The West Plains School District will Move to a Hybrid Learning Model for Students Grades 7-12 on September 14

COVID-19 exposure levels and positive cases continue to rise in Howell County and in our community. The district is experiencing an increase in student absences as well as students and staff on quarantine. As a result of the feedback from our community and staff, we are changing to a hybrid learning model for grades 7-12.

The West Plains School District Board of Education approved the hybrid learning model for grades 7-12 to begin on Monday, September 14, 2020, for the remainder of the first semester. The ability to group by grade, restrict common areas and social distance make it possible for our preschool- 6th grade students to remain on site. The structure of education in grades 7-12 does not allow for grouping by grades. 

To best prepare for this process, students in grades 7-12 will not report to school on September 8-11, 2020.  Preschool-6th grade students will report and continue to learn in the classroom. This will enable the district to modify schedules, procedures, and allow our instructors to prepare for the hybrid learning model. 

In the hybrid learning model, students will be placed into two groups – Group A and Group B. The determination on the exact groupings, will be based on student data.  The grouping information will be communicated on Tuesday, September 8.  Every effort will be made to keep family units on the same schedule if that is preferred by the family. Group A will attend classes on campus on Monday and Wednesday and will participate in remote learning from home Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Group B will attend on Tuesday and Thursday and will participate in remote learning from home Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This allows for smaller class sizes and social distancing.  For remote learning, students will have access to quality teacher instructed curriculum and assignments. Instructors will also post relevant supplemental materials to support students with instructional delivery of content. 

Chromebooks were distributed to all high school students last week.  Students in grades 7 and 8 will receive a Chromebook on September 14 & 15.  The district is currently using Google Classroom as our cloud based learning platform.  The website www.zizzers.org/hybridlearning has been created to help guide parents with this online management system. 

View the district’s Return to Learn plan at www.zizzers.org.