• The student must be enrolled in the Effingham County School District to request this service. Private, home school, or hospital/homebound students are NOT eligible for the COVID-19 Virtual Learning Option. Parents needing Hospital/Homebound (HHB) services will need to complete the necessary HHB paperwork. Parents selecting the Virtual Learning Option with students with a 504 or IEP will continue to receive services to the greatest degree.
  
  
  
• Students will not be required to have a documented medical reason to participate in the COVID-19 Virtual Learning Option.

• Computer, internet, and access to a phone is required.
  
  
• Some families may qualify for technology assistance. More information will be sent to families once the parent/guardian completes the registration form.

• The COVID-19 Virtual Learning Option will serve students in grades PreK-12.
  
  
• Our Georgia Lottery PreK programs are regulated by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), and we must follow their requirements and guidelines. At this time, Georgia DECAL has not provided a full-time virtual option for our PreK programs, however, we will offer the virtual learning option to all Effingham County students, including PreK. In the event of a school closure, similar to what took place in the Spring, we will adjust our practice accordingly. Circumstances are subject to change.
  
  
• The online registration form will be available from Thursday, July 2 8:00 AM through Wednesday, July 19, 11:59 PM. This will allow ample time for the Effingham County School District to ensure proper staffing and to schedule students for the necessary classes.
  
  
• Classes will start on Wednesday, August 5. The teachers will conduct a virtual open house for parents and students prior to the first day of class.
  
  
• Students will follow the Effingham County School District grading period windows.
  
  
• Courses will require a significant commitment by parents/guardians to help facilitate virtual learning. Students must have a responsible adult who serves as the point of contact for the virtual classroom teacher(s).
  
  
• Courses will have instructional expectations and the rigor will mirror face-to-face instruction.
  
  
• Students and teachers will be held to the prescribed learning schedule provided by the Office of Curriculum and Technology. The COVID-19 Virtual Learning Option students will follow the same calendar and pacing schedule as the face-to-face instruction occurring in the school building.
  
  
• Courses will be accessed through Google Classroom and/or the Edgenuity platform. 
• With the use of Google Classroom, a teacher who may not be the student’s assigned teacher from the zoned or assigned school, will provide a daily and weekly schedule of lessons. Students will not log into a face-to-face classroom at their zoned or assigned school using Google Meet or Zoom. 
• Edgenuity may be utilized for some courses for students in grades six through twelve. With the Edgenuity platform, lessons are not taught by Effingham County teachers. Progress will be monitored frequently by Effingham County teachers to ensure mastery of academic standards. 
  
  
• Courses will not be the same as the “Learning from Home” experience from this past Spring. There will be schedules with real time lessons. 
  
  
• Students participating in the virtual learning option will be expected to log in and participate in online lessons and assignments during the school day hours (8:00 - 3:30). While the students will not be logged into their computer for the entire time/day, they will have scheduled meetings with their teacher at given times during the school day hours.
  
  
• Attendance will be recorded in Infinite Campus.
  
  
• Assignments will be graded, and grading practices appropriate for a virtual classroom will be developed.
  
  
• Student online sessions with the teacher will be recorded. Commitment to the online virtual option indicates agreement to the recorded sessions. 
  
  
• Students participating in the virtual learning option may be assigned a virtual teacher that may not be housed at their zoned or assigned school. 
  
  
• Students participating in the virtual learning option will be accountable to the rules and procedures set forth in the Effingham County School System’s 2020-2021 Student and Parent Handbook.

Parents/Guardians MUST indicate on the registration form that they understand and agree with the bulleted statements below:

• For the 2020-2021 school year, I am choosing a virtual learning option for my student due to health/safety concerns related to COVID-19.
  
  
• My student will remain enrolled at his/her zoned or assigned school.
  
  
• I understand that some electives, specialized advanced academics, and connections/specials classes (ex. band, music, chorus, ROTC, drama, advanced automotive) may not be available as a virtual learning option. In addition, some honors classes and gifted courses may not be available.
  
  
• For most courses, students may be assigned a certified Effingham County School District teacher, but the teacher may be from a school site other than my student’s zoned or assigned school. Instruction for middle school and high school students may be through the Edgenuity platform with support from teachers.
  
  
• I understand that this commitment is for the 2020-2021 school year only. Elementary students have the option to return to face to face classes at the end of each nine-week grading period (October 7, December 18, March 15).  Middle and high school students will have the option to return to face to face classes after the end of the second nine-week grading period (December 18). This would allow these students to complete a full semester prior to returning to the face to face classroom. The options to return to face to face classes can only occur at the identified academic breaks for grading and instruction. 
  
  
• I understand that a parent/guardian must serve as a support for my student. 
  
  
• I understand my student must keep up with the pace of the virtual course and turn in assignments each week.  Failure to complete assignments in a timely manner and participate in virtual classes will result in failing grades that could lead to course failure and/or grade level retention.
  
  
• I understand the importance of my student’s participation and completion of assignments without the aid and assistance of others. Ensuring my student independently completes assignments allows teachers to provide feedback and instruction appropriate for my student so he/she can be successful in upcoming grades/courses.
  
  
• I understand that my student must participate in all required state assessments (ex: Georgia Milestones, GKIDS, GAA, etc.) and local assessments (ex: Common Interim Assessments, etc.). In June, 2020, the Georgia Department of Education applied to the US Department of Education to waive state assessments; however, the waiver has not been approved as of the time this document was released.
  
  
• I understand that I must provide my virtual student with a computer, internet connection, and access to a phone. Some families may qualify for technology assistance. 

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