Matt Watson, curriculum specialist at tuition free charter school SCVi/iLEAD, interviews Educational Expert Renee Marshall about how the ‘Stronger Together’ coronavirus-related guidelines can are informing schools’ decisions on how to open safely this fall.

On a recent episode of the “Eye on the Valley” radio show, host Matt Watson and Educational Expert Renee Marshall discussed the upcoming “Stronger Together” coronavirus-related guidelines schools such as SCVi/iLEAD, a tuition free charter school in Santa Clarita, will consult when planning in-person and distance learning programs for the fall semester.

Distance learning and online programs, such as iLEAD’s tuition free online program, which offers both online real-time classroom instruction and asynchronous learning environments, are unlikely to require major changes. This is because most of the recommendations listed in the “Stronger Together” guidelines are centered around in-person and hybrid learning classrooms.

Related: Charter School In Santa Clarita’s Online Summer Classes Help Keep Students On Track

Traditional face-to-face education will be most impacted by these new guidelines. However, Marshall noted that “Stronger Together” presented suggestions rather than mandates, and each school will be able to adapt their programs according to their best judgement and the specific needs of their community.

Accordingly, Marshall suggested parents get involved by taking school surveys and speaking directly with school board members and leaders about their personal concerns.

“This is a great time to talk to your schools, to talk to your board, and to let them know what your opinion is about what school should look like going into the future,” said Marshall. “So many of our districts have sent out surveys and so they are actively looking to get parent feedback and student voice into this planning that we’re doing right now.”

In particular, Marshall noted that many parents have concerns about whether their children will be required to wear masks.

“For so many people the masks are a make or break situation with the schools,” said Marshall. “There’s so much emotion that’s attached to this. … But if all of the scientists and the health agencies are telling us in order to keep, not just the kids but our families healthy, we need them to wear the masks, we just need to do it.”

She added that parents whose children aren’t able to use masks for any reason will have alternatives to in-person education available to them at most public and tuition free charter schools.

“If we have students who can’t wear masks, we absolutely will find ways to make sure that they can continue learning,” Marshall said. “That’s one of the joys of the different models that we’re presenting — that the Department of Education is presenting, and honestly, I think we’re going to see a lot of schools … and a lot of districts that are going to offer more than one option.”

SCVi/iLEAD’s distance learning program is particularly well-suited to families whose children cannot safely wear masks, or to those who want to offer their children curated classroom learning with more flexibility than is found at most traditional schools.

With courses “created, written, developed and managed by” Santa Clarita educators, iLEAD online’s curriculum features courses tailored to each learner’s needs.

“Our facilitators are project-based learning experts … are happy to modify projects, assignments, and courses to best fit the learning plan needed to support each learner’s success,” reported officials from the tuition free online charter school in Santa Clarita.

Ultimately, Marshall said that Santa Clarita families will have to ask themselves, “‘What’s going to be best for my child, but also, what’s going to be best for my family structure?’”

To find out more about how SCVi/iLEAD is working with parents and learners to craft a safe educational environment, interested parties can visit the tuition free charter school’s website.

Additionally, parents throughout the valley can take advantage of local resources gathered by SCVi/iLEAD for families needing educational, nutritional and community support in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ed. Note: This article is a KHTS Community Spotlight for SCVi/iLEAD Charter School in Santa Clarita.

SCVi/iLEAD is a tuition free charter school in Santa Clarita that uses project-based and social-emotional learning concepts to inspire and motivate lifelong learners with the skills they need to lead in the 21st century. Technology is incorporated into all components of the curriculum, and learners are given a firm grounding in the arts, humanities and sciences. School officials value and encourage development of leadership skills by inspiring character and confidence in learners. SCVi/iLEAD offers transitional kindergarten (TK) through 12th grade, providing a unique learning opportunity for those in need of a kindergarten in Santa Clarita, elementary school in Santa Clarita, jr high in Santa Clarita, middle school in Santa Clarita or high school in Santa Clarita. 

SCVi/iLEAD

28060 Hasley Canyon Rd.
Castaic, CA 91384

Lower School: (661) 705-4820
Upper School: (661) 705-8420

SCVi/iLEAD – Santa Clarita

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zv2S5rRyiI

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