By Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District
Classes for students begin Aug. 17
Q) I was interested in enrolling in the PVUSD Virtual Academy initially but now that we know that first semester is going to be via distance learning I would like to stay in my current school placement. I continue to be concerned about the safety of my children going back to school in Jan of 2021. With things changing what seems like week by week, I don’t want to make the decision of enrolling in Virtual Academy until further along in the semester with current information about community spread in our area but have not heard about the process of applying for Jan 2021 semester. Will I be able to apply for enrollment for Virtual Academy 2nd semester? If so, what will be the process? Thank you.
Q) If we begin the year with distance learning with our usual school site and find it isn’t working for our child and or family, will there be an option to switch to Virtual Academy or another PVUSD program?
Students will be able to apply for the Virtual Academy at the beginning of the second semester. On a case by case basis, students would be able to transition to the Virtual Academy during the first semester.
Q) If I have a child at a private school who was put on a waitlist for Aptos Jr High, can they still apply for the Virtual Academy?
Yes, students currently in private schools may apply for the PVUSD Virtual Academy.
Families currently in a private school within PVUSD boundaries need to enroll as a new student at: https://capvusd.edupoint.com/PXP2_OEN_Login.aspx, click more options and create a new account. If the private school is outside PVUSD boundaries, families must complete an inter-district transfer from their district of residence.
Q) What are the next steps for current PVUSD teachers who are interested in teaching at the Virtual Academy?
Teachers interested in teaching in the Virtual Academy should complete the Google form by Wednesday, August 5, that was sent out to certificated staff on Wednesday, July 29, by Human Resources.
Q) Will there be flexibility in the standard school day within the Virtual Academy (Can we work through the assignments at our own pace)?
Yes. Students can move through the courses at their own pace. Students are required to do a minimum 20 hours of instruction a week, however, they may do those hours at their own pace.
Secondary students may move through the courses at a quicker rate with a maximum of 45 credits a semester.
Q) How will we ensure ALL students have reliable internet access in order for them to access their learning?
In addition to these hot spots, we now have 3,000 additional hot spots to provide students. We have also worked with Cruzio and Charter Spectrum for home internet for our staff and students.
Q) Will Girls Volleyball have a season in high school?
Our athletic teams will follow the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) 2020-21 sports calendar.
Therefore, Girls Volleyball may begin practice on Dec. 14 and continue until March 20.
Q) Will students at PVHS be required to work on community hours during COVID-19? In other words, would it be a requirement? If so, do they have the freedom to volunteer anywhere or is there a specific list of options for the students?
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we waived the community hours requirement for the Seniors Class of 2020.
We will continue to waive this requirement for the Class of 2021 as well.
Q) What kind of training have and will the teachers get to prepare them for this school year?
We will be providing voluntary professional development to PK-12 grade teachers and staff before school starts the week of Aug. 3, 2020.
We will provide professional development during our required professional development days prior to school around current and new platforms purchased to improve distance learning.
We will also provide training, planning and collaboration time during the first week of school. School starts for students on Aug. 17.
Q) The district wants us to go back to school in November but that is when the flu season starts and that means people will get sick and be in risk of corona so please tell the district to start school next year when the vaccine is ready. The vaccine should come out the end of December.
Our current plan is to not return back physically to schools until the beginning of the second semester at the earliest, which would be the middle of January, if health and safety conditions allow it.