Teaching & Learning - Teaching and Learning 2020-2021
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SCHOOL YEAR 2020 - 2021 KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Reopening Schools
Teaching & Learning
(Please note that all of the information contained this is document is subject to change as we continue to
respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please visit www.KCPublicSchools.org/Reopening-KCPS
for information that will be updated regularly.)
The COVID-19 pandemic is a national crisis that poses a serious health risk for everyone. With this in
mind, we will be moving forward with a phased back-to-school plan for the 2020-2021 year. This will
start on Tuesday, Sept. 8 with 100 percent distance or virtual learning for all students. In-person
classes will start for students in pre-K through grade 3 only after the number of COVID-19 cases in
our community decreases for 14 days in a row. This phased-in process will be repeated for upper
elementary, middle school and high school students. Our goal is to be back to 100 percent in-person
learning when it is safe to do so.
The decision to reopen our school buildings for in-person classes will be based on data and science.
We will work closely with public health officials before re-opening any of our school buildings. This
process will not follow any predetermined timeline but will rather evolve based on the status of the
pandemic in our community. Our response will balance the need to protect public health and provide
a public education.
01 REOPENING SCHOOLS 2020-2021
Four Instructional Models
Teaching and learning in KCPS this year will involve four different models. Students and teachers will use
these models based on the status of the pandemic and their grade levels:
Virtual Learning
Students use digital tools and virtual platforms for self-paced teaching and learning through the Kansas
City Virtual Academy (KCVA). Students and parents will be asked to commit to this option for the entire
semester if they choose to enroll in this academy.
Distance Learning
Teachers and students engage in classwork online using a variety of digital tools and applications,
including Zoom and Google Classrooms. All classes will start with this model when classes begin on Sept.
8, 2020.
Blended Learning
Students have an “A/B” schedule, attending classes on campus for part of the week and doing distance
learning for the other days.
In-Person Learning
Students and teachers engage in learning on campus every day that class is in session.
to start
school
Full Phased-In
Semester
02
REOPENING SCHOOLS 2020-2021
Distance Learning vs. Virtual Learning
It’s easy to be confused by our use of the terms “distance learning” and “virtual learning.” The curriculum for
both models is aligned to Missouri standards. Both models involving using digital tools and applications.
Students using these models will be guided and supported by high quality teachers. There are, however,
some important differences in these two instructional models. These distinctive features mean that each
model is best suited for different types of students.
Distance Learning
• Students who are enrolled in their Neighborhood or Signature School and engaging in distance learning are
essentially engaging in a traditional public school class but doing all the classwork from home.
• These classes will be led by the same teacher those students will have when we re-open our campuses.
• The teachers will teach daily lessons at certain set times, track how well students are picking up the
curriculum and provide support when and how it is needed.
• Students in these classes will interact and collaborate with each other on a regular basis.
Virtual Learning
• Students who enroll in the KCPS Virtual Academy (KCVA) will be using the virtual learning model of
instruction. KCVA students have flexibility to engage with the curriculum at any time, day or night.
• KCVA students will have the opportunity to engage in daily classroom activities, as their schedules allow.
• KCVA students have an individualized intervention program.
• KCVA students have a learning coach who works with the families to provide support, updates, information,
and feedback on a consistent basis.
• KCVA students are taught by certified KCPS teachers.
• KCVA students will be allowed to participate in activities, sports, and other events through their
Neighborhood Schools.
