Dorchester School District Two Virtual Academy (DDTwoVA)

Handbook

2020-2021 Academic Year

Table of Contents Mission, Vision, Purpose and Goals ....................................................................................................................... 3

Overview ................................................................................................................................................................. 3

Registration ............................................................................................................................................................. 3

Roles and Responsibilities ...................................................................................................................................... 4

District Level Coordinator ................................................................................................................................................... 4

DDTwoVA Counselor ............................................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

DDTwoVA Systems Operator .............................................................................................................................................. 4

Building Principals ............................................................................................................................................................... 4

Site Liaison (designated Assistant Principal) ....................................................................................................................... 5

School Counselor (designated site-based School Counselor) ............................................................................................. 5

Teachers of Record ............................................................................................................................................................. 6

Students .............................................................................................................................................................................. 6

Families ............................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Technology Support ............................................................................................................................................................ 7

Special Populations ................................................................................................................................................. 8

ELL ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

IEP and 504 Guidelines........................................................................................................................................................ 8

Attendance .............................................................................................................................................................. 8

Grading ................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Grades kindergarten through two ...................................................................................................................................... 8

Grades three through five ................................................................................................................................................... 9

Grades six through 12 ......................................................................................................................................................... 9

Athletics .................................................................................................................................................................. 9

Sample Student Schedules .................................................................................................................................... 10

Student Family Contract ....................................................................................................................................... 12

Mission, Vision, Purpose and Goals Mission: Dorchester School District Two leading the way, every student, every day, through relationships,

rigor, and relevance.

Vision: Dorchester School District Two desires to be recognized as a “World Class” school district, expecting

each student to achieve at his/her optimum level in all areas, and providing all members of our district family

with an environment that permits them to do their personal best.

Purpose: The Dorchester School District Two Virtual Academy (DDTwoVA) will provide a virtual pathway for

students and families to access a local, teacher-led, virtual classroom environment.

Goals:

Provide a 100% virtual instructional model for students and families living in the Dorchester School

District Two attendance area.

Utilize Dorchester School District Two’s instructional practices in a virtual setting.

Provide an alternative learning option for students and parents.

Overview Dorchester School District Two will offer a full virtual option for students in grades 5K – 12 for the 2020 –

2021 school year. This is a different option from the remote learning experience students experienced in Spring

2020. DDTwoVA is a program operating within Dorchester School District Two, and all classes offered are

taught by teachers who are certified by the State of South Carolina and employed by Dorchester School District

Two. Students will remain fully enrolled in their zoned school.

Registration All new and returning students to Dorchester District Two must also complete the online registration for their

zoned school of residence at https://www.ddtwo.org/2020 in addition to completing the DDTwoVA application.

Roles and Responsibilities District Level Coordinator

oversee the approval and distribution of online learning options and establish quality assurance

guidelines for all online learning platforms available to DDTwo students.

coordinate and provide in-service training to in-school faculty/staff in the district when DDTwoVA

students are taking classes during the school day or from school-based facilities.

provide training and awareness programs to meet the needs of the school leadership and appropriate

staff.

be responsible for the implementation of the online learning program for the district.

follow the district’s policies and procedures for students enrolled in DDTwo Virtual Academy courses.

provide schools with information regarding course registration processes and any funding implications.

review overall student and course progress information.

review and analyze DDTwoVA instructional data to make informed decisions.

work with Cantey Tech to assure devices meet course requirements and have appropriate plugins

installed.

regularly communicate updates to all stakeholders.

provide training and the approved courses at each school or homebound/home-based site (not available

for home schooled students).

assign highly qualified teachers to participate in the DDTwoVA program.

oversee applicable district and state assessments and coordinate on-site proctoring when needed.

act as liaison for the school with all other approved online providers.

observe and evaluate DDTwoVA teachers

work the DDTwoVA and school-based staff to provide an orientation for parents and students.

DDTwoVA Systems Operator

ensure student schedules in PowerSchool properly reflect ALL courses in which the student is enrolled.

