Recognizing that families need flexibility during these unprecedented and challenging times, Polk County Public Schools will offer three distinct learning formats for the 2020-21 school year: Campus Learning, Campus eSchool, and Polk Virtual School.
CAMPUS LEARNING
This option restores the traditional school day for students and staff members. Students will return to campus and interact in person with teachers and classmates. Transportation and school lunches will be provided. Face coverings will be required. Additional health and safety protocols include symptom screenings, frequent and thorough cleaning of campuses, increased handwashing and use of hand sanitizer, and one-way traffic on campus where feasible.
CAMPUS eSCHOOL
This option serves as a bridge between a student’s brick-and-mortar school and a purely digital environment. It was designed for families who want their children to return to school but aren’t ready to do so just yet. Students will remain enrolled in their current school, but learning will take place virtually. School days will be highly structured, with specific times for students to log on and take part in lessons and activities. Parents will serve as learning coaches to monitor student progress.
POLK VIRTUAL SCHOOL (PVS)
This option is best for families who do not foresee their children returning to campus. Polk Virtual School offers students the ability to fulfill their K-12 educational requirements entirely online. Lessons are taught by PCPS teachers who provide individualized instruction and are available to meet in person as needed. Polk Virtual requires a commitment of at least one semester. For more information about Polk Virtual School, visit: pvs.polkschoolsfl.com.
We encourage families to read the entire Instructional Continuity Plan to learn how students will receive the panoply of services provided in public school. We also want students and families to understand that the options outlined will follow all board policies, to include attendance and grading policies as in traditional school. The emergency status of the fourth quarter for the 2019-2020 school year was very different than the intentional choices outlined within this document.
Families with questions or concerns may reach out to their respective school of enrollment, their Regional Assistant Superintendent’s Office, or the Office of the Superintendent. Contact information for all schools and district office personnel is located at polkschoolsfl.com. Once on our webpage, please search for your school name or the name of the district staff member in which you need to contact. We are here to help families every step of the way.
The chart below outlines each option for families with some components that are similar or different for each schooling format. Additional information about each option can also be found in our FAQs, which are updated regularly, at polkschoolsfl.com/reopening.
| Schooling Format Components | Campus Learning Brick-and-Mortar (PK-12) Option |
Campus eSchool (K-12) Option |
Polk Virtual School Full Time (K-12) Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key elements of each learning option. | Curriculum, district-adopted instructional materials will be used.
Additional health measures will be taken. Social distancing will take place where feasible. Face coverings will be required. Hand sanitizer will be available and frequent handwashing will be encouraged. Virtual parent meetings will be available. A process is in place for students/staff with symptoms. If conditions are not safe for Campus Learning, PCPS will pivot to Campus eSchool. |
Curriculum, district-adopted instructional materials will be used.
Students remain enrolled in their zoned, choice, or magnet school of acceptance. Parents must make a quarterly commitment to Campus eSchool. Electronic devices will be needed (minimum iPad or laptop). Online access is required. Virtual parent meetings will be available. If Campus Learning closes at any time, Campus eSchool students will continue to follow this model. |
Curriculum supplied via Florida Virtual School, K-12, and other vendors
Parents must make a semesterly commitment to Polk Virtual. Electronic devices will be needed (minimum iPad or laptop). Online access is required. Learn more at pvs.polkschoolsfl.com. |
| Will use Florida Standards-based instruction | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Will use Board-approved school calendar | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| State testing will be required | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Attendance will be recorded | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Grading policies/report cards will be in place | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Will provide support for students
(For example, IEP, 504, EP, ELL plans, transition services, etc.) |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Will utilize Polk County teachers | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Availability of school athletics/extra-curriculars
(at school of enrollment) |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Availability of school meal program | Yes | Yes | No |
| Availability of school transportation | Yes | No | No |
| Will provide for special program participation
(For example, IB, Cambridge, Harrison, CTE Academies, Alternative Programs, etc.) |
Yes | Yes* (*Please check with local school to confirm availability.) |
No |
| Will provide structured class time | Yes | Yes | No |
| Will provide flexible class times (depending on enrollment) |
No | Yes | Yes |
| Will provide for a family and school partnerships | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Parent will be required to serve as a learning coach (will closely monitor student progress) |
No | Yes | Yes |
ACCESS TO DEVICES
Students may check out an electronic device to access online/virtual content and resources from their home school. Each student/parent must complete and return a Technology Agreement and Acknowledgement Use Form (located in Appendix C) to receive a PCPS device for at-home use. All devices are tracked and monitored with an appropriate internet filter.