• Recommended time needed for KCVA lessons and coursework:
03
REOPENING SCHOOLS 2020-2021
Classroom layout/supplies
Virtual Learning Distance Learning Blended Learning In-Person Learning
Schools will distribute Schools will distribute Maintain spacing for reduced size Set-up classrooms according to
classroom supplies to families classroom supplies to of student groups social distancing guidelines
for students to be able to work families for students to be
from home able to work from home Follow routines for clean-up, Establish routines for sanitizing
especially high-touch areas in the hands while entering and
All students working virtually All students working virtually leaving classrooms
classroom using district-provided
must have the needed must have the needed
supplies
technology, including a laptop technology, including a laptop Establish routines for clean-up,
computer and Internet access computer and Internet access especially high-touch areas in
Establish procedures for
distribution and use of individual the classroom (cleaning items,
Supplies could include: Supplies could include: hand sanitizer)
workbooks, books, student supplies in the classroom
workbooks, books, notebooks,
notebooks, pencils, crayons, setting
pencils, crayons, glue sticks, Establish classroom procedures
glue sticks, packets, etc. for the distribution and use of
packets, etc. (based on each
(based on each school and Create an at-home school supply
school and class supply list) supplies in the classroom
class supply list) list for each grade level for at-
home instructional use Consider individually stocked
All reading resources will be
All reading resources will be supply boxes, assigned to each
available in both print and
available in both print and Procedures for technology usage student, in elementary schools
digital format digital format should be in place for use in the
classroom and at home Middle and high school
Teachers should utilize all Teachers should utilize all students carry daily supplies in
digital apps that have been digital apps that have been Laptop computers and Internet Wi- backpacks
supplied by the district supplied by the district Fi hot spots will be provided as
needed Flexible seating should only be
Guidelines for length of Guidelines for length of utilized if the same student will
instruction, amount of times instruction, amount of times use the seating throughout the
Flexible seating should only be
required for teacher and required for teacher and day
utilized if the same student will use
student meetings, etc. will be student meetings, etc. will be
the seating throughout the day
established by the KCPS established by the KCPS It is not recommended that
Curriculum, Instruction and Curriculum, Instruction and there be any areas in the
Professional Development Professional Development It is not recommended that there
be any areas in the classroom that classroom that allow multiple
Department (CIPD) Department (CIPD) opportunities for students to
allow multiple opportunities for
congregate due to safety and
students to congregate due to
sanitation
safety and sanitation
04
REOPENING SCHOOLS 2020-2021
Community Building
Virtual Learning Distance Learning Blended Learning In-Person Learning
Daily, 20- to 30-minute Daily, 20- to 30-minute Daily community check-ins done in- Daily community building
community check-in via Zoom community check-in via Zoom or person or via an approved virtual with homeroom teacher
or Teams with the class Teams with the class teacher
platform with the homeroom teacher,
teacher Daily check-in with teacher
Virtual check-in via a google students in the classroom and student
as students enter the
Virtual check-in via a google form (teacher can check these learning from home classroom
form (teacher can check these and reach out to students as
and reach out to students as needed)
needed)
Lessons
Virtual Learning Distance Learning Blended Learning In-Person Learning
Teachers will provide a weekly Teachers will provide a weekly Schools and classes will use
Daily lessons as usual, following
overview of subject areas they will overview of subject areas they will curriculum that has been
the class curriculum
cover that week and an Encore app cover that week and an Encore app approved by CIPD
schedule schedule
Utilize workshop structure for
Teachers will use the
lessons to ensure adequate time
To demonstrate what they’ve To demonstrate what they’ve “workshop” model, which
for small group instruction and
learned, students in kindergarten- learned, students in kindergarten- means that students take a
remediation needed to support
grade 2 will… grade 2 will… hands-on lead in their own
learning
learning
…take pictures of their work …take pictures of their work
Elementary school classes will
and upload it to the Seesaw app and upload it to the Seesaw app Students will remain in their
begin the day with breakfast in
seats during while working as a
the classrooms, followed by a
To demonstrate what they’ve To demonstrate what they’ve whole group or small group
“Do Now” lesson in Google
learned, students in grades 3-6 learned, students in grades 3-6
Classrooms
will… will… One classroom work center will
be assigned per student
In middle and high school
…take short quizzes …take short quizzes
classes, students will spend the
There will be no activities
first few minutes working on a
…produce exit tickets …produce exit tickets requiring students to work
“Do Now” lesson in Google
together in person
Classrooms
…produce short videos (via …produce short videos (via
