Posted on: August 17, 2020
We are so excited to connect with our students again this fall! We learned so much when we transitioned to distance learning last spring, and we have worked to make a plan that values our students, staff, and the entire educational process. We know how important interaction is for our students, and the plans in place will allow for consistency, interaction, and access to quality instruction. We want to ensure our parents, guardians, and students understand the class schedule for the upcoming academic school year. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact an administrator for clarification. Principal Susie Orsborn can be reached by email at Susie.Orsborn@albany.k12.or.us.
The schedule for the 2020-2021 school year will remain in place for the duration of the academic calendar year. Though we are all beginning virtually, when we transition to an in-person hybrid (or virtual from home model for those who choose this option), the class schedule will remain the same unless regulations set forth by the Governor change.
Rather than our traditional schedule of a Blue/Gold block for an 18-week semester with up to eight classes, we will be working on four 9-week quarters. This modified block will allow students to focus on a maximum of four classes at a time. Each 9 week’s worth of work will still receive a semester credit. Freshmen and sophomores are required to take four classes each quarter. Juniors and seniors are required to take three classes each quarter, but may take four if they choose or are credit deficient.
WAHS CLASS SCHEDULE for 2020-2021 (Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday)
ADVISORY
QUARTER ROTATION
When classes begin on September 14, we will begin Quarter 1. Students will attend ONLY their Blue day classes for the first 9-week period. All quarter 1 classes will work continuously for 9 weeks before then switching to a focus on ONLY Gold day classes for the subsequent 9 weeks. Quarter 3 will be a return to Blue day classes, and Quarter 4 will finish out the year with Gold day classes.
If a student is taking a year-long course, they will either complete it in Quarters 1 & 3 or in Quarters 2 & 4, still earning the full year’s credit.
In other words, students’ schedules will work as follows:
COMPREHENSIVE DISTANCE LEARNING
As we begin virtually, students will attend live feed (synchronous) classes with their teachers and peers five days a week. Students will attend Advisory on Wednesdays only. Students will be engaged and actively learning all week. Staff will be participating in professional development, teacher preparatory activities, and grading on Wednesdays as well.
- Live lessons will be recorded and available for students to access if they are unable to attend class.
- Office hours with individual teachers will be communicated through email. Students can email if they have questions or academic concerns.
LIVE ENGAGEMENT DAYS (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday)
On the days students attend class, the expectation will be to have them logged into their virtual class with their teacher and peers. Classes will be live with interactive assignments, small group work, live teacher instruction, tutorials or videos to watch, supplemental reading or writing tasks, discussion boards, etc. These days will work as if we were in the school building and attendance and participation will be extremely important. Students will follow their class schedule for the day from 8:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
- Live lessons will be recorded and available for students to access if they are unable to attend class.
INDEPENDENT WORK DAY (Wednesday)
In addition to Advisory, on Wednesday students will participate in independent work in all classes. Teachers will have reviewed and explained the independent work to be done at the end of their previous live class. Assignments on these days could include recorded teacher lessons, tutorials or videos to watch, supplemental reading or writing tasks, discussion boards, group work, etc. This work will be an expectation the same as if students were in class. The balance of live and virtual learning days ensures students are actively learning and engaged each day of the week, which will allow students to receive consistent instruction in a course for a full 9 weeks in order to receive a semester credit.
ADVISORY (Wednesday)
Advisory is a small group of common-grade students whom a teacher will work with throughout the year to ensure every student is successful regardless of their learning model. The purpose of Advisory is to have consistent check-ins making sure student learning needs are being met, encouraging them to make good academic choices, and to share important information.
Students will meet in their Advisory on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Advisory teachers will facilitate any assistance students need and reach out for connections with additional services (counseling, tutoring, FACT, Linn County Mental Health, etc.).
** When we transition to the in-person hybrid model, student schedules will hopefully stay the same depending on regulations set forth by the Governor, ODE and or OHA. Students who chose fully virtual (interactive at home learning model) will continue to log into their classes to interact with their teachers and peers. If students and families want to change their choice between hybrid and virtual when we return to school, please contact their counselor or administrator.
SPECIAL SERVICES
Special Education Support
- We will collaborate with District SpEd Director Ryan Mattingly and SpEd teachers to monitor and adjust to meet the needs of all of our students.
English Language Development Support
- We are excited about having ELD support available to our students this year. All ELD students will have a support class first quarter with Mrs. Mehl. We will monitor and adjust schedules after the first quarter, according to student needs.
- Depending on student needs, students will be scheduled into ELD for part of the period then may join an elective or remain in study skills for ELD support. The ELD teacher will discuss with each student and family in order to determine the best placement.
- We will collaborate with District ELD Director Heather Huzefka and our ELD teacher Mrs. Mehl to monitor and adjust to meet the needs of all of our students.
- As an added support, we will have a counselor that will specialize her work with our ELD students and their families.
Academic Success Support
- Academic Success is a small learning community designed to help students who need extra support in their transition into high school as well as students who may be at risk of not graduating or not graduating on time with their peers.
- Academic Success students will start each day with their Academic Success teacher
- Academic Success students have access to an additional educational assistant who will be available to assist them in their classes, thus providing continual support and accountability.
- Academic Success is offered to freshmen (Freshmen Success) and sophomores (Sophomore Success) only.
- Junior/Senior Study Skills is a course designed for Junior and Senior students to assist their academic growth in all content areas.
- Students are provided with specific instruction in study techniques, organizational skills, and improving personal academic rigor.
- Staff will work with students so they will better understand course content, improve class performance, and demonstrate a growth mindset.
- Staff will also monitor and support the social emotional health of their students.
BACK TO SCHOOL PREP DAY (previously known as Registration)
In order to complete the registration process and prepare for classes, we will host a drive through Back to School Prep Day for each class. More information will be sent, but please note the dates below:
- Monday, August 31 - Seniors - 2:00-6:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 1 - Juniors - 2:00-6:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 2 - Sophomores - 2:00-6:00 p.m.
- Thursday, September 3 - Freshmen - 2:00-6:00 p.m.
During these times, students will be able to complete/turn in any necessary paperwork, have their picture taken for student body cards, receive textbooks (and chrome books if needed), return any textbooks or library books from the 2019-2020 school year they may still have, and receive schedules.
Administrators by Class:
- Freshmen: Jessica.Smith@albany.k12.or.us
- Sophomores: Sean.Saxton@albany.k12.or.us
- Juniors: Rich.Engel@albany.k12.or.us
- Seniors: Susie.Orsborn@albany.k12.or.us
Counselors by Class: (will return August 24)
- Freshmen: Ryan.Graham@albany.k12.or.us
- Sophomores: A-L Ryan.Graham@albany.k12.or.us M-Z Casey.Sheets@albany.k12.or.us
- Juniors: Casey.Sheets@albany.k12.or.us
- Seniors: Jan.Rasmussen@albany.k12.or.us
We sincerely hope this information was helpful. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact an administrator for clarification. Principal Susie Orsborn can be reached by email at Susie.Orsborn@albany.k12.or.us.