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Monday Is The Deadline For Escambia County Parents To Choose School Option For Their Child
July 19, 2020
Monday is the deadline for parents to choose what education option is best for their child when Escambia County School reopen at full capacity in August.
Complete deatils on the choices and a FAQ are below.
Three Choices for Each Student
Parents will choose between a traditional return to campus with in-person instruction, virtual learning with a connection to enrolled school and online virtual school through Escambia Virtual Academy.
Those options, in more detail, are:
Traditional -
This model represents a return to the school campus and the classroom where students will interact directly with their teacher(s) and classmates. If an option is not selected in FOCUS for a student, then this will be the default selection. The school day will follow the standard bell times and standard schedule that includes all the core classes and other subject areas. In short, it represents a return to the traditional school environment – with several significant changes involving enhanced health and safety precautions.
Remote Learning -
The remote learning model is designed for families who would like to maintain their connection to their enrolled school, but don’t yet feel comfortable sending their student(s) back to school in August. Students will attend school remotely, following the standard school schedule and bell times. The lessons, assignments and grading will be similar to traditional school.
Virtual School -
The virtual model is ideal for students who wish to have more control over their learning path and pace, and for whom a flexible daily schedule is important. In this learning model, students often work on assignments in a virtual environment during non-traditional hours and maintain contact with their teacher and classmates using web-based class sessions, email, text messages and telephone calls.
Once parents have reviewed the options available, a selection must be made to choose an option which best meets their student’s needs by a deadline of Monday, July 20, 2020. Parents and guardians will utilize their parent/student FOCUS account to choose this selection. It is important to note that the instructional model chosen will place the student within the selected learning option for an entire (9-week) grading period. Every effort will be made to ensure students will start the 2020-2021 school year ready for success.
Parents will have until Monday, July 20 to choose the option that is best for their student by clicking or tapping here. If no selection is made, the student will be placed in the traditional option.
Back to School Safety
Students will be encouraged, but not required, to wear masks, and they will be expected to socially distance. At the elementary school level where social distancing is difficult at best. Students will spend most of their day only interacting with students in their class.
Dining will take place in the classroom, cafeteria, and outdoors. Dining in the cafeteria will be limited in an effort to promote social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be available at all points of meal service.
School bus operators, school bus assistants, and students will all be encouraged to wear masks while aboard the bus. All buses will undergo disinfection of commonly touched surfaces at least twice per day as per District guidelines. Hand sanitizer will be available on buses for students and staff.
Most sporting events will have a smaller, “more select crowd” with less exposure. Certain gatherings will not be allowed during the first semester but will be reevaluated for the second semester. Crowd sizes will be governed by state and local and state guideless. All sports will be offered during the 2020-2021 school year, but with restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL
Now that we know what the options are, what comes next?
Take time to familiarize yourself with the options, and then choose the option that works best for your student. After reading the descriptions of the options, you can review the Frequently Asked Questions. When you are ready to make your choice, go to the blue Select an Option button. You will be directed to the Focus login page where you will login to your parent/student account to make your selection. If you have more than one student, you will have the opportunity to make a selection for each one. The deadline for making your choice is Monday, July 20.
Will parents and volunteers be allowed on campus?
For quarter 1 parents, volunteers, mentors, and visitors will not be present on campus. This will be reevaluated each quarter.
Will students be expected to take FSA?
Yes. At this time the Florida DOE has indicated plans to test in the spring. All options (Traditional, Remote, Virtual) will be expected to participate.
Will there be an open house this year?
No, there will not be an open house this year.
Will students be able to go on field trips?
There will be no field trips in the 1st quarter. This decision will be reevaluated each quarter.
Will parents be allowed to attend conferences on campus?
Yes. Face to Face conferences are permitted, however, parents may also request virtual conferences.
Will parents be permitted to walk their student(s) to class?
No. For the safety of students and staff, no visitors will be allowed on campus.
Will there be orientations this year?
Orientations will be performed on a limited basis. Consult your school’s website for specific information regarding orientation.
If I do not make a selection for my student, in which option will they be placed?
The Traditional Option will be the default selection.
LEARNING MODEL OPTIONS
Once I choose an option, can I change my mind later?
A continuous and consistent learning environment is best for student success. However, parents and students might have compelling reasons to seek a transition from one option to another. For the sake of continuity, transfers from one learning option to another may only occur after the completion of a grading period.
