Berkley School District issued the following announcement on July 13.
Dear Berkley Schools Community,
As we get closer to the school year starting, we are continuing to watch the COVID-19 numbers in our county and state. We are noticing the continuing downward trend and hope this pattern continues into the school year. No matter where the numbers are on August 30, for the 2021-22 school year, Berkley Schools will offer two options for learning for all children, grades TK-12: In-person learning and virtual learning. This message contains details about what online learning options are available and when parents will make the selection for their child’s learning.
A new section has been added to the annual Online Back to School Packet in the MISTAR Parent Portal. In the Learning Options: In-Person or Virtual section, parents will make the selection for how their child will learn in the fall. This selection window is open from July 19-30, to allow time for schools to readjust classrooms and to enroll students in the virtual program. Please be sure to fill out your child’s learning preferences within this window. If you miss the window, your default mode of learning will be in-person. This annual online packet must be completed for each child registered with the Berkley Schools. Additional communications on how to complete the packet will be sent later this week.
Below is a summary of the in-person and virtual learning options.
In-Person Learning
- All students will attend in-person five days a week
- Secondary students will attend 6 or 7 classes per day
- The bell schedule for all students is a full day
- There will not be a hybrid option at any level
- Whether students and/or staff will wear face masks is yet to be determined. The COVID-19 pandemic is ever changing. In order to make decisions with the most up to date data available, we will work closely with Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) to determine our safety protocols closer to the beginning of the school year. Expect to receive a communication by mid-August with details on mask wearing, social distancing and any additional safety protocols recommended by OCHD.
Both virtual learning options include a half year commitment for each child enrolled. Brief summaries of the options are below, more details are available on the new Virtual Learning Options webpage, including the scheduling process, parent requirements and curriculum options.
- Accelerate Education: Berkley Schools has partnered with Accelerate Education, a third party vendor, to offer a K-12 virtual programming option.
- Students will follow a self-paced curriculum aligned with the State of Michigan standards and will receive some educational supplies from Accelerate.
- Parent support, guidance and oversight is essential for elementary students in order for them to navigate the online learning system and successfully complete the curriculum as required.
- Students will be taught by certified teachers, but not by Berkley Schools teachers.
- Students will have a Berkley Schools mentor assigned to them to check in and monitor student progress.
- Families will still receive communications from Berkley Schools.
- Virtual Learning Academy: Berkley Schools has partnered with the Oakland Schools Virtual Learning Academy Consortium (VLAC) program for a number of years. This program is available for students K-12, and is a home-based virtual learning option. While not required, it is recommended that families plan on signing up for VLAC for the entire school year.
- VLAC provides all communication, mentors, teachers, and resources.
- VLAC students will enroll with Oakland Schools after making the selection in the packet.
I’m looking forward to a great school year.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up