SAGE ACADEMY: OPEN FOR LEARNING - 2020-2021 RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN UPDATED 8/9/2020
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SAGE ACADEMY:
OPEN FOR LEARNING
2020-2021
RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN
UPDATED 8/9/2020
10220 N 25TH AVENUE | PHOENIX AZ 85021
(602) 485-3402 | WWW.SAGEACADEMYAZ.COMSchool Governing Board
Lenny Letcher II
Governing Board President
Lenny Letcher
Governing Board Member
John Pierce
Governing Board Member
We have been steadily planning for and creating new policies and
processes for the upcoming school year. As the new school year Dale Letcher
nears, we grow more excited about reuniting with our Sage Governing Board Member
students. Whether on campus in person or through our remote
learning options, we look forward to the beginning of another
academic year together.
Leadership
Our highest priority continues to be the health, safety and well- Neilee Weber
being of our students, staff, and community. Academic Director
Sage Academy is a school of choice. We have developed many Lynnette Letcher
Administrator
options to provide educational choices for our Sage families to best
suit their individual families circumstances. We have
implemented increased health and safety measures so that when
we are able to return to regular in person classes, we are able to
provide the safest learning environments.
This summer we operated an Arizona Enrichment Center on campus
and were able to put in place the safety protocols recommended by
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Arizona
Department of Education, the Maricopa County Department of Public
Health, and the City of Phoenix. We are confident in our ability to
provide a safe learning environment when the county As we
continue to monitor data, guidance from public health officials, and
direction from Governor Ducey, we will provide updates regarding our
transition back to full-time, in-person learning.
We recognize that circumstances and guidance related to COVID-19
may continue to evolve, and we will continue to adapt our plan to
respond to those changes.
Thank you again for your patience and support as we collectively
navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to
welcoming you back to school.
1 Sage Academy: Open for Learning | 2020/2021 Return to School PlanYour Path Back to School
Sage Academy will begin our 2020-2021 school year on August 17, in an all virtual learning
environment.
We will begin with all students participating in Sage Distance Learning. All students will be
enrolled in Sage Distance Learning unless families select to enroll their child in Sage Online
Academy.
We will be monitoring the Arizona Department of Health Services/Maricopa County Health’s public
health benchmarks for guidance to determine when in-person, teacher led instruction are permitted
to resume. At that time, we will evaluate the instructional model moving forward, which may
include hybrid and fully in-person options. This will be dependent on data, guidance from public
health.
Sage Academy Learning Pathways
Distance Learning
Students will participate in full, online learning with scheduled,
real-time virtual instruction. All students will be expected to attend
each day and submit assignments and participate as they would if
they were attending in-person.
Students will join their virtual classroom each day for direct instruction
and activities in reading, writing, math, and science or social studies.
Students will also participate in special activities such as P.E. and art
each week. Students will join their classes virtually through such
platforms as Google Meet. They will participate from their
computers and engage with their teachers and classmates.
Teachers will be using Google Classrooms to share curriculum
resources and assignments with students.
Online Academy
Students will participate in full, online learning that is self-paced
with the expectation of meeting monthly progress goals.
Students will be assigned to a homeroom teacher that will monitor
students’ progress, be available for academic support, and
communicate with students and parents. Courses in K-6 are
provided in all core areas including ELA (i.e., reading/writing),
math, science, and social studies. Courses in some specials,
such as art and P.E. are also available.
In Sage Online Academy, students view instructional videos, read
from curriculum resources, and complete assignments, all at their
own pace and at any time of the day while meeting monthly
progress goals.
2 Sage Academy: Open for Learning | 2020/2021 Return to School PlanSage Learning Pathways Comparison
Distance Learning Online Academy
Virtual Real-time Virtual Personalized
Instruction Pacing
• 5 full days per week
• Includes instruction delivered • Flexible schedule with
via the Internet 24/7 access to course
• Sage device provided work
• Live real-time instruction designated times • Includes instruction
during the day delivered via the
• Sage Academy instruction, curriculum, internet
resources, assessment • Teacher Supported Learning Environment
• Social-emotional support • Sage device provided
• Accommodations and support • Social-emotional support
services provided • Accommodations and support
• Specials services provided
• Students are enrolled with their regular, • Limited specials available
classroom teachers for when in-person
learning resumes
3 Sage Academy: Open for Learning | 2020/2021 Return to School PlanSage Academy Learning Pathways-Special Programs
Sage Distance Sage Online
Learning Academy
Virtual Real-time Instruction Virtual Personalized Pacing
Daily instruction to include targeted and It is highly recommended that only students
integrated English language development who are at the Intermediate level of
(ELD) and meet the minutes of the approved language proficiency and whose parents
state Structured English Immersion (SEI) have selected to opt out of English language
models to the extent possible. Daily services select this option.
