On August 3rd, The Village Charter School Board voted to start online instruction only for all students on August 17th as a part of the updated Fall Re-Opening Plan.
The goal, according to board members and school administration, is to return to face-to-face learning as soon as possible. The school board agreed to review the decision regularly at upcoming board meetings as the coronavirus situation in Boise changes.
The decision to move to online only instruction from August 17th until the end of the first quarter of school, October 19th, was made in response to the Central District Health recommendations that placed both Boise and West Ada school districts in “category 3” under the Idaho Back to School Framework. The recommendation asks charter schools to follow their neighboring districts and asks schools to move to online instruction.
All school events will also be canceled during the “category 3” designation. Already scheduled events will move to virtual attendance.
The Village Charter School also approved two other components of the back to school plans. The first is the hybrid model that will be followed once the school returns to the “category 2” designation by CDH. The school will also continue to provide online only instruction for families that wish to remain virtual throughout the school year. In an upcoming survey, families will be able to select if they wish to be in the hybrid or online only option.
The second component is the COVID-19 Operations Plan that outlines the safety and response strategies the school will follow when students and staff are on campus.
TVCS also announced that they will have the funds to purchase devices for all students, Kindergarten through 8th grade to support blended learning. This comes as part of Idaho Rebounds Coronavirus Relief Funds allocated to schools for responding to COVID-19. This is in addition to already purchasing hand-washing stations, sanitizer, masks, and other equipment.
Instructions for getting devices will be provided during the Virtual Meet the Teacher Night on August 13th.
Distance learning will look very different from last Spring. Teachers will spend the weeks before school starts in professional development and preparing curriculum for August 17th. Parents and students can expect to get more information at the Virtual Meet the Teacher Night.
For questions or concerns about the Fall Re-Opening Plans, contact the school administration at info@thevillagecharterschool.org.