OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Omaha Public School students will return to in-person learning beginning Oct. 5 using a Family 3/2 Model.
Early childhood, elementary school and middle school students are among those returning on October 5.
High school students return under that same model on Oct 19.
According to the district's website, students with last names starting with A-K will attend in-person on Mondays and Tuesdays and L-Z will attend Thursdays and Fridays.
Students will alternate on Wednesdays and learn from home when not in-person.
OPS says on days when students learn at home in their 3/2 model, elementary students will attend a morning meeting and later access lessons in English/Langauge Arts and math.
Secondary students will attend their regular day of classes virtually via Microsoft Teams.
Starting September 23, students in the K-12 Alternate Curriculum Program, Transition, Elementary Behavioral Skills Program, all Early Childhood Special Education students and hearing impaired classrooms return in person five days a week.
Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Logan says remote learning remains an option for students, adding in person students should take all precautions to protect themselves from the virus.
“We may have some cases of COVID-19 in our schools,” Dr. Logan said. “We are taking all the steps that we can to ensure that we reduce the spread.”
There will be differences in full-time remote learning compared to their current instructional model, according to OPS:
- At the elementary level, students will join a morning meeting with their class via Microsoft Teams. From there, students will access on-demand lessons provided by district staff, which align with district curriculum and pacing. Students will have individual or small group work time with their teacher at least once weekly via Microsoft Teams.
- At the secondary level, students will access their classes via Microsoft Teams along with classmates who are learning via the Family 3/2 Instructional Model. Secondary remote learning will mirror the school day schedule.
- Students who choose the Remote Learning Program while our district transitions to the Family 3/2 Instructional Model will continue to receive special education services in the same manner they have since the start of school. Each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) team will determine whether services will be provided remotely, in person, or a combination of the two in order to ensure that every student's IEP is fully implemented.
Families will get an e-mail to determine whether students will return in-person or participate in the Remote Learning Program. The form must be completed by Sept. 20.
Additionally, OPS says they will provide facial coverings and hand sanitizer throughout their schools when students return.
Students will get meals in the cafeteria on days when they learn in person. Meals will also be provided on days when students learn from home and for students in the Remote Learning Program.
With the return of in-person learning, OPS plans to continue with winter sports and other extra-curriculars which start in November.
The district continues planning for the chance to play fall sports in the spring.
See more information here.
OPS Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Logan released the following video about the return to in-person learning:
See anchor Jennifer Griswold break down the changes below.