English Language Learners
Instruction and materials are in English only. Students work at their own self-pace on a
curriculum appropriate to their level.
Live real-time targeted ELD instruction at
designated times during the day to be
provided by an ESL/BLE/SEI endorsed teacher
who intentionally designs lessons that
develop students’ English language skills.
EL students will be grouped together in one
grade level and with students of like English
proficiency level, to the extent possible for
this portion of ELD.
Integration of English language learning
with academic content learning within a
heterogeneous grade level setting with non-
English learners will take place daily.
4 Sage Academy: Open for Learning | 2020/2021 Return to School PlanSage Academy Learning Pathways-Special Programs
Distance Learning Online Academy
Virtual Real-time Instruction Virtual Personalized Pacing
All special education services implemented All special education services implemented
virtually, in real-time, within inclusion and self- virtually within inclusion and self-contained
contained programs, as appropriate to the programs, as appropriate to the student’s IEP
student’s IEP
Students will participate in full, online learning
Students will participate in full, online learning that is self-paced. Parents will need to assist
with scheduled real-time virtual instruction. their students in creating a daily and
weekly schedule to ensure coursework completion.
Special Education and Related Services will be Students will be assigned to a homeroom
provided virtually through online instruction and teacher that will monitor students’ progress, be
may overlap sessions with some of the general available for academic support, and
education instruction. Students will have an communicate with students and parents.
individualized schedule to maximize their access
If students require access to an alternative
to general education curriculum and instruction.
curriculum, (ie, a lower level of content or
Student IEPs will need to be amended to reflect modifications to instruction) K-6 students will be
this model of service delivery based on parent enrolled in Edgenuity rather than Online
selection of this model and the individual needs Academy.
of each student.
Special Education
If students currently receive Speech-Language
therapy or Related Services, these online services
**Please contact the Special Education Department will need to be scheduled to occur with Sage
for more information on programs and eligibility Academy staff as Online Academy and
requirements Edgenuity do not employ these providers.
This is not an option for SUN Kids due to how
young children learn in context with their peers &
teachers. There is currently no online curriculum
available for preschool.
*Student’s IEP will have to be amended through an
IEP meeting to align with Online Academy delivery
model, if this model is requested
**Please contact the Special Education Department
for more information on programs and eligibility
requirements
5 Sage Academy: Open for Learning | 2020/2021 Return to School PlanIntroduction and Background
Advisory Group:
In order to develop recommendations regarding reopening of school
for 2020-2021, the Sage Administration established an advisory group Academic Director
to provide input and guidance.
Lynnette Letcher
Guiding Principles Administrator
The guiding principles of advisory group were to ensure:
Jennifer Garsen
• The safety and well-being of all students, staff, and community.
Special Education Provider
• Meaningful teaching and learning for all students and staff.
• Fidelity of the continued operations of the school.
Kaitlyn Stephenson
The advisory group was tasked with developing recommendations School Admin
for parameters and guiding principles to implement based on three
scenarios: Shawn Avery
• School begins on time and remain open. Teacher
• School begins on time and need to close due to a second wave of
COVID-19 cases. Vanessa Crone
Teacher
• School opening is delayed due to increases in COVID-19 cases.
The recommendations for parameters and guiding principles were
aligned with the information provided by the Center for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), Arizona health experts, and guidance
from the Arizona Department of Education (ADE).
The advisory group reviewed a variety of resources in the
development of their recommendations, including, but not
limited to:
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) K-12 School Reopening
Checklist, Hanover Research
• Schools Decision Tree, Centers for Disease Control
• Considerations for Schools, Centers for Disease Control
• Guidance on Return to the Workplace, Gust Rosenfeld
• Roadmap for Reopening Schools, Arizona Department of
Education
6 Sage Academy: Open for Learning | 2020/2021 Return to School PlanHealth and Wellness
Face Coverings
• Students and staff will be required to wear cloth masks where 6 feet of social distancing between
staff and students is not possible.
• Any student who has difficulty breathing or who is incapable of physically removing the face
covering on his/her own will not wear cloth face coverings, and alternate methods of protection will
be discussed by parents and staff. Cloth masks should not be worn when students are engaging in
physical activity. Students who refuse to comply with the safety protocols adopted for in-person
learning will be assigned to an online learning program pursuant to A.R.S. 15-841(F).
