Vestavia Superintendent Gives Update On School Reopening Plan

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL — With the school year set to begin in just weeks, Vestavia Hills City Schools superintendent Dr. Todd Freeman gave an update Monday on the system's remote learning platform.

"It has been our goal from the beginning to hold both the traditional and remote models to the same expectation of excellence in teaching in learning," Freeman said. "Accordingly, we have determined that in order for our students and teachers participating in the remote learning option to have the true VHCS experience, we will be using a different content provider."

Freeman said Edgenuity will be the system's content provider for grades 6-12 and Accelerate Education for kindergarten through fifth grade. "We also have TeachTown and Unique Learning System for Pre-K. The courses and content available from these providers are robust and aligned with our expectations to make remote learning a success," he said.

Amid concern by parents that students choosing a remote learning option would not have the same educational experience as those who chose the traditional in-school option, Freeman said all of the teachers in the remote learning option will be VHCS teachers who will lead students through this learning experience.

Students who are on remote learning will have a designated time to pick up Chromebooks. Each school will send out that information prior to the beginning of school.

The Jefferson County Department of Health has issued guidelines for reopening for all schools in the county, and Freeman said Vestavia will abide by those guidelines. "Vestavia Hills City Schools will be evaluating these recommendations and guidance to determine necessary revisions to our reopening plan," Freeman said. "We will communicate updates to the reopening plan to VHCS families and staff directly by email and on our website on Friday, July 31."