Elementary School Model
Virtual learning will be provided for nearly 1,400 students in grades PK-5. The virtual only program will allow students to remain attached to their base schools. Students will be coded as dually enrolled in their base school and in the virtual program. Although students will be assigned to virtual classes with their peers throughout the School Division, their respective base school funds will not be impacted. Students’ academic progress via grades, report cards, and Standards of Learning (SOL) results will remain the responsibility of their base schools.
In order to ensure the highest quality virtual-only program possible, PWCS has partnered with Proximity Learning to offer a virtual learning option. Proximity Learning is a national leader in providing teachers who are experts in virtual teaching. Proximity Learning teachers are certified in Virginia. The teachers will use PWCS curriculum to effectively provide real-time, online, livestreamed virtual instruction for students who have opted to learn virtually. Proximity Learning is grounded in more than 10 years of virtual learning experience.
Primarily, Special Education services will be provided by
certified virtual teachers staffed from Proximity
Learning in collaboration with the PWCS Special
Education case managers. In addition, teacher assistants
will provide targeted instructional support.
Virtual instruction will be provided for English Learners. Proximity Learning's certified teachers will reach and teach our ELs.
PWCS will assume full responsibility for the success of the virtual learning option provided to identified students. Utilizing Proximity Learning will also significantly reduce, and in most cases eliminate, the need for concurrent teaching.
Proximity Learning teachers will partner and collaborate with PWCS teachers. Base schools will adequately staff classes for their full population of students regardless of whether a student is virtual. This will ensure appropriate staffing levels and scheduling for any students who choose to transition from virtual to in-person at any time during the year (as required by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
Students are able to interact with their Proximity Learning teacher just like they would a teacher that is physically in the classroom - they’ll still be doing group work, testing, having one-on-one conversations with their teachers, and more. Proximity Learning teachers also differentiate their lessons based on students’ needs, learning styles, and interests. These are teachers who are truly looking to make a positive impact on everybody they teach.
PWCS elementary virtual only students will be registered into Proximity Learning through their base school. Students will be provided a login by Proximity Learning to access the Proximity Learning portal (Canvas), and their teacher’s Zoom sessions. Proximity Learning teachers will grade students' work and provide feedback similar to an onsite PWCS teacher. The student’s base school will enter the student’s grades and attendance into The Hub for parent/guardian access through ParentVUE.