Fairfax County school system to start distance learning for all students April 14

Caroline, a fifth-grader at Beech Tree Elementary School, found something productive to do while schools are closed. She is sewing face masks with help from her mother. She got the idea from Beech Tree mom Van Nguyen, who is making face masks for healthcare workers. [FCPS]

Fairfax County Public Schools plans to begin distance learning for students on April 14, Superintendent Scott Brabrand announced March 26.

Brabrand had earlier hoped to reopen schools in mid-April but Gov. Ralph Northam ordered all schools in the state to remain closed through the end of academic year to reduce social contact during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Launching a distance learning plan to reach 189,000 students that engages nearly 16,000 classroom teachers is a complex challenge,” Brabrand says in an email to the community. “We acknowledge that distance learning cannot reasonably replace daily in-person instructional programs, and we will not be trying to replicate the regular school day.”

The FCPS distance learning plan includes paper learning packets, video broadcasts, and assignments and learning materials posted to Blackboard and completed individually or collaboratively, along with scheduled web chats. Teachers will return to work virtually on March 30 for training.

Here’s how it’s going to work for high school students:

• Students will engage in teacher-led, teacher-supported and independent learning in all courses. During the week of March 30, teachers will contact high school students to reconnect, provide review material for concepts taught before schools closed and prepare for classes starting on April 14. 
• The FCPS Online Campus will resume operation on March 30. High school students registered for the self-directed economics and personal finance course as of March 19 for summer session 1 or 2 can begin the course online through Virtual Virginia. 
• FCPS has begun distributing a limited number of Mifi devices (wireless hotspots) to high school students in need who do not have access to the internet at home. Schools have been contacting families directly to arrange appointments to pick up the devices. 

 For middle school students:

• Students will engage in teacher-led, teacher-supported and independent learning.
• Learning packets will be distributed by mail beginning next week to all students in the four core classes: language arts, math, science, and social studies.  
• Middle school students will be engaged in virtual, teacher-directed learning in the four core classes along with world languages (for high school credit) beginning the week of April 14. Elective teachers will post learning activities to Blackboard. 
• Distribution of laptops began this week for students in need who do not have access to a device at home. Schools have been contacting families directly to arrange for the pickups.

 For elementary school students:

• Students will engage in teacher-led and independent learning. 
• There is also time for teacher check-ins, virtual chats, phone calls, and emails with students. 
• Learning packets will be distributed by mail to all students (PreK-6) beginning the week of March 30. 
• Principals will send parents a published schedule of instruction. 
• Literacy and math content will also be made available on FCPS Cable Channel 21 beginning the week of March 30. The schedule will be online and the lessons can be live-streamed.  
• Teachers of special subjects will post learning activities to Blackboard.

•  FCPS staff is working to prepare distance learning materials to ensure that all students have access to educational materials and activities, including students with Individualized Education Programs and 504 Plans.
• Many disability-related modifications and services may be effectively provided online. These could include extensions of time for assignments, modifications to assignments, videos with captioning or embedded sign language interpreting, accessible reading materials, and speech or language services through video conferencing. 
• The Office of Special Education Instruction has developed a Continuity of Learning webpage with information on strategies and resources on how students may be able to access accommodations at home. 
• Continuity of Learning resources are also posted in Blackboard as well as on the FCPS website. 

For English language learners:

• The Office of ESOL Services is collaborating with the content-area teams to create accessible resources for English language learners. These students will participate in grade-level instruction and activities, as well as engage in English language development activities. 
• It is important for students to read, write, speak, and listen to English every day. FCPS is creating resources that incorporate a variety of reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities for English language learners.
• ESOL teachers and school-based parent liaisons will provide support to English language learners and their families. FCPS has also established phone lines in Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese to provide information to parents, answer questions, and connect families to resources.

Related story: Northam executive order closes schools, lists business that must close

In other issues, Brabrand says the third quarter grading book is not closed. Students will have an opportunity to complete all assignments issued before schools were closed. “We will provide maximum flexibility for our students to be sure they can get those assignments submitted,” he says.

Before distance learning can begin, he says, FCPS has to address these issues:

• Technology infrastructure availability for all students.
• The diverse learning needs of students.
• Appropriate teacher training to ensure fidelity of implementation.
• Laptop distribution to approximately 15,000 middle school and elementary school students in accordance with health department guidelines, one student at a time.
• Printing and mailing of 125,000 learning packets weekly to homes across Fairfax County.

 “We are being challenged in ways that we didn’t imagine just a few weeks ago,” Brabrand says. “Our teachers are professionals who are adjusting, adapting, and learning to do whatever is necessary to create meaningful learning experiences for your students.”