Santa Barbara Unified School District outlined its plan for distance learning for the 2020-21 school year.
District officials sent out a remote learning plan to families as students prepare to learn from home starting Tuesday, August 18th.
Principals of each school also sent out school-specific plans, as well as invitations to student & parent-focused webinars this coming week for further information and Q&A.
In the plan, district officials said, "While we understand that there is an overwhelming set of factors that impacts student learning, our core mission is to support each and every student on their journey to college and career. We are committed to responding to the unique challenges that distance learning presents to all families, and especially families with working parents."
Educators said they reflected on lessons learned during the spring when the pandemic first hit and posed in-person learning challenges.
Innovated teaching will include:
- accessible and adaptable curriculum for students with different needs, including embedded language and literacy development
- intrinsic motivators (purpose, relevance, self-efficiency)
- interactive and collaborative instruction
- assessment of student growth over time
Santa Barbara Unified will offer grab-and-go meals with drive-thru or walk-up distribution options at school sites from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The district will also provide devices to students by appointment and hotspots to families who do not have access to dependable WiFi.
"We will explore creative solutions like providing free internet access and noise-reducing headphones so that students’ experiences are improved," district leaders said in the plan.
Click here to read the full outlined distance learning plan.
District officials said they are still working to plan for a return of partial or full in-person learning during the course of the school year.