Students in elementary school will primarily use a district-issued iPad, if families are in need. Students in secondary will use a district-issued Hewlett Packard (HP) laptop. Students who have their own device may utilize it as Schoology and our supporting programs are accessible through the internet and each student’s ClassLink log-in and student portal.
ACCESS TO INTERNET
Options for local internet service providers and offers are listed below, as well as free public Wi-Fi hot spots. Visit polkschoolsfl.com/internetservice to obtain the most up-to-date information.
If you choose to use a public Wi-Fi hotspot, please be mindful of social distancing. Do not socialize. Remain in your car or at least six feet from others.
- Comcast — Internet Essentials: An Internet Essentials package is available that includes two months of free in-home internet. Visit internetessentials.com/
- Spectrum — Spectrum is offering free in-home internet access for 60 days to K-12 and college students who do not already have a current subscription. To enroll, call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees are being waived for new-student households.
- Spectrum Wi-Fi — Spectrum also offers a number of free Wi-Fi hotspots. Find one near you by entering your address at spectrum.com/free-wifi-hotspots
- Xfinity Wi-Fi — Xfinity offers numerous free Wi-Fi hotspots throughout our community. Please visit xfinity.com. You will need to enter your address and zip code to see a list of nearby free Wi-Fi hotspots.
SYNCED FOR STUDENTS – FREE Wi-Fi PROVIDED BY BUS
Polk County Public Schools and Polk Vision have teamed up to help improve internet access for students via mobile hotspots located on buses. Visit polkschoolsfl.com/buswifi for locations, times, and access codes.
PUBLIC Wi-Fi SAFETY
Public Wi-Fi networks are great, but they aren’t always safe. Sharing a network with other people means that your personal information is in danger of being seen or accessed. Protect yourself by taking the following precautions:
- Don’t enter sensitive information. Do your banking and online shopping at home to avoid exposing yourself to identity theft or credit card fraud.
- Use ‘https’ (secure) websites as much as possible. While the most frequently visited websites, such as Facebook and email providers, will automatically convert the URL to a secure connection, keep an eye on the URL to make sure. Chrome users can also install an extension that will encrypt your data to make your browsing safer.
- Forget the network. Unless you specify otherwise, your computer or device will likely remember the Wi-Fi network and reconnect to it whenever you are in range. Doing this can leave your information exposed while you’re not browsing. Avoid this by unchecking “Connect Automatically” in your network settings.
- Enable two-factor authentication on frequently visited sites. By adding an extra layer of protection (i.e. entering your phone number or selecting an accompanying icon) to any password-protected website, you are effectively reducing the likelihood of a hack.
Check polkschoolsfl.com/internetservice for a list of businesses and locations offering free Wi-Fi.
MiFi DEVICES
A limited number of MiFi devices are available for student check-out in communities with limited public Wi-Fi accessibility. Please contact your student’s school for additional information about MiFi availability.
ACCESS TO MEAL PROGRAMS
> Menus
- Menus have been adapted to allow for easy grab-and-go format as needed.
- Students will still have a choice of hot entrée, cold entrée or entrée salad.
> Meal Distribution
- Delivery of meals will not be feasible, with the following exceptions:
- All Pre-K or ESE meals will continue to be delivered as usual.
- Specific limited situations can be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please have manager reach out to their area supervisor.
- Assign students to eat in the dining room (with appropriate distancing), outdoor eating space, classroom or other appropriate location.
- We will have some limited resources available to provide for additional point-of-sale locations, such as mobile serving lines. These will be provided to schools with greatest need.
- Students will come through the serving line.
- It is critical that students make individual menu selections to avoid waste and control cost.
- As much as possible, menu items will be wrapped to assist with grab and go.
- In most cases, a bag will be used for meals. A disposable tray may be used on some days when necessary based on the menu.
> Sanitizing
- School Nutrition staff will receive training regarding procedures for sanitizing kitchen and customer contact areas.
- Customer contact surfaces (serving lines, dining tables, etc.) will be sanitized after each group of students.
