Is Virtual Learning Right for my child?
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Students will need adult or older sibling support for initial virtual navigation and continual time management support.
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Expectations will mirror our in-person teaching and learning expectations.
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BHS teachers will create lessons and activities that engage the student in the virtual school environment utilizing innovative practices that differ from in-class instruction and the Continuous Learning Plan 2.0.
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Bloomfield Hills Schools will provide a device (iPad for K-1, Chromebook for 2-5) to every student upon enrollment and completion of the Technology Agreement.
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Students enrolled in Bloomfield Virtual will still have access to participate in extracurricular activities that happen outside of the classroom day including clubs and student organizations.
Virtual
does not mean "alone"
Learner-Centered
Each student's strengths, needs, and interests are assets in fostering a passion for intellectual pursuit and teachers serve as mentors to facilitate learning that is meaningful.
Sense of Belonging
Relationships are critical both in the classroom and in the community. Students create authentic work that is meaningful to the community beyond school. Students can engage in real-world action through personal experience.
Place-Based Learning
Bloomfield Hills Schools - both virtual and in-person - will utilize the Bowers School Farm and Johnson Nature Center for learning expeditions when appropriate and permissible. Students enrolled in the virtual school will have the opportunity to enhance their learning through designed experiences similar to their in-person peers at these district gems.
Portrait of a Learner
The dispositions and skills described in the BHS Portrait of a Learner are always important and should influence the design and experiences across all learning models and grade levels.
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Students will have the opportunity to develop strong relationships and a sense of belonging with dedicated teachers and a consistent cohort of students.
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Students will need adult or older sibling support for initial virtual navigation and continual time management support.
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Engaging literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies lessons connected with BHS curriculum.
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Students will have opportunities in special academic areas such as art, music, physical education, and Spanish.
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Bloomfield VIRTUAL also offers meaningful experiential learning opportunities connected to the farm and nature center both in-person and virtual.
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Opportunities for purposeful play and inquiry approaches to learning will be utilized with appropriate grade level developmental skills reinforced (i.e. social, self-management, fine motor skills, etc.)
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All courses will utilize Google Classroom and Zoom for ease of use.
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Daily schedule will mirror the in-person grade level schedule.
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Bloomfield VIRTUAL teachers receive professional development in the best practices for delivering content in a virtual classroom setting.
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All students with a disability who enroll in BHS Blueprint will receive program, services and accommodations according to their individual IEP or 504 plan, understanding that some IEPs and 504s may need to be adjusted based on individual needs.
Grades K-5
Learning Design
Frequently asked questions
Why select Bloomfield Virtual?
For some families, returning to school in-person in the fall is an impossibility or not desired. If this is the case for your family, selecting Bloomfield Virtual will enable your child to continue learning alongside their peers, with the teachers they know, and the Bloomfield Hills Schools curriculum you trust.
Can my child start with Bloomfield Virtual and later transition to in-person teaching and learning?
Yes! At the semester breark. We encourage families to examine their comfort level before each semester begins, to determine if the semester will be in-person or virtual. The district will be in contact with all virtual families well before a decision must be made for the second semester of the 2020-2021 school year.
Will my child receive direct instruction along with peers or will the learning all be recorded videos?
Your child will have a mixture of both live instruction and recorded materials with a particular emphasis on live instruction for new concepts and support. Other tools, such as packets, may be utilized as well. The mix will support students, while ensuring an appropriate amount of time is spent on devices and engaging in personal academic discovery.
What if I have more questions? What if I'm not sure if this option is right for my child?
Will special education and 504 services be provided as part of Virtual Learning?
Will virtual elementary students be assigned to a class for the year?
Yes. One teacher and one class will be assigned for the elementary grades.
Will virtual and in-person curriculum be consistent across the district?
Yes. The curriculum is the BHS curriculum. Virtual, in-person, and distance learning will all cover the same material. As is the nature of different instructional methods, students may not be on the same lesson or approach the content exactly the same way.
Back to School Tips when preparing for virtual learning
A new year is often full of optimism and new opportunities. This year, the transition back to school may present different types of challenges. These are unprecedented times. Students may be feeling eager, anxious, confused, or scared because school will look different this fall. Here are a few suggestions to consider in the weeks to come that may help you and your child feel more prepared for the transition back to school.
