Different from Distance Learning last spring, where students checked in once a day to Daily Connect, in Distance Learning 2.0 students or parents will indicate once daily in Campus that the student will be participating in all their classes.

This once daily check-in process is independent from an individual class. Rather, checking in indicates participation for all classes at the same time.

The parent/guardian check in option will allow parents of young children and children with disabilities to assist their children with the process. 

For more information, see Attendance Procedures DL 2.0.

Schools and teachers will follow the school’s established grading practices for the 2020-21 school year, regardless of whether SPPS is in a distance, hybrid or on-site scenario.

Secondary

• Teachers will use A, B, C, D and NP grades based on formative and summative assessments as determined by each school’s grading guidelines.
• Course credits are earned by receiving a passing grade (A+ through D-).

• Counselors will be available for credit recovery opportunities for any student who receives an NP.

Elementary

• Teachers will use the standards-based Elementary Progress Report, recording progress through the Infinite Campus student information system. Students will be assessed on the level of mastery a student has shown on expected standards and benchmarks. For reference please see this link for grade level parent guides about what students should learn at each grade level.
• ​Teachers will focus on student work as an assessment tool, in addition to formative and benchmark assessments..
• Teacher comments will be used to set the context for how students were assessed.

Pre-K 

Continue using the Work Sampling System. The Work Sampling System is a strengths based assessment tool that allows students to demonstrate what they know in content areas such as personal/social development, language/literacy and mathematical thinking.

• Teachers use the data collected from student work to guide next steps in instruction. For reference please see this link HERE.

The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) provides federal funding for our district's internet infrastructure.

CIPA requires that schools and libraries use internet filters and other tools to protect children from harmful online content and that school districts educate every student on digital citizenship, online privacy and safety, and appropriate online behavior every year in order to continue receiving eRate funding.

SPPS partners with Common Sense Media to help students and staff focus on best practices of using online resources, digital materials, and devices as good digital citizens. Digital citizenship focuses on safe, respectful, and responsible use of online resources and digital materials. See the SPPS CIPA website for:

• Table of CIPA lessons by grade level to teach to all students before the end of September.
• Set of digital citizenship posters.
• Online course for staff covering digital citizenship, data privacy, copyright, cyberbullying, and intellectual property rights.
• Resources for teachers to reinforce digital citizenship throughout the school year.
• Resources to help support parents with navigating the world of digital devices.

Additional resources for staff and families are provided on this site, Digital Citizenship: A Manual for SPPS Educators.

SPPS will have Distance Learning Support Centers for PreK-12 grade students at multiple sites throughout the city. The referral-based Distance Learning Support Center will prioritize students with the greatest need.

The Support Center will be adequately staffed with academic, social emotional health and technical supports for students. Depending on the need, up to three hours of support services will be available per day per student. The Distance Learning Support Center will have flexible hours to accommodate student and family needs.  See the website for more information.

The Office of Multilingual Learning commits to providing EL services to the greatest extent possible during this time. Please see the SPPS Elementary English Learner model  and  Secondary model for EL Distance Learning. Additional information is available at MDE Guidance on Distance Learning Considerations for ELs.

In a distance learning environment, EL services may include a combination of options below:

• Accommodations to access core content assignments
• Providing scaffolded on-line assignments 
• Scheduling time to connect online with your students regarding assignments
• Providing direct service to students via a system such as Schoology or SeeSaw
• Developing choice boards for students to work on Language learning goals 
• Providing consistent communication during this time to support students and families

Project REACH is an SPPS shelter and street-based program that promotes school stability and academic success of homeless children and youth. We serve PreK and school age children in temporary housing situations.

Click Here for to search for REACH Staff Assigned to Support Families Organized by: 

• Shelter Assignment 
• Alphabet of Parent’s Last Name
• Social Work Support By School 

Saint Paul Public Schools REACH team will connect with families and youth currently identified as homeless, to monitor their needs and living situations during times of school closure or distance learning, and to assist them in accessing services.

REACH staff will also be available to work with schools and agencies to identify and verify families and youth who are experiencing homelessness to ensure they can access all necessary resources.