Will each option offer the same classes?
Core classes will be available under all three options. The Escambia Virtual Academy (EVA) and Remote Learning options will have a limited selection of electives. These will differ from courses available in the Traditional model.
Is the Remote Learning option identical to the distance learning we experienced during the final months of the school year?
No. It will feature a robust curriculum with an assignment load similar to the Traditional model. Based on feedback from students and parents, there is a clearer idea of which factors contribute to greater student success. Those factors include more frequent real-time interaction between students and teachers. Also, the Remote Learning model will incorporate standard school schedules and bell times, leading to a learning experience more connected to teachers.
Under the Traditional model, will elementary students be able to have recess?
Yes. Recess will be organized to emphasize social distancing. Playground equipment will be sanitized between use.
What options are available to children in the Voluntary Pre-K program?
The Traditional model is the only option available to children in the Voluntary Pre-K program.
If I choose the Escambia Virtual Academy (EVA) or Remote Learning option will my student be able to participate in athletics?
Yes, students will have the same opportunities to participate in athletics at their zoned school.
Will IB be offered through one of the online learning models?
Yes. IB will be available through the Remote Learning model, as well as the Traditional model.
Has the start date for the 2020-2021 school year changed?
No. The first day of school for students for all options/models will be on August 10.
If my student is enrolled in Dual Enrollment part/full time what option should I choose?
You will select the Traditional Option.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Will students wear masks in classrooms?
Students are encouraged to wear masks or cloth face coverings.
Will students be expected to socially distance?
Students will be socially distanced to the extent possible. At the elementary school level, where social distancing will be extremely difficult, students will spend most of the school day interacting only with students in their class. By limiting their exposure to a small number of students, the chance of infection is reduced.
What steps will be taken to ensure that surfaces are clean in classrooms?
Maintenance workers and school custodians will clean frequently touched surfaces throughout the day and conduct overall cleanings at the conclusion of every day. Other non-custodial staff members will be expected to do their part keeping surfaces clean and will be provided spray bottles and microfiber cloths for additional cleaning. Teachers will have access to cleaning supplies for their classrooms. Student hand washing will be frequent.
What other steps are being taken to ensure a healthy environment?
Escambia Schools will partner with parents in educating students on the importance of handwashing, hygiene, and social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be made available in classrooms and workplaces. The schedule for changing air conditioning filters has been accelerated. Water fountains are being retrofitted to be bottle fillers. Temperature checks will be performed on staff and students as appropriate.
What will my student’s school do if a classmate or staff member is infected with COVID-19?
Communication will be sent to parents and staff that if they are exhibiting symptoms, they should not come to school or report to work. If a student exhibits symptoms at school he/she will be taken to the school clinic and the parent or guardian will be notified.
What if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19?
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County will notify the district if a student or staff member tests positive. Parents of students in the affected class will be notified, while not specifically identifying the student or staff member. The Health Department will conduct the appropriate notifications of individuals who have been in contact with the person infected. The Reopening plan is designed to limit the chances of infection and to limit the disruption to a school or workplace in the event of an infection.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Will the district be completing Child Find and evaluation when school reopens?
Escambia County Schools will continue to identify, locate, and evaluate students suspected of having a disability and needing special education and related services. At the same time, being mindful that students have been displaced from their typical learning environment when initiating the referral process. Some evaluation procedures can be completed in remote learning situations. Some evaluations require in-person contact with students or observations of students in school settings. Escambia County Schools is conducting evaluations remotely and in-person while adhering to public health guidelines for the safety of students and staff.
How will Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings take place in the Fall?
Escambia County Schools is committed to providing families an opportunity to have meaningful participation in the special education process. Whether in-person or an alternative format, such as videoconferencing or by phone, IEP teams will partner with families to determine the most practical format to conduct IEP meetings.
Will students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 Plans receive accommodations in EVA and Remote Learning?
All students attending EVA and Remote Learning will have access to many accommodations that naturally occur in the virtual setting. In addition, EVA and Remote Learning may be able to provide additional accommodations per a student’s IEP or Section 504 Plan if the accommodation(s) is/are applicable to the online educational environment. Please note that some accommodations may not be possible to implement in the online educational setting.
