must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. The District highly recommends that students try as best they can to login at 9 a.m. for synchronous learning.

For middle school and high school students, attendance is taken at the beginning of every period.

During the forums, other aspects were discussed like digital etiquette, equity, COVID-19 testing and contact tracing, lunch plans and more.

The district is not performing any COVID-19 testing, however they are working closely with nearby testing centers to reference families where to go.

Lunch is available to all students, including both in-person and remote, at no cost. In-person lunch will be served in the classroom and Wednesdays are dedicated for lunch pickup (for all five days) for those learning remotely.

An updated FAQ can be found on the District’s website with more information.

The website also includes a family guidebook and other important resources and information.

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