Seattle Public Schools: SPS Virtual Learning Option For 2021-22

Press release from Seattle Public Schools:

06/16/2021

SPS Virtual Learning Option for 2021-22

As students return this fall, Seattle Public Schools will be offering five full days of in-person instruction at all 104 schools for all students. We are committed to working with our community and staff to open schools and welcome back all students who wish to return to in-person learning.

Our staff, school leaders, and school teams continue to work on what matters most to our students and families for the 2021-22 school year: welcoming and identity-safe schools, safe and healthy learning environments, and high-quality instruction.

While we are taking all the necessary steps to ensure in-person learning is safe and welcoming for all students, we will also a pilot virtual option for a small population of K-12 students. A virtual option for preschool students will not be offered. Starting with a small virtual option pilot will best promote the district's goals for racial equity and will provide important data and feedback should the district decide to develop larger scale virtual learning options in the future.

For Fall 2021, there will be a limited number of students in grades K-12 who can enroll in the virtual learning pilot. SPS will encourage families to consider this option if their student has thrived or could thrive in a fully remote learning setting. In addition, since the pilot will be small, the district will need to determine a way to prioritize interested students. As a result, students with existing, documented health issues or concerns, including mental and emotional health concerns, will be prioritized for this virtual pilot.

This may include:

• Students with an underlying condition that increases their risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
• Students who live in a household where someone in the household is at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
• Students who have a mental health issue or other condition.
• Students who experienced an increased sense of safety during remote learning.

For students who have existing health concerns that require virtual learning full-time in the fall, SPS will determine which school site(s) will provide the virtual pilot option and students selected for the virtual pilot will need to enroll in that designated school site. The virtual pilot will not be available at all schools. We will continue to gather community feedback about what is most needed for a virtual program.

If you or your child is interested in being considered for this 100% virtual pilot for the 2021-22 school year, please email virtualsps@seattleschools.org.

SPS will share updates about this plan in the coming weeks, including which schools will offer the virtual option and how to enroll your student, and will reach out directly to those students and families who have expressed interest in the pilot. More information will also be shared on the district website as it becomes available.

This press release was produced by Seattle Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.