Flipgrid, for example) Flipgrid, for example) Teachers and students will use
a virtual platform for
…add short sticky note thoughts …add short sticky note thoughts collaborative work
to Jamboard to Jamboard
Virtual Learning During A-B Day
…utilize Padlet to jot thoughts …utilize Padlet to jot thoughts Schedules (classes held both at
and/or links to their documents and/or links to their documents school and virtually during the
week)
…use a digital writing/learning …use a digital writing/learning
journal journal a. Teachers will create follow-
up lessons to reinforce
…use Bookmaker …use Bookmaker recent in-person lessons
b. Students join whole group
Teachers will track student Teachers will track student lessons via Zoom or Teams
platforms and take screenshots to platforms and take screenshots to c. Teacher stays available
make directions clear with visuals make directions clear with visuals during small group and
that match exactly what they see that match exactly what they see independent time
05
REOPENING SCHOOLS 2020-2021
Formative assessment
Virtual Learning Distance Learning Blended Learning In-Person Learning
Teachers can create Teachers can create Teachers can create Teachers can create
opportunities for virtual "exit opportunities for virtual "exit opportunities for virtual "exit opportunities for virtual "exit
tickets" and check-ins tickets" and check-ins tickets" and check-ins tickets" and check-ins
throughout the quarter and throughout the quarter and throughout the quarter and throughout the quarter and
adjust instruction, small adjust instruction, small adjust instruction, small adjust instruction, small
groups and assignments groups and assignments groups and assignments groups and assignments
based on this feedback based on this feedback based on this feedback based on this feedback
Teachers will use Utilize Teachers will use Utilize Teachers will use Utilize Teachers will use Utilize
Padlet, Flipgrid, Jamboard, Padlet, Flipgrid, Jamboard, Padlet, Flipgrid, Jamboard, Padlet, Flipgrid, Jamboard,
Google forms, etc. Google forms, etc. Google forms, etc. Google forms, etc.
Teachers will consider how Teachers will consider how Teachers will consider how Teachers will consider how
engaging and appealing each engaging and appealing each engaging and appealing each engaging and appealing each
tool is for their unique tool is for their unique tool is for their unique tool is for their unique
students when deciding what students when deciding what students when deciding what students when deciding what
to use in classes to use in classes to use in classes to use in classes
Orientation
Virtual Learning Distance Learning Blended Learning In-Person Learning
In-person orientations with small In-person orientations with small Discuss any changes to Discuss any changes to
groups of students and families groups of students and families building/classroom routines building/classroom routines and
will be hosted in order to handout will be hosted in order to handout and procedures due to our procedures due to our COVID-19
digital devices and teach students digital devices and teach students COVID-19 response policies response policies and procedures
and parents/guardians how to use and parents/guardians how to use and procedures (“Mask On, (“Mask On, Clean Up, Stay Safe”)
those devices those devices Clean Up, Stay Safe”)
Provide schedules to parents and
All orientations will also be hosted All orientations will also be hosted Provide schedules and training explain the need to follow these
virtually via Zoom and/or re- virtually via Zoom and/or re- for students and parents on “Mask On, Clean Up, Stay Safe”
recorded for who could not recorded for who could not the blended learning structure policies and procedures
participate live participate live
Provide time for parents to Provide time to familiarize parents
Each school will establish Each school will establish learn about Google Classroom and students with either Seesaw
expectations around: expectations around: and Seesaw as well as other or Google Classroom platform and
instructional resources that our expectations for using them
Feedback on student work Feedback on student work students will be using
Provide parents information
Number of Zoom meetings per Number of Zoom meetings per Provide parents with about how we are incorporating
week beyond the baseline week beyond the baseline informational sessions from last year’s fourth-quarter
expectations (teachers do not expectations (teachers do not each grade level regarding the standards into this year
have to do more, but teams of have to do more, but teams of expectations for in-person and
teachers should be consistent teachers should be consistent virtual learning Make sure parents understand
if they choose to do more so if they choose to do more so the importance of their child
that families understand why that families understand why Teachers will follow CIPD attending school
one student may be doing one student may be doing curriculum and policies as
more or less than another more or less than another students master content Teachers are being provided with
student in the same student in the same through a combination of in- training to use a variety of digital
household) household) person and virtual classwork tools to create activities for online
learning
A syllabus or other document A syllabus or other document
that outlines expectations with that outlines expectations with
information regarding district information regarding district
grading policies, etc. grading policies, etc.
