Log in

Dysart school district fills gaps for new fall plan

Resources available to learn about programs

Posted 7/14/20

The release of the three school option model for the Dysart Unified School District July 6 left parents diving deeper into details.

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor

Dysart school district fills gaps for new fall plan

Resources available to learn about programs

Posted

The release of the three school option model for the Dysart Unified School District, 15802 N. Parkview Place, July 6, left parents diving deeper into details.

DUSD Superintendent Dr. Quinn Kellis said in a video posted on the district’s Facebook page, providing three options for students and families was imperative. Concerns were raised via Dysart Unified’s Facebook page with Amberly Purkey posting she is “disappointed that the hybrid option is not available for high school."

DUSD Director of Communications and Public Relations Renee Ryon said a hybrid option at the high school level would not look the same as it would at the elementary level and would not allow for reduced class sizes, which is the main benefit of a hybrid model.

“Unless we eliminated or drastically reduced electives. In high school, students do not move around by entire classes like they do at the K-8 level. They each have individualized schedules with six classes, where they are placed in core classes at the appropriate level and are also able to choose from numerous electives. These individualized schedules do not make it possible to have half the students at home,” she said.

She added the online iSchool model that has been in place for district high school students since 2012 is available. Saying it is possible to do a mix of in-person classes and online iSchool courses to create the student’s own modified version of a “hybrid” model.

“It is important to note that this would not reduce class sizes, but it would allow students to reduce their time on campus. Students interested in doing this, should contact their school counselor, and look into Dysart iSchool options at Dysart.org/iSchool,” Ms. Ryon said.

Jen Bove posted to the Dysart Unified Facebook page asking in part, “How is this new remote learning format viable for working parents? Unfortunately, we can’t all work from home or not work at all.”

Ms. Ryon said teachers will be conducting class and interacting online during the regularly scheduled class times. Saying, specifically what that looks like will vary by class, but as usual, homework and projects may be assigned, which can be completed after hours, as needed.

For those students taking part in the hybrid option, Mondays are reserved for virtual enrichment or remediation, according to Ms. Ryon and students will be required to log in to participate in one of those activities throughout the day.

“Students will attend classes in-person either Tuesday/Thursday or Wednesday/Friday, and attend class remotely on the alternating days. This year, teachers will use a consistent learning platform in all school models, so that at any point during the school year, students and teachers will be able to seamlessly transition back to remote learning, should school closures become necessary again. We are planning to use Florida Virtual Curriculum across the district, which is the same curriculum we use for our Dysart iSchool program. It will be delivered through Schoology for all platforms,” Ms. Ryon said.

Meghen Alt asked via the Dysart Unified Facebook page, “Face coverings for kindergarten students?”

Ms. Ryon said face coverings shall be required at school when social distancing is not possible, with the exception of students with medical conditions, during lunch, recess or other outdoor activities. Any student who has difficulty breathing or who is incapable of physically removing the face covering on his own will not wear cloth face coverings and alternate methods of protection will be discussed by parents and staff.

Editor's Note: Jennifer Jimenez can be reached at jjimenez@newszap.com or follow her on Twitter @SCW_Independent.