KIPP DC will operate schools FULLY REMOTE through at least the end of our first term on Friday, October 23. We know this is a change in plans from what we shared in mid-July, but believe this shift is in the best interest of KIPP DC’s students, families, and staff members. We appreciate your patience and understanding as our plans evolve.
We will continue to keep you informed about our plans as they develop. Below is our current plan for remote learning to start the school year. We are also organizing a series of online workshops to provide information, support, and training to families to better aid their student’s remote success. A full schedule will be shared in the next week.
Early Childhood Schools
Parent Teacher Conferences (August 6 – 14)
Your child’s teacher will be reaching out next week to set up a one on one virtual Parent Teacher conference to discuss KIPP DC’s remote learning plans, learn more about your child and family, and ensure your questions are answered. Teachers will also share more details about the remote learning elements outlined below. These conferences will occur between Thursday August 6 and Friday August 14.
Remote Learning Experience (First Day: August 24)
We commit to providing the absolute best remote learning for students. Our teachers returned to work on Monday for professional development and are using parent feedback and lessons learned from the spring to improve teaching and student engagement practices in remote learning.
Remote learning for early childhood students will begin on Monday, August 24. Early childhood students can expect the following from their remote learning experience:
- Participation in two (2) daily whole-class Zoom calls to build classroom community and engage in literacy and math lessons, as well as social emotional learning. The length of Zoom classes will vary by grade level. We will also gradually build length of time, depending on grade level.
- Small group Zoom calls two (2) times per week with a group of 4-6 students and both teachers. The smaller size will allow for students to engage in more conversations with their peers and teachers, and for teachers to tailor their instruction towards each student’s strengths, interests, and academic data. These will begin late September.
- Students will work independently for 1-2 hours each day to support the learning from the Zoom calls throughout the week. At the beginning of the year, students will need support in completing these activities, but as students become more familiar with the activities they will become more independent in this work.
- Each student and family will have a one-on-one call with at least one of the student’s teachers each week. These calls are both a time for the family and teacher to check-in and share information AND a time for one-on-one instruction for the student.
Technology & Remote Learning Materials
To improve remote learning, all early childhood students will receive a Chromebook and headphones for use at home. If you received a tablet to support remote learning in the spring, it is for your family to keep. More information about Chromebook pickup will be shared in your Parent Teacher Conference. You will pick up the device from Tuesday, August 18-Thursday, August 20 (8:30 am – 4:00 pm) through contactless pickup at your child’s school.
Every student will also be able to pick up grade-specific learning materials including workbooks, math manipulatives, white boards/markers, writing/drawing supplies, playdoh, scissors, etc. from their schools via a contactless distribution when they pick up their Chromebook. If students run out supplies during remote learning, they can go to Meal Distribution Sites to pick up additional learning materials.
Families with technology support needs should complete this form and tech support will promptly reach out.
Mental Health & Special Education Supports
Students will continue to have access to a robust system of mental health and special education supports. Our school-based mental health and student support teams will continue to provide services to students with IEPs and previously identified general education students. Team members will connect with parents to confirm service delivery either through an Individualized Contingency Learning Plan (for students with IEPs) or through direct contact and agreement with parents (for students in general education). Families are encouraged to contact their teacher, school leader, or mental health practitioner if they are in need of mental health services or are in crisis and in need of other support.
Mental health team members will also collaborate with community-based organizations to provide virtual workshops to parents on strategies to support student social emotional needs during virtual learning and how to manage stress and anxiety during uncertain times.
Meal Program
KIPP DC will resume its meal program on Monday, August 24 (the first day of school). More information will be provided closer to the first day. A full list of meal resources can be found here.
Elementary Schools
Parent Teacher Conferences (August 6 – 14)
Your child’s teacher will be reaching out next week to set up a one on one virtual Parent Teacher conference to discuss KIPP DC’s remote learning plans, learn more about your child and family, and ensure your questions are answered. These conferences will occur between Thursday, August 6 and Friday, August 14.
