Opening of School Answers

Question 1: When can I drop off my kindergartners supplies?
Once homeroom teachers are assigned they will contact you with information about their specific class including when and where to drop off supplies. Homeroom    teachers will not be assigned until after we get survey results that indicate which students will be attending in person and and which will be attending virtually.

Question 2: What time will kindergartners need to be dropped off and picked up each day (by car)?
All elementary schools will now start at 7:25 and end at 2:50. We are currently working on schedules for drop off and pick times and will notify all parents once those are approved. 

Question 3: I completed online registration a month ago. Why is it still “pending”?
To answer this question I'll need more information that is specific to the student. Please email me at cleblanc@caddoschools.org so that we can determine what else needs to be done. You can also contact our office staff beginning August 3rd. 

Question 4: Is there a school supply list for the students doing the virtual learning?
​There is not a school supply list specific to virtual learners since activities are often submitted online. Parents may choose to purchase all or some of the supplies since teachers may ask that they be used within a lesson. When a student does return to in person learning they will need to bring supplies with them since we are limiting shared supplies as much as possible. In addition, parents may find supplies more readily available right now rather than purchasing later in the year. 

Question 5: Do you have a protocol for if a student tests positive for COVID19? A teacher, staff or administrator? What about if the family member of a student is positive?
Caddo Parish is working on a policy to cover these types of situations which will then be submitted to the school board for approval.

Question 6: Do you have a tentative date on when the new principal will be announced?
There is no set date but district staff are working to find the best fit for AC Steere. Until a new principal is named parents may contact Denisha Winston, Courtney LeBlanc, and Brandy Holcomb with any questions.

Question 7: Will students eat lunch in their classroom?
Sometimes. We are working on a schedule to rotate through alternate locations on campus so that students do not have to always eat in their rooms.

Question 8: If I chose the traditional, in-person option, can I change my mind at any time and switch to the virtual model if the COVID crisis continues to worsen?
We are asking that parents commit to in-person or virtual for a nine-week period at a time. Any special situations that might necessitate  going virtual in the middle of the nine weeks will need to be handled on a case by case basis.

Question 9: How will students be socially distanced at carpool - both after morning drop off and while waiting to be picked up in the afternoon?
We are working with district staff to adjust our school specific procedures to meet guidelines for social distancing. Once those are approved we will share them with staff and families. We will make this information available as soon as possible.

Question 10: How will enrichment classes be handled? Will the teacher come to the students classroom or will the students still rotate to their classrooms?
There will be a mix. When we are able, students will move to the enrichment locations but this may not always be the case. More information will be shared with staff and families closer to the start of school.

Question 11: Will classes mix at recess or have individual recess?
Classes will not mix at recess and students will only be with other students in their static group.

Question 12: If students are learning virtually, what technology is required/needed/provided by the district?
Students will need an electronic device such as a laptop, Chromebook, or iPad and internet access. Families that indicated there were needs in this area on the survey will be contacted closer to the start of school.  

Question 13: So far, what percentage of students have completed the survey? Of those who have completed the survey, what percentage have chosen to be virtual?
This number is constantly changing as parents complete the survey.

Question 14: How many students will be in each static group if attending in person?
We cannot determine exact numbers at this time but will work to make in-person classes as small as possible. 

Question 15: Will students wear masks ALL day (including while in their homeroom classrooms) or just during transition times?
Third, fourth, and fifth grade students will wear masks all day and those younger than that may choose to wear one if they like. All students who ride a Caddo Parish School Bus will be required to wear a mask regardless of age while on the bus.

Question 16: I'm a teacher at another school in Caddo, and our principal said that teachers cannot film students in their lessons. Many of us are trying to figure out what virtual lessons look like if teachers aren't able to film themselves in their classrooms. Are there any ideas of what virtual instruction will look like for ACS teachers? Virtual lessons will vary by grade and subject. We do not plan on having our students at AC Steere logged on to an electronic device for long periods of time but they will be able to access live lessons. Live instructional times will be pre-determined and communicated with families along with instructions on how to log in. Although there may or may not be parts of the live lesson where the teacher's face can be seen, the teachers will be asked to share their screen with those attending virtually while they are providing instruction. The virtual students will hear the teacher's voice, be able to participate in discussions with the class, and see the same things the in-person students see on the teacher's board but they will not be able to see what is in the rest of the classroom. In math, for example, the teacher might be demonstrating how to solve a problem on the board while explaining the steps. Virtual students will see what the teacher is doing on their board while listening  to steps to solve the problem. Again, this will look a little different depending on the grade and subject matter.

Question 17: In the virtual option, will learning be synchronous, asynchronous, or a combination?
At AC Steere students will have the ability to do a combination based on the needs of the student and his/her family. Students must be sure, however, that assignments are getting completed within the time frame given by the teacher.

Question 18: For the students learning virtual where do we sign up to receive a chrome book? And where do we send classroom fees?
Families that indicated there were needs in this area on the survey will be contacted closer to the start of school.  The student's homeroom teacher will contact virtual families for class fees.

Question 19: Will kindergarten parents be able to walk their children into campus/class on the first day?
No. Health and safety standards do not allow for visitors on campus at this time. We will have staff at drop off locations ready to receive our students and make the transition as smooth as possible. 

Question 20: Will ECE and Kindergarten be starting on August 24th with the rest of the students?
ECE and kindergarten students will have a staggered entrance schedule. Parents will be notified by August 19, 2020 with more specific information.

Question 21: Will there be a meet and greet with students' new teachers?
Yes, we are working on a revised plan. It will look different from previous years since we are making adjustments to ensure we are following all health and safety standards.