Vallecitos approves revised learning continuity plan

School districts are adopting learning continuity plans to address remote learning, and the Vallecitos School District adopted its revised learning continuity plan, Nov. 10.

An initial plan was adopted Sept. 8. That plan was submitted to the San Diego County Office of Education for review and recommendations for amendments. Paul Gothold, county superintendent of schools, provided recommendations which were incorporated into the revised Vallecitos plan adopted by a 5-0 board vote.

“This is kind of a rolling document,” Michael Darnley, board president of Vallecitos School District, said.

The learning continuity plan acknowledges that the rural landscape limits internet access to students’ homes, in part due to a limited number of internet providers with infrastructure in Rainbow. More than half of the Vallecitos Elementary School students are identified as speaking a language other than English, more than 35% of the students are identified as being from migrant families, 13% of the students are identified as special education and many of the parents of Vallecitos students are deemed essential workers and cannot assist their children at home during the day. Approximately 99.5% of the Vallecitos Elementary School students are classified as being from low-income families.

Since many students have families in Mexico and international travel has been restricted, some students cannot see family members and in some cases the students themselves have not been able to return from Mexico to Rainbow. Some families have opted for private schools, charter schools or home schooling to address the situation, and that has reduced enrollment at Vallecitos Elementary School.

Vallecitos has partnered with the San Diego Food Bank to provide meals to the students and their families and with Care Solace to provide emotional support to the students.

The state requirements for online, public school learning included that the schools must provide full internet access to all students and that accommodations must be made for special education and English as a second language students. The requirements also include monitoring attendance. The state also specifies minimum instruction days of three hours and 50 minutes for students from kindergarten through third grade and four hours for students in fourth grade or higher.

Vallecitos held seven voluntary staff meetings during the summer break to discuss the implementation of safety measures, school operations, curriculum and supplies. The Aug. 11 Vallecitos board meeting included a public hearing on the learning continuity plan, and that meeting was recorded in both English and Spanish for parents to view.

“We really focused a lot on professional development and technology,” Maritza Koeppen, superintendent of Vallecitos School District and principal of Vallecitos Elementary School.

School resumed Aug. 20, and at the request of parents both the before-school and after-school programs were provided although both the morning and afternoon programs can only accommodate 24 students per day. The Sept. 8 board meeting also included approving an agreement with T-Mobile to provide 100 hot spots for students who need wireless internet connections for distance learning, and wireless internet is also available at Rainbow Park adjacent to the school.

Under the hybrid learning plan the on-campus student day is from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Some students are on campus Mondays and Wednesdays while the other students are at the school Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Monday and Wednesday students returned to the classroom, Oct. 19, and the Tuesday and Thursday contingent started campus learning, Oct. 20. Full-time distance learning is also available, and students and their parents also took advantage of that option.

The county Office of Education requested an explanation of efforts to reach students and their family members who do not speak English or do not have internet access, a description of specific stakeholders providing feedback and how feedback was solicited from stakeholders, detailing how the learning continuity plan will provide continuity of instruction for students in the case of a transition from in-person teaching to distance learning, specifying what additional support the school will provide to students with unique needs and outlining professional development activities to support social and emotional well-being.

Joe Naiman can be reached by email at [email protected].