Hand Hygiene
• Frequent hand washing/cleaning will be encouraged at regular intervals throughout the day with
both soap and water or hand sanitizer. Instructions for hand washing include:
o Using soap and water, scrubbing for 20 seconds, and rinsing.
o Using paper towels to dry hands, turn sink handles, and open doors, then safely discarding.
• Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Additional handwashing sinks will be installed where possible.
• Hand sanitizer station will be installed in the lobby.
School Campuses and Classrooms
• Where possible, student seating will be arranged to maintain social distancing. Desks will be faced
in the same direction, rather than facing each other, or students will sit on only one side of tables,
spaced apart.
• Each student’s belongings will be separated from others’ and in individually labeled containers,
cubbies, or areas.
• Assigned seating in classrooms will be implemented to assist with contact tracing.
• Where possible, social distancing will be maintained in open areas, such as hallways, stairwells,
gyms, playgrounds.
• Students will be encouraged to bring their own water to minimize use and touching of water
fountains.
• To limit exposure to other students and staff, recess will be separated by classes and grade level
cohorts.
• Signage will be posted in all rooms and common areas explaining hygiene practices to prevent
spread.
• Where possible, adjustments to drop-off and pick-up routines will be made to facilitate social
distancing. Staff will escort young students into and out of the building. Families are asked to
remain in their vehicles or wait outside.
7 Sage Academy: Open for Learning | 2020/2021 Return to School PlanHealth and Wellness
Health Screening
• Students should stay home if they feel ill or are exhibiting symptoms of respiratory infection.
• Parents and guardians should assess their child’s health daily prior to heading to school or the bus
stop.
• Parents will be required to complete and submit a Covid-19 Screening Form prior to the admission
of the child to school.
• At the beginning of each day as students enter the classroom, teachers will informally screen
students for respiratory symptoms. If the teacher has concerns, they will contact the school office
prior to sending the student to the Administrative Office.
• Students will be reminded of proper respiratory hygiene, including:
• Avoiding touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Covering the mouth when coughing.
• Covering the nose when sneezing and safely discarding tissues.
Visitors on campus
• All visitors and volunteers will be required to wear cloth masks and must follow all posted safety
protocols. Volunteers will be limited at this time.
• To the extent possible, access on campus for outside visitors or volunteers will be limited.
• All visitors or parents/guardians are required to report to the front office and not go beyond.
Enhanced Cleaning
• Additional cleaning staff will be hired for routine cleaning of restrooms, drinking fountains,
lunchrooms, and common areas throughout the school day.
• Continued air quality will be maintained by cleaning all HVAC unit coils and changing air filters as
scheduled
Response to Reported Cases
• CDC protocols regarding reported cases and specific guidance from the Maricopa County
Department of Public Health will be followed.
• School Administrators will follow established screening protocols and will consult with public health
officials to determine how best to handle students and staff who display or develop COVID-19
symptoms.
• Isolation rooms will be set up for students or staff who may be sick.
8 Sage Academy: Open for Learning | 2020/2021 Return to School PlanNutrition and Wellness
• When possible, procedures for lunch will be adjusted to allow for social distancing, greater spacing,
and to reduce interactions, including possibility of adding additional lunch periods and serving lunch
in the classroom.
• Schools will continue to follow practices and procedures that comply with public health guidelines
such as food handling, food preparation, cleaning and disinfecting, and food and drink dispensers.
Transportation
• Transportation will be suspended until further notice. Parents will be encouraged to drive their
child(ren) to school. In the event that bussing services is resumed, the following guidelines will be
met.
• Bus staff and students are required to wear cloth masks on buses.
• Visible signage will be placed at the entry to each bus and students will be reminded not to ride if
they are symptomatic.
• Students will be asked to comply with social distancing guidelines when waiting at the stop, during
boarding, and while exiting the bus.
• Seating charts will be utilized, seating siblings together and implementing “neighbor” seating to
provide consistency in seating and minimize movement within the bus.
• Buses will be sanitized between runs and at the end of the day.
• Families are encouraged to transport their children to school to reduce the number of students on a bus.
Social-Emotional Well-Being
• Students’ social-emotional well-being will be assessed when schools reopen, with additional
support provided for students showing signs of mental health concerns, including trauma.
• Schools will incorporate trauma-informed practices and social-emotional learning into classroom
instruction in a manner that supports equity and inclusion and reflects cultural responsiveness.
Events and Field Trips
• Large group gatherings, such as school assemblies, fall festivals, dances, and book fairs will be
suspended until further notice and resumption will be reevaluated regularly. This includes school
sponsored and PTA/PTO sponsored events.
• Field Trips will be suspended until further notice and resumption will be reevaluated regularly.
