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School Schedules, Activities and Instruction

Adirondack Academy

Please note: The below information pertained to program schedules for the 2020-21 school year. Updated information will be provided prior to the start of classes in September 2021.

School schedules and activities

  • Students will be scheduled to participate in one-week, in-person instruction alternating with one-week virtual instruction.
  • Scheduling will include flexibility for use of all models:  In-person instruction, remote instruction, and hybrid instruction.
  • Plans will be communicated with as much advanced notice as practicable.
  • Adirondack Academy will not conduct field trips, special congregate events, nor allow any unnecessary visitors considering risks for COVID-19 transmission, as well as protocols and procedures for social distancing, PPE usage, and cleaning and disinfection, which may include conducting virtual events
  • ADK students will not participate in extracurricular and interscholastic athletic programs through ADK. Any such activities may be coordinated through the student’s home district.

Instruction

  • The Adirondack Academy schedule has been designed to be able to be modified for in-person instruction, remote instruction, and hybrid instruction.
  • Every effort will be made to group students into cohorts to limit potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus. All full-time students will be assigned one class in the morning and one class in the afternoon.
  • In classes where social distancing cannot be maintained, unused predetermined rooms (cafeteria, library, weight room) will be used.
  • The hybrid schedules may be modified based on student needs.
  • The schedule will be clearly communicated, with as much advance notice as practicable, to students, families and staff.
  • ADK instruction will be standards-based and will include ongoing curriculum alignment.
  • Each student will be assigned an individual Chromebook, helping to ensure opportunities for equitable access to the curriculum.
  • ADK will prioritize efforts to return all students to in-person instruction as soon as possible. A phased-in approach or hybrid model combining in-person instruction and remote/distance learning will be planned when appropriate.
  • Teachers will maintain documentation of communication with parents.
  • ADK will maintain a continuity of learning.
  • Daily interaction with students will include in-person and/or virtual “check-ins.”
  • Virtual communication can be done through phone calls, email, Google Classroom, Google Meets, etc.
  • Instructional support and technological support will be offered as needed to students on an individual basis.
  • Through resources such as the HFM BOCES Instructional Services Department, teachers will be offered targeted professional development opportunities throughout the school year to address the learning gaps of students, including those within the ELL population.
  • Student arrival and dismissal times will be staggered.
  • PE will be offered outside as much as possible. Social distancing guidelines will be followed, and masks will except at time designated by an admininstrator or staff. Alternative options (online, paper, etc.) for PE are being reviewed.
  • ADK will provide a blend of hands-on and virtual science laboratory experiences and remote or virtual work-based learning experiences for CTE and CDOS.
  • All students will be provided with instructional support, technological tools and support, as needed
  • Protecting the health and safety of students and staff is paramount.

ADK Special Education

  • ADK special education teachers will assist with ensuring that students are receiving all modifications in both the virtual and in-person instruction.
  • Special education will occur along with regular education instruction. Continuity of learning will occur for all students. The special education teacher will ensure students IEPs are being followed and that all accommodations are met.
  • Every effort will be made to engage in meaningful parent engagement in the parents’ preferred language or mode of communication (Some methods include the use of Google Translate or bringing in the school Spanish teacher to assist in translation).
  • The special education teacher will collaborate with the component school district to ensure special education needs and accommodations are being met.
  • Technology needs for all students will be addressed. Special needs of individual students will be met by the special education teacher.

Career and Technical Center

School schedules and activities

  • The HFM CTC will continue to plan to operate with all students on campus in their scheduled AM or PM sessions. This plan may be modified as additional guidance is released from the Governor or NYSED.
  • The CTC schedule has been designed to be able to be modified for in-person instruction, remote instruction and hybrid instruction. Currently the CTC intends to be open daily for all students meeting the social distancing, health and safety guidelines from DOH and SED.
  • The CTC will communicate any plans or changes with as much notice as practicable.
  • The CTC will not conduct field trips, interscholastic, or extracurricular activities at this time. Students can check with their home school for additional opportunities.

