To Our SISD Families;
I first want to thank our parents and community for their words of encouragement and support for our schools. This is a difficult time for everyone. The supportive attitude of this community has been so reassuring. It has been inspiring to witness our country and community working together to prevent the spread of this virus. We will overcome it.
What we are facing is unprecedented and I want to provide you with a quick update on the COVID-19 situation and its impact on the school district. While we understand this may be a hardship for parents, we are doing our best to make decisions that will keep the community healthy.
Seminole ISD campuses will begin to transition to a distance learning model. This process will take time, as our administration, leadership, and staff will require the coming days to adequately prepare. Students will not report to campuses but instead will receive instruction from teachers in a variety of formats. Seminole ISD will be meeting the educational needs of our students via distance learning for an indefinite time period.
Phase 1: Transition
Phase 1 of this new format of learning will be Monday, March 23rd through Friday, March 27th. Students can expect limited instruction and assignments during this time, as we allow teachers to adequately prepare for Phase 2.
What to expect during Phase 1:
- an important exchange of information between students and faculty; i.e. lunch, internet capabilities, spring break travel. Each household should expect a call from school personnel starting the week of Monday, March 23rd.
- information about the distribution of technology devices that will be checked out to students.
- detailed distance learning instruction methods will be further explained by the end of the week.
Phase 2: Implementation
The goal is to begin Phase 2 on Monday, March 30th.
What to expect during Phase 2:
- teachers will begin delivering more in-depth instruction to our students.
- increase of communication between student, parent, and teacher as we implement this learning model.
- all student attendance/performance will continue to be documented in PowerSchool.
In the days ahead, let us continue to keep each other in our hearts. While we cannot know exactly what the coming weeks and months will look like, please know that each decision we make as a school district will be thoughtful and the product of considerable debate and scrutiny. Our goal is to prioritize the health and safety of our entire school community, and we want nothing but the best for each and every member of our Tribe. I look forward to seeing our staff members pull together for our students by maintaining meaningful relationships and continuing to develop impactful lessons that meet their academic needs. The school district will deliver more substantive plans to parents on Sunday, March 22nd.
We realize there will be challenges and bumps along the way. Rest assured, we are in this together and will continue to work through them as a team. We want to take this opportunity, amidst the challenges of the moment, to thank everyone for your patience, your flexibility, your good humor, your optimism, and your unwavering support as we navigate what lies ahead.
Sincerely,
Kyle Lynch, Superintendent of Schools