Opportunities for virtual field trips will be explored.
9 Sage Academy: Open for Learning | 2020/2021 Return to School PlanThe following are the Operational Checklists to be followed prior to and during the reopening of schools for
the 2020-2021 school year.
Reopening Plan Scenario #1: Schools Open on Time
This checklist is to be utilized in the event that schools begin on time and remain open. It is assumed that
alternative school schedules will not be put into effect and maintenance of social distancing will be done to
the greatest extent possible.
Sage Administration
o Monitor the latest information regarding covid-19 and o Define roles and allocate responsibilities for reopening.
its mitigation. o In consultation with the CDC, ADE, Maricopa County
o Establish regular communication with relevant Department of Public Health and, based on the Sage
agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. Academy Pandemic Influenza Protocols, establish the
o Monitor for any changes to guidelines for reopening criteria and protocols for closing and reopening an
provided by state agencies. individual school due to a reported case of COVID-19.
o Continue to convene and consult with the covid-19 o Engage with the CRT to evaluate the 2019-2020 school
response team (crt) and the school advisory group to closure as an after-action exercise.
plan for and provide input on the reopening process in o Ensure that departments complete Continuity of Operations
conjunction with department leaders. Plans as annex to the Sage Emergency Response Plan.
o Set objectives and establish a timeline for reopening.
10 Sage Academy: Open for Learning | 2020/2021 Return to School PlanHealth and Wellness
☐ Review and revise health policies and practices as needed ☐ Provide instruction to staff and families regarding
and communicate any changes in health policies and respiratory hygiene:
practices to students, families, and staff. ☐ Avoiding touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.
☐ At the beginning of each day as students enter the ☐ Covering the mouth when coughing.
classroom, have teachers informally screen students for ☐ Covering the nose when sneezing and safely discarding
respiratory symptoms. If the teacher has concerns, they tissues.
should contact the school nurse prior to sending the
☐ Provide instruction to staff and families for handwashing:
student to the Nurse’s Office.
☐ Using soap and water, scrubbing for 20 seconds, and
☐ Ensure posters are in place at the entry to each classroom rinsing.
to assist with identifying symptoms.
☐ Using paper towels to dry hands, turn sink handles, and
☐ Provide training for staff related to identification of open doors, then safely discarding.
COVID-19 symptoms and management of safety measures ☐ Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
to minimize transmission.
☐ Provide instruction to staff and families for how to wear
☐ Require all staff to self-assess their own health for face masks.
symptoms of respiratory infection daily and not report to
work if there are any indications of illness. ☐ Maintain social distancing of six feet between staff and
students, where possible. In situations where social
☐ Establish safe procedures for any basic health screenings distancing between staff and students is not possible,
(e.g., annual hearing, vision). require staff and students to wear cloth masks.
☐ Provide school health personnel with any necessary ☐ Any student who has difficulty breathing or who is
personal protective equipment (PPE) in alignment incapable of physically removing the face covering
with identified needs (e.g., gloves, goggles, face shield, on his/her own will not wear cloth face coverings, and
procedural masks). alternate methods of protection will be discussed by
☐ Require use of hand sanitizer or hand washing prior to parents and staff. Cloth masks should not be worn
entering the health office. when students are engaging in physical activity.
Students who refuse to comply with the safety
☐ Provide school staff working with medically fragile
protocols adopted for in-person learning will be
students, as identified in individual health plans, with any
assigned to an online learning program pursuant to
necessary PPE.
A.R.S. 15-841(F)
☐ Provide staff that work with students with an IEP with more ☐ Where possible, arrange student seating to maintain
significant needs with any necessary PPE as recommended social distancing guidelines.
by the Special Education Department. Utilize nurses to
☐ Keep each child’s belongings separated from others’
provide training to staff for use of procedural PPE.
and in individually labeled containers, cubbies, or areas.
☐ Update health records for students in alignment with ☐ Assign seating in classrooms to assist with contact
HIPPA and FERPA requirements. tracing.
☐ Establish isolation rooms in each Health Office for students ☐ Where possible, maintain social distancing in open
or staff who may be sick. areas, such as hallways, stairwells, gyms, playgrounds.
☐ Establish partnerships with community providers to supply ☐ Evaluate current schedules and structures to facilitate
additional medical services, as needed. social distancing.
☐ Require students and staff to stay home if ill or exhibiting ☐ Evaluate adjustments to drop-off and pick-up routines
symptoms of respiratory infection. to facilitate social distancing.
