News

December 15, 2020 COVID-19 & Continuous Learning

SCCSD Moves to Hybrid Learning 1-4-21

Schedule Change News

Dear Parents/Guardians and Staff,

In assessing the most recent COVID-19 data, and based on discussions with Siouxland District Health and the vote of our Board of Directors during the recent Board meeting, the Sioux City Community School District has determined it is prudent for the District to move to Hybrid Learning beginning Monday, January 4.

The Hybrid Learning model will be used for a period of at least two weeks, during which time we will continue to monitor the community metrics and school attendance. Further communication will be sent out near the end of the two-week period to inform you of learning model plans moving forward. Depending on the evolution of the pandemic, we must all be prepared to transition back to On-Site Learning, stay in Hybrid Learning, or temporarily move to Virtual Learning. It is important that we remain nimble to changes this pandemic may bring so that we may best serve the needs of our students.

This learning model change is only being implemented for our current On-Site Learning students. Students that are currently enrolled in the elected Virtual Learning model will continue the normal five-day-a-week learning schedule.

While the District operates using the Hybrid Learning model, students enrolled in On-Site Learning will attend school on-site Mondays and Thursdays or Tuesdays and Fridays. Families with more than one child in school will be on the same schedule.

  • Students with last names beginning with A-K will attend school on Mondays and Thursdays. 
  • Students with last names beginning with L-Z will attend school on Tuesdays and Fridays. 

All classes will operate on a regular schedule during the on-site days. High school will continue with a block schedule. View the AB Calendar for January 4-18, 2021.

When students are not attending school on-site, they will be completing coursework at home. There will be an expectation that coursework is completed, and it will be important for parents/guardians to support their child’s learning while at home. Hybrid students will not be logging in for Virtual Learning on the days home.

Mondays will not be a shortened day for students (like it is during the traditional school year when all students are on-site.) Professional development for teachers will be moved to Wednesdays. Teachers will also be available to support students on Wednesdays. Click here to view the Wednesday support schedule.

Students are encouraged to utilize the available support on Wednesdays to stay up-to-date with current learning and to also catch up on any previous work that may have been missed due to time out of school for quarantine or illness.

Due to the move to Hybrid Learning, the end date of the second quarter will move to January 19. The previously scheduled Teacher Workday on January 14 will now be a Hybrid Learning day and students with last names A-K will attend school. The Teacher Workday will now be Wednesday, January 20. Therefore, students will not have school on January 20. The third quarter will begin on January 21.

All students in TK-12 will have a learning device provided by the District. Devices will not be shared when on-site learning occurs, and if necessary, students will take devices home to complete work when not on-site.

Hybrid Learning allows us to increase social distancing efforts by only having half of our on-site students in the building at a time. While Hybrid Learning allows heightened health and safety practices, it also offers the benefit of part-time in-person instruction, which is ideal for most students.

Food security for students will be addressed during Hybrid Learning. Click here to learn more about meal distribution options. 

Every learning model fulfills the same mission – we remain committed to educating students to believe in their talents and skills, achieve academic excellence, and succeed in reaching their full potential.  Thank you for your patience and grace as we navigate this learning model change. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us using Let’s Talk.

Sincerely,

Dr. Paul Gausman
Superintendent
Sioux City Community School District