Online courses must be in the student’s individual PowerSchool schedule prior to student enrollment in

any online courses.

ensure online course grades and/or comments have been entered into PowerSchool at each grading

period following the PowerSchool procedures.

coordinate with Site Liaisons to streamline registration, reporting and data entry.

Building Principals

designate a school level DDTwoVA Site Liaison.

collaborate with the district level coordinator and school-based team to meet the scheduling needs of

each student enrolled in DDTwoVA.

observe and evaluate DDTwoVA teachers

verify final grades are recorded on student transcripts.

include DDTwoVA on weekly administrative team meeting agendas.

ensure site-based compliance with guidelines and policies for online learning.

Site Liaison (designated Assistant Principal)

collaborate with district level and school-based teams to oversee students and work to ensure course

participation and completion.

observe and evaluate DDTwoVA teachers

monitor students’ progress reports.

act as the liaison with the parents and students. The Site Liaison is the primary contact for parents and

students.

collaborate with designated counselor to assist students in registering for AP/IB exams, etc.

organize and implement proctoring/monitoring for face-to-face exams.

serve as a liaison with school administration and keep building administration informed.

School Counselor (designated site-based School Counselor)

provide information to students, parents/guardians and local school staff regarding DDTwoVA

offerings, scheduling, and registration.

determine courses needed by students based on scheduling and other needs.

provide requested information and other documentation to DDTwoVA staff.

work with faculty and staff to determine whether there is a match between students’ needs and the use of

online courses.

assist secondary students in registering for VirtualSC courses, when applicable, and provide approval in

a timely manner.

monitor grades and ensure that the proper grade and credit information for online courses are recorded in

the student’s record at course completion.

ensure EOC test grades are calculated into the student’s final course average and recorded per state

guidelines.

coordinate the securing of student services as needed, including the proctoring of any face-to-face exams

that may be required.

communicate with teachers of record to ensure students are adequately progressing in their courses and

contact students and parents/guardians concerning progress.

monitor student grades and attendance, along with their progress or inactivity and communicate to

appropriate stakeholders.

determine all necessary course materials are available.

notify DDTwoVA Coordinator immediately in writing if it appears the student will need to drop a

course. (Note: DDTwoVA will adhere to the SC Uniform Grading Policy.)

ensure all faculty and staff are aware of the IEP/504 procedures for communicating accommodations

pages.

Teachers of Record

develop high quality, standards-based virtual instruction as needed. adhere to published office and instructional schedules to teach lessons, answer questions, provide

feedback, engage families, and communicate.

provide instructional resources and materials through Clever/Microsoft Teams. communicate regularly with parents and families regarding expectations and student progress. If

students are not engaged in lessons and assignments, teacher should contact parents and

follow District/school protocol. Be sure to complete communication logs. participate in professional development and virtual learning sessions intended to support hybrid/virtual

learning.

Students

schedule appropriate time for learning, using the time on task recommendations given by your teacher. use Clever to access district resources and programs. It is your responsibility to know your usernames

and passwords. check Microsoft Teams daily to access classes, assignments, and resources. follow District technology guidelines for device care and safety. make sure you have an appropriate space free from clutter and distractions in order to learn and study. be present and engage in online learning activities offered by your teachers. submit all assignments on time. agree to and sign the Student/Parent Contract. communicate with your teacher regarding learning needs. Do not wait for your teacher to contact you. contact your teacher or the District website (Tech Link) for technology help. stay motivated by rewarding yourself with favorite activities and stay in touch with your friends and

classmate

Families

ensure your student knows usernames and passwords and encourage active participation.

create an appropriate learning space for your student that limits distractions.

ensure technology is accessible and utilized appropriately.

establish a contingency plan for internet delays and outages (e.g., identifying alternate locations with

internet access, using backup computers, etc.).

maintain communication with your student’s teachers and school personnel.

utilize District resources for support.

agree to and sign the Student/Parent Contract. contact your student’s teachers for assistance when needed.

engage your student in conversations regarding assignments and learning activities.

support emotional balance by providing time for physical activity and brain breaks.

