A Return to New Learning Task Force, including multiple work/focus groups, with 90 members representing principals, teachers, support staff, and central leadership, as well as parents (e.g. Instruction, Equity, Special Education, Safe Schools, Gifted Advisory Councils), has been working to provide valuable input and develop draft plans that prioritize the health and safety of all students and staff while delivering equitable, high-quality new learning in the fall. For example, in support of putting the health and safety of students and staff as a top priority, principals at every level were asked to conduct classroom-by-classroom assessments utilizing 6 feet of distancing measurements to determine furniture placement and the maximum number of students who can be in every space while maintaining the social distancing. Similar health and safety assessments are occurring across the Division to include bus transportation safety assessments.
In addition, PWCS parent survey and school-based staff surveys have been distributed. These survey results, in addition to results from the survey conducted by the Prince William Education Association, will inform the creation of the plan. An additional survey for parents will be conducted in mid-July after the return to new learning plan is adopted. The Department for Human Resources will be gathering information from every employee to determine employee needs and will work with employees who may be in high-risk health categories and/or require ADA accommodations.
PWCS must consider the multitude of requirements from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Virginia High School League (VHSL), and other organizations overseeing all school divisions' plans for returning to learning. PWCS leaders are also collaborating with the Prince William School Board to ensure this plan is comprehensive and thoughtful.
As the process progresses, the School Board will be receiving updates in preparation for a work session on July 8. The School Board is scheduled to vote on the return to new learning plan on July 15, with communication of the plan to staff, students, families, and the community immediately following.
At
this
time,
we
expect
to
open
for
in-person
learning,
as
regularly
scheduled
on
August
25.
However,
PWCS
is
developing
an
extensive
plan
for
the
potential
for
required
virtual
learning,
as
well
as
various
operational
scenarios,
and
the
associated
health
and
safety
considerations
for
staff
and
students.
The
Virginia
Department
of
Education
(VDOE)
and
the
Virginia
State
Superintendent
are
expected
to
provide
guidance
within
a
month
to
schools
regarding
guidelines
and
requirements
for
safe
opening
of
schools
this
fall.
Representative
parents
are
being
brought
together
later
this
spring
to
virtually
review,
discuss,
and
provide
focused
input
regarding
the
reopening
of
schools
and
our
Return
to
New
Learning
plan.
The
plan
includes
contingencies
for
in-person,
a
combination
of
in-person
and
distance
learning
for
students
who
do
not
or
cannot
return
in
person,
and
an
option
for
the
potential
for
required
distance
learning
if
schools
are
unable
to
reopen
for
in-person
learning.
The
learning
plan
has
logistical
and
health/safety
considerations
needed
to
address
the
prevention
of
the
spread
of
COVID-19,
as
well
as
responses
to
support
any
further
closures
occurring
as
a
result
of
possible
future
outbreaks
or
other
emergencies.
It
is
important
to
note
that
our
2020-21
Return
to
New
Learning
Plan
will
continue
to
be
adjusted
as
we
get
further
decisions
and
guidance
from
the
Governor
and
VDOE
over
the
course
of
this
spring
and
summer.
With
the
input
of
representative
teachers,
school
leaders,
and
central
office
staff,
the
Division
has
developed
a
Return
to
New
Learning
Plan
with
two
main
road
maps:
Late
Spring
and
Summer
Preparation
for
the
Return
to
New
Learning
and
multiple
contingencies
for
the
actual
Return
to
New
Learning
2020-21.
The
spring
and
summer
2020
preparation
road
map
is
focused
on
developing
our
new
Virtual
Schoolhouse
using
Canvas,
which
is
a
best-in-class
learning
management
system
(LMS).
Canvas
will
unify
our
online
learning
and
curriculum
delivery
using
a
series
of
integrated
tools
to
enhance
distance
learning
for
every
student.
To
support
all
elements
of
the
instructional
cycle,
an
integrated
Division-wide
assessment
system
for
monitoring
student
learning
and
achievement
will
be
deployed
within
the
LMS
solution.
MasteryConnect
is
a
digital,
online,
and
integrated
assessment
system
with
Standards
of
Learning
aligned
items
banks
featuring
robust
reporting
capabilities.
It
can
be
utilized
for
performance-based,
formative,
summative,
and
benchmark
assessments
in
all
courses
at
all
levels.
The
development
and
use
of
collaborative,
cross-department
action
work
groups,
including
teachers
and
administrators,
will
be
assigned
to
specific
aspects
of
the
plan
to
gain
further
stakeholder
input
on
the
implementation
for
students,
staff,
and
families.
In
anticipation
of
the
need
to
do
required
virtual
learning
this
fall,
PWCS
is
working
to
conduct
another
procurement
of
laptops
at
the
start
of
the
fiscal
year
which
is
a
part
of
our
approved
budget.
This
purchase,
combined
with
the
previously
announced
procurement,
will
allow
us
to
complete
the
digital
equity
plan
implementation
of
having
a
consistent
device
for
every
high
school
student
by
November.
We
also
believe
that
we
will
be
able
to
provide
a
device
to
every
high
school
student
who
needs
one
for
at-home
learning,
using
both
new
devices
and
existing
devices,
at
the
start
of
the
fall
2020-21
academic
year.
As
plans
become
clearer
and
more
solidified,
additional
communications
will
be
shared
with
the
community
in
the
coming
weeks.