USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden will give parents an option for educating their children in the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. Dr. Marvin Wade, Superintendent of Schools, said the two primary instructional delivery options provided by the district will be remote learning and onsite learning.
Remote learning will include all learning via internet access without the need to enter a school building. Instruction will be provided by certified teaching professionals of USD 383 using district curriculum and materials. Wade noted that remote learning will have a higher degree of accountability on the part of both the district and the family than was evident during the Continuous Learning Plan implemented at the end of the past school year.
When the onsite learning option is chosen, that will indicate a desire for the child to receiving instruction in a school building with an understanding the district may need to make adjustments during the course of the year in response to COVID-19 conditions.
The two options are based on current public health recommendations and may be subject to change. If health circumstances become worse, USD 383 has created two contingency plans that could be instituted any time during the school year.
A Hybrid Learning model could be used if there becomes a need to reduce the number of students physically attending school at the same time, In this instance, students will still be educated in the school building, but the amount of time in the school will be reduced and elements of Remote Learning will be implemented along with Onsite Learning.
Under a Distance Learning model if COVID-19 conditions warrant closing of school buildings, the district may transition to All Distance Learning. In that scenario K-12 students will receive instruction online until school buildings can safely reopen.
Wade said Remote Learning will be available to start the school year and officials tentatively plan on the Onsite Learning option. However, the decision about which option will be in effect when school opens ( Onsite, Hybrid or All Distance Learning ) will be made closer to the start of school - after factors including input from the Riley County Health Department are given careful consideration.
USD 383 understands this brief introduction is not enough to help parents make an informed decision about which option is best for their family, so more information about each option will be provided on Friday ( July 17 ). That will allow parents time to consider which option is best for each of their children before completing registration.
Online Registration, which is the preferred method of registering students opens Monday ( July 20 ). It can be done any time of day and does not require going to a physical location. People are encouraged as soon as possible and definitely by July 30. Parents will be asked to identify which instructional delivery option they prefer for each of their children.
Central Registration will be held Friday, July 24, at the Manhattan High School West Campus from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. All participants will be required to wear a face covering and to answer some health-related questions as they enter the building. As with Online Registration, parents will be asked to identify which instructional delivery option they prefer for each of their children.
The USD 383 Board of Education has approved technology purchases as part of the district's response to COVID-19. New access points and hotspots will increase internet access and new iPads will allow USD 383 to provide every K-12 student with an iPad for use at school and / or home.