Technology Support

DDTwoVA will utilize Cantey Tech for technology support.

DDTwo Modern Learning Specialist

Special Populations ELL

The school-based team will consult with the family and ESL teacher prior to enrolling. The team will determine

if the student has sufficient English language proficiency to be successful in the DDTwoVA and will advise

concerning the appropriate accommodations for the student.

IEP and 504 Guidelines

Online learning opportunities may be an option for children who have Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or

receive accommodations from 504 Plans. Enrollment may be considered at the student’s annual IEP or 504

meeting.

Attendance South Carolina Department of Education and Dorchester School District Two policies will be followed for

attendance and tardies.

Lawful/Excused Absences

The absence is caused by the student’s own illness and whose attendance in school would endanger

his/her health or the health of others.

The absence is due to an illness or death in the student’s immediate family.

The absence is due to a recognized religious holiday of the student’s faith.

The absence is due to school activities that are approved in advance by the principal.

Unlawful/Unexcused Absences

The absence of the student without the knowledge of his/ her parent/legal guardian.

The absence of the student without acceptable cause with the knowledge of his/her parent/legal

guardian.

Suspension(s) are not to be counted as an unlawful/ unexcused absence for truancy purposes.

Grading Grades kindergarten through two

In kindergarten and first and second grades, student progress in mastering the curriculum and personal and

social development will be reported to parents/legal guardians using the Dorchester School District Two

standards-based report cards. Developmentally appropriate indicators of student progress will be rated using

the following scales:

E = exceeding

M = meeting

P = progressing toward

I = improvement needed

NA = not assessed

Grades three through five

In third, fourth, and fifth grades, students are graded using the following scales:

Reading, Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies

A = 90-100

B = 80-89

C = 70-79

D = 60-69

F = 59 and below

Grades in Fine Arts/Health and Wellness will be reported as follows:

E = excellent

S = satisfactory

N = needs improvement

U = unsatisfactory

Grades six through 12

The South Carolina uniform grading scale will be implemented in grades six through eight in all content areas

including the arts and health and wellness.

A = 90-100

B = 80-89

C = 70-79

D = 60-69

F = 59 and below

Athletics Student-athletes who wish to attend an NCAA Division I or II college or university must ensure courses offered

using a digital curriculum for initial credit and credit recovery meet NCAA guidelines. The National Collegiate

Athletic Association (NCAA) has very strict guidelines regarding credit for courses taken online, such as

courses offered by Dorchester School District Two. Many online courses ARE NOT APPROVED by the

NCAA. Be sure to consult with your high school’s athletic director and your school counselor to determine if

the online course is approved for credit by the NCAA.

Sample Student Schedules Below are samples of what a student’s schedule may look like for each grade. Schedules are subject to change.

Elementary School Sample Daily Schedule

6:45 - 7:15 a.m. Planning/Daily Preparation

7:15 - 7:45 a.m. Morning Meeting

Attendance/Social Emotional Learning

Live Class Meeting

7:45 -10:15 a.m.

Reading Language Arts

Daily lessons via MS Teams following DD

Two’s Literacy Model

Live Class Meeting

Small groups (technology programs,

independent reading, small group with teacher)

10:15 - 10:25 a.m. Brain/Movement/Restroom Break

10:25 - 11:45 a.m.

Mathematics

Daily lessons via MS Teams following

District’s Math Model

Live Class Meeting

Small groups (technology programs,

independent work, small group with teacher)

11:45 - 12:35 p.m. Lunch/Recess

12:35 - 1:05 p.m. Science or Social Studies

Daily lessons via MS Teams

Live Class Meeting

1:05 - 1:45 p.m. Music, Art, PE/Health & Wellness Live Class Meeting with Fine Arts Teacher

1:45 – 2:45 p.m. Teacher Office Hours and Professional

Development

Professional Development, Planning, Team

Meetings, Faculty Meetings,

Parent/Student/Teacher Scheduled Conferences

Middle School Sample Student Daily Schedule (Grades 6-8)

Students will take six courses each day.