- Students will use hand sanitizer prior to coming through the serving line.
> Meals for Campus eSchool Students
- Students enrolled in the Campus eSchool option are eligible for a school breakfast and lunch.
- Meals will be provided once per week — on Wednesdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. — in a drive-through format, with each student receiving five breakfasts and five lunches. Wednesday, Aug. 26 is the first day of meal distribution for Campus eSchool students.
In most cases, eSchool students will receive their meals at their enrolled school and will need to provide their name and ID number. Students do not have to be present to receive meals, but family members or guardians must present at least one form of student identification.
Examples of identification include:
- School identification card
- Page printed from Parent Portal showing student’s name and ID number
- Record from the school showing the student’s name and ID number (report card, schedule, etc.)
- Child’s passport
- Government-issued child identification card
- Other legal document identifying the child
The following schools will have an alternate pick-up location:
| School Name | Meal Pickup Location |
|---|---|
| Achievement Academy (Bartow) | Bartow Elementary Academy |
| Achievement Academy (Lakeland) | Rochelle School of the Arts |
| Achievement Academy (Winter Haven) | Garner Elementary |
| Anna Woodbury Elementary | Lewis Elementary |
| Bill Duncan Opportunity Center | Oscar J. Pope Elementary |
| Compass Middle Charter | Bartow Middle |
| Don E. Woods Opportunity | Dundee Elem |
| Doris Sanders Learning Center | Combee Academy |
| Eckerd Connects Day Treatment | Combee Academy |
| Fresh Start (Lakeland) | Crystal Lake Middle |
| Fresh Start (Haines City) | Daniel Jenkins Academy |
| Gause Academy of Leadership | Bartow Senior |
| Hartridge Academy | Caldwell Elementary |
| Jean O’Dell Learning Center | Floral Ave Elementary |
| Karen M. Siegel Academy | Lake Alfred Polytech |
| Lakeland Montessori | Lawton Chiles Middle |
| Lakeland Montessori Middle | Lawton Chiles Middle |
| New Beginnings High School (Lakeland) | Southwest Middle |
| New Beginnings High School (Fort Meade) | Fort Meade Middle/Senior |
| New Beginnings High School (Winter Haven) | Denison |
| Polk Grad Academy | Daniel Jenkins Academy |
| REAL Academies | Daniel Jenkins Academy |
| Ridge Technical Academy | Daniel Jenkins Academy |
| Ridge Teen Parent | Daniel Jenkins Academy |
| Roosevelt Academy | Spook Hill Elementary |
| Traviss Technical Academy | Oscar J. Pope Elementary |
CONTINUATION OF SERVICES
As all Polk County Public Schools will open for all students, the full array of services offered will be available as well. PCPS recognizes that the most effective instruction is provide in-person by teachers who have developed relationships with students and families.
MTSS PROCESSES
Tier 1: Teachers will provide differentiated whole group instruction daily for all students. During small group instruction, students will wear a mask and maintain safe distances. While students are in small groups, other students will participate in independent work – to include completing assignments through Schoology in order to be prepared in the event of an emergency shutdown.
Tier 2: Teachers will provide differentiated instruction in teacher-led small groups based on students performance on identified standards/skills (Progress Monitoring). While in small groups students will wear a mask and maintain safe distances. Whenever possible, materials should be individualized and used by one student. Within small group/Tier 2 instruction, teachers will provide instruction to address student deficiencies through priority standards, reteach standards, and foundational standards/skills. For students on or above grade level, instruction will focus on current standards and provide enrichment opportunities.
Tier 3: Students needing intensive support to target skill deficits will be instructed in small teacher-led groups. During small groups, students will also wear a mask and maintain safe distances. Students who do not demonstrate proficiency in foundational skills will receive intensive instruction with more opportunities for guided practice, error analysis, and feedback (Progress Monitoring).
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
Support for students with disabilities, English Language Learners (ELL), students from low income families, homeless students served through our HEARTH program, students of migrant workers, and students in foster care (in coordination with our local Heartland for Children) will receive all services and interventions, including therapies, academic tutoring, social services typically provided by our social workers, counseling, social – emotional support, mental health therapies, and free breakfast and lunch. Instructional priority will be given to vulnerable students with the greatest academic need through our Extended Learning Plan (ELP). ELP will offer additional, extended day remediation and intervention. Students with disabilities whose Individual Education Plan (IEP) teams have determined extended school year supports are necessary will receive individualized services throughout the school year.