Instruction

  • The HFM CTC will continue to plan to operate with all students on campus in their scheduled AM or PM sessions. This plan may be modified as additional guidance is released from the Governor or NYSED.
  • The CTC schedule has been designed to be able to modify for: In-person instruction, remote instruction, hybrid instruction through various methods of instruction including (in-class, video, recorded, lab settings, virtual labs, and possible hands-on experiences).
  • All curriculum is mapped using an online software portal.
  • The HFM CTC will continue to provide a free appropriate public education to all students and our instructional staff will ensure that all student needs are met, including students with IEPs and 504 plans.
  • Social distancing will be maintained during physical education classes. Individual activities with no shared equipment will be maximized until further guidance is provided. Class sizes will be reduced to allow for appropriate space, and a hybrid model of online learning and in-person instruction will be adopted at the open of the school year.
  • Instructional support and technology support will be provided to students as needed on an individual basis.
  • All CTC teachers will maintain documentation of programs/services and communications with parents.
  • CTC instructional staff will ensure that students are receiving all modifications and accommodations in both the virtual, hybrid, and in-person instruction in accordance with a student’s IEP or 504.
  • Communication from the Career and Technical Center will be provided in a parent’s preferred language or mode of communication (e-mail, phone, Google Classroom, video conferencing, etc.)
  • Through resources such as the HFM BOCES Instructional Services Department, teachers will be offered targeted professional development opportunities throughout the school year to address the learning gaps of students, including those within the ELL population.
  • Student dismissal and arrival will be staggered by district during the beginning, middle and end-of-the-day dismissal and arrivals.
  • CTC students will have access to lessons remotely as needed. Students will be required to participate. Expectations will be determined by the teacher based on what will work best for their specific class and what is being learned.

    PTECH

    • PTECH students in grades 9-12 who take high school courses at Glebe Street School or HFM Main Campus will operate on an A-B schedule. Half of students will attend school on A days, and half of students will attend school on B days.
    • When not in school, students will be engaged in remote instruction may consist of a mix of synchronous live video (substantive daily interaction), independent practice activities and remote group activities which can be completed on a flexible time schedule to allow for equitable participation by all students.
    • Each student’s schedule will be communicated to families and component school districts as soon as possible.
    • PTECH students taking college courses at FMCC and/or SUNY Cobleskill will only attend in-person classes when indicated on their college schedule.
    • At Glebe Street School, students in 9th and 10th grade will operate in cohorts. Students will remain in the same classroom together throughout the day in groups of 16 or fewer. Teachers will transition between classrooms to reduce the need for disinfection between periods and hallway transitions. In special circumstances, a student may need to transition between classrooms, but in this case social distancing will be maintained and mask use required in the hallway.
    • PTECH’s hybrid learning plan will accommodate families with medically fragile students or high risk family members at home.
    • In PTECH classrooms, face coverings will be required for all individuals except for meals and at times designated by an administrator or staff.
    • Morning arrival and afternoon dismissal will be staggered to promote social distancing.
    • PTECH has received flexibility from NYSED in the following areas:
      • Delivery of PE can be done remotely or through individual activities if in-person
      • Blend of hands-on and virtual science laboratory experiences
      • Remote or virtual work-based learning experiences
    • Special education considerations
      • All students are entitled to a free appropriate public education.
      • Protecting the health and safety of students and staff is paramount.
      • PTECH will communicate frequently with parents of students with IEPs and/or 504 plans on their students progress and learning needs.
      • PTECH will collaborate with component school district Committees on Special Education on the various possible settings where a student will be served.
      • Students will have access to the necessary instructional and technological supports to meet their needs.
      • PTECH will document progress of programs/services and communications with parents.
      • PTECH will consider in-person services whenever possible for students with unique learning needs.
      • PTECH will make contingency plans to address remote learning needs, such as scheduled times for students to work 1:1 with a special education teacher.
    • Bilingual Education and World Language considerations:
      • PTECH will communicate in each parent’s preferred language and mode of communication and provide social-emotional learning supports to English language learners in their native language.
      • PTECH will provide professional development for teachers on supporting ELLs and addressing learning gaps
    • Special considerations due to COVID:
      • There will be no field trips or special congregate events until school can fully reopen without social distancing.
      • Any visitors to PTECH will be required to sign in, wear a mask, social distance, and practice hand hygiene while in the building.
      • There will be no in-person extracurricular activities until school can fully reopen without social distancing. Clubs will be able to meet remotely.
      • Any student legally allowed to drive with parent permission will be encouraged to drive. For students in 11th grade and beyond, you will only be required to be on campus at FMCC and/or SUNY Cobleskill when you have an in-person class. You may arrive just before your class begins and leave as soon as it ends.

    Special Education Division

    School schedules and activities

    • Each student’s instructional program will be developed and implemented on an individual basis.
    • Full-day, in-person instruction will be prioritized for all students.
    • Students unable to participate for a full day will be encouraged to attend 50% in-person instruction and 50% remote instruction.
    • Students unable to participate in any in-person instructional program will be provided a remote learning program.
    • IEPs may be amended and modified to reflect the instructional program for each student.
    • Student field trips and other congregate events will be conducted virtually until in-person field trips can resume.