CIPD will provide CIPD will provide
recommendations regarding recommendations regarding
amount of time for students at amount of time for students at
each grade level should be each grade level should be
engaging in online instruction engaging in online instruction
06
REOPENING SCHOOLS 2020-2021
Feedback to students
Virtual Learning Distance Learning Blended Learning In-Person Learning
Teachers will provide comments on Teachers will submit daily Teachers will submit daily
Teachers will provide comments on
student classwork via Google responses to Google Classroom responses to Google
student classwork via Google
Classroom or Seesaw and Seesaw. This will prepare
Classroom or Seesaw Classroom and Seesaw. This
students for the possibility of will prepare students for the
CIPD will create clear guidelines for
CIPD will create clear guidelines for moving to blended or virtual possibility of moving to
teacher feedback
teacher feedback learning as the need arises. blended or virtual learning as
If an assignment is due with a the need arises.
If an assignment is due with a Teacher feedback will be
deadline, students should know when
deadline, students should know constructive and instructive so
to expect feedback in order to revise Teacher feedback will be
when to expect feedback in order to
their work or reply that it is meaningful and constructive and instructive
revise their work or reply
supports student learning so that it is meaningful and
Teachers should accept assignments supports student learning
Teachers should accept assignments
past the due date, keeping in mind The use of data notebooks will
past the due date, keeping in mind
that not all student can complete transition from hardcopies to
that not all student can complete The use of data notebooks
assignments within a given window digital versions that are easily
assignments within a given window
will transition from
accessible for students and
Schools can determine expectations hardcopies to digital versions
Schools can determine expectations parents
for feedback from teachers to
for feedback from teachers to that are easily accessible for
students based on number of
students based on number of Face-to-face feedback via Zoom
students being taught students and parents
students being taught or Teams will be provided for
Teachers should respond within 24 individual students needing
Teachers should respond within 24 further instruction to master
hours to student questions,
hours to student questions,
comments and concerns about a specific skills
comments and concerns about a
given assignment
given assignment
Teachers should utilize their planning
Teachers should utilize their planning
time as much as possible to review
time as much as possible to review
student work a little bit each day
student work a little bit each day
Grades are one aspect of feedback,
Grades are one aspect of feedback,
and students should be given
and students should be given
multiple opportunities to show
multiple opportunities to show
mastery and improve grades as
mastery and improve grades as
needed
needed
Feedback to families
Virtual Learning Distance Learning Blended Learning In-Person Learning
Teachers will use weekly Teachers will use weekly Teachers will provide weekly Teachers will provide mid-quarter
newsletters to communicate newsletters to communicate communication with and quarterly feedback and
with parents/guardians with parents/guardians parents/guardians via email grade reports to
or text about classroom news parents/guardians using either
Teachers will invite email or Google Voice
Teachers will invite
parents/guardians to be parents/guardians to be Teachers will communicate
members of the Google with parents/guardians Schools will ensure that teachers
members of the Google
individually if a problem have accurate emails and phone
Classroom platform, where Classroom platform, where
arises regarding instruction numbers for parents/guardians
they can set up their they can set up their
notifications regarding their or missing work. This
notifications regarding their Teachers will communicate with
child's curriculum and communication needs to
child's curriculum and parents/guardians as needed if
happen as soon as the
assignments assignments
concern arises. there is a challenge regarding
instruction or attendance. This
communication needs to happen
as soon as the concern arises.
