Learning Model Status
The Northshore School District will begin the 2020-21 school year with 100% distance learning through Northshore Learns 3.0, using our staged approach to reopening. As the numbers of positive COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise across our state and in our region, it has become clear at this time that our more robust distance learning model will be the safest way to form the foundation for student learning this fall.
The nation's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, stated that our country's return to "normal" is best considered as a rolling re-entry, "There's not going to be like, a light switch that you turn on and off." As the public health conditions continue to evolve over the next several months, the Northshore dial will be a regular part of our guidance as we may have to move back and forth from stage to stage throughout the year. This information will be updated should new data and guidelines become available prior to the start of school.
Current Status
Updated September 21, 2020
100% Distance Learning: Stage 2
All students participate in distance learning. Staff able to be onsite for the purpose of planning and delivering online instruction.
Get to Know Each Model & Stage
Stages for learning models allow education to pivot at any time between distance, hybrid and in-person learning. These stages will be determined by the impacts of a changing health situation, available resources, and direction from OSPI, our Governor and our Health Department(s). As the public health situation continues to evolve, the District and the Northshore Education Association will continue to work together to renegotiate these models.The District may modify stages as changing conditions require.
There are additional groups of students with special needs who, in addition to receiving instruction in general education classrooms, are provided specially designed instruction. Access to and progress in general education services are paramount for all our students.
Many students receiving these additional services spend much of their day in the general education classroom setting. As we continue to provide remote services, we are also planning a thoughtful approach for meaningful engagement and instruction when they return to the classroom, families will be updated.
As more students in general education classrooms return for in-person service delivery, students receiving Learning Center (LC) and Mid-level (ML) services will also return. Mid-level at the elementary includes Blended, Sensory, and Social Emotional services. Staff is committed to this work and looking forward to the time when all students are back on campus.
100% Distance Learning: Stage 1
All students and staff participate in distance learning. School buildings closed for access.
100% Distance Learning: Stage 2
All students participate in distance learning. Staff able to be onsite for the purpose of planning and delivering online instruction.
Hybrid Learning: Stage 3
Students in greatest need of additional support as identified through an agreed upon set of criteria participate onsite with in-person instruction two (2) days a week. All other students participate in distance learning. Staff able to be onsite for the purpose of planning and delivering instruction.
In-Person Learning
- Pre-Kindergarten
- Functional Skills & Academics (FSA)
- Mid-Level (Blended, Sensory, Social Emotional)
- Learning Center (LC)
- English Learners (EL)
Distance Learning
- Learning Assistance Program (LAP)
- Students "Prepared with Support"
- Youngest Learners
- All Other Students
Hybrid Learning: Stage 4
All students from Stage 3, our youngest learners, and additional students in need of support (e.g., students whose grades or other evidence suggest a need for support, 6th and 9th graders, etc.) participate onsite with in-person instruction two (2) days a week. Seniors will be included for limited activities at some point during each school week. All other students participate in distance learning. Staff able to be onsite for the purpose of planning and delivering instruction.
In-Person Learning
- Pre-Kindergarten
- Functional Skills & Academics (FSA)
- Mid-Level (Blended, Sensory, Social Emotional)
- Learning Center (LC)
- English Learners (EL)
- Learning Assistance Program (LAP)
- Students in Need of Support
- Youngest Learners
Limited On-Campus Engagement
- 12th Grade Students
Distance Learning
- All Other Students
Hybrid Learning: Stage 5
All students participate onsite with in-person instruction two (2) days a week. Staff able to be onsite for the purpose of planning and delivering instruction.
100% In-Person Learning: Stage 6
All students and staff participate onsite with in-person instruction five (5) days a week.
Decision Process for Moving Between Stages
As we consider moving between learning models, we will be looking at the number of COVID-19 cases per 100k in King and Snohomish Counties, along with other considerations like staffing, health, available building space and more.
Our Priorities
The health and safety of our students and staff, as well as the families at home.
Building a sense of belonging and connectedness within our classrooms, schools and regions. In the upcoming school year, as we nurture the learning of our students, we are committed to creating school environments that are:
- safe
- caring
- respectful
Northshore’s students will:
- learn at high levels
- find their passion
- thrive
Implementing a common, system-wide learning management system
- User-friendly
- Available language translation to family's preferred language
- Supports synchronous and asynchronous learning
- Usable by students, staff and families among all subjects
- Supports both hybrid and face to face learning
- Useful beyond the 2020-21 school year.