Verification of Homelessness and Referring Students for Support:

SPPS Staff:

• The REACH and Foster Care database are not accessible outside of the district server. Therefore, using email or cell phones is the best way to stay in contact. REACH staff will be available during this time and will have access to the database and cell phone.
• School staff can email Anne McInerney (anne.mcinerney@spps.org)  if a family reaches out due to recent homelessness, or if they have needs.  Anne will contact the family and connect with REACH staff. 

Families: 

• If you are a family experiencing homelessness and need additional supports:
• Many resources are available on our REACH website. This site will be updated regularly. 
• Please contact our Homeless Liaison Anne McInerney if you need additional support (anne.mcinerney@spps.org (651) 231-0404).  

Access to Additional Food: 

• REACH staff can be available to identified McKinney Vento families if they need to access the REACH food shelf or other supplies during this time. 
• Saint Paul Public Schools has a meal delivery plan. Details are here. 

Resources to assist with rent, avoid eviction, or other housing needs:

• Many resources are available on our REACH website. This site will be updated regularly. 

Delivery of Ipads and Connection to Internet:

• REACH staff will pick up iPads from schools for at Mary’s Place, Family Service Center and Interfaith Action Day Center and deliver to those students. 
• REACH staff have talked to all the shelters about internet availability and providing SPPS hot spots when needed.
• Community Resources will be shared as we are updated. Information about food shelf, internet access, other available resources will be available on the Project REACH website 

Please contact anne.mcinerney@spps.org  (651) 231-0404 with any questions you may have.

Indian Education will continue to provide culturally based services and support for our students and their families, this may also extend outside our communities and nations.  Indian Education will:

• Engage American Indian students in online language and cultural groups
• Engage American Indian students in online SEL groups in a culturally responsive manner
• Engage American Indian students in online college and career exploration groups
• Engage American Indian students in online chemical-use prevention groups
• Engage American Indian Families in online cultural programming
• Develop and offer professional development for SPPS staff
• Serve as a bridge between American Indian students/families and the school district

All teachers are requested to take the Schoology course Culturally Responsive Teaching Without Walls (CRT -  WOW), course code KG7K-XNBK-R9DQM

The Teacher’s one stop shop for anything: Schoology GROUP:DL 2.0 (Curriculum & Instruction, Technology Tools, PBIS/SEL, etc…)

• Name: SPPS ODEA: Distance Learning 
• Group code: W4JZ-N62F-GQSWV

Approved apps and websites

• All apps and websites accessing student data must be approved for content quality and security guidelines. 

Staff should not add students, data and information to free accounts or resources not approved through the SPPS App Approval Process.

• Google Meet Guidelines
• SPPS Virtual Library and Library Go 
• Employee Assistance Program

Saint Paul Public Schools has created a manual aimed at keeping students and their families informed on how to prevent the COVID-19 virus and steps to take should they contract the illness or come in contact with someone with a COVID-19 diagnosis. The Student and Family Guidelines can be downloaded here.

A staff manual has also been developed, with details specific to working in the school setting. The Employee Workplace Manual can be downloaded here.

• See the Student Health and Wellness website for information on COVID reporting and other resources.

There will be cases when teachers are unable to teach on a given day, and alternate instruction will be provided. The instructional plan will continue to be in place even when the teacher assigned to the students is unavailable. If there is no replacement teacher available on a given day, parents will be notified of that situation and the options for continuing instruction.

SPPS has developed materials for educators to support the transition to Distance Learning.  Resources available through Schoology include Distance Learning guides and professional development courses. See PDExpress to register, pdexpress.spps.org. Content area specialists are providing information that helps adjust standards and instruction to the new learning environment and school calendar. 

• Approved apps and websites
• All apps and websites accessing student data must be approved for content quality and security guidelines. 
• Staff should not add students, data and information to free accounts or resources not approved through the SPPS App Approval Process.
• Google Meet Guidelines
• Updates from the Office of Teaching and Learning, including links for content area resources
• Updates from the Office of Early Learning
• SPPS Virtual Library and Library Go 
• Employee Assistance Program

Distance Learning and the COVID-19 pandemic has created high levels of stress for many staff, students and families.  This only emphasizes the importance of social emotional well being.  At SPPS, it is vital that we genuinely welcome students and staff to school, create connections and establish relationships under new circumstances.  Including Social Emotional Learning (SEL) strategies during in person and in distance learning is one way to do this.  CASEL defines SEL as “how children and adults learn to understand and manage emotions, set goals, show empathy for others, establish positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.” 