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This is a great time to start creating a designated learning space for the start of the school year. -
Choose a quiet location with good lighting, easy access to an electrical outlet, comfortable seating, and remember to think about whether or not you have any wifi “dead zones” in your home. -
Consider letting your child help you to set up his/her learning space to get them excited for the new school year and remember that it should be a comfortable spot where they can focus. -
Be sure to have basic school supplies easily accessible and ready to go. -
You may want to consider getting binders, folders, dividers, cubbies, etc. to help your child to keep their school work and supplies organized. -
For families with multiple children, think about whether their learning spaces should be close together or apart.
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This might be a good time to go through your child’s learning device (iPad, chromebook, etc.) and get it ready for the upcoming school year. -
Apps should be organized in folders, so students can easily access learning apps and they are separated from other distractions like gaming/recreational apps. -
Browsers should be set up with bookmarks to important learning links. -
There should be a place where student login info (username, passwords, etc.) and BHS Tech Support contact info can be easily accessed/displayed. -
Review basic internet safety and talk about your own family’s tech rules including the BHS tech user agreement and student code of conduct. -
If applicable, consider checking the parental/security settings on your child’s learning device. -
This is a good time to check if your child’s device/apps/operating system need updating. -
Be sure that your child has all of the tech accessories needed for remote learning. (Chargers, headphones or speakers, data plan, etc.)
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Although your child will not physically be attending school they may still benefit from a school-like schedule, routine, or set of expectations to help them to get into “school mode” each day. -
Students who need structure may benefit from learning how to use an alarm clock/timer and should be encouraged to get dressed for school each morning, instead of sleeping in and staying in their PJs. -
Try setting some family “home school rules” together or setting some personal learning goals to help your child to shift from a summer mindset into a remote school mindset.
Physical, Social & Emotional Health for all Learners
As we approach the beginning of the school year, you may want to slowly get your child back on a proper wake/sleep schedule. It takes a week or two for children to adjust to earlier bed and wake times.
Have an open and honest conversation with your child about these unprecedented times. Ask them how they are feeling about the upcoming school year, so you can address their fears and answer their questions. Reassure them and explain that although the precautions may be frustrating or even annoying, they were put in place for a good reason. Prepare them by telling them that school may not look/feel like it normally does. Regular check-ins with your child will help you to address their social/emotional needs both before their first day and once the school year begins.
Although we can assure you that teachers will adjust to meet your child’s specific academic level/needs when school resumes, giving your child a little academic warm-up in the weeks leading up to the start of school may be helpful and could build confidence as they start the new school year. If you haven’t already, try some pages from the summer bridge book and/or writing packet that was provided by the district. Encourage your child to read and write daily, if they aren’t already doing so.
Remember that
you help determine your child’s attitude towards school this year. Try to discuss your frustrations and worries away from your child. Modeling a positive attitude and teaching perseverance and flexibility will help to set your child up for success this school year.
When will families select the Bloomfield Virtual option?
The registration window is from August 11 at 6 PM to August 18, 2020 at midnight. This will be done through Student Services. To assist families in getting the information in a timely manner, you are encouraged to indicate your preference or potential preference for Bloomfield VIRTUAL here.
Can my student be placed with other students from our home school?
Can we create a learning pod for our neighborhood?
How will teachers be selected to teach in Bloomfield Virtual?
Will my student see the same teacher all day?
Yes. As a Bloomfield Virtual student, your child will see the same teacher every day. If you choose just one semester, your child will most likely have a new teacher if they move into in-person (Option 1) learning. The student will be placed in their home school.
What does Virtual Learning on Zoom look like for my child?
How will teachers and students engage in learning together?
What instructional approaches will be used?
How will a student with an IEP and receives support have needs met in Bloomfield Virtual?
Will the curriculum for in person be the same so that all students are on the same track?
Just to reiterate, curriculum between BV and IN-PERSON will be closely aligned as far as the units being taught each semester. This alignment will provide opportunities for a shared grade level experience at both the end of semester one and at the end of the school yea
Will students be restricted from jumping ahead and completing future work to rush through assignments?
BV teachers will provide instruction for students with both content and relationships in mind. By building relationships and monitoring student progress, teachers will be able to guide students through learning experiences at a pace that makes sense for each learner.
What materials will be utilized?
The distinct will be providing Kindergarten and first grade students iPads & chromebooks will be provided for students in grades 2-5.
How will students receive feedback related to their learning? How will assignments be communicated?
How will student work be assessed to check for understanding?
How will parents and teachers communicate about student progress?
A parent-teacher conference schedule for virtual school will follow the district calendar with September input conferences, November Conferences and Spring conferences. Report cards will be at the end of each semester. Also, remember that, just like in-person school, teacher and parent interactions are not limited to scheduled conference/report card times. Teachers are always available during school hours to connect and partner with parents.