• STUDENT HANDBOOK 21-22

     

    STUDENT AND PARENT VIRTUAL LEARNING EXPECTATIONS 

    Student Expectations

    • Students must adhere to the KCS Policy J-260 Dress Code. 
    • Students are expected to follow KCS Policy J-191 Misbehaviors and Disciplinary Options to provide a safe and respectful environment for teachers and students. 
    • Students shall not use illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages or any tobacco products or electronic cigarette/vaping devices while participating in the virtual school day or at any school-sponsored activity at any time, whether on or off school grounds.  (KCS Policy J-220)
    • Students are expected to follow the KCS Policy I-220 when utilizing technology. Proper behavior, as it relates to the use of computers, is no different than proper behavior in other aspects of school activities. All users are expected to use the computers and computer networks in a responsible, ethical, and polite manner. KCS reserves the right to monitor all technology resource activity. 
    • Students must have their cameras on at the beginning of class for teachers to take attendance accurately.  It is important to note that teachers can require students to turn on their cameras during test, presentations, and group work. 
    • Students are responsible for the content posted through their login and account activity. Sharing or using usernames and passwords with others or using other’s usernames and passwords is strictly prohibited. 
    • Follow KCS grade-level expectations for digital citizenship. 
    • Students are expected to check Canvas or other teacher communication formats daily. Teachers will provide scheduled office hours through Microsoft Teams.
    • Students must maintain a log of usernames and passwords for all virtual learning platforms.
    • Students will be expected to adhere to all assessment policies for diagnostic, benchmark, and Standards Based Assessments. 
    • Students will attend virtual lessons with teachers and/or participate in asynchronous lessons daily.
    • Student attendance will be recorded daily and entered into Aspen. 
    • Students are expected to be active participants in virtual activities as directed by the teacher. ● Submit assignments as directed by the teacher. 
    • Advocate for personal needs and additional support when needed. Students are expected to meet the teacher policy regarding assignment submission, late work, and incomplete work. Students are expected to meet all deadlines. 
    • Students will be held accountable for meeting teacher virtual classroom policies. 
    • Students will attend mandatory in person assessment days.
    • Report any technical issues through the Tech Help Desk (865-594-1830) as soon as an issue arises. 
    • Students will maintain best practices for virtual learning sessions.





    Best practices for virtual learning sessions 

    ○ Consider the environment behind you that can be seen in video chats and ensure there are no inappropriate images, materials, etc. for school. 

    ○ Mute audio when entering Teams classrooms. 

    ○ Mute audio when not speaking. 

    ○ Be appropriate and respectful in your actions and words.

    ○ Listen to the educator or individual speaking. 

    ○ Stay engaged throughout the lesson or activity. 

    ○ Ensure that all work is your own. 




    Parent Expectations

     In order for a student to be a successful virtual learner, a true partnership must be established between the parent, student, and the virtual teacher. It is imperative that all contact information be kept current in ASPEN. Virtual teachers will be communicating regularly with parents. Responsibilities of the parent are outlined below. 

     

    • Parents are expected to set up a dedicated learning space in the home - free from 

    distractions and interruption (pets, siblings, television, etc...). This may include a quiet space, no movement behind the student, and appropriate background. 

    • Parents are expected to set up and maintain a daily work schedule for the student in accordance with the synchronous and asynchronous class schedule. 
    • Parents are expected to check KCS platforms (Canvas and ASPEN) for assignments and grades. 
    • Parents are expected to provide schools and teachers with the most current contact information (phone numbers, emergency contact, and address). 
    • Parents are expected to maintain open lines of communication (phone and email) with teachers and communicate any concerns or questions to the teacher. Teachers are expected to return communication within 2 business day. 
    • Parents are expected to ensure that the student is communicating appropriately with teachers and classmates (email, chat feature, etc…). 
    • Parents are expected to adhere to the Civility Code KCS Policy B-230. 
    • Parents are expected to ensure that the student follows the KCS dress code. (J-260)
    • Parents are expected to ensure that the student follows the established classroom rules and expectations for virtual learning. 
    • Parents are expected to ensure that the student follows the KCS grade-level expectations for digital citizenship. 
    • Parents are expected to support academic integrity by allowing students to work independently and by monitoring resources used. 
    • Parents are expected to monitor student work and ensure that assignments are submitted according to directions by the teacher. This includes due dates and format. 
    • Parents are expected to ensure that all KCS policies and procedures are followed. Students must understand they must be properly dressed and cannot issue inappropriate or threatening language. 
    • Parents are expected to follow federal and state laws regarding student privacy and FERPA. This includes not recording lessons or sessions and not posting photos and videos on social media. 



    Academic Integrity

    Students enrolled in KCS Virtual School are held to the same academic standards as students who choose face-to-face instruction in any of our middle and high schools. Academic integrity must be maintained at all costs. Virtual students who choose to resort to plagiarism, cheating, or using social media to transmit any work will be subject to disciplinary action and parents will be contacted should a violation occur. If violations are repeated, the student could lose the opportunity to continue his/her education through the virtual setting. For consistency across the district, the following definitions will be used: 

     

    Plagiarism, according to Harbrace Handbook, 15th edition, is defined as "presenting someone else's ideas, research, or opinion as your own without proper documentation, even if it has been rephrased." It includes, but is not limited to, the following: 

    1. Copying verbatim all or part of another's written work; 
    2. Using phrases, figures, or illustrations without citing the source; 
    3. Paraphrasing ideas, conclusions, or research without citing the source; 
    4. Using all of part of a literary plot, poem, or film without attributing the work to its creator.

     

    Cheating is defined as representing any other person’s work or work from any source as your own.

