Bellevue School District issued the following announcement.
Gratitude for Our Learning Community
As we enter the Thanksgiving holiday, we would like to use this time to thank and express our gratitude for all those in our learning community: students, parents and guardians, educators and staff, and our many community partners. We wish you a happy and safe holiday.
Current Stage: Stage 2 Remote Learning
Bellevue School District has a plan to have students and staff safely return to buildings over the course of six stages. These stages are based on public health guidelines.
We are currently in Stage 2: Remote Learning.
As of November 19, there are 354 positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in King County in the past 14 days.
Supporting Our Learning Community
Recognizing the lasting and large impact of the pandemic on our learning community, the Bellevue School District has implemented a number of supports for students and their families and educators.
Social Emotional and Mental Health
Families and students are invited to attend one of the district’s several multi-language forums on mental health. All sessions will be conducted over Teams and will be recorded. Learn more.
There is also drop-in in-person mental health and counseling support at Highland Middle School on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. for all middle and high school students.
To support students, educators are also hosting morning meetings or virtual circles, as well as conducting emotion check-ins, inclusive welcomes and optimistic closings to classes. Ensuring that student well-being is being made part of every class is a priority.
Remote Learning Improvements and Supporting Student Academics
Educators are improving the remote learning experience for students through small group instruction where students receive more one-on-one attention. New technology tools are also playing a part. Educators are creating interactive learning activities and exercises using Nearpod during remote instruction. Educators are also helping students stay focused and paying attention in class by limiting use of distracting programs during lessons with Class Policy.
Educators, additionally, are providing focused academic support to students identified as needing more help in small groups or individually during asynchronous time and on Wednesdays. School buildings are tracking how students are doing academically and developing plans for students in need, which can include in-person services for select students.
Additional In-person Opportunities for Students
The District continues to add in-person services in support of students. Currently, over 2,700 students are taking part in activities and services in our buildings. These include: our school-age childcare BOOST program for students who need a place to learn while their parents work, serving at-risk three and four year olds in our ECEAP preschool program, Special Education services spanning preschool to our Evergreen transition program that serves young adults, English language support for emerging speakers, supports for secondary students who have incompletes or who are struggling in the remote environment, as well as athletics training pods for high school students.
Supporting Educators in Delivering and Evaluating Learning
We know our teachers and staff are working hard in this remote environment. To help support remote teaching, our educators are learning new skills to make online learning come to life for our students. Through professional development, our educators are meeting regularly to share expertise and work collaboratively to improve teaching skills and the performance of students.
Interim Progress Reports for Middle and High School Students
All middle and high school parents and guardians of students with D and F grades will receive interim progress reports by mail the week of December 7. Current progress for all students will be accessible in ParentVUE and parents and guardians are encouraged to monitor student progress. Grades will be updated Tuesday, December 1. Please communicate with your student’s teachers if you have questions or concerns about your student’s progress. If you would like more information on grading practices in the Bellevue School District including practices put in place this school year and long-term planning for grading, read more here.
Governor’s Travel Advisory
Holiday time is here, and for many people, this means travelling to visit family. The Bellevue School District is complying with Governor Inslee’s travel advisory. From the advisory: “Washingtonians are encouraged to stay home or in their region and avoid non-essential travel to other states or countries.” All students participating in in-person learning, services, or activities who have travelled out of state need to self-quarantine at home for 14-days after returning from their travels before coming back to school. Read more about the travel advisory.
In October, Bellevue School District announced that school buildings will not be fully open for learning until January 2021 at the earliest. Any decision at that time will be subject to review of the health data conditions for King County. Until then, most students will continue with remote learning until public health allows the district to open our buildings. We will give families two weeks’ notice to progress between stages, and the district continues to work with our students, families, and staff to find ways to foster opportunities to connect in person and online.
Original source can be found here.
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