ELEMENTARY VIRTUAL PROGRAM

Online learning for Elementary students and students served in specialized programs in special education in the Cobb County School District will include high-quality educators using a high quality platform, all while being aligned to Georgia’s rigorous standards.

For the 2021-2022 school year, our online Elementary learners and students served in specialized programs in special education will participate in a geographic “cluster model.” This means students may be clustered with students/teachers at other schools.

This model contains a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning that necessitates parental support and involvement, including ongoing communication with their teacher. For this and other reasons, we encourage families to make a semester-long commitment when choosing this model. Transferring out of the program and back into a Face-to-Face classroom at any point in the 2021-2022 school year would require the student to enter a new class with a new teacher.

VIRTUAL LEARNING FAQ

• What do I need to do if my child wants to come back to school for face to face?

  Your child will remain in the virtual class through the first semester which ends in January. You will be allowed the option to change to F2F in late fall. A change from virtual instruction to F2F instruction will require a change in teacher.

• Will the elementary virtual learning program be for academic year or one semester?

  To allow for appropriate staff scheduling and to keep students on track for the grade level, the District's expectation is that families who choose Elementary Virtual Program will do so for the entire 2021-2022 school year.

• What if I want my child to join virtual classes for a few months in the beginning of the semester?

  There will not be a part-time option for virtual classes. You have selected EVP for the entire semester. If you decide to have your child change back to F2F after learning more about the Elementary Virtual Program, the window will open for that change only between May 7-21, 2021.

• Will the teacher provide weekly printed worksheets via pick-up box as we do currently if the virtual option is chosen?

  Students in the EVP will be utilizing CTLS for most assignments. This practice will be left up to the individual teacher and used on a very limited basis. Your child’s virtual teacher could be in a school that is a great distance from your home.

• How will my child complete mandatory state testing if we choose virtual classes?

  Mandatory state testing must be completed F2F. Schedules will be developed and communicated prior to testing for EVP students to test in person.

• If Face-to-Face is chosen will the schools implement 6 feet social distancing in schools?

  We will continue to follow the guidelines set forth by the CDC and Cobb Douglas County Health Department.

• Will the schools allow visitors inside the school for volunteering and other such purposes for the coming year?

  We will continue to follow the guidelines set forth by the CDC and Cobb Douglas County Health Department.

• Will School conduct events that would call for the gathering of students inside the school?

  This also falls under the CDC and Cobb Douglas County Health Department guidelines. We recognize those guidelines may change. The administration at each school is responsible for planning and implementing special celebrations. Your administrative team plans to hold these events based on the ability to follow the CDC's guidelines for safe social distancing and compliance with safety protocols.

• Will students have access to AC classes in the virtual environment?

  No, AC classes won’t be available to students in the Elementary Virtual Program. Teachers will meet the rigor their individual students require during differentiated classroom instruction. 

• How will specials (PE, Art, Music) be handled for the online students? Will specials be with the teachers and students from their home school?

  Art, PE, and Music will be provided live through CTLS on a daily rotation with specialists.

• Does EVP have a full time school counselor?

  Yes, EVP has a full time counselor dedicated to support students.  

• If the number of kids enrolled for the elementary virtual learning program is low, will online instruction be cancelled?

  Since parents are being encouraged to select the appropriate learning environment for their student for the entire school year, there will be no need to collapse or close virtual classes. Students will likely be in a classroom with students from other schools and taught by a teacher at another school.

• Do elementary students get the option to do part time virtual learning?

  We are not offering part-time instruction through our Elementary Virtual Program next year. All elementary students will need to attend class virtually if they have selected the EVP. All other students will be taught F2F.

• What are the daily hours for EVP?

  The school day begins at 8:00am and ends at 2:00pm. The students will meet online for synchronous whole group instruction. There will also be breaks, independent work time, and small group instruction built into the day. 

• Will virtual teachers also be teaching students F2F?

  Virtual teachers will only be teaching students in the Elementary Virtual Program.

• Will the school provide different devices next year?

  Devices are scheduled to be returned to schools at the end of this school year for servicing. Devices will be available for those students who need access to technology to participate in the Elementary Virtual Program.

• Will students receive ESOL, EIP, gifted, and special education services?

  Support in each of those areas will continue in the Elementary Virtual Program. They will be provided differently than in face-to-face classrooms, but they will be included in the program.

• When will I find out my child’s teacher?

  Your child’s teacher will reach out to you prior to the start of school.

• Are we allowed to choose the Elementary Virtual Program if we are not in the USA for a few months?

  Students must reside in the attendance zone for Cobb County School District to participate in the Elementary Virtual Program. If a family moves out of the district (or country), the student(s) will need to be withdrawn and re-registered upon your return.

• When does enrollment for remote learning begin?

  Registration opens on April 19th and closes on May 2nd.

• How long is the commitment to virtual learning?

  Registration is limited to one time (April 19th–May 2nd) for the virtual option and a year-long commitment is strongly encouraged.

• What if parents want to change their choice mid-year (or at any time)?

  We ask families to make a semester-long commitment to the choice made. If a change is made, students will be assigned a different teacher. 

• Will remote student schedules be the same as F2F schedules? If not, what will the school day look like?

  See sample schedule 

• Will K-5 online teachers teach both remote and F2F simultaneously?

  No, K-5 online teachers will not teach remote and F2F students simultaneously. 

• Will (online K-5) teachers be teaching from a district facility or school?

  Yes, K-5 teachers will teach from a Cobb County School District facility.

• How many teachers will be supporting online students?

  Teachers will be allotted based on student enrollment.  

• Is a specific certification required to teach online? 

  Content-area certification is required. An online endorsement is preferred. 

• How many hours a day will my child be in front of the computer screen?

  In total, students will receive 3-4 hours of whole group synchronous instruction each day.  There will also be breaks, independent work time, and small group instruction built into the day. 

• What does the school day look like? 

  See sample schedule

• How can I support my child’s technology and academic deficits?

  Parents will need to plan to be very involved in the student’s learning. This choice is best for parents who can commit several hours per day to assist students.  

• Will ASP be available?

  ASP will be for Face-to-Face students only. 

• How will my child receive ESOL services?

  ESOL services will be provided by a certified ESOL teacher.  

• How will my child receive Gifted services?

  Gifted services will be provided by a Gifted endorsed teacher using the resource model known as ‘Target’ one day each week.

• How will my child’s social-emotional needs be met?

  Social-emotional needs will be addressed through embedded SEL skills in the daily instruction provided by teacher and school counselors. 

• Dos EVP provide services for students in special education?

  Yes, EVP does provide specific services for students in special education.  

• How will my child receive Special Education services?

  Special Education services will be provided as required by the IEP. All available services will be delivered virtually if this choice is selected. 

• If I have additional questions related to online learning, who do I ask?

  Please email any unanswered questions to learningeverywhere@cobbk12.org where it will be sent to the best person to give you the quickest, most accurate answer.