    Instruction

    • BOCES will create a comprehensive plan for a schedule that includes in-person instruction, remote instruction or a hybrid of both in-person and remote. All plans will be clearly communicated with as much advance notice as practicable, to students, families and staff.
    • Students with disabilities will be prioritized to return to in-person instruction first or more frequently based on educational or other needs.
    • Students will remain in one self-contained classroom each day as much as practicable and will be preassigned groups of students with reasonable group size limits.
    • Students unable to attend full-time, in-person instruction will be offered alternate approaches, such as alternative schedules or hybrids of in-person and remote learning.
    • All students will be placed in self contained classrooms for instructional programs.
    • Physical education activities will follow all SED guidance and focus on wellness and individual fitness.
    • BOCES will provide a blend of hands-on and virtual science laboratory experiences.
    • BOCES will provide both in-person and virtual work-based learning experiences for eligible students.
    • BOCES will ensure all students are entitled to a free, appropriate public education.
    • BOCES will make paramount protecting the health and safety of students and staff.
    • BOCES will ensure meaningful parent engagement in parent’s preferred language/mode of communication.
    • BOCES will collaborate with CSE and other program providers on the various possible settings where a student will be served.
    • BOCES will provide students with access to the necessary instructional and technological supports to meet their needs, including assistive technology.
    • BOCES will document programs/services and communications with parents.
    • BOCES will consider in-person services whenever possible.
    • BOCES will consider contingency plans to address remote learning needs.
    • All communication will be provided in each parent’s preferred language and mode of communication and provide social-emotional learning supports to English language learners in their native language.
    • Instructional units will be provided based on most recently measured English language proficiency.
    • Through resources such as the HFM BOCES Instructional Services Department, teachers will be offered targeted professional development opportunities throughout the school year to address the learning gaps of students, including those within the ELL population.

    Remote Learning

    Given the possibility that communities may experience spikes in COVID-19 cases at any point during the school year prompting short or long-term school closures, HFM BOCES programs are prepared to provide remote instructions. Currently, schedules for all HFM BOCES programs have been designed to be able to be modified for in-person instruction, hybrid instruction and remote instruction. Currently, BOCES programs will use a hybrid/blended learning model and schedule that can continue as is in a fully remote environment.

    Consideration has been given to prioritizing hands-on and lab-based activities while students are onsite in school buildings. All instruction will continue to be aligned to the New York State Learning Standards.

    As noted previously, student schedules will remain the same whether instruction is in person or remote so that students do not encounter conflicts wherein synchronous lessons for different subjects are offered simultaneously.

    To ensure high-quality remote learning experiences, programs will standardize the use of a single online learning platform, which best fits the needs and abilities of the students in that particular program.

    BOCES programs will coordinate with students’ home school districts to ensure equity of access for all students including students with disabilities, homeless students and English language learners. 

    All students in HFM BOCES programs will have laptop computers supplied to them either by the home district or BOCES.

    Adirondack Academy

    For the start of school in September, students will be scheduled to participate in one-week, in-person instruction alternating with one-week virtual instruction. Plans will be communicated with as much advanced notice as practicable.

    Career & Technical Education

    For the start of school in September, the Career and Technical Center will be open daily for all students able to get to campus, either through home school transportation or parents. Parking is available for students who drive themselves. Driving permits must be completed, and we are only allowing one student per vehicle – exceptions may be made for students living in the same household. A hybrid/virtual model will be available for students unable to get to campus.

    PTECH

    PTECH students in grades 9-12 who take high school courses at Glebe Street School or the HFM Main Campus will operate on an A-B schedule. Half of students will attend school on A days and half of students will attend school on B days. When not in school, students will be engaged in remote instruction that may consist of a mix of synchronous live video (substantive daily interaction), independent practice activities and remote group activities that can be completed on a flexible time schedule to allow for equitable participation by all students. Each student’s schedule will be communicated to families and component school districts as soon as possible. Families are being given a choice of an all-remote learning option if desired.

    Special Education

    While full-day, in-person instruction will be prioritized for all students, each student’s instructional program will be developed and implemented on an individual basis. The BOCES Special Education program will consider in-person services whenever possible.

    Students unable to participate for a full day will be encouraged to attend 50% in-person instruction and 50% remote instruction. Students unable to participate in any in-person instructional program will be provided a remote learning program.

      Before and Aftercare Programs

      HFM BOCES does not run before and aftercare programs. If the BOCES opens a program, this plan will be updated with additional information.

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