Teachers will inform
parents/guardians that they can
also see teacher/student
feedback via Google Classrooms
or Seesaw
Teachers will provide
parents/guardians with
expectations for students
regarding the types and amount
of online classwork they will be
expected to complete at home
07 REOPENING SCHOOLS 2020-2021
School Communications team
Every school will establish a communications team that will support teachers as they engage with
students, parents/guardians and other family members. This team may include the principal and other
school leaders, school secretary, social worker, guidance counselor, nurse, classroom support staff, etc.
Team responsibilities will include providing technology support before students and parents/guardians
are referred to the central office.
Team Process
When a teacher has reached out to parents/guardians regarding a student but is not successful in
supporting or reaching them, the teacher should complete the online “Virtual Learning
Communication Outreach Form”
The School Communications Team will have a point person to monitor requests for support from
teachers and then refer those requests to other team members to contact the family.
The form compiles the time and date of the request and keeps track of student and teacher needs
in a spreadsheet form
The team will designate a member to follow-up on the issue and make sure it is resolved in a timely
and satisfactory manner
Team members may use other forms of engagement as needed with students and
parents/guardians
Engagement
Virtual Learning Distance Learning Blended Learning In-Person Learning
Allow students to access videos Allow students to access videos Whole-group mini-lessons Whole-group mini-lessons
in addition to, or instead of, just in addition to, or instead of, just using best practices, including using best practices,
reading text reading text “think-pair-share,” visual including “think-pair-share,”
(nonlinguistic) visual (nonlinguistic)
Post lessons in Google Slides or Post lessons in Google Slides or representations, modeling, representations, modeling,
culturally-responsive lessons, culturally-responsive lessons,
hyperdocs format and try to hyperdocs format and try to
goal setting, collaboration, goal setting, collaboration,
limit the number of additional limit the number of additional
questioning, scaffolding, etc. questioning, scaffolding, etc.
attachments to assignments. attachments to assignments.
Allow students to access Allow students to access
Give students the opportunity Give students the opportunity
videos of the reading passage videos of the reading
to engage in multiple to engage in multiple
in addition to, or instead of, passage in addition to, or
discussions discussions just reading text instead of, just reading text
Provide multiple pages in Provide multiple pages in Give students the opportunity Give students the
Jamboard or options in Flipgrid Jamboard or options in Flipgrid to engage in multiple opportunity to engage in
or Padlet or Padlet discussions multiple discussions
Allow students to engage in Allow students to engage in Provide multiple pages in Provide multiple pages in
breakout rooms or other whole breakout rooms or other whole Jamboard or options in Jamboard or options in
group discussions group discussions Flipgrid or Padlet Flipgrid or Padlet
Teachers will use a "flipped Teachers will use a "flipped Allow students to utilize Allow students to utilize
classroom” approach for virtual classroom” approach for virtual technology-enhanced tools to technology-enhanced tools
learning in order to more learning in order to more complete assignments to complete assignments
accurately predict how long it accurately predict how long it
Teachers will engage students
will take students to master will take students to master
using virtual platforms for
each lesson. That means each lesson. That means
discussions, collaboration and
teachers will ask: teachers will ask:
assessment of learning
What can be taught and What can be taught and
Small groups discussions will
learned virtually prior to a learned virtually prior to a
be done with technology, or
respective lesson? respective lesson? students may sit at kidney
tables with proper social
What has to be taught with What has to be taught with distancing and face masks for
teacher guidance? teacher guidance? protection
08 REOPENING SCHOOLS 2020-2021
Small group instruction
Virtual Learning Distance Learning Blended Learning In-Person Learning
Small group instruction is Small group instruction is Teachers will submit daily Small group instruction will
expected during virtual expected during virtual responses to Google take place, but will be
learning but will be learning but will be Classroom and Seesaw. This customized based on the
customized based on the customized based on the will prepare students for the unique needs of each student
unique needs of each student unique needs of each student possibility of moving to
and set to a predictable and set to a predictable blended or virtual learning as Students will use learning
schedule. schedule. the need arises. stations that do not move (i.e.