To meet the social emotional needs of staff and students, Saint Paul Public Schools will:

• Focus on developing and maintaining relationships.
• Relationships are the foundation for all learning
• Genuine relationships help create a sense of emotional and physical safety
• Provide resources for creating positive culture and team building activities that will be available to district and building leaders
• Provide educators with resources and tools for strengthening relationships, such as the 5 Minute Chat.   
• Begin and end a school day or a class with routines such as, community building circles, morning meeting and check out.

• Continue and deepen implementation of the PBIS Framework.
• Adapt our standard “in person” tools and resources for use in Distance Learning.  This will create continuity for transitioning back and forth between scenarios.
• Staff and students co-create clear, agreed upon behavior expectations and methods of responding to unexpected behaviors
• Develop rituals and routines and take time for celebrations  
• Support school wide implementation of Restorative Practices as a way to build a positive and inclusive culture.
• Community building circles may be used in classrooms and with staff to increase belonging and providing every individual with opportunities to share and be heard.
• Experienced and skilled circle keepers may offer Reflection Circles for staff and young people
• A series of Restorative Practices professional development sessions has been converted from in-peron to virtual experiences.

• Support a continuum of Mental Health and Wellness resources for students and staff.  
• Develop a Mental Health Support team at each school site. 
• Continue a School Based Mental Health program, utilizing our community mental health partners to their full capacity. 
• Support the Trauma Informed Schools work lead by the School Social Work Department
• Develop and offer ongoing self care opportunities for staff.

• General SEL Guidance  
• School Support Resources for Fall 2020: This is currently in draft form.
• Schoology Group: SPPS ODEA: Distance Learning W4JZ-N62F-GQSWV

SPPS Support Services Staff are ready to continue to provide high quality service to students, families and staff using our SPPS Distance Learning platforms. Through direct services to students as well as collaboration and consultation with other educators, families, and community partners, we will provide proactive and responsive support to meet the needs of our community. 

Social Workers 

• School social workers provide direct social/emotional instruction and counseling services to students in the distance setting while collaborating with educators to eliminate barriers so all students can continue to make progress. 
• School social workers connect community resources to families based on need and are sharing information about self-care and support during the Covid-19 pandemic with both educators and families.
• School Social Worker provide trauma informed professional development for staff and families

School Counselors

• School counselors working in a virtual setting provide a school counseling program through the use of technology and distance counseling with the same standards and adherence to ethics as school counselors working in traditional school settings. (American School Counselor Association)
• Focus on academic success, career and college readiness as well as social emotional support
• Working with each developmental level to provide core counseling curriculum for all, and individualized counseling support
• For detailed information:SPPS School Counseling

Students with Individual Education Plans (IEP) or Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) & 504 Plans

The District will ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, each student with a disability can be provided the special education and related services identified in the student’s IEP or IFSP developed under IDEA, or a plan developed under Section 504. (34 CFR §§ 300.101 and 300.201 (IDEA), and 34 CFR § 104.33 (Section 504). 

A Special Education Team and 504 meetings with families will be done virtually. Trained interpreters will be available to support communication with families as needed.

In a distance learning environment, special education services and 504 supports may include a combination of options below:

• Co-teaching and designing assignments with general education teachers
• Adapting and/ or modifying general education assignments to meet student needs
• Providing adaptive on-line assignments 
• Scheduled time to connect via a telecommunication system with students regarding assignments
• Providing direct instructional/therapeutic service to students via a telecommunication system
• Developing choice boards for students to work on goals 
• Providing regular email communications to parents/ guardians to support student special educational needs. 

Special Education Supervisors and Coaches will be supporting special educators when designing and supporting Distance Learning Plans for students in special education. For questions, visit our website.