MEALS
What steps will be taken to limit exposure in the school cafeteria?
Dining will take place in the classroom, cafeteria, and outdoors. Dining in the cafeteria will be limited in an effort to promote social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be available at all points of meal service.
What steps will be taken to minimize frequent contact to surfaces during meal service?
All items will be individually packaged to minimize frequent contact to surfaces and facilitate grab and go meal service. This will allow students to eat throughout the campus as appropriate.
TRANSPORTATION
What steps will be taken to limit exposure on school buses?
School bus operators, school bus assistants, and students will all be encouraged to wear masks while aboard the bus. All buses will undergo disinfection of commonly touched surfaces at least twice per day as per District guidelines. Hand sanitizer will be available on buses for students and staff.
Why are sporting events allowed and not pep rallies, dances, and back to school nights?
Most sporting events have a smaller, more select crowd, and therefore involve less exposure. At this time only certain gatherings will not be allowed 1st semester and will be re-evaluated for 2nd semester.
ATHLETICS
Will athletes be required to wear masks?
Not during competition or practice, but they will be encouraged to wear masks or cloth face coverings while riding the bus to and from the game.
Will parents still be allowed to attend games?
Yes. Crowd capacity will be determined based on state and local guidelines.
Will sports still be offered next school year?
Yes. Sports will be offered in the 2020-2021 school year. The same sports will be offered as usual with some restrictions on social distancing, cleaning procedures, and masks (optional for athletes). Students will be encouraged to wear a mask on any bus trips to games.
If a student chooses the EVA or Remote Learning option are they able to try out for school sports?
Yes. If you choose the EVA option you can participate at your zoned school. If you choose the Remote Learning option, you will be able to participate in sports at your enrolled school.
Will volunteer coaches be permitted?
Yes. However, they will be subject to temperature checks and encouraged to wear a mask.
BAND
Will students wear masks in the band room?
Students will be encouraged to wear masks or face coverings when not playing instruments.
Will students be expected to socially distance in the band room?
Yes. The band room will be arranged for social distancing and band students will adhere to the guidelines for social distancing as much as possible. Rehearsals will be outdoors when appropriate.
Will band students travel to away football games?
During the first quarter, restricted travel to Escambia County and Santa Rosa County football games and band events can take place. In some cases, only a pep band may be at the game. This decision will be reevaluated each quarter.
Will students participate in concerts and performances?
Yes. Performance opportunities are key to a student’s band experience. For the first quarter, outdoor performances and live stream performances can occur. This decision will be reevaluated each quarter.
Will band parents be able to chaperone and volunteer in the band?
Volunteers are not permitted during the school day. After school, parents can be part of the band booster program if they have completed the ECSD volunteer paperwork and participate in a band COVID19 parent orientation. Band booster parents will be encouraged to wear masks, practice social distancing, and volunteer with the same small group every time to limit exposure.
How have band uniforms been sanitized?
Band uniforms have been cleaned and sanitized following the manufacturers’ guidelines.
Comments
20 Responses to “Monday Is The Deadline For Escambia County Parents To Choose School Option For Their Child”
The Florida Education Association has filed a lawsuit against the state. Sad that our governor is willing to let the numbers of cases and deaths continue to rise. Half the country is under mask mandates. Yet here we are. Maybe the plan is to let businesses fail and people lose their homes so folks who dont have to worry can pick up cheap real estate.
I’ve been watching the School Board Workshop that is coming on 6 hours.
They are NOT prepared to do this. There are good intentions, but they were forced to throw things together and it sounds like total chaos.
Chairwoman Hightower tried to get Malcolm Thomas to see the wisdom of waiting two weeks. Went about as well as you’d expect.
It’s an awful situation the people who need to get back on time for a paycheck. I’m so sorry for so many in our community who are in these impossible circumstances. But the dire situation we are in with this virus does not seem to have sunk in, at all.
Maybe the teacher’s union that filed a suit on the DeSantis’s administration can get this thing ground to a halt. Anybody watching this meeting who tells you they are reading to do this is fooling themselves and trying to fool you as well.
REGARDING:
“CRAZY how this COVID-19 at first was only dangerous to those 60 and older.
Next thing we know it’s being spread among the 20+ year old group.
NOW just before School Opens there are reports of the C-19 being active amongst the School Aged children and even Newborns.
