San Antonio Standard

Brooks Academies of Texas issued the following announcement.

We will do everything possible to make the learning environments friendly and safe for our children and we’ll answer all questions as soon as we have the information needed.

Brooks Family:  Yesterday we received some updates from TEA and I wanted to share what our Brooks VIP (Virtual and In Person) Plan will look like, based on the Commissioner's new information:

1. A 100% In-person model with social distancing and other special measures to keep our children and staff safe is one option.  Yesterday's updates did not include information about what will be required, but please know that we will be taking every precaution to ensure safety:  children will change classes as seldom as possible, teachers will practice social distancing, class sizes will be much smaller, meal locations will be reconsidered, etc.  We will receive more guidance from TEA, the state of Texas and the city of San Antonio about what will be required.  Please note that we plan to offer Mindful Moments (social emotional learning) and PE every day to our elementary students so that we are caring for the whole child, and similar breaks for upper school as well.  We plan to offer a change of models at the six-week breaks.
2. A 100% virtual model with real-time teaching and learning is option number two.  Students will participate with a certified teacher.  All TEKs will be addressed and students will have progress monitoring measures in place to ensure their learning.  Upper school students are expected to attend for four hours per day; grades 3-5 are expected to attend for three hours per day and K-2 students will attend between 60-120 minutes per day.  In order to participate in virtual learning, students and parents must agree to meet certain criteria (students must participate in classes and complete assignments and assessments).  TEA refers to this model as synchronous learning.  Note:  we will plan some special events on a regular schedule for virtual families who wish to have some social in-person interaction as well.  Virtual model students are also eligible to participate in sports, clubs, etc.  We plan to offer a change of models at the six-week breaks.  
3. Model number three is a 100% virtual model which does not have complete face-to-face instruction – students will have daily assignments to turn in and will work with the teacher through office hours and recorded videos.  TEA refers to this as asynchronous learning and in order to counted present each day, students must submit a daily written assignment.  This is similar to an “independent study” model with instructor support and check-ins.  Note:  we will plan some special events on a regular schedule for virtual families who wish to have some social in-person interaction as well.  Virtual model students are also eligible to participate in sports, clubs, etc.  We plan to offer a change of models at the six-week breaks.  

This is a lot of information, and we expect to receive even more guidelines later this summer.  However, we want to give you all the information we know right now.  Please remember that Texas attendance laws will be back in effect in August, so each student must participate in the model they choose (except for absences for illness, etc.).  Please bear with us and keep watching for more updates

Original source can be found here.