Remote Learning Experience (First Day: August 24)
We commit to providing the absolute best remote learning for students. Our teachers returned to work on Monday for professional development and are using parent feedback and lessons learned from the spring to improve teaching and student engagement practices in remote learning.
Remote learning for elementary students will begin on Monday, August 24. Elementary students can expect the following from their remote learning experience:
- Participation in a predictable schedule of live, synchronous instruction every day. Teachers will use Zoom to instruct literacy and math sessions, and a rotation of science, physical education, arts, or music lessons. The live portion of lessons will range between 30 – 45 minutes for a total of approximately two hours of live instruction daily.
- Morning meeting sessions with teachers will include community building activities for students to promote social emotional learning and peer connectivity.
- During lessons, students have the opportunity to learn new content, practice skills, discuss ideas with peers, and complete independent practice.
- Throughout the week, students will also engage with recorded, asynchronous (on-demand) assignments of which teachers will ensure that they have materials and directions to complete.
Technology & Remote Learning Materials
To improve remote learning, all elementary students will receive a Chromebook and headphones for use at home. If you received a tablet to support remote learning in the spring, it is for your family to keep. More information about Chromebook pickup will be shared in your Parent Teacher Conference. You will pick up the device from Tuesday, August 18-Thursday, August 20 (8:30 am – 4:00 pm) through contactless pickup at your child’s school.
Every student will also be able to pick up grade-specific learning materials from their schools via a contactless distribution when they pick up their Chromebook. If students run out supplies during remote learning, they can go to Meal Distribution Sites to pick up additional learning materials.
Families with technology support needs should complete this form and tech support will promptly reach out.
Mental Health & Special Education Supports
Students will continue to have access to a robust system of mental health and special education supports. Our school-based mental health and student support teams will continue to provide services to students with IEPs and previously identified general education students. Team members will connect with parents to confirm service delivery either through an Individualized Contingency Learning Plan (for students with IEPs) or through direct contact and agreement with parents (for students in general education). Families are encouraged to contact their teacher, school leader, or mental health practitioner if they are in need of mental health services or are in crisis and in need of other support.
Mental health team members will also collaborate with community-based organizations to provide virtual workshops to parents on strategies to support student social emotional needs during virtual learning and how to manage stress and anxiety during uncertain times.
Meal Program
KIPP DC will resume its meal program on Monday, August 24 (the first day of school). More information will be provided closer to the first day. A full list of meal resources can be found here.
Middle Schools
Parent Teacher Conferences (August 6- 14)
Your child’s teacher will be reaching out next week to set up a one on one virtual Parent Teacher conference to discuss KIPP DC’s remote learning plans, learn more about your child and family, and ensure your questions are answered. These conferences will occur between Thursday, August 6 and Friday August 14.
Remote Learning Experience (First Day: August 24)
We commit to providing the absolute best remote learning for students. Our teachers returned to work on Monday for professional development and are using parent feedback and lessons learned from the spring to improve teaching and student engagement practices in remote learning.
Remote learning for middle school students will begin on Monday, August 24. Middle school students can expect the following from their remote learning experience:
- Participation in a predictable schedule of live, synchronous and recorded, asynchronous instruction. Teachers will use Zoom to instruct literacy and math lessons, and a rotation of science, social studies, and special area lessons throughout the week. The lessons will be between 45-60 minutes for a total of two and a half hours to three hours of live instruction daily.
- During the lessons, students will participate in introduction to new learning, guided practice, discussions with peers, and some independent practice.
- Students will also engage with recorded, asynchronous assignments of which teachers will ensure that they have materials and directions to complete
- Each content area teacher will hold office hours weekly to support students with their questions. We encourage parents to attend as well!
- All middle schoolers will engage in homeroom time, assemblies, in class discussions, and other optional opportunities to promote social emotional learning and peer connectivity. Mental health practitioners will also be available to support students and to run student groups as needed.