     

    It is important to note that using Google Translate when completing World Language assignments is considered cheating.  

     

    CONSEQUENCES OF PLAGIARISM 

    Plagiarism is a form of stealing and academic fraud. Students who are found guilty of plagiarism will have the option of either redoing the assignment within a specified period and accepting a grade letter drop or taking a zero on the assignment. Parents should be involved in making the decision. If expectations are not followed, disciplinary consequences could include disciplinary action in accordance with KCS policy.



    Device Use/Misuse: 

    Improper use of any computer or the network is prohibited. This includes the following: 

    • Use of racist, profane, or obscene language or materials 
    • Using the network for financial gain, political or commercial activity 
    • Attempting to or harming equipment, materials or data 
    • Attempting to or sending anonymous messages of any kind 
    • Using the network to access inappropriate material 
    • Knowingly placing a computer virus on a computer or the network 
    • Using the network to provide addresses or other personal information that others may use inappropriately 
    • Accessing of information resources, files, and documents of another user without permission ● Vandalism, any malicious attempt to harm or destroy district equipment or materials, data of another user of the district’s system, or any of the agencies or other networks to which the district has access is prohibited. Deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt system performance may be viewed as violations of district guidelines and, possibly, as criminal activity under applicable state and federal laws. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creating of computer viruses.
    • Forgery or attempted forgery of electronic messages is prohibited. Attempts to read, delete, copy, or modify the electronic mail of other system users or deliberate interference with the ability of other system users to send/receive electronic mail is prohibited. Forgery or attempted forgery of documents or currency is prohibited. Deliberate attempts to create, copy or modify official documents or currency using district technology resources may be viewed as a violation of district guidelines and, possibly, as criminal activity under applicable state and federal laws. Failure to comply with these standards may result in temporary or permanent removal of user access to KCS Virtual Instruction.

     

    Attendance 

    Parents/guardians have the legal responsibility to ensure that their child is fully participating in virtual school by monitoring their progress and time spent on daily course work. When a student is unable to participate in daily instruction, parent notes/doctor notes should be submitted via email to Mrs. Maleena Wright at maleena.wright@knoxschools.org. All virtual students are held to the same attendance policies/guidelines as students who are in traditional schools. See Knox County Board of Education Attendance Policy (J-120) regarding absence documentation.

     

    Attendance on synchronous instruction days will be taken at the start of the class period.  Students who arrive more than 15 minutes late, or leave 15 minutes or more before the end of the period will be marked absent.  

     

    Attendance on asynchronous days will be based on the completion of the assignment required by the teacher for that day.  Attendance will be recorded in Aspen the following day.  Students who do not complete their required assignment will be marked absent.





    Counseling Services 

    School counselors are available for students enrolled in KCS Virtual. Counselors will be having regular meetings with teachers to determine students who are in need of services.  Also, Counselors will have a Canvas page where students can request assistance.  Students are encouraged to reach out to the Counselor when they are having social/emotional problems, when they have academic concerns, and about all college and career access questions.

     

    ASSESSMENTS AND GRADING

    Assessments 

    Teachers will provide a variety of assessments to determine student mastery of the course content. Assessments may include discussion-based assessments, essays, project-based, and formative assessments.  It is important to note that teachers CAN require cameras to be turned on during assessments.  

     

    Make-Up Work

    If a student must be absent from school for any reason, excused or unexcused, upon returning to school, he/she shall be given the opportunity to make up any and all assignments that were missed during the student's absence. The student must request makeup assignments within three (3) days after returning. Teachers shall set a reasonable time for the completion of the work. Failure of a student to initiate a request for make-up work within three (3) days will result in lost opportunity for credit for that assignment.

     

    Progress Reports/Report Cards 

    Families will continue to receive either a progress report or a report card every 4.5 weeks. These reports will be posted to the Family Portal.

     

    State and District EOCs/Testing

    Students who opt for virtual learning will be required to take all state and district level end of course exams. Exams will count 15% of final grade. Virtual students will report to a location to be determined at the designated time. 



    Glossary of terms 

    ASPEN is the student information system used by Knox County Schools. The Aspen Family Portal is the online access point for important student information and teacher communication. This secure site provides an easy way to view student academic information including: 

    • Grades 
    • Upcoming assignments 
    • Attendance 
    • Progress reports/report cards 
    • State testing scores 

     

    Family Portal also allows you to email teachers and set automatic email notifications if a grade falls below a specific threshold.  Additionally, some teachers use the site to build classroom pages and to manage parent communication. These pages are accessed only by logging in and may include announcements, a course syllabus, dates for important assignments and links to classroom information. 

     

    Asynchronous Instruction is instruction provided by a certified educator to students who participate in instruction at a separate time from when the teacher delivered the instruction. This may include but not be limited to methods such as printed work materials, teacher-assigned individual or group projects, audio- or video-recorded lessons, or online course modules, or other appropriate methods as determined by the district. 

     

    Canvas is the learning management platform used in Knox County that allows schools to deliver a virtual learning environment that meets the needs of the student and the school. Student assignments can be found in and submitted through this platform. 

     

    FERPA is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. This act is a federal law that protects student privacy. 

     

    Microsoft Teams is the secure on-line platform that will be used in Knox County for teachers to communicate with students and parents and to deliver synchronous instruction.

     

    Synchronous Instruction is instruction provided by a certified educator to a student or students at the same time but not necessarily in the same place who engage in instruction while it occurs. This may include but not be limited to in-person instruction or telephonic, Internet-based, or other appropriate methods of communication as determined by the district and may include full-class or small-group instruction or one-on-one instruction between student and teacher.