Learning at Home Begins New Phase on April 2

Learning at Home Begins New Phase on April 2
Posted on 03/31/2020
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While there remains plenty of uncertainty across our region, state, and country, what we know is that we must ensure that South Park School District students continue to receive quality and valuable instruction throughout this closure period, however long it may last. As announced to district families on Thursday, March 26, the South Park School District will commence remote instruction/distance learning beginning on Thursday, April 2 and continue remote instruction/distance learning through the closure period caused by the coronavirus pandemic. School principals and assistant principals have worked closely with faculty and staff to develop plans that best serve the needs of their students. Therefore, the continuity of education plans differ by grade-level or school building. 


These plans focus on learning and are meant to create a sense of normalcy for our students, not to overwhelm them. Our teachers may utilize email, Google Classroom, Zoom, or other electronic tools and resources to provide students with meaningful educational experiences. We understand that some students, particularly our youngest students, will need the support of their parents/guardians who are also trying to balance working from home and numerous other responsibilities. If you need help, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher(s), counselor, or principal.  South Park Elementary Center Plan South Park Middle School Plan South Park High School Plan


The implementation of flexible instructional days this school year has afforded us with numerous learning opportunities as we prepare to launch remote instruction/distance learning on Thursday. Our teachers have developed many innovative teaching strategies that can and will be used to benefit our students throughout this closure.


As they do on flexible instructional days, students in third through twelfth grades will be required to report their attendance on a virtual attendance form by 10 a.m. each school day. A link to that form will be emailed each morning, and it will be posted on sparksd.org and each of our school homepages. If you have trouble accessing the form, you may record your child’s attendance by leaving a voicemail with your child’s name, grade, and homeroom teacher no later than 10 a.m. with your child’s school office each school day. The 10 a.m. deadline will be enforced. If there are extenuating circumstances which prevent reporting attendance by 10 a.m., please contact your child’s principal. Students in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade will not need to report their attendance daily.


As Thursday, April 2 will mark the return to regular instruction, flexible instructional assignments from the five flexible instructional days for students in grades 3-12 will be due on Monday, April 6, 2020. If you have questions about those flexible instructional day assignments, please contact your child’s teacher(s).


Students in grades 3-12 will have until Tuesday, April 14 to submit any outstanding assignments as teachers close out the third grading period. If you have a concern about this deadline due to an extenuating circumstance, please contact your building principal.


Students who receive special education supports and services within the South Park School District will continue to do so during this unprecedented time. Instruction provided will be offered synchronously as well as asynchronously. Special education teachers and related service providers have been collaborating to develop instruction that is appropriate and reasonable given the current circumstances and limitations. Our staff will be using a variety of delivery platforms including Google Classroom, Google Hangouts, Loom, Zoom, etc. to communicate with students and their families. Our staff will remain in regular communication with the families in order to monitor the progress of their students, adjust instructional approaches as needed, provide resources and consultation, and to be a regular source of support. 


As we begin regular remote instruction/distance learning, you will not receive the morning phone call from the district as you do on flexible instructional days. However, a link to the attendance form will be emailed daily for students in third through twelfth grades to complete.


Remote instruction/distance learning will not take place on Thursday, April 9; Friday, April 10; and Monday, April 13. It is our intention to follow the current school calendar until we receive further guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Education regarding a possible reopening date or a full closure.


This transition to remote instruction/distance learning likely will require slight modifications and adjustments as it is carried out. This is a unique situation for all students, families, and educators. The continuity of education plan may not be perfect on day one, but our team will work to ensure every student is afforded the opportunity to learn and succeed in this new environment.


Families without internet access are reminded to call their child’s school office and leave a voicemail with their child’s name, grade, and homeroom teacher. A South Park administrator or counselor will reach out directly to those families.


Please review the continuity of education plan specific to your child’s grade level or building. If you have any questions about this plan, please contact your child’s building principal or assistant principal.


South Park Elementary Center: Dr. Rob Furman

[email protected]


South Park Middle School: Kevin Monaghan

[email protected]


Lynn Como

[email protected]


South Park High School: Dr. David Palmer

[email protected]


Justin Dellarose

[email protected]

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