Answers to frequently asked questions about Plan C: Connected

Answers to frequently asked questions about Plan C: Connected
Posted on 08/10/2020
Plan C: Connected

On Wednesday, Aug. 5, the Mehlville School District Board of Education voted unanimously to begin the 2020-2021 school year virtually in Plan C: Connected.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Plan C: 

What metrics will the district be using to determine when it is safe to transition to Plan B: Blended or Plan A: At School? 
The St. Louis County Department of Public Health publishes a summary of COVID-19 trends on their website. We are paying close attention to daily new cases, positivity rates and transmission rates. These trends, along with recommendations from county health officials are being used in the decision-making process to determine when it will be safe for students to return to campus.

What is the difference between Mehlville@Home and On-Campus Plan C: Connected? 
Mehlville@Home is a semester-long virtual commitment for families, while students enrolled in On-Campus Plan C: Connected will transfer back to in-person learning in a blended (Plan B: Blended) or entirely in-person (Plan A: At School) format when it is deemed safe to do so. 

If on-campus instruction switches to Plan A or B, can I move my child to Mehlville@Home?
After the semester begins, registration will only be accepted into Mehlville@Home if space is available.

How is the district planning to meet the needs of students needing special education services? 
Students who qualify for special education will be provided with their services or accommodations whether we are in Plan A, B or C. Students who choose Mehlville@Home will receive special education services virtually. Families will be working with school staff to develop what special education services will look like in a connected (Plan C) or blended setting (Plan B). Related service providers, including speech therapists, occupational therapists, etc., will work with the student’s Special School District case manager to provide necessary related instruction and support. This does include virtual lessons which would be proportional to the number of service minutes on the IEP. For more information about special education see the SSD Return to School Guidance.

What technology will be available to families to assist them in learning virtually including for those without internet access? 
All registered students will have access to a district Chromebook. If your child doesn’t have a Chromebook from the spring, please look for information from your child’s school regarding Chromebook distribution. If you have a district Chromebook and it’s not functioning correctly, please email [email protected] for assistance. If you do not have internet access, please contact your child’s counselor or principal for assistance. A limited number of wireless internet hotspots are available for families in need.

What support will be available for incoming kindergarten students, especially those who have never used a chromebook?
Mehlville School District elementary schools will be hosting Kindergarten Family Meetings Aug. 25-28. During these days, all kindergarten families will have 45 minutes of dedicated time to meet with their child's teacher. During this meeting, families will pick-up supplies/at-home learning kit, learn how to log into and navigate the Chromebook and be introduced to electronic learning platforms like SeeSaw and iReady.

More information about Kindergarten Family Meetings will come from your child's school.

How does the district plan to ensure that teachers have the necessary tools to make sure that students are receiving a quality education? 
Our Curriculum team has been working since the district unexpectedly pivoted to virtual learning in the spring to provide teachers with the tools they need to be successful in teaching in a virtual environment. Teachers and students were able to use these tools during Mehlville’s Virtual Summer Session to develop best practices, and the district is providing daily opportunities for teachers to participate in professional development focused on giving them the tools needed to help students succeed in a virtual setting.

Will the district be continuing meal service for families who rely on meals during the school year? 
The district’s School Food and Nutrition Services staff has been preparing plans to provide students with meals whether Plan A, Plan B or Plan C is in place at any point during the school year. 

In August, during Plan C, families can pick up meals at their school between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. each day. Schools will share meal sign-up forms with their families the week before school starts. Each meal bag will include one breakfast and lunch. Meals will be charged to the student’s meal account. Learn more about the Free and Reduced Price Meal Program. Meal pick up is available for Mehlville@Home students and on-campus students.
 

The Mehlville School District strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity and other characteristics protected by law. The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: contact Adam Smith at 314-467-5006 or [email protected].