Dearborn Public Schools Virtual K-12 is is offered entirely online. Instruction, tutoring and most testing all take place using online tools.  Students attend virtual classes the entire day, following the Dearborn Public Schools schedule.

To be successful in virtual learning, students need an extra level of independence and self-discipline. They need to be able to complete their work with less supervision, and they need to be able to speak up and ask questions when they need help or clarification from the teacher. Not all students are well-suited for this style of learning.  Parents should carefully consider the unique qualities of their child when considering if virtual school is right for them.  Parents also should understand that putting their child in a virtual school may mean the parent needs to assist more to make sure students do their work on time, stay focused on their classwork, and interact with their teachers.

Before deciding whether you and your child are ready for an entirely virtual school, we recommend a review of the following self-evaluation tools.

• Is my child ready for 100% virtual learning? (Student self-assessment)
• Am I ready to support my child with 100% virtual learning? (Parent self-assessment)

Student Expectations

Online school will run much like in-school classes, but online. Students will attend and participate in a full schedule of classes every day, complete homework, and be graded for their efforts.

• Students are expected to attend classes every day.  Any absences will be marked in MiStar. (Parents can access MiStar through Parent Connect.)
• Students are expected to be on time for every class. A late log-in will be marked as a tardy in MiStar.  
• Students are required to keep their camera on during class.
• Students are expected to adhere to the Dearborn Public Schools’ Code of Conduct during every class and activity.
• Students are expected to advocate for themselves with teachers.  
• Students  are expected to respond to communications from their teachers through Schoology or their student email account.
• Students are expected to share their learning with their parent(s).
• Students are expected to be honest and do their own work.  
• Students are expected to always cite sources and not plagiarize.
• High school dual enrollment students are expected to adhere to the college’s code of conduct and to follow the Dearborn Public Schools’ and the college’s academic calendars, which are not the same. If a student registers for a face-to-face college class, the student is expected to attend that class face-to-face.
• High school final exams are face-to-face. High school students who do not attend an exam will not receive credit for the exam and that will be factored into their overall grade. 
• Students may participate in sports, and other extracurricular activities at what would have been their home school, if eligibility requirements are met.

Parent Expectations

Success in school always depends upon the school, parents and students working together. Parents/guardians will need to support each child in developing successful work habits, completing assignments and advocating for support from teachers. 

• Parents transferring or enrolling their child in the Dearborn Public School Virtual K-12 need to understand this is a commitment for the entire school year and understand that their child will be enrolled in the Virtual K-12 School and will no longer be enrolled in their home school. 
• Parents are expected to attend an orientation at least once a year.
• Parents will need to make arrangements to pick up supplies at schedule times during the year and may need to make arrangements for students to come to a district location for state-required assessments and for high school students to take final exams.
• Parents are expected to use the Dearborn Public Schools Virtual K-12 webpage to find resources and answers to questions.
• Parents are expected to read and respond to emails from teachers and school administrators.
• Parents must be prepared to support their child(ren).
  • Parents are expected to attend parent-teacher conferences.
  • Parents are expected to ensure that their child(ren) attend classes and  submit assignments on time.
  • Parents are expected to let their children advocate with the instructor.
  • Parents are expected to check student progress weekly through Schoology and/or ParentConnect. 
  • Parents are expected to help their child meet deadlines. 
  • Parents are expected to help ensure that the student is doing his/her own work. 
  • Parents are expected to review their child’s work and be aware of their child’s academic progress.
• When a student is not showing progress in the Virtual K-12 school, parent(s) are expected to meet with the teacher and additional staff to determine instructional needs and be open minded about the best option for their child.

District Commitment

Dearborn Schools will provide a remote learning platform (currently Schoology), as well as other educational applications and district resources for instruction. For those students that do not have internet accessible technology, the district will provide Chromebooks. Instructional materials (pencils, crayons, etc.) will be made available to families that do not have them.  All students will have access to course textbooks/resources as needed to complete their work.

The district will:

• Provide a principal and necessary teaching and support staff for this school.
• Provide an orientation for student and parents at beginning of the year.
• Provide a highly-qualified teacher for each course.  The teacher(s) will only be available remotely via email, phone or Schoology.  
• Facilitate the transfer/enrollment process
• Respond to parent questions in a timely manner
• Encourage and support family engagement
• Provide technology and internet access, if needed
• Provide necessary books, workbooks or any other required learning materials for parent pick up at a scheduled time.
• Facilitate student involvement in extracurricular activities if requirements are met
• Provide facilities and proctors for all assessments
• Provide support for technology issues
• Use MiStar/Parent Connect and the Schoology learning platform to communicate grades and information.  Secondary students will earn a letter grade for coursework.
• For students in 7th through 12th grade, an Educational Development Plan will be created and student progress monitored with staff. 

Teacher Expectations

Instructional staff will educate and provide social emotional support to students using Schoology, email and other communications tools and district resources and pacing.  Staff will follow the district calendar and school schedule. Teachers will follow the Dearborn Federation of Teachers professional responsibilities and evaluation model.

Instruction and Progress Monitoring

• Teachers will provide daily live lessons as indicated in the daily schedule.  
• Teachers will create and post the daily agenda, lesson targets or objectives at the beginning of each day/class period. 
• Teachers will provide feedback to students on assignments through the learning management system (Schoology) as they are completed.
• Teachers will differentiate instruction within the platform to meet each student’s needs.
• Teachers will collaborate with Special Education co-teachers, English Language Development Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Title I Resource teachers, Early Childhood Specialists and other ancillary staff to ensure instructional and social emotional accommodations are in place and to meet the needs of each student and provide additional interventions.
• Teachers will use Schoology to monitor student wellness, engagement, and completion of assignments.
• Teachers will clearly explain student expectations to every student and parent.
• Teachers will ensure that ALL students understand how to access the learning.

Collaboration and Communication With Students and Families

• Teachers will continue to partner with families and communicate with parents/guardians or parent designee to ensure learning is happening.  The focus is on two-way communication.
  • Check emails/messages daily and respond within 24 hours.
  • Update classroom/school log based on school expectations: all calls, texts and emails must be documented.
  • Provide information and assistance in understanding the learning management system (Schoology), calendars and assignments to parents.
  • Provide timely feedback to students regarding their evidence of learning based on the standards. 
  • Teachers will bring concerns regarding inconsistent completion and/or communication with a parent or student to the principal or counselor level to develop a plan to connect with the student and family. 
  • If a parent/guardian grants permission for district staff to communicate with a tutor or mentor, this is allowable and expected.