CCSD Digital Learning 2021-22 Program Update

On behalf of the Superintendent, please review the following updates about CCSD’s Digital Learning program for the 2021-22 School Year. 

We have outlined the highlights of the program and back-to-school preparations below.  We encourage you to review the CCSD Digital Learning Models for SY2021-22 Guidebook, which explains the learning models and expectations in greater detail, and is posted online at https://bit.ly/CCSDdlguide21.

The Office of Curriculum & Instruction will continuously review Digital Learning operations and make adjustments as needed throughout the first semester.  A decision has not yet been made about the continuation of the program for the second semester, but we will keep you informed.  We wish you all the best for the new school year.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

CCSD elementary school Digital Learning students will receive instruction through a self-contained and team-based digital classroom environment with one or more teacher(s) (determined by grade level and needed services) providing instruction in all content areas.  Teachers will use the Canvas online learning management system and Microsoft Teams video-conferencing system to deliver live instruction during regular school hours.  Lesson plans for the coming week will be posted in Canvas by 6 p.m. Fridays.

Students who receive special services, such as Special Education or English Learner, will receive online services through the Digital Learning model as described in the CCSD Digital Learning Models for SY2021-22 Guidebook and detailed in their individual plan (i.e., IEP, EL, EIP, RTI, etc.).

All elementary school Digital Learning teachers will be housed at Ball Ground Elementary School STEM Academy to allow for increased communication and collaboration among educators.

All elementary school Digital Learning students and their families are invited to attend the Ball Ground ES STEM Academy (321 Valley Street, Ball Ground, GA 30107) open house to meet their teachers.  This in-person event is on Friday, July 30, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. for students with last names A-L and from 10 to 11 a.m. for students with last names M-Z.  Should you prefer not to attend the in-person event, please be aware that all teachers, who will return to work on July 26 and then receive their class roster, will be sending a message through Canvas to students and their parents.  Additionally, a virtual open house through Microsoft Teams will be scheduled for next week for all elementary school Digital Learning parents, and parents will receive information about this event by email.

Teachers will advise you of the supplies your child will need for the first semester.  Lists for in-person classes, which may be more extensive than your needs for Digital Learning, are posted online at https://bit.ly/CCSDsupplies.

Lauren Wade, an outstanding teacher-leader, has been appointed as a teacher on special assignment to serve as the program’s on-site facilitator.  If you have concerns or questions that are not resolved by first contacting the teacher, please contact Ms. Wade at lauren.wade@cherokeek12.net.  The Principal of Ball Ground ES STEM Academy is Melinda Roulier; her email address is Melinda.Roulier@cherokeek12.net.   

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

CCSD middle and high school Digital Learning students will receive instruction through a Blended Learning model.  Lessons and activities will be provided through the Canvas online learning management system and both live and recorded instruction will be offered through Microsoft Teams video-conferencing system.  The live sessions may include concurrent teaching, with lessons and activities occurring live during the same class period for both in-person and Digital Learning students.  CCSD will not be using the Apex platform for any Digital Learning classes.  Lesson plans for the coming week will be posted in Canvas by Sunday evening.

All middle and high school Digital Learning students will receive their schedules in their CCSD email by 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 27.  For high school students, these classes will be scheduled during the regular school day.  For middle school students, these classes will be scheduled at varying times throughout the day, with the earliest possible classes each day to be scheduled at 7:30 a.m. and the latest at 4:30 p.m.  Teachers will communicate, as part of their weekly lesson plans, when Digital Learning students will be expected to log into Microsoft Teams for check-ins and/or live instruction.

Students who receive special services, such as Special Education or English Learner, will receive online services through the Digital Learning model as described in the CCSD Digital Learning Models for SY2021-22 guidebook and detailed in their individual plan (i.e., IEP, EL, REP, RTI, etc.).

All middle and high school Digital Learning students and their families are invited to attend open house events to meet teachers.  For high school students, all of their classes will be taught by teachers from their home school.  For middle school students, their homeroom teacher and Connections teachers will be from their home school; their academic classes may be taught by teachers from other CCSD middle schools.  The open house schedule is posted online at https://bit.ly/CCSDopen.  Should you prefer not to attend the in-person event, please be aware that all teachers, who will return to work on July 26 and then receive their class roster, will be sending a message through Canvas to students and their parents.

Teachers will advise you of the supplies your child will need for the first semester.  Lists for in-person middle school classes, which may be more extensive than your needs for Digital Learning, are posted online at https://bit.ly/CCSDsupplies.  High school lists are not posted for in-person classes as those are set for each specific class by the teacher.

Select CCSD in-person middle and high school teachers are instructing Digital Learning classes as part of their schedule, with some middle school classes offered during an “extra” period immediately after regular school hours.  If you have questions or concerns that are not resolved by first contacting the teacher, please contact the Principal.