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SPPS VIRTUAL LEARNING SCHOOL
Superintendent Joe Gothard recently announced that Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) will be starting the school year in Distance Learning for all students.
Taking this decision into consideration, along with feedback from families and input from principal and teacher advisory groups, students who enroll in the Virtual Learning School, our 100% distance learning option, will begin the school year with their currently assigned class at their home school.
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.
Virtual Learning School students will start, and remain in their currently enrolled home schools and classrooms, until a transition is made to a hybrid model. As the district moves through the various levels of hybrid learning, students enrolled in the Virtual Learning School will transition to their Virtual Learning School classrooms.
We feel this helps build relationships and allows the stability families are looking for in the beginning of the school year for their Virtual Learning School students.
When moving to a hybrid model and 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 and hybrid school scenarios, students in grades PreK-2 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
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- When moving to a hybrid model and 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.
- 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.
- Student changes from the Virtual Learning School into the hybrid or in-person option will only occur at quarter or semester breaks. Requests to change schools must be made four weeks in advance of the end of a quarter or semester, exact dates to be announced at a later time.
- Regular communication updates and program information will be shared with families who have chosen the Virtual Learning School.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why would I choose the SPPS Virtual Learning School if the district returns to school on September 8th in the distance learning scenario?
Choosing to enroll in the SPPS Virtual Learning School guarantees you will not be required to transition from a distance learning scenario to a hybrid or face-to-face scenario for the 2020-21 school year.
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How will the year begin for my Virtual Learning School student?
All SPPS students will begin the year in the distance learning scenario at their home school, including students enrolled in the Virtual Learning School. If and when the district transitions to a hybrid scenario, students enrolled in the Virtual Learning School will be grouped into either multigrade classrooms at their home school, or into grade level classrooms across the district. To the extent it is possible, we will strive to maintain connections to the home school.
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What is the start date for the SPPS Virtual Learning School?
Virtual Learning School students will begin school September 8th with their classroom peers and remain in their currently enrolled home schools and classrooms until a transition is made to a hybrid model. At the point of this transition, Virtual Learning School students will continue their learning remotely while some of their peers move to the hybrid model. -
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. -
What is the process for moving out of the SPPS Virtual Learning School should I choose to do so?
Student changes from or to the Virtual Learning School will only occur at quarter or semester breaks. Requests to change schools must be made four weeks in advance of the end of a quarter or semester, exact dates to be announced at a later time.
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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.
Yes, dual language and immersion (DL/I) students enrolled in the Virtual learning School will begin the school year in their regular class at their school of enrollment. During this time all DL/I students will receive the same level of DL/I instruction. If the district moves to a hybrid model, DL/I 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.
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What will the daily schedule be for my student?
Virtual Learning School students will begin the year at their home school following the daily schedule of their home school. If the district transitions to a hybrid model, it's possible the daily schedule for Virtual Learning School students may be modified.
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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 deliver 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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Will students in the Virtual Learning School be able to take the same courses as students in the in-person or hybrid school options?
All SPPS students will begin the year at their home school in the distance learning scenario. The home school's course offerings will be available. If the district should move to a hybrid scenario, Virtual Learning School classrooms will be created in which all core courses and some elective options will be available.
