LA CROSSE, Wis., (July 28, 2020) – Planning for the 2020-21 school year is a unique challenge for families and educators this year. At (Insert Name)_Middle School / High School, we recognize this challenge and aim to provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions for your family and/or student(s).
The La Crosse School District is busy developing an array of educational options for students. All of our options will align with the health and safety guidelines required and/or recommended by our County Health Department. The Coulee COVID-19 Compass is one source of information for our schools and families as we plan for the 2020-21 school year.
Middle School / High School Question / Answer
What educational options are available to me?
While new ideas and options continue to emerge and evolve, the following options exist for students in Grades 6 through 12:
- Face to Face Teaching Learning
- Students report to school according to schedule assigned
- Coulee Region Virtual School (CRVA)
- Students apply for a minimum of one semester at a time
- eScholar –
- Students enroll by course according to eScholar timelines
*Detailed descriptions for each option will be available on our district website.
Will Schools Reopen for Face to Face Instruction this Fall?
We cannot be certain. This decision continues to be discussed by school districts and communities all over the United States. As we all wait for the final decisions to be made, we continue to plan for the possibilities.
Assuming that face to face instruction inside of our school buildings will be considered safe by the County Health Department and reasonably possible according to the guidelines to be followed, our middle schools and high schools are developing what is frequently described to be a “blended model” for teaching and learning.
The term blended means that students will attend school in two ways:
1. Face to Face
2. Remote Learning at home or alternative location using a school-issued device
The term “blended” means that teachers will provide instruction in two ways:
1. Face to Face
2. Remote Learning – School Issued Device
Why is “blended” necessary if schools reopen?
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and our County Health Department recommend specific guidelines to ensure a healthy and safe learning environment for our students and staff members. These guidelines necessitate that we consider how to reduce the quantity of students attending school at one time per day. By reducing the number of students on the bus, in the hall, and in our classrooms, we reduce the spread of COVID 19.
Blended is necessary because it allows some students to attend school face to face while some students attend school remotely – from home or alternative location. In other words, the total number of students attending school inside a school building at one time is approximately reduced by 50 percent.
How will I know which days I attend school if this blended model happens?
Our current plan is to develop two groups of students. You may hear these groups referred to as: Cohort A and Cohort B. Each group/cohort will be assigned a schedule that resembles the following:
Cohort A
- Mondays Attends School Face to Face
- Tuesdays Attends School Face to Face
- Wednesdays Independent Study at home
- Thursdays Attends School Remotely using school issued device
- Fridays Attends School Remotely using school issued device
Cohort B
- Mondays Attends School Remotely using school issued device
- Tuesdays Attends School Remotely using school issued device
- Wednesdays Independent Study at home
- Thursdays Attends School Face to Face
- Fridays Attends School Face to Face
Will students attending school on face to face days be in school for a full day?
At this point in time, we believe students attending school face to face will be in school for a full day of instruction and learning. Bus route information is pending.
Our plans are not final. Our plans may continue to change as we align our decisions with information and recommendations provided to us by the County Health Department.
The purpose of this message to you today is to keep you as informed as possible as you make decisions for your students, your family, and yourselves.