Technology & Remote Learning Materials
To improve remote learning, all middle school students will receive a Chromebook for use at home. If your student does not already have a Chromebook, you will be able to pick up a device from Tuesday, August 18-Thursday, August 20 (8:30 am – 4:00 pm) through contactless pickup at your child’s school. Students who have their Chromebook from last school year are encouraged to contact tech support in case they are having any issues with their current device. The technology team will follow up directly and students can pick up a replacement Chromebook.
Every student will also be able to pick up grade-specific learning materials from their schools via a contactless distribution from Tuesday, August 18-Thursday, August 20 (8:30 am – 4:00 pm). If students run out supplies during remote learning, they can go to Meal Distribution Sites to pick up additional learning materials.
Families with technology support needs should complete this form and tech support will promptly reach out.
Mental Health & Special Education Supports
Students will continue to have access to a robust system of mental health and special education supports. Our school-based mental health and student support teams will continue to provide services to students with IEPs and previously identified general education students. Team members will connect with parents to confirm service delivery either through an Individualized Contingency Learning Plan (for students with IEPs) or through direct contact and agreement with parents (for students in general education). Families are encouraged to contact their teacher, school leader, or mental health practitioner if they are in need of mental health services or are in crisis and in need of other support.
Mental health team members will also collaborate with community-based organizations to provide virtual workshops to parents on strategies to support student social emotional needs during virtual learning and how to manage stress and anxiety during uncertain times.
Meal Program
KIPP DC will resume its meal program on Monday, August 24 (the first day of school). More information will be provided closer to the first day. A full list of meal resources can be found here.
High Schools
Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences (August 10- 14):
Your child’s advisor will be reaching out next week to set up a virtual Parent-Teacher-Student conference to discuss KIPP DC’s remote learning plans, learn more about your child and family, and ensure your questions are answered. These conferences will occur between Monday, August 10 and Friday August 14.
Remote Learning Experience (First Day for Orientation: Week of August 24)
We commit to providing the absolute best remote learning for students. Our teachers returned to work on Monday for professional development and are using parent feedback and lessons learned from the spring to improve teaching and student engagement practices in remote learning.
Remote learning for high school students will begin with orientation for students during the week of August 24. High school students will participate in live, synchronous orientation classes. Advisory teachers will plan online activities to welcome students and orient them to their remote learning schedule. The orientation schedule will be sent to families in the coming weeks.
Live, synchronous instruction in all core classes and electives will begin August 31. More about each student’s daily class schedule and how this aligns to their path to graduation will be shared during parent teacher conferences.
Technology & Remote Learning Materials
To improve remote learning, all high school students will receive a Chromebook for use at home. If your student does not already have a Chromebook, you will be able to pick up a device from Tuesday, August 18-Thursday, August 20 (8:30 am – 4:00 pm) through contactless pickup at your child’s school. Students who have their Chromebook from last school year are encouraged to contact tech support in case they are having any issues with their current device. The technology team will follow up directly and students can pick up a replacement Chromebook.
Every student will also be able to pick up grade-specific learning materials from their schools via a contactless distribution from Tuesday, August 18-Thursday, August 20 (8:30 am – 4:00 pm). If students run out supplies during remote learning, they can go to Meal Distribution Sites to pick up additional learning materials.
Families with technology support needs should contact tech support via this form and they will promptly reach out.
Mental Health & Special Education Supports
Students will continue to have access to a robust system of mental health and special education supports. Our school-based mental health and student support teams will continue to provide services to students with IEPs and previously identified general education students. Team members will connect with parents to confirm service delivery either through an Individualized Contingency Learning Plan (for students with IEPs) or through direct contact and agreement with parents (for students in general education). Families are encouraged to contact their teacher, school leader, or mental health practitioner if they are in need of mental health services or are in crisis and in need of other support.
Mental health team members will also collaborate with community-based organizations to provide virtual workshops to parents on strategies to support student social emotional needs during virtual learning and how to manage stress and anxiety during uncertain times.
Meal Program
KIPP DC will resume its meal program on Monday, August 24 (the first day of school). More information will be provided closer to the first day. A full list of meal resources can be found here.