In addition to extended academic supports, each school also has at least one school counselor and assigned mental health facilitator to provide students with mental health screening, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and services needed to support students coping with pandemic-related matters or with other social/emotional/behavior issues that may have been escalated due to extended school closures.
EXPECTATIONS FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
Parents and guardians are their child’s first teacher in life. The partnership between home and school is crucial to student success. Regardless of the option families select, Polk County Public Schools values the partnership with each child’s family and will strive to continue to make meaningful connections in each schooling setting.
Families who select either Campus eSchool or Polk Virtual School will also serve as their child’s learning coach. This role is important in supporting your student. Each family will need to make plans to set aside time during the regular school day for Campus eSchool or create a schedule if attending Polk Virtual School in order to support student success. Families will also need to consider how they will monitor virtual learning and digital platforms. Parent Portal, parent virtual accounts and communication with your child’s teacher(s) will also be an important tool in monitoring your student. If you do not already have a Parent Portal account, please reach out to your child’s school to set up an account. Parent Portal allows families to monitor grades, attendance, student records, and even lunch accounts when students are in a brick-and-mortar setting.
FAQ
In order to best address the many questions parents, students, staff, and the community have about our current learning options, please visit: polkschoolsfl.com/faqs for our FAQs on the following topics in English and Spanish:
- Campus Learning FAQ
- Bus Transportation FAQ
- Campus eSchool FAQ
- Polk Virtual School
HOW TO ACCESS ONLINE TEXTS, TUTORIALS, ETC.
We look forward to using Schoology in our classrooms during the 2020-2021 school year to enhance connectivity and communication across Polk County Public School. Schoology is an integrated learning management solution that provides course management, mobile learning, and support for system-wide communication. Schoology enables our students, parents and teachers to engage with learning materials and their school community from the classroom and beyond.
With Schoology, students can digitally submit homework assignments, review grades, participate in interactive discussions, receive announcements and feedback, take tests, write academic blogs, and more. Parents will be able to view their child’s activity within the platform.
Your child’s teacher will update you with information needed regarding Schoology and your child’s unique log-in. You may also view this brief video to learn more about Schoology: vimeo.com/46433066
Tech Support for students and families is available 24/7 via the following link polkschoolsfl.com/technology.
On school days, students and families may also call 863-614-1600 for technology and curriculum support.
HOW TO ACCESS DISTRICT PORTAL
ClassLink is the district Single Sign-on Protocol (SSO) used by students and staff to access digital curriculum/resource sites that are SSO capable. The use of the SSO eliminates the need for a user to remember multiple usernames and passwords.
When logging onto school-issued devices, each student uses their @mypolkschools.net account. Their ClassLink Dashboard will be the default web page/home screen. Students use ClassLink to access the following District Curriculum Applications.
SPECIAL STUDENT ACCESS INSTRUCTIONS
Note: If you have more than one student in your home that is using ClassLink for Students, all browser windows will need to be closed before another student logs into ClassLink for Students.
- Before accessing ClassLink for Students, close all browser windows (internet sites/pages) that are open.
- Open your browser and go to launchpad.classlink.com/login
- Type your username + @mypolkschools.net in the Authentication Request box. (Example: pennyc@mypolkschools.net) Then type in your password. (In some instances, you may have to enter login credentials twice.)
ACCESSIBILITY FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students with disabilities will be provided the same access to digital devices and curriculum as their non-disabled peers. Student’s whose individualized education plans (IEP) include the use of assistive technology support will be provided additional equipment to the maximum, reasonable extent possible in accordance with their IEP and district property requirements. Additional devices, such as iPad’s and student laptops, may be purchased specific to a student’s need for access to an online educational setting.
TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS CHECK OUT AND RETURN
Students may access many instructional materials directly through ClassLink and Schoology. In the event a student needs to check out physical materials to support learning in Campus eSchool, they may do so by contacting the local school of enrollment. Materials will be assigned via each student unique student identification via the Destiny system to monitor inventory. When students check out and return materials options will occur for in-office appointments or curb-side service as necessitated by local health and CDC guidelines.
English
Spanish
Haitian Creole