Are you starting on-campus classes on August 17th like you planned?
No.
Why?
According to the Department of Health Services dashboard, Maricopa County has not met the three (3) benchmarks for two (2) weeks in a row for schools to be able to safely provide on-campus, teacher-directed instruction (https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-disease-epidemiology/index.php#novel-coronavirus-schools).
So, when will Pointe start on-campus classes?
To provide our families and teachers with stability, our Board has made the difficult decision for all classes to remain online through the first quarter (through October 2nd). The Board will reconvene on September 17th to consider an on-campus start date for the second quarter.
Didn’t the governor order schools to start on August 17th?
No. Beginning August 17th, the governor has ordered all district and charter schools to provide on-site distance learning services during regular school hours for enrolled students who have nowhere else to go or have other specific needs (e.g. no internet service). This is not teacher-directed, in-person instruction, which is not currently allowed under the benchmarks.
What is the difference between in-person, teacher-directed instruction and on-site distance learning services?
The on-site distance learning program is a safe area for students to do their online learning. It provides general supervision, not in-person teaching/tutoring.
If it is safe enough for students to be on campus, why can’t they be in their classrooms with their teacher?
We are required to offer on-site distance learning services beginning August 17th in order to receive the Education Stability Grant. We had planned to offer those services by providing teacher-directed instruction. However, the state is making a distinction between students being on-campus (required if the parent requests it) and students being in front of the teacher (not currently allowed under the benchmarks).
What? That doesn’t make sense!
We agree.
Can you please describe the On-site Distance Learning Program?
Students must come in dress-code, wear a face mask, and will be symptom and temperature checked before entry. Before a student is admitted to the Nest each day, the school will also make sure the student has their required items, including: their own charged device (either the school-provided Chromebook or their own device), a headset, 2 facemasks, lunch, water bottle, and any needed school supplies. We are still determining if students must be signed-in to the program each day by someone from their Emergency Contact Form. Students will not be admitted after 8:05 am and must be signed out of the front office if they leave before the end of the school day.
Students will spend the day in the Nest, seated 6 ft away from others and wearing a face mask, and will log-into their classes and do their work according to their class schedule, just as they would at home. Students will be monitored by a Pointe employee. Classroom teachers will continue to teach their classes online, from their own classrooms. Students will not be allowed into the main campus or into the teachers’ classrooms.
Lunch: Students must provide their own lunch and their own water bottles (drinking fountains will not be accessible).
This program is not “childcare” and it is not “regular school.” Rather, it is a safe place where students can independently complete their work with access to the internet. Teachers will continue to be available via Zoom and will not be in the Nest. Students should not use this program just so they can be with their friends – it is for families who need the service.
How do I register my student for the On-Site Distance Learning Program?
We will email all families the link to the Registration form tomorrow (8/12). Families need to register by August 13th (by noon) for the week of 8/17, and by August 17th (by noon) for the remainder of the first quarter.
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