Request for SVSD to offer a Cohort Model with Live Interactive Classroom

This week SVSD released the district's plan for returning to school in August 2020. It is evident that a vast amount of consideration went into many aspects of the plan. The parents who are signing this petition are looking for an option, similar to what many local school districts are offering, that provides a moderate approach to the current choices available by SVSD, specifically a cohort model with live interactive classroom feed.  

 Many of us have been diligently social distancing and quarantining with our families since March and are not comfortable sending our children on full school buses, into full classrooms, and shared school spaces with distancing only happening "when feasible."  Yet, we want our children to be engaged with their teachers and peers. Enrolling in a cyber school that doesn't offer consistent live instruction or interaction with peers, is not a suitable option for our children either.  

 We strongly feel that the Cohort Model with Live Interactive Classroom would: 

• Lessen the student population on the buses, in the classrooms, and in shared spaces in the building making distancing between students feasible 
• Provide more consistency and a seamless transition in the likely event that we move to the Yellow phase 
• Keep classes synchronized 
• Students facing absences because they are sick, have persistent symptoms like a cough that keep them out of school, or are forced to quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19 would be able to stay fluent with their classroom instruction, dialog, and assignments 

• Students, especially in upper grade levels, would feel less pressure to go to school not feeling well out of concern for missing too much instruction, falling behind, or having excessive make up work when they return 

At the board meeting a speaker was told that "just because the technology exists doesn't mean it's good" yet, MS Teams has the capability and is readily utilized by the district. It was also noted that the teachers may have issues with it. The teachers also have issues with full classrooms. Every single employee, administrator, student, and parent of this district has been asked to adapt in a myriad of ways. We strongly feel that we need to find a way to address hurdles involved with implementing this model. It is possible and we're showing that enough parents want this for their children.  

 By signing this petition we are indicating that we would like a Cohort Model with Live Interactive Classroom feed to be added as an option for the upcoming school year.