Never ever heard of a Time-Release Virus.”
You have heard of instantaneous infections? Not me.
But I’m guessing you are talking about over months.
You wrote of it only being dangerous to those over 60. That was never the case. It was and is MOST dangerous to those over 65. Something like 33.6% of hospitalizations for the week ending July 11 are of people over 65.
About 3.5% of are birth through 17.
Which means 62.9% of those in hospitals for the week ending July 11 are 18 through 65.
So in general old folks are hit something like 10 times as often as kids but there has never been an age group not hit.
It is most likely to require hospitalization for people with things like hypertension, obesity, heart disease, lung disease but 48.7% of pediatric hospitalizations and 9.1% of adult ones have no known condition to go with it. On the other hand, how many adults don’t have some sort of problem?
https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/COVIDNet/COVID19_5.html
So it was never ONLY dangerous to the old, just more dangerous.
As to it being spread by the ones in twenties, they have more chance to reach each other and from greater distances — at least until school starts back up.
So it is not a matter of time release, rather of time of exposure and comorbidities which might make it worse.
Talking about deaths hits on the worst case. It doesn’t cover those who survive with organ damage and other problems, but if live/die is all you want, you might check CDC reports on that. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_weekly/index.htm
should help you. Understand they are not always up to date but the older data is likely to be accurate, more recent stuff still more fluid and subject to change.
David for truth
With a LARGE percent of teachers that age or health make the right risk.. Sad.. How many will retire.. The substitutes that have been WAYYYY under the numbers needed for YEARS are maybe more that are younger but they are teachers.. They didn’t sign up for the military or police force that would have them knowing their occupation was a dangerous one. In places like Australia virtual school is more than common. But.. I guess if we have kids who won’t do work at home. I’m sure they were honor students when in class.. NOT
Sticking head in sand to safety… Asking teachers to risk their health.. We can’t even get a government to say wear mask. Glad some food places will require them so my 80 yr old mom won’t have to shop at 7AM to be safer
@ Richard: Well said! I think we should all be doing remote or virtual teaching. I’m one of those older teachers with underlying health issues, and I am seriously considering retirement on disability rather than going back this year.
@Lorilyn – To find your child’s school : http://www1.escambia.k12.fl.us/school_lookup.asp
There should be no choice . . . . . those who refuse to wear masks, send your kids to school and suffer the rewards of ignorance.
Some question to consider as you make your choice
• If a teacher tests positive for COVID-19 are they required to quarantine for 2-3 weeks? Is their sick leave covered, paid?
• If that teacher has 5 classes a day with 30 students each, do all 150 of those students need to then stay home and quarantine for 14 days?
• Do all 150 of those students now have to get tested? Who pays for those tests? Are they happening at school? How are the parents being notified? Does everyone in each of those kids’ families need to get tested? Who pays for that?
• What if someone who lives in the same house as a teacher tests positive? Does that teacher now need to take 14 days off of work to quarantine? Is that time off covered? Paid?
• Where is the district going to find a substitute teacher who will work in a classroom full of exposed, possibly infected students for substitute pay?
• Substitutes teach in multiple schools. What if they are diagnosed with COVID-19? Do all the kids in each school now have to quarantine and get tested? Who is going to pay for that?
• What if a student in your kid’s class tests positive? What if your kid tests positive? Does every other student and teacher they have been around quarantine? Do we all get notified who is infected and when? Or because of HIPAA regulations are parents and teachers just going to get mysterious “may have been in contact” emails all year long?
• What is this stress going to do to our teachers? How does it affect their health and well-being? How does it affect their ability to teach? How does it affect the quality of education they are able to provide? What is it going to do to our kids? What are the long-term effects of consistently being stressed out?
• How will it affect students and faculty when the first teacher in their school dies from this? The first parent of a student who brought it home? The first kid?
• How many more people are going to die, that otherwise would not have if we had stayed home longer?
30% of the teachers in the US are over 50. About 16% of the total deaths in the US are people between the ages of 45-65.
@Skip
Should have said WITHOUT a mask at BK.
Kids need to be in school I agree but just not now due to the current covid19 situation. Part of a well rounded education is learning how to make informed decisions based on hard facts. So does stuffing our kids into crowed buses and overcrowded schools at this time seem like a good idea? I understand parents need to work and society needs to move forward. How are we going to get out of this mess if we keep repeating our same mistakes. We are far worse off now than when things were shut down this spring. So why would we just ignore the current situation and open schools?
