Distance learning not an option next school year for Natomas Unified, new 'virtual academy' is
Natomas district enrolling students in new virtual academy. It won't offer pandemic-style distance learning in fall
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Updated: 9:19 AM PDT Apr 20, 2021
Natomas district enrolling students in new virtual academy. It won't offer pandemic-style distance learning in fall
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Updated: 9:19 AM PDT Apr 20, 2021
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CAN SIGN-UP THEIR KIDS MELANIE: STEPHANIE KEPT UP WITH A COUPLE CATCHES UP WITH A COUPLE FRIENDS ON CAMPUS, NOT SOMETHING SHE IS ABLE TO DO WITH ALL HER CLASSMATES. >> HALF OF THEM, I HAVE NOT SEEN SINCE THE LAST DAY WE WERE AT SCHOOL. MELANIE: HER FAMILY CHOOSING TO KEEP HER AT HOME THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. EVEN THOUGH EARLIER THIS MONTH, NATOMAS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFERED FAMILIES THE OPTION OF RETURNING TO IN-PERSON LEARNING FIVE DAYS A WEEK. WHEN THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR STARTS -- DISTANCE-LEARNING IS NOT SOMETHING WE ARE GOING TO PRESENT. MELANIE: IT WILL NOT BE OFFERED BY NATOMAS UNIFIED SCHOOLS BUT FOR SOME FAMILIES NOW ACCUSTOMED TO SCHOOL IN AN ONLINE FORMAT, THE DISTRICT IS GIVING THE A NEW ENROLLMENT CHOICE. >> WE ARE LAUNCHING A PERMANENT VIRTUAL ACADEMY. MELANIE: AN ONLINE SCHOOL THE DISTRICT SAYS WILL BE HIGHLY STRUCTURED, A GOOD FIT FOR THOSE WHOSE KIDS LEARN AT A DIFFERENT PACE AND WHOSE PARENTS NEED THE FLEXIBILITY OF THE VIRTUAL FORMAT. >> FOR SOME, THIS IS SOMETHING THEY PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE EVEN CONSIDERED. MELANI THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY IS STATE-FUNDED, MEANING THERE IS NO TUITION OR COSTS TO FAMILIES FOR THE COMPUTERS AND CONNECTIVITY COMPONENTS NEEDED. FOR FAMILIES THAT ENROLL IN THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY, THE DISTRICT SAYS IT PLANS TO OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO ENGAGE WITH THEIR FELLOW CLASSMATES AND TAKE PART IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. >> KIND OF GETTING THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, ALLOWING THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS AND EVEN FOR THE HIGH SCHOOLS, SOME BLENDED LEARNING. THEY WOULD STILL BE ABLE TO GO ON CAMPUS TO THEIR SCHOOL OF RESIDENCE. MELANIE: THE DISTRICT GIVING FAMILIES TIME TO PLAN WITH AN OPTION TO ENROLL IN THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY OR ATTEND IN PERSON, FIVE DAYS A WEEK, CALM FALL. >> I FEEL NERVOUS THINKING ABOUT IT BECAUSE I HAVE NOT BEEN IN THAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT FOR SO LONG BUT I AM EXCITED AT THE SAME T