SRVUSD Reveals Plans For Fall 2021: In-Person And Virtual

SAN RAMON VALLEY, CA — The deadline for San Ramon Valley Unified School District families to apply for next year's Virtual Academy program is coming up next Wednesday.

SRVUSD staff said at last week's March 30 SRVUSD board meeting that it's planning to welcome all students back to campus — no need to declare a preference for in-person learning this time around — but recognizes that some families will want to continue with remote learning, for medical or other reasons.

The board voted last week to establish a remote learning program. So when the fall of 2021 rolls around, students may opt for a one-year enrollment in the district's Virtual Academy. The Virtual Academy would be similar to the current remote learning program and would be dependent on students enrolling.

Superintendent John Malloy thanked the community for its feedback as the district sought to formulate its plan for the forthcoming school year.

"Everyone has been heard in the recommendations you a hearing this evening," he said during last week's board meeting.

But above all, Malloy said schools will follow guidance from state and local public health officials, which set the direction for campuses.

Here's a peek at what the 2021 to 2022 school year could look like, per school officials.

Back In The Classroom

SRVUSD said it will focus on the following areas: deep learning and innovation; social and emotional wellbeing; equity; and health and safety.

Students who learn in-person must wear masks with "extremely limited exceptions," the district said. There will be three feet of space between students, and six feet of space between adults, and adults and students.

It's possible that in-person students will be grouped into "houses," or large groups of students — perhaps of 100 or so, Malloy said — that take classes together. This would make it easier for SRVUSD to contact trace any COVID-19 cases, but would not limit students' course selection.

Schools will have counselors, social workers and psychologists available, SRVUSD staff said in a presentation during the meeting. There will be after-school small groups, wellness surveys and high school wellness centers.

SRVUSD said it will work to identify and monitor learning gaps exacerbated during the current school year. The past year has taught the district a lot about technology and more.

When it comes to equity, SRVUSD committed to providing professional development on the subject and reviewing standards and curriculum to ensure Black, indigenous and other people of color are better-represented.

Virtual Academy

The Virtual Academy program is open to all, but was tailored to serve students who have thrived in remote learning or have unique medical needs.

The program will be dependent on the number of students who choose to enroll in it, but is akin to the current remote learning program and would serve students in kindergarten through 12th grade. There will be options for special education and select electives, but SRVUSD said it will be better able to define the program once it has an idea of how many students are interested in participating.

Students would also be able to participate in extracurricular activities through their home schools.

The academy will be classified as an independent study program under the umbrella of SRVUSD's alternative education programs, the district said. Anyone who wishes to join will have to apply through the SRVUSD intradistrict transfer process.

Families have until Wednesday, April 14 to declare their preference for opting in to the Virtual Academy.