GHC DISTANCE LEARNING POLICY TK-8: This Policy sets forth the expectations of students and parents/guardians while students are engaging in distance learning at Granada Hills Charter (“GHC”). This policy should be considered a supplemental resource to existing GHC policies found in the GHC STUDENT-PARENT Handbook. “Distance learning” is a mode of classroom instruction that can be delivered either through teacher directed instruction via the internet or a combination of online and traditional classroom-based instruction, called a “hybrid” model. This allows students and teachers to be in different locations and use various technologies to facilitate instruction and teacher-student interaction.
INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL
Synchronous Instruction or “Live Sessions”
Synchronous Learning is a live session with students which combines face to face time with active work within a designated period of time. Live sessions may include direct instruction, synchronous video/audio with discussion, teacher-student/student-student interaction, application of knowledge and skills, structured group activities, and response to questions.
Attendance at live sessions is the single most important factor in a student's achievement during Distance Learning. Attendance is defined as logging in at the start of class and remaining on line for the duration of the live session. During the synchronous sessions, students must follow teacher instructions with regard to usage of cameras and microphones. GHC Distance Learning Behavioral Expectations will be enforced. Live sessions will not exceed the scheduled period.
Asynchronous Instruction
Asynchronous Learning is designed for students to have access to content with clear and transparent expectations which can be completed independently. Asynchronous instruction are activities, lessons, and instructional materials that are assigned by the classroom instructor and are completed independently. During distance learning, asynchronous material will drive curriculum and instruction. Teachers will develop asynchronous plans with clear learning objectives and outcomes that address State standards and will be described in a course syllabus with units posted to their Google Classroom. Asynchronous assignments should be comprehensible and scaffolded in such a way that students are able to complete them independently.
COURSE WORK AND GRADING
Grading during Distance Learning will be consistent with grading practices within the traditional school program. GHC will issue grades and credits as described in the GHC Parent Student Handbook and GHC Course Catalog. In addition to scheduled live sessions, work assigned for GHC College Preparatory (CP) courses should not exceed three (3) total hours per week, GHC Honors should not exceed four (4) hours, and Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses should not exceed five (5) total hours per week. For AP and IB science courses, up to two (2) additional hours will be dedicated to online lab requirements. Students are expected to complete all work assigned by the teacher with expectation that the work will count towards their grade in the assigned course. Work shall include, but is not limited to assignments, homework, tests, assessments, projects and other tasks actively assigned by the teacher. Complete is defined as in the Cambridge Dictionary meant to make whole or perfect.
Late Work
Teachers will allow at minimum one additional day to make up work for each day of excused absence due to illness or other family emergencies during distance learning. Teachers will assign alternative comparable work if specific classroom activities i.e. labs, videos, presentations, group assignments, etc. cannot be made up by the student. Accommodations in student IEP and Section 504 plans will be followed as written in the IEP and 504 Plan.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attending live lessons is essential for students to benefit from teacher-supervised activities and to maximize the learning experience. Attendance is defined as logging in at the start of class and remaining on line and active for the duration of the live session. Students who leave early or cannot be accounted for during the live lesson, may be marked absent/truant. The GHC attendance policy remains in effect during the duration of Distance Learning.
Tardy Policy
A tardy is defined as logging in five minutes after the start of the scheduled Live Session. Students are permitted four tardies per semester without penalty.
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
Students should be well rested, fed and ready to learn promptly for scheduled distance learning instruction, meetings, or other virtual, online, or telephonic school-related activities. Students are not permitted to eat during these scheduled school-related activities as it disrupts the student, the teacher and the other students participating in the activity.
Netiquette
“Netiquette” is etiquette on the Internet. It is important to recognize that the online classroom is in fact a real classroom and students and teachers participating in online courses are expected to conduct their communications in a responsible and respectful manner.