Will Odyssey be used if Blackhawk students will be learning from home next year?
The reason that we moved to the Odyssey program was because the school closure was extended for multiple weeks. The program functions best when it is used for that purpose. If the district went to an extended closure next year, we would consider using Odyssey again. However, if we had a shorter closure, more than likely we will use our current curriculum resourses. Next year, we will have a new reading series, Wonders. The new series comes with a robust online program where a student can digitally complete an online lesson just as they would in the classroom. We will definitely be using this program if we will be off from school. In addition, we will be incorporating more of the online math lessons that are included with our series Go Math. Finally, now that teachers and parents are more comfortable with ZOOM meetings, if we are home next year, parents will see online meetings expanding to include live instruction. This year the purpose of the meetings was to maintain the classroom connections with teachers and peers. Next year, it will be more instructional in nature.
I feel my child is behind. Should he/she repeat the current grade?
All students are in the same situation. The last nine weeks of school was not an optimal learning situation for anyone. With that being said, teachers are well prepared to fill in those gaps next year when they are promoted to the next grade. It is very possible that students are going to need more time to review at the beginning of the year.
For many children, returning to school after the summer can be a hard transition. When we return to school, students will have spent a significant length of NOT being in the classroom. We are prepared for that. We will meet the students where they are.
Unless you were planning on retaining your child before the closure, it is not recommended to do so now.
What if I am not comfortable sending my child to school next year?
We know each family situation is different. If you are considering keeping your child learning at home next year, we would love to partner with you to do that.
Blackhawk has had it's own cyber program from many years. There are many benefits to being a Blackhawk Online Academy student. Blackhawk Online Academy cyber students will have access to all of the digital programs that traditional students have such as Accelerated Reader and Raz Kids. They are welcome to attend classes in the building as desired such as related arts or orchestra. They will continue to receive related services such as Speech and Title One.
The main component of the Blackhawk Online Academy is the Odyssey program that your children have used this spring. However, there are additional components that we have not utilized.
Most families have told us that this is a temporary option for them. With that in mind, we want to design a program for next year that will allow children to easily reenter school when they are ready. In addition to the Odyssey program, we will be using the digital components of our new reading series, Wonders. We are also exploring the opportunity to have live related arts classes. All of this is in the planning stage but will be ready for fall.
Will my child be given an electronic device next year?
Blackhawk will be one to one next year. All students will be assigned a device. Students will be using the online programs frequently in class so that if we would have a school closure of a FID day, they will be comfortable using all the websites.