iReady, Imagine Learning,
Teachers will use breakout Teachers will use breakout Teacher feedback will be Prodigy, Epic, Newsela, etc..)
rooms and leveled texts for rooms and leveled texts for constructive and instructive when they are not meeting
whole group Zoom lessons whole group Zoom lessons so that it is meaningful and with the teacher.
supports student learning
English Language Learner and English Language Learner and Teachers will use of Zoom or
Special Education teachers Special Education teachers The use of data notebooks other virtual meeting platform
will conduct small group will conduct small group will transition from to provide small group
lessons according to student lessons according to student hardcopies to digital versions instruction for students that
needs and have a schedule needs and have a schedule that are easily accessible for need more support, unless it
based on student mastery based on student mastery students and parents can be done in-person while
and needs and needs social distancing
Face-to-face feedback via
Zoom or Teams will be Teachers will meet with their
English Language Learner and English Language Learner and
provided for individual tier 2 and 3 students at least
Special Education teachers Special Education teachers students needing further three times a week.
will plan for flexible group will plan for flexible group instruction to master specific
skills Teachers will require student
lessons that may be required lessons that may be required
responses to online Zoom
for students as new content is for students as new content is lessons (using Flipgrid, Padlet,
presented presented or Jamboard)
Specific student interventions
will be based on data
Assignments
Virtual Learning Distance Learning Blended Learning In-Person Learning
Teachers will record directions, written text Teachers will record directions, written text Assignments will be
and other lesson materials and other lesson materials Students will be provided
manageable, small and
skill-specific meaningful assignments to
Teachers will create individualized learning Teachers will create individualized learning
be graded in accordance
plans that allow students to work at their plans that allow students to work at their
Assignments will be
own pace own pace with the KCPS policy
connected to class
instruction
Teachers will post video lectures, read- Teachers will post video lectures, read-
aloud videos, mini-lessons, etc. on YouTube aloud videos, mini-lessons, etc. on YouTube
Assignments will reinforce,
Teachers will provide a variety of articles Teachers will provide a variety of articles practice or assess lessons
from Newsela, DiscoveryEd, Epic, blogs or from Newsela, DiscoveryEd, Epic, blogs or
websites that center around the same websites that center around the same learned by the entire class
concept for knowledge acquisition and concept for knowledge acquisition and
allow students to choose which pieces they allow students to choose which pieces they
will read and respond to will read and respond to
Tiered assignments will be created to Tiered assignments will be created to
support a variety of learning styles support a variety of learning styles
Students will be encouraged to write papers Students will be encouraged to write papers
or create videos using Movie Maker, Screen- or create videos using Movie Maker, Screen-
o-Matic, or other video software to o-Matic, or other video software to
demonstrate content mastery demonstrate content mastery
Students will be encouraged to work Students will be encouraged to work
collaboratively on projects collaboratively on projects
Assignments will mirror real-world, career- Assignments will mirror real-world, career-
specific tasks specific tasks
Students will be allowed to demonstrate Students will be allowed to demonstrate
content mastery through blog posts content mastery through blog posts
09 REOPENING SCHOOLS 2020-2021
Family coaching
Blended Learning
Teachers and each School Communications Team will provide support and guidance for parents/guardians as
they help their children with classwork
Virtual / Distance Learning
Teachers and each School Communications Team will coach parents/guardians about how to support students
with foundational classroom skills and learning strategies
Parents/guardians will be taught how to be teachers
KCPS will build a virtual-learning toolbox for families
(Please note that all of the information contained this is document is subject to change as we continue to
respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please visit www.KCPublicSchools.org/Reopening-KCPS
for information that will be updated regularly.)
10 REOPENING SCHOOLS 2020-2021You can also read
