Anacortes schools will start off the coming academic year fully remote, but may move to hybrid remote/classroom teaching later in the year, according to a news release from the school district.
Superintendent Justin Irish provided an update to the school board this week, outlining the complexities required to offer in-person instruction, including transportation challenges, health screening, social distancing guidelines, limited space, and staffing constraints.
Families will have two options to choose from once registration opens on August 17: ASD Hybrid and ASD@Home.
- The ASD Hybrid model will include an eventual phased-in approach to in-person learning.
- ASD@Home is a fully remote option, with a parent or guardian as the primary teacher/ coach and ASD staff offering support.
Current AMS Principal Ryan Pike will lead ASD@Home.
No matter which option parents choose, schools will open on Sept. 14 fully remote.
In a letter to parents, Irish said, "By starting the year fully remote, the district can better plan for an eventual return to in-person instruction, and focus on developing an instructional model that supports all learners. Instruction will look different than it did last spring, when we had little time to plan for the school closure."
Irish outlined these requirements for their learning model:
- Daily Attendance
- Required Learning Minutes per Day
- Student and Staff Accountability
- Student Assessment and Feedback
- Staff Professional Learning
- Online Instructional Materials (new and existing materials)
- Phased-in approach for face-to-face
- Students with Special Education services
- Students with EL services
- Early Learners
"We also know that this poses challenges to parents and guardians, creating impacts on work schedules and childcare. We are partnering with community agencies to help promote childcare options, Irish said.
The school district has three more Q&A sessions scheduled online:
- July 31 - noon -- Online via Zoom
- August 4 - 6 p.m. -- Online via Zoom
- August 12 - 5:30 p.m. -- Online via Zoom
District staff continue to plan the learning model for the fall, as well as support for students receiving special education and English language services.
The school district will continue to keep school staff and community informed as plans develop.
The school district Web site has additional information.