There just isn’t a normal anymore and people need to accept that and adapt. Protect your children and make your decisions wisely. Show your kids how to make informed and common sense decisions. ECSD needs to rethink the situation because all the reasoning behind in person school in this situation is not valid. I really don’t think teachers are looking forward to the risk associated with classroom instruction. Take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Ten years from now a delay in school start time right now won’t mean anything. Irrelevant!
@ Skip
Lol – businesses taking care of customers.
One Burger King here in Pensacola you couldn’t get in with a mask. Another BK a few miles away didnt require one. At Dunkin Donuts the masks are worn some the right way by workers, others not wearing at all.
Parents f o what is right for your child and family.
Not arguing. This virus is real, but don’t know what the truth is any more. Sad.
It is so important to get students back in school, preferably in the classroom setting. There are so many things that occur in the classroom setting that cannot be done over the computer. However, all parents should determine what is best for their child/children. I also do not understand people wanting to push back the opening of the school year because of fear or concerns over COVID-19. Parents have ALWAYS had a choice in regard to their child’s education. There is the public school classroom, virtual school, homeschool, and private school. Now, there is remote learning. If parents have trepidation about send their child/children to school, they should pick the best option for their them. However, they should not impose their fears on others by calling for all to wear masks or to keep schools closed.
Push the start date ahead and begin with distance learning. If we start next month, we will be closed within weeks. Schools here didn’t reopen after spring break. Numbers are higher and rising. They have learned that stroke, organ/brain/lung damage can result. They have learned that even asymptomatic young people people can suffer permanent lung damage. As of yesterday, one Texas county has reported 85 cases in children under a year old. So, WHY are we planning to send kids into a burning building???
@Skip and all others who agree with him…keep your children home if you feel that is the right thing to do. But please use option 2 or 3. Too many parents ignored the online schooling from March to the end of this past year. Don’t make a point and end up harming your child’s education in the end. Signed a 30 year educator, retired.
Skip,
Thank you for your comment that proves students should be in school and not at home to learn proper English.
No commit just moved to nwe area. I have 6,7 and 8gr children idk what school area it is could someone please let me know we live on Massachuettes. Tia.
@Skip… “I’m sure their will be people that disagree for free child day care but I’m not risking it!”
Good. For. You. But making comments as those listed above is a REALLY good way to make a dang Mother or Father feel terrible and second guess their parenting skills and decisions. This situation is hard enough on everyone. We as parents should be uplifting one another at this time. Helping, guiding. All with our childrens best interest at heart. Not everyone is “fortunate” and has an option to keep their child home for Remote Learning. Some families require 2 incomes to keep us rolling and provide the best life and necessities for my son. So as far as your “free child care” comment goes, that’s NOT the only reason some parents have their hands tied and are opting to send their children back to school. Some children dont learn without 1-on-1 interaction, some children are only children and have had no interaction with other kids since MARCH, and some parents have to work and have no other option.
Surely you know that NO decision feels right as a parent. Sending them feels wrong, keeping them home feels wrong.
In my opinion, your comment was COMPLETELY relevant until you had to throw in that last sentence. Shame on you.
Option number four: Homeschool your children. You control curriculum, setting, safety at play and meals. You may teach your child the truth of the history of our country, its founding fathers and the hand of God in each step to its’ greatness. If our country continues on the path that it seems to be on, this will be the only way to raise up young men and women with a love for God and country.
CRAZY how this COVID-19 at first was only dangerous to those 60 and older.
Next thing we know it’s being spread among the 20+ year old group.
NOW just before School Opens there are reports of the C-19 being active amongst the School Aged children and even Newborns.
Never ever heard of a Time-Release Virus.
Kids need to be in school for the education, interaction with others to learn how to deal with each other, so the parents can get back to work and be able to pay their bills.
Precautions, of course, but kids need to be with other kids and all need to be in a structured educational setting.
God Bless ALL who work in education, schools, and for Our Children.
This governor is a joke! You have too wear a mask too go anywhere but not by his order but by business taking care of their customers! Schools are too soon! We have record cases…. My son is staying home! I’m sure their will be people that disagree for free child day care but I’m not risking it!