Westerville City School District (WCSD) officials this week provided families with preliminary information about enrolling their students in the Westerville Virtual Academy (WVA) for the second semester, or in the case of those already enrolled in WVA, how to withdraw and change to the established instructional model that is based upon and determined by regional health data.
“The window of opportunity for students to join or withdraw from the WVA for the second semester of this school year is about to open,” said Superintendent Dr. John R. Kellogg. “Families will be able to notify us of their decision through a form that will be accessible in PowerSchool on Monday, October 19, and they will have until midnight on November 6 to decide if they wish to make this change.”
Last July, upon announcing that the WVA would be an option available to students, district officials also informed families that they would have another opportunity to reconsider instructional models at the semester break. WCSD is currently operating under a Blended Learning model that allows students to receive both in-person and remote instruction. This model remains subject to change based upon improving or worsening health conditions in the central Ohio region.
Families that do not want to change instructional models will not have to submit a form or notify anyone of their decision. Only those families that wish to make one of the following changes will need to submit a completed form by the November 6 deadline:
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A student is not enrolled in the WVA, but their parent(s)/guardian(s) want them to receive their education through this instructional model for the entire second semester.
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A student is currently participating in the WVA, but their parent(s)/guardian(s) prefer they receive their second semester instruction through the established instructional model based upon and determined by regional health data.
Class registration information for the upcoming semester will be provided to families of middle and high school students transferring out of WVA if their school does not already have a course request sheet stored for them in PowerSchool. Middle and high school students remaining in their current instructional model will not be able to change their second semester classes or schedule that has already been provided to them.
Students transitioning to a different instructional model will stay in that model for the entire second semester, which runs from January 5 through May 26.
“Those families making a change can expect to receive class schedules, Cohort assignments if they are transitioning to our current Blended Learning model, and bus route details over winter break,” Kellogg said. “These changes will have a districtwide impact that will require our schools to adjust teaching assignments, modify class schedules, and make alterations to other areas of operation.”
As an example of the potential impact these mid-year changes could have, Kellogg noted that more students returning to school buildings during the second semester would likely result in district-wide operational adjustments simply to maintain social distancing standards in classrooms and on school buses.
Families are encouraged to watch their email today for more detailed information about changing instructional models. The district is also arranging several virtual information sessions for families to learn more about these instructional options. Details regarding these sessions will be provided to families once they are finalized.