7:45 –8:30 a.m. Office Hours Individual Help by Appointment or Independent Work Time

8:30 – 9:20 a.m.

1st Period

Course 1 (Ex: English Language Arts)

9:30 – 10:20 a.m.

2nd Period

Course 2 (Ex: Math)

10:30 - 11:20 a.m.

3rd Period

Course 3 (Ex: Science)

11:20 – 11:40 a.m. Advisory Advisory/SEL Check-in

11:40 – 12:10 p.m. Lunch Lunch on your own

12:10 – 1:00 p.m. 4th Period

Course 4 (Ex: Social Studies)

1:10 – 2:00 p.m. 5th Period Course 5 (Ex: Elective/Related Arts #1)

2:10 – 3:00 p.m. 6th Period Course 6 (Ex: Elective/Related Arts #2)

High School Sample Student Daily Schedule (Grades 9-12) Students will focus on four courses each day.

8:00 – 9:25 a.m. Office Hours Independent Help by Appointment or Independent Work Time

9:30 – 10:55 a.m. 1st Block Course 1 (Ex. English 1)

11:00 – 12:25 p.m. 2nd Block Course 2 (Ex. World Geography)

12:25 – 1:05 p.m. Individualize

d Learning

Time (ILT)

Lunch on Your Own, SEL, Career & Counseling Check-in,

Independent or Small Group Assistance, and Lunch

1:05– 2:30 p.m. 3rd Block Course 3 (Ex. Elective)

2:35 –4:00 p.m. 4th Block Course 4 (Ex. Elective)

Student Family Contract

Parent/Guardian Contract

School Site Teams

School Name Principal

Name of the Assistant Principal/Intern assigned to the VA at your school (Last Name, First Name)

Name of the School Counselor assigned to the VA at your school (Last Name, First Name)

ABES Vernisa Bodison Patrick Magers Whitney Needham

AMS Michelle Leviner Prosser, Natasha Davis, LaDonna

Ashley Ridge High School TBD Buckingham, Justin Sarah Gibson

Beech Hill Elementary School Rene' Harris Malinowski, Rebecca Helton, James

Dr Eugene Sires Elementary Laura Blanchard Sabb-Cordes, Dr. Morelisa Peters, Elisabeth

DuBose Middle School Ted Brinkley Kennedy, Kelly Mitchell, Sophia

Eagle Nest Elementary School Tamara Diebold McDowell, Jamie Bedford, Jeff

FDES Annette Pletcher Nicholson, Michelle Depenbrock, Denise

Flowertown Elementary School Carey Ball Sanders, Charles Bigman, Stephanie

Fort Dorchester High School Tripp Aldridge Brent Hamric Meredith Cohen

GAP Joyce Dearing Ayanna Bryant-Gadsen Hannah Tripp

Gregg Middle School Will Wilson Moreau Danielle Gillens Ophelia

Joseph R. Pye Wanda Gadsden Taryn Floyd Tina Ferguson

Knightsville Elementary Claire Sieber Davis (Baisley), Clairisa Frost, Christine Renee

Newington Elem Rachel Cubbage June, Chemir Daniel, Allie

OMS Matt Legare Brad Rodgers Charly Glasscho

OES Kim Boutin Golden, Kimberly Neat, Portia

River Oaks Middle School Jack Mansor Gammons, Bronwen Hilton, Stacey

RMSA Patrick Pye Jennifer Tracy Stacie Story

Sand Hill Elementary School Francina Gerald Matzelle, Erika Gomes, Donna

SHS Kenny Farrell Brion Rutherford Pat Toliver

Spann Elementary Shane Sanford Lindsey Hallock Arthea Simmons

Summerville Elementary Katie Barker Hallock, Lindsay Kay, Kristin

William Reeves Elementary Natalie Hayes Mitchum, Melissa Shelley, Blair

Windsor Hill Robert Neuner Canty, Segina Boyer, Jill