Southeast Polk Continuous Learning Plan

As part of the extended school closure, schools have the opportunity to create a plan for
continuous learning in order to waive the days that have been missed. The Southeast Polk Plan for Continuous Learning aligns with the Voluntary Educational Enrichment Opportunity (VEEO) pathway developed by the Department of Education.

The Southeast Polk plan will be recommended but not required and student work will not be graded.  However, the model will allow us to provide academic resources along with engagement and feedback for our students and families during this extended school closure. Our plan will be respectful of the time commitment to families as we are all adjusting to the new challenges of this pandemic.

Overall, the plan is similar to what we currently have in place, and builds off of a suggested list of resources.  It includes engaging with students and providing feedback.  While it is still voluntary, we may provide specific learning tasks for students.

• These tasks are targeted around priority standards for the final units of the year
• They may include both a 'review' of previous skills and 'preview' of upcoming skills
• They should consider scaffolds for diverse learners
• These tasks are specific and targeted...less is more
• They will also be made available in a paper/pencil learning format (more on this to come) for those who may not have online access

The Southeast Polk plan aligns with the state template and includes 6 components.

1. Student Learning Expectations
2. Instructional Delivery Platforms
3. Communication
4. Professional Learning
5. Equitable Access
6. Social-Emotional Learning

Student Learning Expectations

This component addresses resources, feedback, collaboration, communication, digital citizenship, and social-emotional learning.  It is one of the longer sections of the plan and provides information for engaging with students as well guidelines for videoconferencing. 

Instructional Delivery Platforms

This component builds off of platforms currently in use at Southeast Polk and addresses curriculum and technology tools.

Communication

Communication continues to be a critical factor during this closure. The plan outlines communication for both internal and external stakeholders.

Professional Learning

In this unprecedented scenario for schools, ongoing professional learning will help support us in implementing this plan. It will build off of existing structures in our school improvement plans and add learning around teaching in an online environment.

Equitable Access

At Southeast Polk, we embrace the concept "All Means All" when it comes to student learning. This component of the plan consider the needs of all students and families, including language, diverse learning needs, and access to technology.

Social-Emotional Learning

It is important in creating a continuous learning plan that we attend to student social and emotional needs. Our plan includes opportunities for positive feedback and connection building between students and teachers.

The plan concludes with some links to information, resources, and frequently asked questions.

The full plan may be found at the link below:

Southeast Polk Continuous Learning Plan

Over the next few days, you will be learning more about this plan in staff meetings or in an online webinar. We recognize and appreciate the work all staff are doing to support students and each other during this challenging time.  Through your commitment, we will be able to continue our learning relationships with students remotely and look forward to the opportunity when we will be able to see them and work with them again in a classroom setting.