☐ Establish screening protocols, assign appropriate staff, ☐ Evaluate procedures for recess to limit contact to
provide necessary PPE, and consult with public health cohorts of students.
officials to determine how to handle persons who ☐ For K-6 schools that departmentalize at intermediate
display or develop COVID-19 symptoms. grades, evaluate alternatives to reduce interactions.
☐ Establish processes for staff involved in screenings to ☐ Maintain social distancing for staff meetings. If not
report findings to school, district, and public health possible, evaluate use of virtual staff meetings.
officials in alignment with medical privacy laws. ☐ Require visitors to campus to wear masks if interacting with
☐ Post signage in all rooms and common areas explaining staff and students.
hygiene practices to prevent spread. ☐ Refer to the Health Office Student and Staff Operational
☐ Provide instruction to staff on how to clean and disinfect Plan for additional details.
objects and surfaces.
11 Sage Academy: Open for Learning | 2020/2021 Return to School PlanCommunications
☐ Provide information and updates to students, families, staff, ☐ Share instructions for ways to prevent spread (e.g.,
vendors, and the community on: handwashing, respiratory hygiene, social distancing).
☐ Current state of public health. ☐ Respond to questions and other inquiries.
☐ District and school efforts to keep students and staff
☐ Include key information and resources on district and
safe.
school webpages.
☐ Preventive measures stakeholders should take.
☐ Continue to provide communications to families in English
☐ Current effects on district and school operations
and Spanish.
☐ Anticipated timeline(s) for district and school
reopening. ☐ Leverage multiple communication methods, as
appropriate, including mail, email, phone calls, text
☐ Key changes in district and school policies and practice.
messages, traditional media (e.g. television, radio,
☐ Where to find services and support in the community to newspaper) and social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter,
meet basic needs. Instagram, YouTube).
☐ Remind staff and students to stay at home if exhibiting
symptoms.
Curriculum and Instruction
☐ Review and revise curriculum maps and pacing. Monitor ☐ Develop contingency plans to address:
and adjust curriculum plans as needed to reflect the ☐ Continuing to provide instruction if a school(s) must
impact of COVID-19-related school closures. close for a short period of time due to a reported case
☐ Determine the need for further adjustments to curriculum of COVID-19.
and instruction based on common gaps in student learning ☐ Continuing to provide instruction to individual students
identified during analysis of academic data collected once affected by illness or quarantine and/or family decisions
schools reopen. not to resend to school.
☐ Include classroom teachers in curriculum planning and ☐ Evaluate extending absence flexibility to students that
design. are ill or need to self-quarantine.
☐ Establish robust K-12 online learning opportunities ☐ Collaborate with postsecondary institutions regarding
through Online Academy that include opportunities for delivery of dual-credit courses, College Board for
teacher interaction and support. Advanced Placement (AP) offerings, and/or International
Baccalaureate (IB) courses.
☐ Ensure scalability of option to accommodate the
number of students desiring an asynchronous, online ☐ Consult with postsecondary institutions and/or local
classroom setting. partners regarding delivery of Career and Technical
☐ Ensure that expectations, accountability, and Education (CTE) (e.g., mentoring). Develop plans for
assessment are comparable to traditional, in-person students to continue learning regardless of changes to
learning. school settings.
☐ Explore the potential need utilize leased content for ☐ Explore additional extended learning opportunities, such
specific grade levels and/or courses. as summer school and after-school programs, to mitigate
☐ Establish a methodology for parents to confirm their learning loss, resolve incompletes, and support credit
interest in selecting this option for instructional delivery. recovery.
☐ Establish a K-6, synchronous learning opportunity, with ☐ Inventory and identify any gaps in the district’s academic
direct instruction provided via video conferencing, that interventions and identify additional supports that can be
includes opportunities for teacher interaction and support. made available to teachers and families.
☐ Ensure scalability of option to accommodate the ☐ Identify diagnostic assessments, when appropriate,
number of students desiring an asynchronous, online for when schools reopen to identify learning gaps and
classroom setting. consider additional assessment tools that can be made
☐ Ensure that expectations, accountability, and available to teachers, if needed.
assessment are comparable to traditional, in-person ☐ Identify learning loss for individual students and
learning. among special populations, such as: students with
☐ Maintain class sizes that are comparable face-to-face an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), English
classrooms. learners, migrant and homeless students, foster youth,
☐ Provides for teacher instruction and contact at various socioeconomically disadvantaged students, or students
times of the day. directly affected by COVID-19 and provide targeted
interventions.
☐ Establish a methodology for parents to confirm their
interest in selecting this option for instructional delivery.
12 Sage Academy: Open for Learning | 2020/2021 Return to School PlanYou can also read
