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SPPS VIRTUAL LEARNING SCHOOL
The SPPS Virtual Learning School is an option for PreK-12 students who prefer the option of distance learning throughout the entire 2020-21 school year.
When transitioning to their Virtual Learning School classrooms, Dual Language and Immersion students in the Virtual Learning School will continue to receive immersion instruction, though possibly at a reduced level compared to their hybrid or in-person peers.
In alignment with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) guidelines, Virtual Learning School programming will provide students learning in all required state standards, English Learner (EL) and Special Education services, elective opportunities and more.
Just like the in-person learning, students in grades PreK-3 will complete lessons in Seesaw and students in grades 3-12 will complete lessons in Schoology. Students will use the suite of SPPS digital tools and available apps.
The social emotional needs of students are an important component of any SPPS schooling model. Activities, virtual student connections and individual teacher check-ins will be part of the instructional program.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Pre-K through 5th grade students, including students who receive special education services in those grades, who wish to stay in distance learning for the remainder of the school year are asked to enroll in the SPPS Virtual Learning School by 4 p.m., Monday, January 11, if they haven’t done so already.
- Enrollment requests made by the deadline will be prioritized to keep students at their current schools and in their current programs. Enrollment requests received after that date will be processed and may result in a Virtual Learning School assignment in a different school.
- To the extent possible, students may remain connected to their currently enrolled school. Depending on enrollment and staffing, there may be situations where Virtual Learning School students are in classes with students across the district.
- Enrolling in the Virtual Learning School does not impact enrollment at your student’s home school for the 2021-22 school year. Students will be able to return to their home school for the 2021-22 school year.
- Students may enroll from in-person learning to the Virtual Learning School at any time. Please contact the Student Placement Center by phone at 651-632-3760 or by email at spc@spps.org.
- SPPS will keep a wait list for families requesting in-person learning after the January 11 deadline. The wait list will be consistantly monitored to determine if and when a transition is possible.
- When transitioning to their Virtual Learning School classrooms, Dual Language and Immersion students in the Virtual Learning School will continue to receive immersion instruction, though possibly at a reduced level compared to their hybrid or in-person peers. Regular communication updates and program information will be shared with families who have chosen the Virtual Learning School.
- Contact: Student Placement Center by phone at 651-632-3760 or by email at spc@spps.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the start date for the SPPS Virtual Learning School?
Students in grades PreK-5 will start Virtual Learning School on Monday, February 1.
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When students transitions to the Virtual Learning School, will they have the same teacher?
In the process of transitioning to the Virtual Learning School, students will likely change teachers and classmates.
As Virtual Learning School classrooms are created, some staff within each building will be reassigned to Virtual Learning School classrooms. It’s important to recognize that creating Virtual Learning School classrooms will impact all the classrooms in the school.
As teachers are reassigned, the students they served at the beginning of the school year may change in the Virtual Learning School.
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Will my child stay at their current school when transitioning to the Virtual Learning School?
To the extent possible, it is our priority that students will remain connected to their currently enrolled school. Depending on enrollment and staffing, there may be situations where Virtual Learning School students are in classes with students across the district.
If student(s) in the Virtual Learning School are placed in classes outside their current school, it will not impact their enrollment status at their current school for the 2021-22 school year.
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Will Virtual Learning School students from magnet schools receive the same level of magnet-related instruction?
This will depend on the overall enrollment of students from the magnet program in the Virtual Learning School.
If the number of students enrolling in the Virtual Learning School from a magnet school is high enough (approximately or greater than 25), then grade level or multi-grade classrooms consisting of students from that school may be created.
However, if the number of students enrolling from a magnet school into the Virtual Learning School is low (approximately or less than 25), it may be necessary to combine those students with students from another school. In this scenario, content from the magnet school program will be reduced or eliminated.
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If my student enrolls in the Virtual Learning School, will they maintain their place in their currently enrolled school for the 2021-22 school year?
Yes, students enrolled in the Virtual learning School will maintain their enrollment in their home school for the 2021-22 school year.
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Is there a Pre-K enrollment option?
Pre-Kindergarten students currently enrolled in Saint Paul Public Schools have the opportunity to enroll in the Virtual Learning School.
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How will Virtual Learning School enrollments affect my student's place on a wait list?
Virtual Learning School enrollments will not impact wait lists. Students enrolling in the Virtual Learning School instructional delivery model will continue with the enrollment at their currently enrolled school for 2020-21.Students are called from wait lists if space is available. -
Will the Virtual Learning School be on the same calendar as my student’s currently enrolled school?
Students in the Virtual Learning School will maintain the same calendar schedule as their currently enrolled school.
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Will students in dual language or immersion schools receive immersion instruction.
DL/I students in the Virtual Learning School will continue to receive immersion instruction, though possibly at a reduced level compared to their in-person peers.
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Will my student be on track for graduation?
Yes, the necessary coursework will be available for students to stay on track for graduation.
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Will the district continue to provide meals to Virtual learning School students?
Yes, St. Paul Public Schools food service department will provide meals to Virtual learning School students throughout the 2020-21 school year.
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Will school support services, such as EL and Special Education be available to students?
Yes, school support services will be available to students, including PreK Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE).
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Will my student have access to the support identified in their IEP?
Yes, service delivery will be individualized to meet Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals and objectives and delivered virtually by co-teaching and designing assignments with general education teachers, adapting and/ or modifying general education assignments to meet student needs, providing adaptive on-line supplemental assignments, scheduling 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.
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What instructional material will my student need?
SPPS is a one-to-one iPad district. Each student will be provided an iPad, case and charger. Families needing a WiFi hotspot can request one after the enrollment period is completed. When at all possible, families are encouraged to utilize their home internet and WiFi or subscribe to Internet Essentials if you qualify.
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How will my student receive their ipad?
Ipads will be available for pick up at the student's home school or delivered if necessary.